Here is something most preparation sites will not tell you upfront: there are no officially published 2026 previous year papers for Bihar BTSC Instructor. The last Bihar BTSC Instructor exam happened in 2016. That paper was never officially released by BTSC. The 2026 recruitment (Advt 14/2026–23/2026, 726 posts) is a fresh cycle after a 10-year gap — and no candidate sitting for it has access to a 2026 PYQ because the exam has not happened yet.
What this article actually gives you is more useful than a recycled coaching PDF: a topic-by-topic breakdown based on the official 2026 notification exam pattern, CITS (Craftsmen Instructor Training Scheme) curriculum, and what ITI instructor exams across India have historically tested. If you apply this analysis and build your preparation around it, you are doing exactly what a genuine PYQ would tell you to do anyway.
Apply window: notification released April 2026. Exam date not yet announced at the time of writing. 726 posts across 10 trades — but the 6 highest-vacancy trades are Electrician, Electronics Technician, Fitter, Welder, Surveyor, and Machinist.
- 2026 PYQs do not exist — this is a fresh exam after 10 years. Any site claiming to sell or share them is fabricating.
- 100 MCQ total: 80 trade knowledge + 20 General Studies. 2 hours. -0.25 per wrong answer.
- Trade knowledge is 80% of the paper — this is where selection is decided, not in GS.
Exam Pattern at a Glance
| Section |
Questions |
Marks |
Time |
| Trade Knowledge (CITS/ITI curriculum) | 80 | 80 | 120 min (combined) |
| General Studies | 20 | 20 |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 2 hours |
Source: Bihar BTSC Instructor 2026 official notification (Advt 14/2026–23/2026). Negative marking: -0.25 per wrong answer.
Why the 2016 Paper Does Not Help Much
The 2016 Bihar BTSC Instructor exam used a similar broad pattern — trade knowledge + GS — but the specific question distribution and topics have shifted with the NCVT/CITS curriculum revision that happened between 2016 and 2022. New topics like CNC basics, digital electronics, and GPS/Total Station operations were either absent or peripheral in 2016 syllabi but are now core to the 2026 CITS curriculum.
More importantly, the 2016 paper was for a different set of posts and a smaller scale. Treating it as a reference for topic weighting would give you a distorted picture. The better approach — which this article takes — is to map topics from the current CITS study material and NCVT trade theory books against what type of questions have historically appeared in ITI instructor-level exams from other state boards (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan) that do publish their papers.
Trade-Wise Topic Breakdown
Each trade paper has 80 questions drawn from the CITS curriculum for that trade. Below is a realistic topic distribution based on the CITS syllabus for each trade. These are not guarantees — they are the best available approximation based on curriculum weight and verified topic patterns from comparable state ITI instructor exams.
Electrician / Wireman (252 posts — largest vacancy)
| Topic Area |
Expected Q Range |
| AC/DC circuits — Ohm's law, KVL, KCL, power calculations | 15–18 Q |
| Electrical machines — motors, generators, transformers | 12–15 Q |
| Wiring systems — domestic, industrial, conduit types | 10–12 Q |
| Electrical measurements — ammeter, voltmeter, multimeter, bridges | 8–10 Q |
| Safety norms, IS codes, BIS standards | 6–8 Q |
| Power systems — distribution, substation, earthing, protection | 6–8 Q |
| Electronic components — capacitors, diodes, transistors | 5–6 Q |
| Workshop practice, tools, hand tools identification | 5–6 Q |
Preparation advice: For Electrician, the circuit theory questions (KVL/KCL, Ohm's law numericals) require practice with numbers, not just theory. Expect 4–6 numerical questions where you must calculate voltage, current, or resistance. Do not just memorise formulas — solve problems.
Electronics Technician (130 posts)
| Topic Area |
Expected Q Range |
| Semiconductor devices — diodes, BJT, FET, MOSFET, characteristics | 15–18 Q |
| Amplifiers (CE/CB/CC) and oscillators (Hartley, Colpitts, RC) | 12–14 Q |
| Digital electronics — Boolean algebra, logic gates, flip-flops, counters | 12–14 Q |
| Microcontrollers / Microprocessors — 8085 architecture, 8051 basics | 8–10 Q |
| Communication systems — AM, FM, modulation, bandwidth | 6–8 Q |
| PCB design, fabrication, soldering techniques | 5–6 Q |
| Power supplies, rectifiers (half-wave, full-wave, bridge) | 5–6 Q |
| Test and measuring instruments — CRO, signal generator, multimeter | 4–5 Q |
Preparation advice: Electronics Technician has the most conceptually dense paper. Digital electronics (Boolean algebra, K-maps, flip-flop truth tables) is an area where candidates who come from purely practical ITI backgrounds often struggle. Dedicate separate revision sessions to digital circuits — the questions here tend to be application-based, not just definitional.
Fitter (84 posts)
| Topic Area |
Expected Q Range |
| Metrology and precision measurement — vernier, micrometer, slip gauges, dial gauge | 15–18 Q |
| Lathe machine operations, tooling, feeds and speeds | 12–15 Q |
| Fits and tolerances — IS system, hole basis, shaft basis | 10–12 Q |
| Drilling, boring, reaming — speeds, feeds, tool geometry | 8–10 Q |
| Engineering drawing — interpretation, orthographic views, GD&T | 8–10 Q |
| Heat treatment — annealing, hardening, tempering, case hardening | 5–6 Q |
| Joining processes — riveting, screwing, press fits | 5–6 Q |
| Workshop safety — PPE, fire prevention, machine guarding | 5–6 Q |
Welder (84 posts)
| Topic Area |
Expected Q Range |
| Arc welding (SMAW) — processes, electrode selection, polarity | 15–18 Q |
| MIG (GMAW) and TIG (GTAW) welding — parameters, shielding gases | 12–14 Q |
| Welding defects — types, causes, inspection methods, NDT basics | 10–12 Q |
| Oxy-acetylene welding and cutting — flame types, pressures, tips | 8–10 Q |
| Welding symbols and drawing interpretation | 8–10 Q |
| Metallurgy — ferrous/non-ferrous metals, weld heat effects, distortion | 6–8 Q |
| Safety — PPE, fire hazards, fume extraction, welding booth safety | 5–6 Q |
| Brazing, soldering, and hard facing | 4–5 Q |
Surveyor (84 posts)
| Topic Area |
Expected Q Range |
| Levelling instruments — dumpy level, auto level, digital level | 15–18 Q |
| Traversing — chain, compass, theodolite traversing methods | 12–14 Q |
| Plane table surveying — radiation, intersection, resection methods | 8–10 Q |
| Total Station — operations, coordinate geometry, area calculation | 8–10 Q |
| Contour maps — interpolation, gradient, cross sections | 6–8 Q |
| GPS basics and remote sensing concepts — GIS fundamentals | 5–6 Q |
| Photogrammetry basics — aerial photography, scale calculation | 4–5 Q |
| Tacheometric surveying — stadia method, tangential method | 4–5 Q |
| Error theory — types of errors, most probable value, adjustments | 4–5 Q |
Machinist (82 posts)
| Topic Area |
Expected Q Range |
| CNC machines — G codes, M codes, programming basics, tool offset | 12–15 Q |
| Lathe and milling — operations, cutters, feeds, speeds, indexing | 12–14 Q |
| Grinding machines — surface, cylindrical, centerless grinding | 8–10 Q |
| Precision measurement — vernier, micrometer, sine bar, optical instruments | 8–10 Q |
| Gear cutting and threads — types, thread cutting on lathe, gear hobbing | 6–8 Q |
| Surface finish, tolerance, and surface texture measurement | 6–8 Q |
| Workshop calculations — taper, speed-feed, material removal rate | 5–6 Q |
| Quality control and inspection — SPC basics, sampling, gauges | 5–6 Q |
General Studies Section (20 Questions)
GS is 20% of the paper but much faster to prepare than trade knowledge. Here is the realistic breakdown based on Bihar state government exam patterns and BTSC's general practice:
| Subject |
Expected Q |
Key Topics |
| Indian History | 4–5 Q | Freedom movement, 1857, major leaders, Gandhi-Nehru era |
| Indian Constitution and Polity | 3–4 Q | Fundamental Rights, DPSP, Parliament structure, Amendments |
| Geography (India and world) | 3–4 Q | Physical features, rivers, climate, soils, economic geography |
| General Science | 3–4 Q | Basic Physics, Chemistry, Biology — 10th/12th level |
| Current Affairs (last 6 months) | 2–3 Q | National schemes, appointments, science/technology news |
| Bihar-specific GK | 2–3 Q | Bihar geography, culture, art, prominent people, recent state events |
Bihar GK is worth specific attention. BTSC is a state body — it consistently tests Bihar-specific knowledge. Expect questions on Bihar's rivers (Ganga, Gandak, Kosi), famous historical sites (Nalanda, Rajgir, Bodh Gaya), major industries, and current state government initiatives. 2–3 marks that are entirely predictable if you spend 2 hours on Bihar GK notes.
Target: 15–18 marks out of 20 in GS. This is achievable for any candidate who revises a standard GK book (Lucent's GK is adequate) and adds Bihar-specific material. Do not spend more than 20% of your prep time on GS — trade knowledge is where the paper is actually won or lost.
Time Strategy for 100 Questions in 120 Minutes
120 minutes for 100 questions = 72 seconds per question on average. With -0.25 negative marking, leaving 5–6 genuinely uncertain questions blank is better than guessing randomly. Here is a practical time split:
| Phase |
Section |
Allocated Time |
Why |
| Phase 1 | GS (20 Q) | 15–18 min | Familiar topics, fast reads — build momentum and confidence |
| Phase 2 | Trade — strong topics first (40 Q) | 40–45 min | Core topics where you are confident — maximise accuracy early |
| Phase 3 | Trade — remaining topics (40 Q) | 40–45 min | Harder or numerical questions — mark and skip if stuck, return later |
| Phase 4 | Review marked questions | 12–15 min | Return to skipped questions with fresh perspective |
Critical rule with -0.25: Do not attempt a question you are genuinely 50/50 on. The expected value of a random guess across 4 options is zero (1/4 × 1 + 3/4 × -0.25 = 0). But for questions where you can eliminate 1 option (33% chance), the expected value turns positive. Use elimination actively — if you can rule out one option with confidence, answer.
Target 60–65 solid attempts with 85–90% accuracy rather than 90 attempts with 60–70% accuracy. The former scores higher.
Expected Cutoff — Honest Analysis
BTSC has not published cutoffs from the 2016 Instructor exam. There is no prior data for this specific 2026 format. Any website showing you specific cutoff marks for this exam with confidence is guessing. Here is what honest analysis does tell you:
Why this cutoff could be on the higher side: The exam is happening after 10 years, which means enormous pent-up demand from candidates who have been waiting for this opportunity. Higher competition typically raises effective cutoffs. Additionally, 726 posts across multiple trades means selection ratios vary significantly — Electrician (252 posts) will be more competitive than Machinist (82 posts) simply by applicant volume.
Working estimate for UR General category: 55–65 marks out of 100. Electrician and Electronics Technician papers are historically harder in terms of numerical content, which may moderate the cutoff slightly (more candidates dropping marks on numericals). Fitter and Welder papers tend to have more definitional questions which easier to score on, potentially pushing cutoffs up.
Safe preparation target: Aim for 70+ marks. A candidate scoring 70+ in any trade is very unlikely to be left out regardless of final demand. Anything above 60 puts you in competitive territory for most trades. Below 55 is uncertain — do not count on clearing.
How To Prepare When There Are No PYQs
The absence of official 2026 PYQs is a problem you can solve. Here is a hierarchy of substitute material, from most to least relevant:
1. CITS curriculum books (published by DGET/DGT): The Craftsmen Instructor Training Scheme study material is the single most authoritative source for what topics will appear. These are available from the DGET website (dget.gov.in) and the NCVT-MIS portal. Your exam paper is literally drawn from this curriculum. If CITS says a topic is part of the syllabus, it can appear in the exam.
2. NCVT trade theory books for your ITI trade: The Theoretical Instruction books published by NCVT for each ITI trade form the base knowledge. These are widely available through NIMI (National Instructional Media Institute) — nimi.in. Most candidates preparing as ITI graduates should already have these.
3. ITI instructor exam papers from other states: Gujarat Technical Examination Board (GTES), Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE), and Rajasthan ITI instructor exams periodically publish their papers. These papers test CITS curriculum topics at a comparable level. A Gujarat ITI Electrician Instructor paper from 2022–23 is the closest practical substitute for a Bihar BTSC Electrician paper.
4. NIMI question banks: NIMI publishes question banks for each ITI trade. These are model question sets based on the national curriculum and are the most systematic source of MCQ-format practice available.
5. Bihar BSSC / BPSC papers for GS: For the 20-mark GS section, Bihar state competitive exam papers (BSSC, BPSC) are the best proxy. They test the same Bihar-centric GK and general awareness at a comparable difficulty level.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Attempting all 100 questions regardless of certainty: With -0.25 negative marking, this is the most common scoring mistake. Unanswered questions cost you nothing; wrong answers cost you 0.25. A candidate who attempts 85 questions and gets 70 correct scores 70 − (15 × 0.25) = 66.25. A candidate who attempts 65 with 60 correct scores 60 − (5 × 0.25) = 58.75. Selective attempting beats shotgun attempting unless your accuracy is very high.
Ignoring Bihar GK in GS preparation: Standard Lucent GK revision without Bihar-specific notes typically leaves 2–3 Bihar GK marks on the table. That gap can be the difference between selection and waitlisting at the margins.
Over-investing in GS at the cost of trade knowledge: GS is 20 marks. Trade is 80. A candidate who scores 18/20 in GS but 45/80 in trade (total: 63) will likely be outscored by someone who gets 15/20 in GS and 60/80 in trade (total: 75). Spend time accordingly.
Using 2016 exam material uncritically: CITS curriculum changed after 2016. Topics like CNC, digital electronics, Total Station surveying, and GPS are now much more prominent than they were 10 years ago. Preparing only from old material will leave you thin in the newer topic areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any official 2026 previous year papers for Bihar BTSC Instructor?
No. The 2026 exam has not happened yet, so there are no 2026 PYQs. The last BTSC Instructor exam was in 2016 and no official paper from that exam was publicly released by BTSC. Any coaching institute claiming to sell "Bihar BTSC Instructor PYQs" is selling fabricated or mislabelled material. Prepare instead from CITS curriculum books and NIMI question banks — these directly represent what the exam will test.
How many questions will be from trade knowledge vs General Studies?
80 questions from trade knowledge (CITS/ITI curriculum for your specific trade) and 20 questions from General Studies. Total: 100 MCQ in 120 minutes with -0.25 negative marking per wrong answer. Source: Official BTSC Instructor 2026 notification.
Which trade has the highest competition in 2026?
Electrician/Wireman with 252 posts will likely attract the highest absolute number of applicants. However, selection depends on the applicant-to-vacancy ratio, which BTSC does not publish in advance. Prepare your trade thoroughly — competition level is not something you can control; your score is.
What is the expected cutoff for BTSC Instructor 2026?
No official cutoff data exists from prior exams. An honest working estimate for UR General category is 55–65 out of 100 based on exam difficulty patterns from comparable state ITI instructor exams. Aim for 70+ to be comfortably above any realistic cutoff. These figures are estimates — not sourced from BTSC data.
Which books should I use to prepare since there are no PYQs?
In order of relevance: (1) CITS study material from DGET/DGT website, (2) NIMI trade theory books and question banks from nimi.in, (3) NCVT ITI trade theory textbooks for your specific trade, (4) ITI instructor exam papers from Gujarat or Maharashtra state boards (freely searchable online), (5) Lucent GK + Bihar-specific GK notes for the GS section.
📌 Bihar BTSC Instructor 2026 – Complete Guide:
