UPSC PREP | APRIL 2026
Last Updated: April 2026
The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) 70th Preliminary Examination 2026 is one of the most competitive state-level civil services exams in India. Every year, lakhs of aspirants from Bihar and across the country compete for coveted positions in the Bihar state administrative services. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know — from eligibility and exam pattern to a month-wise preparation strategy.
Conducting Body: Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC)
Exam Type: Objective (MCQ)
Total Questions: 150 | Total Marks: 150
Duration: 2 Hours | Negative Marking: 0.25 per wrong answer
Mode: Offline (OMR-based)
What is BPSC? — Bihar Public Service Commission Overview
The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) is a constitutional body established under Article 315 of the Indian Constitution. Its primary mandate is to recruit candidates for Group A and Group B posts in Bihar state services, including the Bihar Administrative Service (BAS), Bihar Police Service (BPS), Bihar Finance Service, and over 40 other allied services.
The BPSC Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) is the gateway to these prestigious positions. The 70th CCE cycle (2025-26) was launched following the conclusion of the 69th cycle. Thousands of posts are expected to be notified across various departments of the Bihar government.
BPSC 70th Notification Details (2025-2026 Cycle)
The BPSC 70th Integrated CCE notification was officially released, inviting applications from eligible candidates for various Group-A and Group-B posts. Key details include:
- Advertisement Number: 13/2024 (70th CCE)
- Application Mode: Online through the BPSC official portal (bpsc.bih.nic.in)
- Examination Stages: Preliminary (PT) → Mains → Interview
- Selection Process: Three-stage process — Prelims (screening), Mains (merit), and Interview (personality test)
The BPSC Preliminary Examination is a screening test only. Marks scored in Prelims are NOT counted in the final merit list. Only Mains marks (900 marks) + Interview marks (120 marks) determine final selection. Focus on clearing the cutoff in Prelims, then dedicate maximum effort to Mains preparation.
Eligibility Criteria for BPSC 70th Examination
Age Limit
- General (Unreserved): 20-37 years
- BC/EBC (Bihar residents): 20-40 years (3-year relaxation)
- SC/ST (Bihar residents): 20-42 years (5-year relaxation)
- Women (BC/EBC, Bihar): 20-43 years
- Women (Unreserved, Bihar): 20-40 years
- Ex-Servicemen: Age relaxation as per Bihar government norms
- Note: Age is calculated as of August 1 of the exam year
Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from any recognized university in any discipline. Final-year students who have appeared in qualifying examinations may also be eligible, subject to BPSC notification conditions.
Nationality
Applicants must be Indian citizens. Bihar domicile is required for reserved category benefits.
BPSC Exam Pattern — Three-Stage Process
Stage 1: BPSC Preliminary Examination
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice (Objective) |
| Total Questions | 150 |
| Total Marks | 150 (1 mark per question) |
| Duration | 2 Hours (120 minutes) |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer |
| Medium of Paper | Hindi and English (Bilingual) |
Stage 2: BPSC Mains Examination
Candidates who clear Prelims are eligible for the Mains examination, which is a descriptive/written test consisting of 4 papers:
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Hindi | 100 | Qualifying (30% minimum) |
| Paper II | General Studies I | 300 | Merit-based |
| Paper III | General Studies II | 300 | Merit-based |
| Paper IV | Optional Subject | 300 | Merit-based (34 options) |
Stage 3: Interview (Personality Test)
The interview carries 120 marks and evaluates personality, communication, general awareness, and administrative aptitude. Final merit is based on Mains (900 marks) + Interview (120 marks) = 1020 marks total.
BPSC Prelims Syllabus — Detailed Topic-Wise Breakdown
The Preliminary Examination covers one General Studies paper. Below is the comprehensive topic-wise breakdown:
1. Indian History (with Special Emphasis on Bihar)
- Ancient India: Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Age, Mauryan Empire (special focus — Pataliputra as capital), Gupta Empire, Harsha, religious movements (Buddhism, Jainism — both prominent in Bihar)
- Medieval India: Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Sur Empire (Sher Shah Suri from Bihar — very important), Bhakti and Sufi movements
- Modern India: British consolidation, Revolt of 1857, Nationalist movements, Indian National Congress, partition, independence
- Bihar Special: Champaran Satyagraha (1917 — Gandhi’s first Satyagraha), Bihar in the freedom struggle, JP Movement, tribal uprisings (Santhal, Birsa Munda), Patna during the Mughal era
2. Geography
- Indian Geography: Physical features, climate, rivers, agriculture, minerals, industries, population
- Bihar Geography: Rivers (Ganga, Gandak, Kosi, Sone, Bagmati), plains, wildlife sanctuaries (Valmiki Tiger Reserve), minerals, crops (paddy, wheat, maize, litchi — Muzaffarpur), floods and drought patterns
- World Geography: Continents, oceans, climate zones, important countries and capitals
3. Indian Polity and Bihar Governance
- Constitution of India — Preamble, Fundamental Rights, DPSP, Fundamental Duties
- Union Executive, Parliament, Judiciary (Supreme Court, High Courts)
- State Executive — role of Governor, Chief Minister, Cabinet
- Bihar-specific: Bihar Vidhan Sabha, Bihar Vidhan Parishad (Bihar is one of few states with an upper house), role of Patna High Court
- Panchayati Raj — 73rd and 74th Amendments, Bihar Panchayat elections
- Important Acts: RTI, RTE, Prevention of Corruption Act
4. Economy and Bihar Economy
- National Income concepts, budget, fiscal policy, monetary policy
- Five-Year Plans, NITI Aayog, economic reforms post-1991
- Agriculture — Green Revolution, schemes like PM-KISAN, PMFBY
- Bihar Economy special: GSDP growth, agriculture dependence (~70% workforce), industries in Bihar, Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Policy, Smart City Mission (Patna), road and rail connectivity projects
5. Science and Technology
- Basic concepts in Physics, Chemistry, Biology at Class 10 level
- Space missions (ISRO — Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan), defence technology
- IT and computer basics, AI and digital India
- Health: diseases, vaccines, nutrition
6. Current Affairs (Bihar, India and International)
- Bihar current affairs: Government schemes specific to Bihar, Bihar cabinet decisions, infrastructure projects, sports achievements by Bihar athletes
- National: Important government policies, Acts passed in Parliament, national awards, Supreme Court judgments
- International: India’s foreign policy, important summits, global organizations (UN, WHO, WTO), climate agreements
7. Miscellaneous Topics
- Census of India (2011 data; Census 2024 expected)
- SI units and measurements
- Computer fundamentals (hardware, software, internet)
- Sports: Bihar sports achievements, Khelo India, Olympics
- Important national and international days
Previous Year Cutoffs — BPSC Prelims (Category-Wise)
| Exam | General/UR | BC | EBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPSC 68th Prelims | 88-92 | 82-86 | 80-84 | 74-78 | 68-72 |
| BPSC 69th Prelims | 90-95 | 84-88 | 82-86 | 76-80 | 70-74 |
| BPSC 70th (Expected) | 92-98 | 85-90 | 83-88 | 77-82 | 71-75 |
Note: Cutoffs are indicative ranges based on previous trends. Actual 70th CCE cutoff will depend on paper difficulty and number of vacancies.
Bihar-Specific Current Affairs — Must-Study Topics for 2026
1. Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Policy 2023 — objectives, sectors, incentives
2. Patna Metro Rail Project — status, corridors, completion timelines
3. Bihar Flood Management — Kosi riverbank, embankment projects, NDRF deployment
4. Har Ghar Jal — Bihar — tap water connection progress under Jal Jeevan Mission
5. Bihar Smart City Mission — Patna, Bhagalpur projects
6. Bihar Agricultural Reforms — FPO formation, crop diversification programs
7. Bihar State Disaster Management Authority — recent decisions
8. Vikramshila and Nalanda University — UNESCO, archaeological significance
9. Bihar Power Sector — renewable energy targets, BSPHCL
10. Women empowerment schemes in Bihar — Jeevika (BRLPS), Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana
6-Month BPSC 70th Preparation Strategy
Month 1-2: NCERT Foundation and Basic Concepts
- Complete NCERT Books: History (Class 6-12), Geography (Class 6-10), Polity (Class 9-12), Economy (Class 9-12), Science (Class 9-10)
- Focus: Build conceptual clarity. One chapter per day with handwritten notes.
- Bihar component: Start mapping Bihar-specific information alongside each NCERT topic
- Target: Complete all NCERT readings + Bihar overview by end of Month 2
Month 3-4: Bihar-Specific Topics and Deep Dive
- Read Bihar’s official government website, Bihar Year Book, and Bihar at a Glance
- Study Bihar geography in detail: rivers, dams, wildlife, districts, important personalities
- Cover Bihar history: Ancient Bihar (Magadha, Mauryas, Guptas), Medieval Bihar (Sher Shah Suri), Modern Bihar (JP Movement, Champaran)
- Focus on Bihar’s economy, governance structure, Panchayati Raj implementation in Bihar
- Current Affairs: Begin daily newspaper reading (The Hindu + Dainik Jagran for Bihar-specific news)
Month 5-6: Current Affairs Sprint and Mock Tests
- Consolidate 12 months of current affairs (Bihar + National + International)
- Take minimum 2 full-length BPSC Prelims mock tests per week
- Analyze mistakes after each mock — identify weak topics and revise immediately
- Maintain a current affairs diary with Bihar-specific news clippings
- Final 2 weeks: Only revision — no new topics
For General category aspirants, aim for 100+ marks out of 150 to be safe. Attempt only those questions you are confident about — negative marking of 0.25 penalises reckless guessing. A smart attempt of 120-125 questions with 85% accuracy beats attempting all 150 with 70% accuracy.
Important Books for BPSC Preparation
| Subject | Recommended Books |
|---|---|
| History | NCERT (6-12) + Spectrum Modern India + Bihar History (Imtiyaz Ahmad) |
| Geography | NCERT (6-10) + Certificate Physical Geography (GC Leong) + Bihar Geography notes |
| Polity | NCERT Polity (9-12) + M. Laxmikanth (Indian Polity) |
| Economy | NCERT Economy (9-12) + Economic Survey Summary + Bihar Economic Survey |
| Current Affairs | Pratiyogita Darpan (monthly) + Dainik Jagran Bihar edition + CivilsGyani.com daily updates |
| Bihar Special | Bihar at a Glance (annual publication) + BPSC previous year papers (last 10 years) |
For structured BPSC preparation with guided courses and mock tests, explore our BPSC preparation courses and take a free BPSC mock test to benchmark your current level.
Frequently Asked Questions — BPSC 70th Prelims 2026
Is BPSC Prelims marks counted in the final selection?
No. The BPSC Preliminary Examination is only a screening test. Marks scored in Prelims are NOT included in the final merit list. Only Mains examination marks (900 marks) and Interview marks (120 marks) determine the final selection. Prelims is used solely to shortlist candidates for the Mains examination.
What is the BPSC 70th Prelims exam pattern?
The BPSC 70th Preliminary Examination consists of 150 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) carrying 1 mark each (total 150 marks). Duration is 2 hours. There is negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer. The paper is bilingual (Hindi and English).
What is the age limit for BPSC 70th examination?
For unreserved/general candidates, the age limit is 20-37 years. Bihar BC/EBC candidates get a 3-year relaxation (20-40 years), and SC/ST candidates from Bihar get a 5-year relaxation (20-42 years). Women from Bihar in the unreserved category can apply up to 40 years of age.
What is the expected cutoff for BPSC 70th Prelims?
Based on previous year trends (68th and 69th CCE), the expected cutoff for General category in BPSC 70th Prelims is approximately 92-98 marks out of 150. BC category is expected around 85-90, EBC around 83-88, SC around 77-82, and ST around 71-75. These are indicative ranges and will depend on actual paper difficulty and vacancies.
How many months are needed to prepare for BPSC Prelims?
A well-structured 4-6 month preparation is sufficient for BPSC Prelims if you are consistent. Month 1-2 should focus on NCERT foundation, Month 3-4 on Bihar-specific topics and advanced reading, and Month 5-6 on current affairs consolidation and mock test practice. Candidates with prior preparation can clear Prelims in 3 months with focused effort.