Orange alert as rain leaves Gurugram waterlogged; disrupts traffic The Sector 52A market was among the most affected areas, with visuals showing commuters wading through knee-deep water Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 14:14:38 IST By Sampurna Panigrahi, Mihika Shah
‘Buy buy buy!’: Foreign tourist reacts to duty-free shopping after Delhi immigration A foreign tourist has posted a video of his Delhi airport experience, questioning the shopping pitches he encountered just after immigration. Published on: Aug 24, 2026
India security chief visits China for border talks India security chief visits China for border talks Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 14:06:38 IST AFP Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link India's top security official arrived in Beijing on Monday for talks on the countries' disputed Himalayan border
‘Jo bhi hai, tera ghar hai’: American compares Indian and US hospitality An American Hindi speaker’s take on Indian hospitality has viewers discussing the differences between socialising in India and the US. Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 13:31:09 IST By Vaishali Kapila Prefer HTon Google Share
Manipur: 1 CRPF personnel injured, 2 houses burnt by unknown armed individuals The gunfight broke out after two houses belonging to separate communities were set ablaze by an unidentified group of people Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 13:49:38 IST By Thomas Ngangom
Bihar Polls: Frustrated Youth, Political Indifference – NDA Faces Tough Battle
Bihar Elections 2025: Disillusioned Youth Rage Over Unemployment, Frequent Paper Leaks, Political Inaction – Why NDA Faces A Tough Fight
Rising anger over unemployment and frequent exam leaks has Bihar's youth signalling a wake-up call for the ruling NDA.
Patna: The early morning fog hangs low over the narrow lanes of Patna's old quarters. The faint smell of damp earth mixes with the clatter of bicycles, bikes and the distant cries of street vendors opening their stalls. Rickshaws groan as they start their rounds and chai (tea) vapour drifts from street-side stalls.
Amidst this, 25-year-old Arvind Kumar (name changed) huddles on the worn steps of a shuttered tea stall, with his hands wrapped tightly around a battered backpack. Every few seconds, he peers down the lane, eyes flicking nervously as if expecting someone to emerge from the mist.
“I can't be seen… please, no one will know me here,” he murmurs, his voice barely audible over the soft hum of the waking city.
Add Zee News as a Preferred Source
He is one of the accused in the Teacher Recruitment Exam – 3 (TRE-3) paper leak case, which was abruptly cancelled on March 15, 2024. He spent three months in Beur Jail and now walks the streets cautiously, using a borrowed bicycle to keep a low profile.
“I was only a technical assistant, earning Rs 8,000 a month. Even small leaves meant a cut in salary. I got involved with those leaking papers because I had no other choice. Money was needed. Then I got caught. Jail was harsh, and reading about the lives ruined in the newspapers… I understood how wrong it all was,” he confesses.
At the other end, 28-year-old Roshan Yadav is one of the 3.75 lakh candidates who appeared for the TRE-3 exam. He has spent years preparing, only to watch opportunity slip away.
“I have appeared in four exams that were later leaked. At 28, it's exhausting. I hoped PK Sir and Tejaswi would bring change, but who knows?” he says, sitting in a cramped Patna hostel room filled with stacks of reference books and scribbled notes.
In the city, 21-year-old Shalindi and 22-year-old Asmita share a common dread: if the government job does not come through, their families might pull them back for marriage. Priyanka moved from Buxar to Patna last year to prepare for police recruitment. Despite the fear of paper leaks, she rises at 4 am to study.
“We are used to early mornings in our villages. But in Patna, safety feels different. I trust (Chief Minister) Nitish Kumar's initiatives for students. I will vote for him,” she says, her resolve visible in the set of her jaw.
Asmita has spent three years preparing for the physical tests of police constable recruitment. Her family gave her a strict two-year window. “We are girls. If exams are delayed or leaked, my parents will call me back. I do not want to become a housewife. I want a uniform,” she says, jogging daily in Gandhi Maidan, Patna, practising for her physical tests.
The fear of paper leaks is not abstract. In Bihar, systemic failures have cost students years. Avinash, 24, qualified in TRE-2, only for the exam to be invalidated due to a leak. “Even if you are selected, you are never certain. Vacancies are few, and then the paper leaks. How long can you keep asking your family for money?” he asks.
Rohit, 27, moved to Patna aiming for a police constable post. The delay in exams frustrates him. “Every time, papers go out early. We work hard, but a few people with money get ahead. Families like mine cannot pay Rs 20-25 lakh. Three brothers, parents, five members and a meagre monthly income. How can we compete?” he says.
Political parties maintain their standard lines. JDU spokesperson Neeraj Singh says, “Only those who fail blame paper leaks. Seats and vacancies adjust with each recruitment cycle. TRE-4 and 5 will bring more opportunities.”
The Congress, on the other hand, blames the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), among others. “When the Mahagathbandhan (the Rashtriya Janata Dal or RJD, the Congress and Left parties combine) was in power, exams were corruption-free. Now young people are being forced to migrate. We will ensure transparent exams and opportunities for students,” says an spokesperson of the grand old party.
Meanwhile, Dr Akhilesh Kumar, a long-time activist against paper leaks, warns of a generational anger brewing. “Paper leaks affect poor families the most. Government jobs are critical in Bihar. If youth voices are ignored, the backlash will hit the political establishment,” he explains.
An educationist, who refused to be named, adds, “Paper leaks are not just a student problem. They expose corruption and system failure. In a state with limited industry, government jobs are often the only secure option. Leaks deprive poor families, hurt aspirations and demoralise entire households. The upcoming elections may reflect Gen Z's frustration, but it will not be aimed at any single party. It is against the system itself.”
The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) is still investigating paper leaks. DIG Manavjit Singh Dhillon said that since 2012, 10 cases have been looked into and 545 people have been arrested. In 2024 alone, four papers were leaked, including TRE-2, where the exam was sold for just Rs 5,000. More than 1.22 lakh students had taken the exam, only to have it cancelled.
Ritesh says, “It is a vicious cycle. TRE-2 leaked, so I moved to police preparation. Exams keep changing phases and merit lists. One point, one number can decide your life. Many students take matters to court.”
Lalit echoes, “Even if the government promises jobs before elections, we see delays. But some hope remains because opportunities are trickling in. But every time, it feels like a gamble, not a system.”
Across Patna, the mood is tense. Students, hopeful but anxious, form the silent undercurrent of this election. Paper leaks, insufficient vacancies and political inaction have shaped a generation that is wary, ambitious and angry. The youth votes may not only reflect political allegiances, it may punish the system that failed them.
Source: ZeeNews
Related Posts: Bihar elections 2025, Bihar youth frustration, unemployment Bihar, paper leak Bihar, NDA Bihar assembly elections, Bihar political news, TRE exam leak, Bihar students protest
No need to panic over H1N1 surge in K'taka: Minister Khader No need to panic over H1N1 surge in K'taka: Minister Khader Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 13:51:09 IST PTI Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Bengaluru, Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader on Monday assured the public that there was no
9 hours ago
‘You endorse misogyny, cut the crap’: Shehzad Poonawalla joins BJP attack on Rahul Gandhi's ‘smash patriarchy’ call Shehzad Poonawalla and BJP were responding to Rahul Gandhi's call to "smash the patriarchy" during his party's 'Chhatro ki Goonj' programme in Pune. Updated on: Aug 24, 2026
12 hours ago
For Delhi-NCR residents, Guleria struck a reassuring note while explaining why this year’s wave has felt worse, but citizens need not panic The H1N1 virus driving Delhi-NCR’s current flu surge appears to be changing its structure — a process that is making it spread faster and slip past the
12 hours ago
A job applicant’s unusual rejection from a software engineering internship has left the internet divided after the candidate was reportedly turned down over the name of their resume file. The incident was highlighted in a now-viral post on X by user @adnaannasir_
12 hours ago
Elderly woman killed, husband injured in SUV hit-and-run at Delhi's posh GK-1 The woman, identified as Shashi, was declared brought dead at the hospital, while her husband Kulbhushan (65), was left injured. Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 11:00:26 IST By HT News Desk Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy
12 hours ago
Woman reflects on high-rise living in big cities: ‘Even the slice of the sky is fixed for us’ A woman shared her thoughts on high-rise life, saying big-city living can feel confined despite better work opportunities. Published on: Aug 24, 2026
12 hours ago
Governor Abdullah Sarhadi gives money to treat a boy's broken arm and hands out funds for a local mosque - then, in his office in northern Afghanistan, an astonishing exchange unfolds. A young woman tells the grey-bearded former Taliban commander that she wants to divorce her husband
12 hours ago
Andy Burnham is marking his first foreign visit as prime minister with a trip to Kyiv - and will hand over blueprints so Ukraine can build its own long-range missiles. The prime minister will chair his first meeting of the "coalition of the willing"
12 hours ago
Apple’s next iPhone launch is getting closer, and the company’s usual September schedule is beginning to take shape. According to a recent Forbes report, Apple could hold its special event on Wednesday, September 9, where it is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
12 hours ago
Fugitive gangster Goldy Brar has, in an audio clip, purportedly claimed responsibility for the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, The Indian Express reported. The newspaper said it could not independently verify the authenticity of the audio clip
12 hours ago
Dad crashes daughter’s late-night work meeting over parcels: ‘Ek paise ki saving nahi karti’ A father’s surprise appearance during his daughter’s work call turns into a lecture on spending and saving. Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 10:56:44 IST By Vaishali Kapila Prefer HTon Google Share via
12 hours ago
A Zimbabwean content creator’s tongue-in-cheek take on life in India has caught the attention of social media users after he shared 10 everyday conveniences that have completely changed his standard of living. From paying for almost everything with just a phone to having food
12 hours ago
Starting September 1, passengers traveling internationally will be required to use an e-boarding pass on their smartphones for immigration clearance, as announced by immigration authorities. This significant change comes as the Bureau of Immigration (BOI)
15 hours ago
The September 2026 US Visa Bulletin brings a mixed picture for Indian green card applicants. While some family-sponsored categories have moved forward, several employment-based categories remain severely constrained, with two India-specific categories listed as unavailable and the State Department
15 hours ago
The Maharashtra Transport Department has issued notices to 777 drivers for lacking practical knowledge of Marathi, The Hindu quoted unidentified officials as saying on Saturday. A total of 5,211 drivers were tested during a statewide inspection campaign that began on August 20, including 3
15 hours ago
19-year-old killed, friend injured after truck hits motorcycle on Delhi's Indraprastha flyover A police team reached the spot and found a motorcycle lying in a damaged condition and two people seriously injured. One of them died in the hospital. Updated on: Aug 24, 2026
15 hours ago
Indian woman reveals why her family returned to India after 13 years in US: ‘You don’t really belong here’ A woman shared five reasons her family decided to leave the US and return to India after 13 years. Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 07:43:56 IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Prefer HTon Google
15 hours ago
New UK PM Andy Burnham to make visit to Kyiv on Monday: office New UK PM Andy Burnham to make visit to Kyiv on Monday: office Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 07:41:28 IST AFP Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will visit Kyiv on Monday on his first international
15 hours ago
Bengaluru vs Gurgaon? Man who lived in both cities explains why the comparison is ‘completely pointless’ A man said the Bengaluru versus Gurgaon debate was pointless and urged people to live in both cities before deciding. Published on: Aug 24, 2026
15 hours ago
Circle Wealth CIO and Managing Partner Chadha said the market was rewarding companies with strong earnings and improving outlooks, even as large-cap stocks remained under pressure. Diwali season is expected to bring a fresh boost for Indian equities following strong corporate earnings
15 hours ago
The restriction was imposed under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, which governs the import, manufacture, distribution, and sale of drugs and cosmetics. The central government on Saturday restricted the manufacturing, sale and distribution of all fixed-dose combinations (FDCs)
15 hours ago
Ukraine backers gather as war escalates, air defence runs low Ukraine backers gather as war escalates, air defence runs low Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 07:41:29 IST AFP Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Ukraine on Monday hosts a meeting of its key European backers to press for critical
15 hours ago
'Trouble proving citizenship after representing India in 3 countries': Ex-envoy to ECI over Punjab SIR Suri served as India’s ambassador to the UAE and Egypt and high commissioner to Australia. Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 07:34:33 IST By HT Correspondent Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link
15 hours ago
2 killed after illegal building in Hyderabad's Gachibowli caves in Officials alleged that the building was built over or adjacent to a drain without the required permissions. Published on: Aug 23, 2026, 14:41:02 IST By Srinivasa Rao Apparasu Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link At least two
1 days ago
J'khand: Compensation of ₹31 lakh each given to families of 3 engineers burnt alive at steel plant J'khand: Compensation of ₹31 lakh each given to families of 3 engineers burnt alive at steel plant Published on: Aug 23, 2026, 14:43:04 IST PTI Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Ramgarh
1 days ago
Jaiñtia Hills to the G7: Can Meghalaya turn ‘Lakadong’ into a global brand? The high-curcumin turmeric has gone from an obscure hill crop to a GI-tagged premium product showcased before world leaders. Updated on: Aug 23, 2026, 14:48:20 IST By David Laitphlang
1 days ago
Ex-NRI shares why she takes auto for 1 km ride to gym after moving to India: 'Life here is a compromise' The woman shared that she has to walk through an area where "everybody stares", while the pathway is "ubad-khabad", dirty and encroached. Updated on: Aug 23, 2026
1 days ago
