Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) 70th Integrated Combined Competitive Examination is one of Bihar’s most prestigious state civil services exams, selecting candidates for Group A and Group B gazetted posts across Bihar government departments. With an expected vacancy of approximately 1,000–1,500 posts, this examination opens doors to some of the most coveted administrative roles in the state — from Deputy Collector and DSP to Block Development Officer and District Supply Officer.
Unlike UPSC, which demands a pan-India perspective, BPSC places heavy emphasis on Bihar-specific knowledge — its history, geography, economy, rivers, agriculture, and contemporary development. If you are a Bihar aspirant, this is the most important exam you will ever prepare for.
BPSC 70th Exam 2026 — Key Facts at a Glance
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) |
| Exam Name | 70th Integrated Combined Competitive Examination |
| Post Category | Group A (Gazetted) and Group B (Gazetted) |
| Expected Vacancy | ~1,000–1,500 posts |
| Age Limit (General) | 21–37 years |
| Age Relaxation | SC/ST/OBC/Women: as per Bihar govt norms |
| Minimum Qualification | Graduation from a recognised university |
| Selection Process | Prelims → Mains (Written) → Interview |
| Medium of Exam | Hindi / English |
| Application Mode | Online (bpsc.bih.nic.in) |
BPSC 70th Exam Pattern — Stage by Stage
BPSC follows a three-stage selection process. Understanding the exam pattern is the first step in building a winning preparation strategy.
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination
| Stage | Subject | Type | Questions | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | General Studies | Objective (MCQ) | 150 | 2 Hours | 150 |
Note: Prelims is a screening test only. Marks are NOT counted in the final merit. There is no negative marking in BPSC Prelims.
Stage 2: Main Examination (Written)
| Paper | Subject | Type | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS Paper I | History of India, Indian National Movement, Geography, Polity, Economy | Descriptive | 3 Hours | 300 |
| GS Paper II | General Science, Agriculture, Environment & Ecology, Computer Basics | Descriptive | 3 Hours | 300 |
| General Hindi | Hindi Language (Grammar, Essay, Comprehension) | Descriptive | 3 Hours | 100 (Qualifying) |
| Optional Paper | Choice of 1 from 34 subjects | Descriptive | 3 Hours | 300 |
Stage 3: Interview (Personality Test)
The Interview carries 120 marks and assesses the candidate’s personality, presence of mind, communication skills, and knowledge of Bihar’s socio-economic and administrative issues. Final merit is calculated on Mains + Interview marks.
BPSC Syllabus — Deep Dive with Bihar-Specific Content
Bihar History (High Priority)
BPSC’s history section is unique because it demands deep knowledge of Bihar’s own historical arc — not just the national narrative covered in UPSC:
- Ancient Bihar (Magadha): Haryanka dynasty (Bimbisara, Ajatashatru), Shishunaga dynasty, Nanda dynasty, Maurya Empire (Chandragupta, Ashoka — capital Pataliputra), Gupta Empire, Buddhist and Jain heritage (Buddha at Bodh Gaya, Mahavira at Vaishali)
- Medieval Bihar: Turkish invasions, role in Mughal administration, Sur dynasty (Sher Shah Suri — born in Sasaram, Bihar), Nawabs of Bengal and Bihar
- Colonial Era: 1857 revolt in Bihar (Kunwar Singh’s role), Champaran Satyagraha 1917 (Gandhi’s first major campaign in India), non-cooperation and civil disobedience in Bihar, Quit India Movement
- Post-Independence: Bihar’s statehood, creation of Jharkhand (2000), Patna as state capital, administrative evolution
Bihar Geography (Very High Weightage)
- Rivers of Bihar: Ganga (main artery flowing east-west), Kosi (the “Sorrow of Bihar” — frequent floods due to channel shifting), Gandak, Son, Bagmati, Punpun, Kamla-Balan
- Physiography: Northern Plains (alluvial, fertile — Mithila, Saran, Champaran regions), Southern Plateau (Chota Nagpur fringe), Ganga valley
- Agriculture: Bihar is a major producer of maize, wheat, rice, litchi (Muzaffarpur litchi has GI tag), makhana (fox nuts — unique to Mithila), sugarcane
- Districts and Divisions: 9 divisions, 38 districts — know locations of key cities (Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Bhagalpur)
- Minerals: Limited mineral wealth post-Jharkhand bifurcation; some mica, sand, and stone quarries in south Bihar
Bihar Economy (GS Paper II Overlap)
- Agricultural profile: ~80% rural population depends on agriculture; two main seasons — Kharif and Rabi
- Industrial areas: Barauni (oil refinery), Begusarai (industrial belt), Hajipur (EPIP — Export Promotion Industrial Park), Bihta
- Infrastructure: NH network, Patna Metro (under development), Ganga Expressway projects
- Development schemes: Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project (JEEViKA), BRGF (Backward Regions Grant Fund) — funded by Centre for backward districts
- Special Category Status: Bihar’s long-standing demand and its economic implications
BPSC Cutoff Trends — Analysis Across Recent Exams
| Exam | Prelims Cutoff (General) | Mains Cutoff (General, out of ~900) | Final Merit (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPSC 66th CCE | ~110–118 | ~475–510 | ~600–640 |
| BPSC 67th CCE | ~107–115 | ~470–500 | ~595–630 |
| BPSC 68th CCE | ~108–116 | ~480–515 | ~605–645 |
Trend insight: Competition is intensifying; Prelims cutoff has remained relatively stable around 110–120 for General category. Mains cutoff requires solid optional paper performance alongside strong GS.
How BPSC Differs from UPSC
- Bihar-specific content: UPSC ignores Bihar; BPSC demands deep Bihar GK — expect 25–35% questions from Bihar in GS
- Language requirement: BPSC has a qualifying Hindi paper; UPSC allows English medium fully
- Optional subjects: BPSC optional is 300 marks; UPSC optionals are 500 marks each (two papers)
- Interview style: BPSC interviews often focus heavily on local Bihar issues, development challenges, administrative ground realities
- Salary structure: Both offer Group A posts but UPSC IAS is All-India; BPSC is Bihar cadre
Best Books for BPSC Preparation
| Subject | Recommended Books |
|---|---|
| Bihar History | Bihar GK by Arihant Publications; Bihar — Ek Parichay (Hindi) |
| Bihar Geography | Bihar Bhugol by Yugbodh Publications; NCERT Atlas |
| Bihar Economy | Bihar Economic Survey (annual, Finance Dept) |
| General Studies | NCERT Class 6–12 (History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science) |
| Polity | Laxmikanth — Indian Polity (5th edition) |
| Current Affairs | Yojana, Kurukshetra, Bihar Bulletin (Drishti IAS) |
| Optional (History) | Bipin Chandra — India’s Struggle for Independence |
Preparation Strategy for Working Professionals
- Phase 1 (Months 1–3): Cover all NCERT books (Class 6–12). Build strong fundamentals before Bihar-specific content.
- Phase 2 (Months 4–6): Deep-dive into Bihar GK — History, Geography, Economy. Practice 30 Prelims MCQs daily from Bihar-specific question banks.
- Phase 3 (Months 7–9): Start Mains answer writing. Practice 3–4 answers per day. Optional paper coverage intensifies.
- Phase 4 (Months 10–12): Full revision, mock tests, previous year paper analysis, interview preparation.
- Daily minimum: 4–5 hours for working professionals; 2 hours Bihar GK + 2 hours GS + 1 hour current affairs
Frequently Asked Questions — BPSC 70th Exam
What is the difference between BPSC Prelims and Mains?
BPSC Prelims is a 150-mark objective (MCQ) screening test. Its marks are NOT counted in the final merit. Candidates who clear Prelims appear for the Mains, which is descriptive. Mains marks + Interview (120 marks) determine the final merit list.
Is Bihar-specific GK essential for BPSC Prelims?
Absolutely. Bihar-specific questions — covering Bihar history, geography, economy, rivers, culture, and current affairs — typically constitute 25–35% of BPSC Prelims. Candidates who ignore this section struggle to clear the cutoff.
Which optional subject is most popular for BPSC Mains?
History, Geography, Public Administration, and Sociology are among the most popular optional subjects for BPSC Mains. Choose based on your graduation background and scoring potential.
Can UPSC preparation overlap with BPSC preparation?
Yes, there is significant overlap in GS content (polity, economy, environment, science). However, BPSC requires additional Bihar-specific preparation that UPSC study materials do not cover. Treat Bihar GK as a separate, dedicated module.
What is the role of the Interview in BPSC final selection?
The BPSC Interview carries 120 marks and is added to the Mains score to prepare the final merit list. It assesses personality, communication, knowledge of Bihar’s administrative issues, and overall suitability for civil service.
Practice Quiz — 10 UPSC-Style Questions
Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.