PhD holders and guest assistant professors protesting in Patna marched towards Lok Bhavan on Saturday, nearly three weeks into their indefinite hunger strike. The protesters gathered at the R Block intersection and raised slogans against the state government while demanding changes in the rules governing appointments in higher education.

The protesters are seeking implementation of UGC rules for the appointment of professors, an increase in the upper age limit and withdrawal of proposed rules they say could affect the future of guest faculty. During the march, some protesters climbed barricades as security personnel tried to control the movement towards Lok Bhavan.

The agitation has continued for 19 days, with the protesters maintaining that guest faculty members who have worked for several years should not be removed without adequate consideration of their experience and service. The movement has also begun receiving support from political leaders and teachers.

Guest Faculty Raise Concerns

Dr Nikhil Kumar, who is participating in the protest, said guest assistant teachers continue to work under uncertainty because their appointments are temporary.

He said the protesters were marching towards Lok Bhavan not only for their own demands but also over concerns about the future of higher education. Kumar said the government should hear their concerns and allow them to present their demands peacefully.

Assistant Guest Professor Dr Nitin Kumar said many guest assistant professors were initially appointed for 11 months but have continued working for several years.

He claimed that some teachers have been associated with the education system for around eight years and argued that their experience should be taken into account before any decision is taken regarding their continuation.

Demand For UGC Rules

At the centre of the protest is the demand that appointments to teaching positions should follow UGC norms. The protesters are also seeking an increase in the age limit and opposing changes proposed by the Bihar government.

The protesting PhD holders say the new rules could create uncertainty for experienced guest faculty and affect their employment prospects. They have therefore been demanding that the government reconsider the proposed framework.

The issue has attracted political attention as well. Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan has previously extended support to the protesting PhD holders and called for guest faculty to be given priority.

Security Tightened In Patna

The administration increased security arrangements in and around the R Block area ahead of the Lok Bhavan march. More than 100 security personnel were deployed at the R Block intersection.

Police deployment was also increased at various intersections on the route towards Raj Bhavan. Rapid Action Force personnel were brought in as authorities prepared for possible law-and-order concerns during the protest.

Water cannons were also stationed at the site as a precautionary measure. Officials monitored the situation closely as protesters attempted to proceed towards Lok Bhavan.

The march comes as the PhD holders' indefinite hunger strike enters its 19th day, with the protesters continuing to press the Bihar government over recruitment rules, age limits and the future of guest faculty in higher education.

The Chief Minister, who was visiting Begusarai for the first time after assuming office, inaugurated the schools through video conferencing and described the initiative as a significant step towards transforming Bihar’s education landscape. The schools, officially launched under the Saraswati Vidya Niketan Adarsh Vidyalaya programme, are expected to provide modern learning facilities to students studying in Classes 9 to 12.

Addressing a public gathering, Choudhary said the day marked a historic moment for Bihar and emphasized that the state’s future would be shaped through education rather than infrastructure alone.

“People often think inaugurations are about buildings and infrastructure. I believe this is the inauguration of Bihar’s future,” he said while highlighting the role of education in social and economic transformation.

The newly launched model schools have been equipped with smart classrooms, e-libraries and other digital learning tools. According to the government, experienced teachers will be deployed in these institutions and students will also receive preparation support for competitive examinations such as NEET and JEE.

The Chief Minister said nearly four lakh students are expected to benefit from the project. He also announced that the FILO learning application would be integrated into the system, allowing students to access online learning support even during late-night hours.

The declaration regarding a university named after Ramdhari Singh Dinkar received a positive response from local residents and political leaders. Dinkar, one of India’s most celebrated Hindi poets and writers, hailed from Bihar and continues to hold immense cultural significance in the state.

Union Minister and Begusarai MP Giriraj Singh, who was present at the programme, welcomed the announcement and said the people of the region had long demanded a university in the poet’s name. He thanked the state government for choosing Begusarai as the launch venue for the statewide education initiative.

The event also featured a public interaction programme and inspection of educational facilities. Choudhary visited classrooms, interacted with students and reviewed projects displayed by them. He spent time observing educational exhibits and discussing academic aspirations with students.

Photographs from the event showed the Chief Minister interacting with students inside smart classrooms and visiting exhibition stalls set up by schools.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Choudhary described the education reforms as part of a larger development journey that began during previous NDA governments in Bihar. He said the state was entering a second phase of educational transformation aimed at improving quality and accessibility.

“History shows that when Begusarai progresses, Bihar progresses. Major reforms in education have already laid a strong foundation, and now the focus is on expanding quality learning opportunities,” he said.

The state government has instructed district administrations to closely monitor the functioning of the model schools and ensure that no essential infrastructure work remains incomplete. Education Department officials have also been directed to personally review implementation at the district level.

Officials said the project is designed to bridge the gap between government and private schooling by offering advanced learning facilities to students in both urban and rural areas.

The Chief Minister also reiterated the government’s broader development goals. He claimed that within the next two years, efforts would be made to help one crore women in Bihar achieve financial self-reliance and become “Lakhpati Didis.”

The Begusarai event came just days after the state government launched degree colleges in 211 blocks across Bihar. The administration has projected education as a key pillar of its governance agenda, alongside employment generation and infrastructure development.

Security arrangements remained extensive throughout the programme, with personnel deployed across key venues and routes ahead of the Chief Minister’s visit.

The General Administration Department has issued instructions directing employees to use the Human Resource Management System (HMRS) portal or mobile application for all types of leave applications. The new rule covers Casual Leave (CL), Earned Leave (EL), and other categories of leave available to government employees.

Officials said the move is part of the state's broader effort to improve governance through technology and reduce dependence on manual paperwork. Under the new system, leave requests submitted through traditional handwritten or printed applications will no longer be accepted.

To use the facility, employees must first register themselves on the HMRS platform by downloading the mobile application or accessing the online portal. Once registered, they can submit leave requests digitally from any location without visiting their office to file an application.

The approval process has also been integrated into the online system. Concerned officers will review applications electronically and either approve or reject them through the HMRS platform. This means the complete workflow—from application submission to final approval—will be handled digitally.

Government officials believe the change will significantly improve efficiency in personnel management. Employees will be able to track the status of their leave requests in real time and receive updates regarding approvals or pending applications without relying on manual communication.

The transition is also expected to reduce delays that often occur in traditional file-based processing. Since applications will be available instantly to authorized officers, decisions can be made more quickly, improving overall administrative functioning.

Another key feature of the new system is the creation of a comprehensive digital leave record for every employee. The HMRS platform will automatically maintain details of leave availed, remaining leave balance, pending requests and past approvals. This information will be accessible whenever required, eliminating the need to search through physical records.

Administrative experts view the move as an important step toward modernising human resource management in government departments. Digital records not only improve transparency but also help departments monitor workforce availability and plan staffing requirements more effectively.

The Bihar government has increasingly focused on technology-driven governance initiatives in recent years. The mandatory online leave system aligns with broader efforts to enhance accountability, improve service delivery and streamline administrative processes across departments.

Employees are expected to benefit from the convenience offered by the system. Instead of preparing physical applications and obtaining signatures through multiple levels, staff members can complete the process using a smartphone or computer. This is particularly useful for employees posted in remote areas or those requiring urgent leave approvals.

Officials have also indicated that the digital platform will help reduce paperwork and administrative costs over time. By maintaining centralized records, departments can improve data management while ensuring greater transparency in leave administration.

With the new rules now in effect, government employees across Bihar are being encouraged to complete their HMRS registration and familiarize themselves with the online process. The administration expects the transition to create a more efficient, transparent and technology-enabled leave management system for the state's workforce.