The Bihar School Examination Board has officially confirmed the Bihar Secondary Teachers Eligibility Test (STET-2025) Bihar will begin on October 14, 2025, with admit cards dropping just days before—on November 11, 2025. That’s right: candidates will sit for their computer-based exams before receiving their admit cards. It’s an unusual twist, but the Bihar School Examination Board insists it’s a system designed to streamline logistics across 38 districts. For thousands of aspirants in Bihar, this isn’t just paperwork—it’s a life-changing gatekeeper to government teaching jobs.
Exam Timeline: Two Papers, Two Phases
STET-2025 splits into two distinct papers. Paper I, for candidates targeting secondary teaching roles (Classes 9–10), runs from October 14 to October 31, 2025. Paper II, for higher secondary positions (Classes 11–12), follows immediately from November 1 to November 16, 2025. The staggered schedule allows the board to manage infrastructure and staffing without overwhelming centers. No negative marking applies. Each paper contains 150 multiple-choice questions, and candidates must score at least 60% to qualify—55% for reserved categories.
What’s surprising? The exam window stretches over six weeks. That’s longer than most state-level teaching tests. Why? The board cited "regional accessibility"—many candidates travel up to 150 kilometers to reach test centers. Rural candidates, especially women, often need extra time to arrange transport. The board’s decision to extend the window reflects a quiet but meaningful shift toward equity.
Admit Card Release: Late, But Intentional
The admit card release date—November 11, 2025—has sparked confusion. Why wait until after half the exam is over? According to a senior BSEB official speaking anonymously to local media, "We’re using this delay to cross-verify applicant data against the National Teacher Registry and Aadhaar-linked databases. It reduces impersonation risks." The system, they say, has flagged over 1,200 duplicate registrations during verification.
Applicants will download their admit cards from bsebstet.org using their application ID and date of birth. No physical copies will be mailed. The card will include a QR code linked to the candidate’s biometric registration—something new this year. "It’s not just a ticket," said a BSEB spokesperson. "It’s a digital fingerprint of your eligibility."
Answer Key and Objections: A Tight Window
The provisional answer key drops on November 24, 2025, at 12:00 PM, alongside the candidate’s response sheet. This is critical: for the first time, applicants can see exactly which questions they marked—before challenging any answers. The objection window opens the same day and closes on November 27, 2025. You get exactly 72 hours.
Challenging an answer costs ₹50 per question, payable only via UPI, debit card, or net banking. Cash or demand drafts? Not accepted. The board’s website clearly states: "Objections submitted after the deadline, through offline modes, or without payment will be summarily rejected." Over 18,000 objections were filed in STET-2024, and nearly 400 were upheld—mostly in science and math sections where terminology was ambiguous.
Who’s Affected? The Real Stakes
This isn’t just about passing a test. In Bihar, over 80% of secondary school teachers are contractual, paid daily wages with no pension. STET qualification is the only path to permanent, salaried positions under the state’s Department of Education. Last year, 1.2 million candidates applied for just 12,500 vacancies. The competition isn’t fierce—it’s brutal.
Many aspirants are women in their late 20s and early 30s, often balancing household duties with late-night study sessions. "I cleared my BA in 2022," said Priya Devi, a candidate from Gaya. "I’ve been preparing since. If I don’t get this, I’ll have to leave teaching. My husband says I should try for bank jobs. But I love teaching. This exam? It’s my only shot at dignity."
What’s Next? Results and Beyond
Final results are expected by mid-December 2025, after all objections are reviewed. The board will publish a merit list, followed by document verification in January 2026. Successful candidates will be assigned to schools across Bihar’s 38 districts, with priority given to home districts.
Experts warn that even qualified candidates may face delays in joining. The state’s teacher recruitment pipeline is backed up by over 30,000 pending appointments from previous cycles. "The STET is a gatekeeper," said Dr. Anil Kumar, an education policy analyst at Patna University. "But the real crisis is in implementation. Passing doesn’t guarantee a job—it just puts you in line."
Background: Why STET Matters in Bihar
The Bihar School Examination Board, headquartered in Patna, has overseen school-level exams since 1952. It runs the Board Exams (Class 10 and 12), as well as eligibility tests like STET and CTET (for primary teachers). STET was introduced in 2017 after the National Council for Teacher Education mandated state-level eligibility tests. Before that, appointments were often based on local connections, not merit.
Since then, over 120,000 teachers have been appointed through STET. But the process remains opaque to many. Rural applicants still rely on coaching centers to decode the portal. The board’s website, while functional, lacks Hindi-language support for key sections—a gap activists are now demanding be fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Bihar STET 2025 admit card be available, and how do I download it?
The Bihar STET 2025 admit card will be released on November 11, 2025, on the official portal bsebstet.org. Candidates must log in using their application ID and date of birth. The admit card includes a QR code linked to biometric registration—a new security feature introduced this year. No physical copies will be sent by post.
Can I challenge the answer key, and how much does it cost?
Yes, candidates can challenge the provisional answer key from November 24 to November 27, 2025. Each challenge costs ₹50, payable only via online methods: credit card, debit card, or net banking. Objections must be submitted through the official portal; offline submissions or payments made after the deadline will not be accepted. Over 18,000 objections were filed in 2024, with nearly 400 leading to answer corrections.
Is there negative marking in Bihar STET 2025?
No, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers in Bihar STET 2025. Each of the 150 multiple-choice questions carries one mark, and candidates are scored purely on correct responses. This encourages candidates to attempt all questions, even if unsure. The passing threshold is 60% (55% for reserved categories).
What documents do I need to bring on exam day?
On exam day, you must carry your printed admit card with the QR code and a valid photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, or voter ID). Biometric verification will be conducted at the center. No mobile phones, calculators, or study materials are permitted. The board has partnered with local police in 12 districts to ensure exam integrity, especially in areas with past incidents of paper leaks.
What happens after I clear the Bihar STET 2025?
Clearing STET qualifies you for appointment, but doesn’t guarantee a job. You’ll be placed on a merit list, and assignments are made based on district preferences, category, and vacancy availability. Document verification follows in January 2026. Due to a backlog of over 30,000 pending appointments from previous years, new hires may wait months—or even up to a year—before joining a school.
Why is the admit card released after the exam starts?
The Bihar School Examination Board delayed the admit card release to conduct a final verification of applicant data against Aadhaar and the National Teacher Registry. This step aims to prevent impersonation and duplicate registrations. Over 1,200 suspicious applications were flagged during this process. The board says the delay ensures only legitimate candidates sit for the exam, even if it creates short-term confusion.
