As Bihar heads toward another high-stakes assembly election, job creation once again dominates campaign promises — yet this time, the state’s youth are strikingly silent and skeptical. Unlike the charged-up 2020 polls, when unemployment became the rallying cry for young voters, the mood in 2025 is defined by mistrust, frustration, and fatigue.
2020 vs 2025: From Hope to Hesitation
In 2020, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav electrified young voters with his pledge of 10 lakh government jobs, forcing the NDA to counter with a 20 lakh employment promise. But five years later, with paper leaks, canceled exams, and delayed recruitments, that enthusiasm has given way to cynicism.
Now, even as Tejashwi promises “one government job per family” and the NDA vows “two crore new jobs” through investment and entrepreneurship, Bihar’s Generation Z isn’t buying it.
Bihar’s Youth: The Deciders of 2025
Of the state’s 7.43 crore voters, nearly 3.78 crore (51%) are between 20 and 40 years old. This massive demographic once shaped political outcomes. But their disillusionment could now become the toughest hurdle for both alliances.
“All Politicians Are the Same,” Says Aspirant in Patna
In the narrow bylanes of Mahendru, Patna’s coaching hub, students preparing for competitive exams speak with a mix of anger and resignation.
Arun Gupta (34), a B.Tech graduate from MIT Muzaffarpur, left a private-sector opportunity outside Bihar to chase a teaching job at home.
“The government completed the TRE-3 teacher exam a year ago and announced TRE-4 — but nothing has moved since. We’re still waiting. Everyone promises change, but no one delivers,” says Gupta, who once cleared the BPSC mains.
“All Promises Are Hollow,” Says Muneesh Yadav from Gopalganj
Muneesh Yadav, from Baikunthpur, traveled to Patna for the BSTET exam.
“Those talking about job creation should first explain what they did in the last five years. Even Tejashwi was in government for a while — what changed?” he asks, reflecting a common sentiment among aspirants.
“At Least Hold Exams on Time,” Says Uber-Driver-Cum-Student
Vikas Kumar, from Beldaur (Khagaria), juggles Uber rides for three to four hours daily to cover his ₹9,000 monthly living expenses while studying for government exams.
“We don’t need two crore jobs, just fair and timely exams without leaks,” he says.
He adds that in his village, women are satisfied with the ₹10,000 welfare payout and may still vote for the NDA. Official data claims 9.68 lakh jobs were given in the last five years — a number few trust.
“We Tried, Then Gave Up,” Say Darbhanga Youth
At a roadside tea stall near Darbhanga, friends Vivek Mandal and Sajjan Kumar Jha, both in their late twenties, share their disillusionment.
“We once tried for government jobs, but after years of failures and no good MBA institutes nearby, we settled as microfinance agents. We earn around ₹18,000 a month — it’s not much, but at least it’s stable,” says Mandal.
“Even Prashant Kishor Lost Credibility”
In Muzaffarpur, Sonam Kumari (25), who cleared the BPSC mains once, is preparing again.
“The domicile policy and 35% reservation for women are good steps. Nitish Kumar deserves credit there,” she says.
Standing beside her, Ajit Kumar from Jamui adds:
“We had faith in Prashant Kishor when he supported student protests earlier this year. But as elections began, he vanished. No one stands with us for long.”
The Verdict of a Disillusioned Generation
Across caste and community lines — Yadav, Brahmin, or Dalit — Bihar’s youth are united in disbelief. They no longer see saviors in leaders or parties, only repeated cycles of promises, postponements, and political spin.
As Bihar’s future voters sip tea in coaching corridors and roadside stalls, one truth echoes louder than campaign slogans:
“We don’t trust words anymore. We’re waiting for results.”
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