BPSC Syllabus 2026 Guide: Prelims & Mains with Exam Pattern

Last Updated on December 4, 2025 by admin

The Bihar Public Service Commission, commonly known by its BPSC full form, holds the prestigious Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) annually to recruit for key administrative positions in Bihar. The upcoming 72nd BPSC CCE 2026 is a major opportunity for aspirants aiming for posts like Deputy Collector, DSP, and other state services. To excel, one must thoroughly understand the BPSC syllabus, BPSC exam pattern, track BPSC exam date, and know how to complete the BPSC online apply process efficiently.

This guide offers a fully detailed, expertly crafted roadmap with the latest official syllabus and exam pattern for Prelims and Mains.

BPSC Exam Pattern 2026: Structure and Marks Distribution

BPSC conducts the exam in three stages—Prelims, Mains, and Interview—to ensure a holistic evaluation of candidates. The exam pattern combines objective testing and detailed descriptive assessments.

Preliminary Examination

• The Prelims stage is a screening test with one paper of General Studies.
• It consists of 150 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) carrying 150 marks.
• Duration is 2 hours.
• There is no negative marking, encouraging candidates to attempt all questions.
• The language medium is bilingual: Hindi and English.
• Marks obtained in Prelims are not added to the final merit but determine eligibility for Mains.
• Cutoff marks generally range between 95-110 for the General Category.

Main Examination

• The Mains exam comprises four papers including General Hindi, two General Studies papers, and one Optional Subject paper.
• General Hindi is a qualifying paper requiring a minimum of 30% to pass.
• The Marks distribution is as follows:

• The total marks for merit-based papers sum up to 900.
• The Interview or Personality Test carries 120 marks, bringing the final tally to 1020 marks.

Interview / Personality Test

• Evaluates communication skills, personality traits, and awareness of Bihar’s socio-political context.

• The panel focuses on administrative aptitude and ethical decision-making.

Detailed BPSC Syllabus 2026: Prelims and Mains

Prelims Syllabus Overview

The Prelims syllabus covers a broad spectrum of topics essential for administrative roles with a significant focus on Bihar-centric events and issues to test candidate awareness comprehensively.

1. Current Affairs (National and International)

   • Recent events from the last 12-18 months

   • Government schemes including Bihar major welfare programs like the Saat Nishchay Yojana

   • State and central government appointments, awards, and recognitions

2. History and Indian National Movement

   • Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian history

   • Social and religious reform movements

   • Bihar’s role in the freedom struggle including Champaran Satyagraha, the Quit India Movement, and tribal uprisings

3. Geography (India and Bihar)

   • Physical geography including major rivers, climate patterns, and resources

   • Economic geography focusing on agriculture, industry, and natural resources with a special emphasis on Bihar (e.g., flooding in the Kosi basin)

4. Polity and Governance

   • The Constitution of India, fundamental rights and duties

   • Panchayati Raj institutions and local governance applicable to Bihar’s administrative structure

5. Economy and Social Development

   • Indian economy basics including GDP, inflation, fiscal policies

   • Bihar’s growing GSDP (estimated at ₹8.54 lakh crore for 2024-25) and social welfare programs

6. Environmental Ecology and Climate Change

   • Biodiversity conservation efforts

   • Climate-related issues pertinent to Bihar such as recurring floods and river erosion

7. General Science

   • Basic principles from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology including everyday science applications relevant to governance and rural development

8. General Mental Ability

   • Logical reasoning, data interpretation, and basic quantitative aptitude

Mains Syllabus Breakdown

General Hindi (Qualifying)

• Essay writing on social, economic, and cultural topics particularly focusing on Bihar
• Grammar and language skills, including précis writing and sentence correction

General Studies Paper-I (300 Marks)

• Modern Indian History and Bihar’s monumental role in independence
• Indian culture, including Bihar’s unique contributions like Madhubani art and ancient universities
• Current events with an emphasis on Bihar’s governance and development
• Data interpretation and statistics relevant to state and national surveys

General Studies Paper-II (300 Marks)

• Indian constitution and polity, with special focus on Bihar administration and Panchayati Raj
• Economic development of Bihar and India, including industrial sectors and rural economy
• Geography of India and Bihar adding special focus to natural resources and environmental concerns
• Science and technology advancements and their impact on Bihar’s socio-economic growth

Optional Subject (300 Marks)

• Select from over 30 subjects according to your background and scoring preferences
• Popular choices include Public Administration, History, Geography, and Economics

Importance of Bihar-Specific Topics in BPSC Syllabus

Bihar-centric content forms a critical part of the BPSC syllabus and appears extensively across all stages:

• History: Magadha Empire, tribal revolts, freedom struggles in Bihar territory
• Geography: Rivers (Ganga, Kosi), mineral wealth (Bihar holds 40% of India’s mica), flood management
• Economy: Rapid GSDP growth and poverty alleviation measures
• Governance: State government structure and flagship programs like Digital Bihar initiative
• Current Affairs: Bihar budget highlights, key infrastructure projects, and social welfare schemes

Candidates who leverage this knowledge often find themselves at an advantage both in mains and interviews.

How to Track BPSC Exam Date and Complete Online Application

To apply for BPSC 72nd CCE 2026:

• Visit the official BPSC website (bpsc.bihar.gov.in).
• Check for the latest notification and download the official syllabus.
• Complete BPSC online apply by submitting personal details, uploading scanned documents, and paying the fee online.
• Download and print confirmation for future reference.
• Keep track of official BPSC exam date announcements to prepare accordingly.

Smart Preparation Tips for BPSC 2026

1. Start with NCERTs for concept building in History, Geography, Polity, and Economics.
2. Include standard reference books like Laxmikanth’s Indian Polity and Ramesh Singh’s Indian Economy.
3. Focus on Bihar-specific government publications and Economic Surveys.
4. Dedicate regular time daily for current affairs updates focusing on Bihar state news.
5. Practice answer writing for mains papers; structured answers fetch higher marks.
6. Solve previous years’ question papers to understand question patterns and examiner expectations.
7. Use mock tests and revision cycles strategically to reinforce learning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the full form of BPSC and what kind of posts are filled through this exam?

BPSC stands for Bihar Public Service Commission. It conducts exams for recruitment to key administrative roles such as Deputy Collector, DSP, BDO, and state civil services.

2. How is the BPSC exam pattern structured for 2026?

The exam has three stages: Prelims (single MCQ General Studies paper), Mains (four descriptive papers including Hindi and Optional subjects), and Interview. Marks from Mains and Interview together decide the final rank.

3. When will BPSC 2026 exam dates be announced and how to apply online?

The official notification with BPSC exam date is expected in early 2026. Candidates must apply through the official BPSC online apply portal by registering and submitting the application along with fee payment.

4. Are there Bihar-specific questions in the BPSC syllabus?

Yes, Bihar-specific history, geography, economy, and current affairs constitute about 25-30% of the syllabus and can critically influence your ranking.

5. Is there negative marking in the BPSC Prelims exam?

No, the current BPSC exam pattern does not include negative marking in the Preliminary examination, encouraging full attempt.

6. Which optional subjects are recommended for scoring higher marks in BPSC Mains?

Popular and scoring optionals include Public Administration, History, Geography, and Economics due to their overlap with General Studies and ease of finding study resources.