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BPSC Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026
The BPSC Combined Competitive Exam is a three-stage process that consists of Preliminary, Mains, and Interview.
- 1st Stage- Preliminary Examination: The Preliminary exam, which is an objective type MCQs based test. It covers the General Studies and CSAT both in a single paper. It has a total of 150 marks with a negative marking scheme of ⅓. It is a qualification round for shortlisting purposes.
- 2nd Stage-Mains Examination: The Mains Examination consists of a descriptive format which tests the candidates through the following: General Hindi (qualifying), two papers on General Studies, an Essay, and one Optional Subject, in total, amounting to 900 marks.
- 3rd Stage-Interview: In the end, the Interview contributed 120 marks to the final score. It checks the candidates presence of mind and other abilities through various skill based questions which are specific to Bihar, thus measuring not only the candidates’ factual knowledge but also their analytical skills.
Overview of BPSC Examination
To recruit candidates for various Group A and B posts in Bihar’s administrative services, including:
- Bihar Administrative Service (BAS)
- Bihar Police Service (BPS)
- Bihar Revenue Service (BRS)
- Bihar Financial Service (BFS)
- Other allied services
Eligibility Criteria
The Eligibility as per notification given below:
- Nationality: Indian
- Age Limit: Generally 20-37 years (varies by category and post)
- Educational Qualification: A graduate degree from a recognized university is required
BPSC Exam Pattern 2026
The BPSC exam consists of three stages:
BPSC Prelims Exam Pattern
- Objective Type (MCQs)
- Total Marks: 150
- Duration: 2 hours
- General Studies
BPSC Mains Exam Pattern
| Stage | Type | Papers / Subjects | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mains | Subjective | Hindi (Qualifying) | 100 | 3 hours |
| General Studies Paper 1 | 300 | 3 hours | ||
| General Studies Paper 2 | 300 | 3 hours | ||
| Essay | 300 | 3 hours | ||
| Optional Subject | 100 (objective) | 3 hours |
Interview (Personality Test)
- Total Marks: 120
- Candidates who qualify for the Mains are called for the Interview round, which assesses personality, communication skills, and knowledge of Bihar-related issues.
BPSC Syllabus Highlights 2026
BPSC Prelims Exam Syllabus
| Subject | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| General Science | Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Technology, and Science in daily life |
| Indian History & Bihar History | Ancient, Medieval & Modern Indian History; Role of Bihar in Indian Freedom Struggle |
| Indian Polity & Economy | Constitution, Governance, Economic Development, and Public Policies |
| Geography (India & Bihar) | Physical, Economic, and Social Geography; Resources, Rivers, Climate, and Landforms |
| Current Affairs | National and International Events, Awards, Sports, Government Schemes, Science & Tech Developments |
| General Mental Ability | Logical Reasoning, Problem Solving, and Analytical Aptitude |
BPSC Mains Exam Syllabus
| Paper | Subject | Topics/Focus Areas | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifying Paper | General Hindi | Essay Writing, Grammar, Sentence Construction, and Comprehension | 100 |
| Compulsory Paper I | General Studies I | Modern Indian & Bihar History, Indian Culture, Bihar’s Contribution, Statistical Analysis & Graphs | 300 |
| Compulsory Paper II | General Studies II | Indian Polity, Governance, Bihar’s Political System, Economy (India & Bihar), Role of Science and Technology | 300 |
| Compulsory Paper III | Essay | Analytical and Argumentative Essays on Social, Economic, and Bihar-related Issues | 300 |
| Optional Paper | One Optional Subject | Choose from subjects like History, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, Public Administration, Law, etc. | 100 |
BPSC Exam Frequency & Notification
- The BPSC conducts the exam annually or as per vacancy requirements.
- Notifications are released on the official website (https://bpsc.bihar.gov.in/)
Preparation Tips
- Understand the syllabus and exam pattern thoroughly.
- Read NCERT books (History, Geography, Polity, Economy).
- Follow Bihar-specific content, including Bihar Economic Survey & Census Reports.
- Stay updated with Current Affairs (Newspapers, PIB, Yojana).
- Solve previous years’ papers & mock tests regularly.
- Revise and practice answer writing for the Mains exam.
Important Information of BPSC CCE Exam
- Preliminary examination is entry to 2nd state mains exam only i.e. shortlisting of candidates.
- There is penalty for wrong answers in prelims. So candidates have to choose the right answers carefully.
- Marks of Mains examination and Interview considered for final merit list.
- Next IAS study material is very helpful throughout the selection process.