BPSC Exam Guide
Prelims, Mains, Interview
The BPSC exam selects officers for the Bihar state services. It has three stages: Prelims, Mains and an interview.
Start here
How the BPSC Exam Works
The Bihar Public Service Commission holds the Combined Competitive Exam. It is the exam for posts such as Deputy Collector and Deputy Superintendent of Police. Any graduate can apply.
Prelims is an objective paper that only screens candidates. Mains is written. Its 900 marks and the 120 interview marks make the merit list of 1,020 marks. The figures on this page are from the 72nd exam notice of May 2026.
We last checked this page in October 2026. Exam rules can change. Read the official notice on bpsc.bihar.gov.in before you apply.
Exam pattern
The BPSC exam at a glance
| Stage | What it is | How it counts |
|---|---|---|
| Prelims | One General Studies paper. Objective, 150 marks, 2 hours | Screening only. Marks are not added to merit |
| Mains: General Hindi | 100 marks, written, 3 hours | Qualifying only. 30% needed |
| Mains: General Studies I | 300 marks, written, 3 hours | Counts for merit |
| Mains: General Studies II | 300 marks, written, 3 hours | Counts for merit |
| Mains: Essay | 300 marks, written, 3 hours | Counts for merit |
| Mains: Optional subject | 100 objective questions, 100 marks, 2 hours | Qualifying only |
| Interview | 120 marks | Counts for merit |
In Prelims each question has five options, A to E. A wrong answer costs one third of a mark. To leave a question you must mark option E. A question with no option marked also costs one third of a mark. To pass Prelims you need 40% in the general category, 36.5% for BC, 34% for EBC, and 32% for SC, ST, women and disabled candidates.
How to prepare
Four Steps for BPSC
Prepare for Prelims and Mains together from the start. Most candidates who clear Prelims have very little time left before Mains.
Know Bihar well
The Prelims syllabus names the history, geography and economy of Bihar. Mains asks about them again.
Write answers every week
Mains has three written papers of three hours each. Practise writing full answers by hand, with a clock.
Follow current affairs steadily
Read a little every day. Revise it at the end of each month.
Solve past Prelims papers
A wrong answer costs one third of a mark. Practise deciding which questions to answer and which to mark E.
BPSC questions
Questions Candidates Ask About BPSC
How many stages are there in the BPSC exam?
Three. Prelims is an objective screening paper. Mains is a set of written papers. The interview is the last stage. The merit list is made from 900 Mains marks and 120 interview marks, 1,020 in all.
What is the BPSC Prelims pattern?
One objective General Studies paper of 150 marks, in 2 hours. It only screens candidates for Mains. Its marks are not added to the final merit.
Is there negative marking in BPSC Prelims?
Yes. In the 72nd exam notice, a wrong answer costs one third of a mark. Each question has five options. If you want to leave a question, you must mark option E. A question left fully blank also loses one third of a mark.
Does the optional subject count in BPSC Mains?
No. For the main Combined Competitive Exam, the optional paper has 100 objective questions for 100 marks, and it is only qualifying. General Hindi is also qualifying, and you need 30% in it. Merit comes from General Studies I, General Studies II and the Essay.
Who can apply for BPSC?
A graduate in any subject from a recognised university can apply. The minimum age is 20, 21 or 22 years, by post. In the 72nd notice the upper age was 37 for general category men, 40 for general category women, BC and EBC, and 42 for SC and ST.
Can I write BPSC in Hindi?
Yes. The question papers are printed in Hindi and English. In Mains you can write your answers in Hindi, English or Urdu, but in one language for the whole paper.
How is BPSC different from UPSC?
BPSC selects officers for the Bihar state services. UPSC selects for the all-India services. The subjects overlap a great deal. BPSC asks much more about Bihar.
Admissions Open 2026–27
Sit in a free demo class first
Want weekly answer writing with feedback? See our BPSC coaching, or call the admissions desk for a free demo class.