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BPSC Exam Pattern and Syllabus, 2025

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The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) conducts the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) to recruit officers for various prestigious administrative posts in Bihar. Every aspirant aiming to crack the BPSC exam must have a deep understanding of the BPSC exam pattern and syllabus to build an effective preparation strategy. The Commission has recently released an updated BPSC syllabus and exam pattern. All participating candidates need to be aware of the detailed syllabus, exam pattern, marking scheme, and other crucial points related to the exam. In this article, we will discuss in detail the BPSC Prelims and Mains Syllabus and exam pattern to provide comprehensive information about the exam.  Let’s take a look at the BPSC Syllabus 2025 for the upcoming BPSC 71th exam. 

BPSC Exam Pattern and Syllabus
70th BPSC 2024 Exam
Click here For 71st BPSC Course

BPSC Selection Process 

The  BPSC Exam comprises three stages namely.  

  • Prelims: objective-type  
  • Mains: Descriptive /Objective-type
  • Interview  

BPSC Syllabus 2025 Overview

The BPSC examination is a multi-stage process designed to assess the knowledge and capabilities of candidates aspiring for various administrative positions in the state of Bihar. Let us look at an overview of different stages that involves BPSC Syllabus.  

BPSC Selection Process 2025
Stages of BPSC ExamType of ExamTotal MarksDuration
PrelimsObjectiveGeneral study (150)2 Hours
MainsSubjective/ ObjectiveGeneral Hindi (Qualifying)(100)General Studies Paper-1(300)General Studies Paper-2(300)Essay(300)Optional Paper(Qualifying)(100)Total marks:-1100 3 hours for each Paper
InterviewPhysically Present120–

BPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2025

The Prelims is qualifying in nature, it is used to select candidates for mains exam. Those who qualify for the Prelims exam are called for BPSC Mains. The marks in Prelims will not be taken into consideration for the final merit list. The BPSC Prelims comprised of one papers. The papers is of 150 marks with Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). Check the BPSC Prelims Exam Pattern in the table below.  

BPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2025
Name of ExamCombined Competitive Exam
No. of Papers1 – General Studies (150 marks)
Mode of ExamOffline
Exam Duration2 hours
No. of Questions150
Negative Marking⅓ mark
Nature of QuestionsAll questions will be of Objective type (MCQs)
BPSC Prelims SyllabusGeneral ScienceEvents of national and international importanceHistory of Bihar and Indian HistoryGeography(mainly Geography of Bihar)Indian Polity and EconomyChanges in the economy of Bihar post-independenceIndian National Movement and the Role of BiharGeneral Mental Ability

BPSC Prelims Syllabus 2025  

The BPSC syllabus for the BPSC 71th Prelims exam is the same as that of the previous exams of the BPSC. It covers the aspects of General Science, Polity, Economy, History and the National Movement. The candidates have to go through the syllabus and prepare themselves well because the exam will have questions of a good standard. Here is a detailed syllabus of the BPSC 71th Prelims exam:

General Science 

  • General understanding of science, including matters of everyday observation and experience). The questions on Science and Tech will be such that they do not require subject specialization.

Current Affairs

  • Current Affairs of National/International Importance

History

  • History of India and Bihar (General understanding of the subject with the broad aspects of the history of Bihar)

Geography

  • Geography of India and Bihar (Questions will relate to the physical, social and economic geography of the country including the main features of Indian agricultural and natural resources)
  • General geography and geographical division of Bihar and its major river systems

Polity 

  • Indian Polity (Questions will test knowledge on the country’s political system, Panchayati raj, community development and planning in India and Bihar)

Economy 

  • Indian economy and economy of Bihar post-independence

Indian National Movement

  • Indian Movements and Contribution of Bihar in it (Questions will relate to the nature and character of the 19th century resurgence, growth of nationalism and attainment of Independence with special reference to Bihar) 
  • Under the Indian National Movement, candidates have to focus on the resurgence in the 19th century, the nature and growth of nationalism in India, and India’s independence. Also, the role of Bihar in the Indian National Movement is important from the BPSC exam point of view

Questions based on General Mental Ability

Download BPSC Official Syllabus PDF

Visit the official website of BPSC to download the latest BPSC syllabus PDF for Prelims and Mains. Make sure to refer to the latest advertisement for any changes.

BPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2025 

  • The candidates are called for the BPSC main exam only if they qualify in the BPSC Prelims Exam. Since the BPSC Prelims Exam is qualifying in nature it does not matter what one score. 
  • The marks of the mains exam will be considered for the final selection of the candidates. 
  • the BPSC Mains examination schedule will have five exams, with the Optional Paper and General Hindi Paper qualifying.
    • The General Hindi (Qualifying)
    • General Studies Paper 1
    • General Studies Paper 2
    • Essay
    • Optional Subject (Qualifying)
  • When filling out their application form, candidates can choose any topic from a list of 34 disciplines as an optional paper.
  • According to the recent changes in the BPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2024, the Optional Paper will contain objective-type questions.
  • The time limit for each paper will be of 3 hours and will be of subjective type in nature (except for the optional paper). 

BPSC Mains Syllabus 2025

The BPSC Mains will be will be given by those candidates who have passed the preliminary exam. The BPSC Mains Syllabus 2024 consists of four descriptive papers, each of them requires a deeper understanding of the subjects. The Mains exam holds significant importance as its score is added to the final merit list.

BPSC Mains Syllabus 2025
SubjectTopics
General HindiEssay (निबंध)Grammar (व्याकरण)Syntax (वाक्य विन्यास)Summarisation (संक्षेपण)
General Studies Paper 1Indian CultureThe Modern History of IndiaCurrent International and National Events of ImportanceStatistical Analysis, Diagrams, and Graphs
General Studies Paper 2Indian PolityIndian Economy and Geography of IndiaRole and Impact of Science and Technology in the Development of India
EssayMoral and Philosophical EssayHypothetical EssayEssay related to Social, Economic, Political, Religious, and Administrative IssuesEssay related to self-reliant India and Digital IndiaEssay related to problems, solutions, and possibilities of BiharEssay related to popular proverbs and sayings of Bihar, etc.
Optional PaperEnglish Language and LiteratureUrdu Language and LiteratureHindi Language and LiteraturePersian Language and LiteratureArabic Language and LiteraturePali Language and LiteratureMaithili Language and LiteratureBengali Language and LiteratureSanskrit Language and LiteratureChemistrySociologyPhysicsAgricultureStatisticsBotanyZoologyPhilosophyPolitical Science and International RelationsPsychologyPublic AdministrationLabor and Social WelfareManagementMathematicsMechanical EngineeringGeographyGeologyHistoryLawCivil EngineeringEconomicsCommerce and AccountancyElectrical EngineeringAnimal Husbandry and Veterinary ScienceAnthropology

BPSC Mains Syllabus (GS Paper 1)

  • Modern History of India and Indian Culture, which includes the broad history of the country (with special reference to Bihar) from about the middle of the 19th century.
  • The introduction and growth of Western education will be covered in questions on Bihar’s Modern History (including technical education).
  • Bihar’s role in the freedom struggle of India.
  • Santhal Uprising,
  • Revolt of 1857 in Bihar,
  • Birsa Movement,
  • Champaran Satyagraha
  • Quit India Movement 1942.
  • Knowledge of the chief features of Mauryan and Pal art.
  • Patna Qulam Painting
  • Basic knowledge of Mahatma Gandhi, Tagore and Nehru.
  • Exercises in statistical analysis, graphs, and diagrams will assess the candidate’s capacity to infer reasonable inferences from data presented in statistical, graphical, or diagrammatic form and to identify any limitations, constraints, or contradictions.

BPSC Mains Syllabus (GS Paper 2)

  • Questions in the GS Paper 2 of the BPSC 70th Syllabus will test your understanding of Indian politics, with a focus on Bihar.
  • Indian Polity: Political system in India and also including the political system in Bihar
  • Indian Economy: Planning in India,
  • Geography of India: It mainly includes the economic, physical and social geography of India and also focused on Bihar especially.
  • Science and Technology: The contribution and effects of science and technology to the development of India and Bihar. The candidate will be tested on their knowledge of how science and technology have impacted India and Bihar and the emphasis will be on applied aspects also.

BPSC Essay Syllabus

For the purpose of choosing applicants for various administrative positions throughout the state of Bihar, the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) administers the main test. The mains exam’s essay writing section is a crucial component where applicants must show they can effectively and coherently articulate their writing. The essay writing carries 300 marks. The BPSC essay paper is divided into three parts.

  • Each section is worth 100 points.
  • There are 12 (twelve) essay questions in total, 3 (three) of which must be answered one from each section by the candidate.
  • And the 700–800 word essay on any of the aforementioned topics.

BPSC Interview

Candidates who had qualified for the BPSC Mains Exam would be called for the Interview. Candidates are interviewed by a Board appointed by the Commission. The main fields checked by the interviewer are given below.

  • The candidate will be interviewed by a board who will have before them a record of the candidate’s career and interests filled by the candidate in the Application Form.
  • The objective of the interview is to check the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in the state services by a board of competent and unbiased observers.
  • In the personality test, apart from their academic study, candidates must be aware of the affairs happening both within and outside their state.
  • The interview is more of a purposeful conversation intended to explore the mental qualities and analytical ability of the candidate.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – BPSC Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2025

Q1. What is the selection process of the BPSC Combined Competitive Examination (CCE)?

Ans. The BPSC CCE 2025 selection process consists of three stages:

  1. Prelims Exam – Objective type (150 marks)
  2. Mains Exam – Descriptive and objective type (1100 marks)
  3. Interview – Personal Interview (120 marks)

Q2. Is there any negative marking in the BPSC Prelims Exam?

Ans. Yes, the BPSC Prelims Exam includes 1/3rd negative marking for each incorrect answer. This recent update makes it essential for candidates to answer only those questions they are confident about.

Q3. Are the marks obtained in the BPSC Prelims considered in the final merit list?

Ans. No, the Prelims exam is qualifying in nature. The marks obtained in the Prelims are not added to the final merit list. They are only used to shortlist candidates for the Mains examination.

Q4. How many papers are there in the BPSC Mains examination?

Ans. The BPSC Mains 2025 includes five papers:

  • General Hindi (Qualifying – 100 Marks)
  • General Studies Paper 1 (300 Marks)
  • General Studies Paper 2 (300 Marks)
  • Essay Paper (300 Marks)
  • Optional Subject (Qualifying – 100 Marks)

Q5. Is the Essay paper compulsory in the BPSC Mains 2025 exam?

Ans. Yes, the Essay paper is compulsory and carries 300 marks. Candidates must write three essays—one from each of the three sections, each essay being around 700–800 words.

Q6. What is the nature of questions in the Optional Paper of BPSC Mains?

Ans. According to recent changes, the Optional Paper is now objective in nature. However, it remains a qualifying paper, and its marks are not added to the final merit list.

Q7. Is General Hindi in the BPSC Mains exam qualifying or merit-based?

Ans. The General Hindi paper is qualifying in nature. Candidates must score a minimum of 30% marks to have their other papers evaluated.

Q8. How many optional subjects are available in BPSC Mains 2025?

Ans. BPSC provides a wide choice of 34 optional subjects, including History, Geography, Public Administration, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Law, Literature in various languages, and Engineering disciplines.

Q9. What are the main subjects in the BPSC Prelims syllabus?

Ans. The BPSC Prelims syllabus includes:

  • General Science
  • Current Affairs (National & International)
  • History of India and Bihar
  • Geography of India and Bihar
  • Indian Polity and Economy
  • Economic changes in Bihar post-independence
  • Indian National Movement and Bihar’s role
  • General Mental Ability

Q10. What topics are covered under General Studies Paper 1 of the BPSC Mains Syllabus?

Ans. GS Paper 1 includes:

  • Modern History of India (with focus on Bihar’s freedom struggle)
  • Indian Culture
  • Santhal Uprising, 1857 Revolt in Bihar, Birsa Movement, Champaran Satyagraha
  • Current national and international events
  • Statistical analysis, graphs, and diagrams

Q11. What are the focus areas for General Studies Paper 2 in BPSC Mains?

Ans. GS Paper 2 covers:

  • Indian Polity (with special emphasis on Bihar’s governance)
  • Indian Economy and Economic Planning
  • Geography of India and Bihar
  • Science and Technology (including its impact on Bihar’s development)

Q12. How is the BPSC interview conducted?

Ans. The BPSC Interview (120 Marks) is conducted by a board that evaluates:

  • Candidate’s personality and suitability for administrative service
  • Knowledge of academic subjects and current affairs
  • Awareness of Bihar’s socio-economic and political environment
  • Logical thinking and decision-making ability

Q13. Is knowledge of Bihar-specific topics important in BPSC?

Ans. Absolutely. A significant portion of both Prelims and Mains focuses on Bihar’s history, geography, polity, economy, and role in the freedom movement. Candidates should thoroughly prepare these topics.

Q14. What is the total number of marks considered for the BPSC final merit list?

Ans. The final merit list is prepared based on:

  • Mains (GS I + GS II + Essay) = 900 Marks
  • Interview = 120 Marks
    Total = 1020 Marks

Q15. What are the recent changes in BPSC Exam Pattern 2025?

Ans. Key updates include:

  • Introduction of negative marking (1/3rd) in Prelims
  • Essay paper added in Mains with 300 marks
  • Optional paper changed to objective format
  • Total marks for Mains and Interview revised to reflect a more holistic evaluation system
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