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BPSC 2026: Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Study Plan

India · 4 subjects · 38 topics · Updated 2026-04-06

The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) Combined Competition Examination is one of the most prestigious civil service examinations in Bihar, India. It recruits candidates for various Group A and Group B posts in the Bihar state government, including District Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Revenue Officer, and other administrative positions. The examination is conducted in three stages: Preliminary Examination (Objective), Main Examination (Descriptive), and Interview. BPSC is considered a gateway for candidates aspiring to serve in the Bihar state civil services.

Live status

Verified 2026-04-24
Year
2026
Subjects
4
Topics
38

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📋 Exam Pattern

The BPSC Preliminary Examination consists of one General Studies paper with 100 multiple-choice questions carrying 200 marks, to be completed in 2 hours. The Main Examination has four compulsory papers: General Hindi (100 marks), General Studies Paper 1 (300 marks), General Studies Paper 2 (300 marks), and Optional Subject Paper (300 marks). Each Main paper is of 3 hours duration. The Interview/Personality Test carries 120 marks. The Preliminary serves as a screening test; only those who qualify are allowed to appear for the Main examination.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must be Indian citizens with a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university. The age limit is 21-37 years for general category candidates, with relaxations up to 42 years for SC/ST and 40 years for OBC candidates. Female candidates from general category get age relaxation up to 40 years. Candidates must be proficient in Hindi language and of good moral character. Those already employed in government service may also apply subject to certain conditions.

Subjects & Topics Covered — 38 topics across 4 subjects

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Frequently Asked Questions — BPSC

Everything you need to know about BPSC. Scroll down for the complete study guide.

What is BPSC and how does it work?
BPSC (Bihar Public Service Commission) conducts the Combined Competition Examination (CCE) — the premier civil service exam for Bihar. It recruits for positions like District Collector, Sub-Divisional Officer, Superintendent of Police, and various Bihar Administrative Service posts. BPSC CCE has three stages: Preliminary (screening), Mains (written), and Interview. Bihar domicile is preferred but not always mandatory. BPSC is one of the most competitive state-level exams in India, with over 1 lakh candidates appearing for the Prelims each year.
What is the BPSC exam pattern?
BPSC Prelims consists of a single General Studies paper (150 questions, 300 marks, 2 hours) covering history, geography, polity, economy, science, and current affairs — with a strong emphasis on Bihar-specific issues. The Mains has 4 compulsory papers: General Studies Paper 1 (200 marks), General Studies Paper 2 (200 marks), General Hindi (100 marks), and an optional subject paper (200 marks). All Mains papers are descriptive. There is negative marking of 1.33 marks in Prelims per wrong answer.
How tough is BPSC and what should I target?
BPSC Prelims typically has a cutoff of 45–55% for the General category, varying by year. Out of 1 lakh+ candidates, around 5–7% qualify for Mains. The Mains exam is where the real competition happens — candidates must score well in all four papers to reach the Interview stage. A rank within the top 100 is generally needed for the most coveted Bihar Administrative Service postings. Focus heavily on Bihar-specific history, geography, and current affairs — these frequently appear and can make the difference.

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Exam Name BPSC
Country 🇮🇳 India
Subjects History, Geography, Indian Polity, Current Affairs
Total Topics 38
Official Source https://example.com
Last Updated 2026-04-06