No Classroom, No Desks: Students Take Test on Roadside in Bihar’ Siwan, Video Viral

New Delhi, April 11, 2026:— A startling video has surfaced from Bihar’s Siwan district, capturing a scene that has ignited a fierce debate over the state’s education infrastructure. The footage, which has gone viral across social media platforms, shows dozens of students sitting on the dusty ground of a public roadside, penning their exam papers without the basic necessities of a classroom—no desks, no benches, and no roof.

The incident, reportedly involving a local coaching institute, highlights the stark reality of “open-air” education that persists in parts of rural India despite modern digital initiatives.

The Viral Footage: Exams Amidst Traffic

In the short clip shared widely on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, rows of students—mostly teenagers—are seen focused on their answer sheets while sitting on the edge of a village road. As they write, motorcycles and local residents pass just inches away, creating a chaotic and distracting environment for a high-stakes test.

• Location: Rural Siwan, Bihar.
• The Setting: A narrow road converted into a makeshift examination hall.
• The Participants: Students from a private coaching center.
• The Reaction: A mix of admiration for the students’ grit and outrage at the lack of facilities.

A System Under Scrutiny

The video has become a lightning rod for criticism of the regional education system. While Bihar has seen improvements in literacy rates over the last decade, scenes like this suggest that the physical infrastructure has failed to keep pace with the growing number of learners.

Many social media users pointed out the irony of discussing “Smart Classrooms” and “Digital India” when students are still forced to sit in the dirt to prove their merit. Local critics argue that the over-reliance on private coaching centers—many of which operate without proper permits or adequate space—is a direct result of overcrowded and underfunded government schools.

“This is the reality of our ‘developed’ education model. When classrooms are full or non-existent, the road becomes the desk. It’s heartbreaking to see such talent struggling for basic dignity,” wrote one user on X.

Resilience or Necessity?

Interestingly, the video has also drawn praise from some quarters, focusing on the determination of the students. Known for producing a high number of successful candidates in national exams like the UPSC and IIT-JEE, Bihar’s student community is often cited for its “unbreakable spirit.”

Observers noted that despite the noise, the heat, and the lack of comfort, the students in the video appeared deeply engrossed in their work. For many, this isn’t just a failure of the state, but a testament to the lengths rural youth will go to secure a better future.

Growing Patterns of Chaos

This incident in Siwan is not an isolated case of educational hurdles in the region. Only months prior, during the Bihar Matric (Class 10) examinations, viral videos showed students scaling high walls to enter exam centers after being locked out for being just minutes late due to traffic congestion.

The recurring nature of these viral moments—ranging from wall-climbing to roadside testing—has led to calls for the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) and the local administration to conduct a thorough audit of how both private and public educational bodies are functioning.

The Road Ahead

While the local administration has yet to issue an official statement regarding this specific coaching center in Siwan, the video continues to trend, serving as a visual plea for better infrastructure. Education experts suggest that without a significant push to regularize coaching hubs and expand school capacities, the “roadside classroom” may remain a common, albeit unfortunate, sight in the hinterlands.