Bihar BTSC Instructor Syllabus 2026 – CBT Pattern, Trade Topics & GS
BTSC's selection process for 726 Instructor posts is straightforward: one Computer Based Test, then Document Verification. There is no interview, no physical test. Your entire fate rests on a 100-question, 2-hour CBT. This guide breaks down exactly what those 100 questions will test — trade by trade, section by section — so you can build a preparation plan that targets the right topics rather than studying everything and covering nothing deeply.
Selection Process Overview
| Stage | Details | Qualifying? |
|---|
| Stage 1: CBT | 100 MCQ, 2 hours, computer-based | Competitive – forms merit list |
| Stage 2: Document Verification | Shortlisted candidates verify original certificates | Qualifying – yes/no check |
| Final Selection | Merit rank from CBT + DV clearance | – |
There is no interview at any stage. Your CBT score determines your rank, and your rank determines whether you get selected — provided you clear document verification. This is a pure knowledge test with no subjective element.
CBT Exam Pattern – Complete Structure
| Parameter | Details |
|---|
| Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) — online |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice (4 options, 1 correct) |
| Marks per Correct Answer | +1 mark |
| Negative Marking | -0.25 per wrong answer |
| Trade-specific Questions | 80 questions |
| General Studies Questions | 20 questions |
| Language | Hindi and English |
| Medium | Bilingual (Hindi/English) |
The -0.25 negative marking matters more than it seems in a 100-question test. For every 4 wrong answers, you lose 1 mark. A candidate who attempts 95 questions with 15 wrong answers ends up at 80 - (15 × 0.25) = 76.25. A candidate who attempts 85 questions with 5 wrong answers ends up at 80 - (5 × 0.25) = 78.75. Accuracy beats attempt count when there is a negative penalty.
Section 1 – Trade-Specific Knowledge (80 Questions)
The 80 trade questions test your actual working knowledge of the trade you are applying for. BTSC expects this to be tested at ITI pass / CITS level — meaning the questions cover both theory and practical application. For each major trade, here is what the 80-question section includes:
Electrician / Wireman (252 posts – Advt 14/2026)
- AC/DC Circuits: Ohm's Law, Kirchhoff's Laws, series and parallel circuits, power factor, three-phase calculations
- Electrical Machines: DC motors (shunt, series, compound), AC motors (induction, synchronous), transformers (working, types, testing)
- Wiring Systems: Conduit wiring, switchboard installation, distribution boards, MCB sizing, earthing systems (plate, pipe, rod), types of earthing
- Safety Norms: Electrical safety codes, IS standards applicable to wiring, PPE for electrical work, first aid for electrical shock
- Instruments: Multimeter, megger, clamp meter, energy meter — operation and use
- Cables and Conductors: Types of cables (PVC, XLPE), conductor sizing, current ratings, installation standards
- Illumination: Lamp types (LED, fluorescent, HPMV), lumen calculations, lumens per watt, lighting design basics
- Battery and Charging: Lead-acid battery maintenance, charging methods, specific gravity testing
Electronics Technician (130 posts – Advt 15/2026)
- Semiconductor Devices: Diodes (rectifier, zener, LED), BJT (NPN/PNP, biasing circuits, amplifier configurations), FET, MOSFET basics
- Amplifiers: Class A/B/AB/C amplifier analysis, CE/CB/CC configurations, gain calculations, frequency response
- Power Electronics: SCR, TRIAC, DIAC — characteristics and triggering; rectifier circuits; filters
- Digital Electronics: Number systems (binary, hex, BCD), logic gates (truth tables, Boolean simplification), flip-flops (SR, JK, D, T), counters, shift registers
- Microcontrollers: 8051 architecture basics, interrupts, timers, serial communication (UART)
- Communication Electronics: AM/FM modulation and demodulation, antennas, television basics, cable TV
- PCB Technology: PCB types, etching process, soldering techniques (DIP, SMD), component identification, fault finding
- Test Equipment: Oscilloscope, signal generator, LCR meter, multimeter — reading and usage
Fitter (84 posts – Advt 16/2026)
- Lathe Operations: Turning, facing, threading (external/internal), taper turning, knurling — tool angles, feeds, speeds
- Precision Measurement: Vernier calipers (reading to 0.02 mm), micrometers (internal/external), dial gauge, slip gauges, height gauge, angle gauge
- Fits and Tolerances: Types of fits (clearance, interference, transition), hole basis vs shaft basis system, ISO tolerance grades (IT01–IT18), surface finish symbols (Ra values)
- Machine Drawing: First angle and third angle projection, reading engineering drawings, GD&T basics (geometric tolerancing symbols)
- Hand Tools: Files (grades, cuts), hacksaw, drills, taps and dies, reamers, chisels — correct use and maintenance
- Sheet Metal: Marking, cutting, bending, riveting, types of joints, development of surfaces
- Heat Treatment: Annealing, normalising, hardening, tempering, case hardening — purpose and process
- Assembly and Fitting: Keys and keyways, splines, bearings (ball, roller, thrust) — installation and alignment
Welder (84 posts – Advt 17/2026)
- Welding Processes: MMAW (Manual Metal Arc Welding), MIG/MAG (Gas Metal Arc), TIG (Gas Tungsten Arc), Spot welding, Projection welding, Seam welding
- Electrode Selection: Electrode classification (IS and AWS codes), electrode covering types (rutile, basic, cellulosic), electrode diameter vs metal thickness selection
- Gas Welding and Cutting: Oxy-acetylene equipment, regulators, flame types (carburizing, neutral, oxidizing), cutting tip selection
- Weld Defects: Porosity, undercutting, incomplete fusion, slag inclusion, cracks — causes and remedies
- Weld Inspection: Visual inspection, DPT (Dye Penetrant Test), Magnetic Particle Test, Radiographic basics
- Welding Safety: PPE for welding (shield, gloves, apron), fumes and ventilation, fire prevention, gas cylinder handling
- Weld Symbols: Reading welding symbols on drawings (AWS A2.4 basics), weld position (1F, 2F, 1G, 2G, etc.)
- Metallurgy Basics: Effect of heat on weld zone (HAZ), carbon equivalent, preheating requirements
Surveyor (84 posts – Advt 18/2026)
- Linear Measurements: Chain surveying, tape corrections (temperature, pull, sag), offset measurement, field booking
- Levelling: Dumpy level operations, temporary and permanent adjustments, fly levelling, reciprocal levelling, precise levelling — rise and fall method, HI method
- Plane Table Surveying: Radiation, intersection, traversing, resection (3-point problem) — setup and error sources
- Theodolite Surveying: Measurement of horizontal and vertical angles, traversing (open/closed traverse), adjustment of closed traverse, Bowditch's rule
- Total Station: Basic total station operations, data collection, EDM principles, setting out with total station
- GPS Basics: GPS surveying principles, types (DGPS, RTK), limitations and accuracy
- Contouring: Methods of contouring, contour interval selection, interpolation, uses of contour maps
- Area and Volume Calculation: Mid-ordinate, average ordinate, trapezoidal, Simpson's rule — prismoidal formula for volumes
Machinist (82 posts – Advt 19/2026)
- Lathe and Turning: Cutting speeds and feeds for different materials, tool life (Taylor's equation), chip formation, tool geometry (rake angle, clearance angle)
- Milling Operations: Plain milling, face milling, up-cut vs down-cut milling, gear cutting on milling machine, dividing head settings
- Grinding: Surface grinding, cylindrical grinding, wheel selection (grain, grade, structure, bond), wheel dressing, balancing
- Drilling and Boring: Drilling speeds/feeds, reaming allowances, boring bar setup, jig boring basics
- CNC Basics: CNC coordinate systems (G-code and M-code basics), tool offsets, canned cycles, part programming concepts
- Measurement and Quality: CMM basics, gauge calibration, process capability (Cp, Cpk), SPC fundamentals
- Tolerances and Fits: ISO system, surface texture (Ra, Rz), GD&T symbols and interpretation
- Tool Materials: HSS, carbide (grades and applications), ceramic, CBN, diamond tools — selection criteria
Section 2 – General Studies (20 Questions – All Trades)
The 20 GS questions are the same for every candidate applying under BTSC Advt 14–23/2026. BTSC's GS for technical posts tends to focus on Bihar-specific knowledge, Indian polity basics, and applied science — not deep theory.
Indian History (3–4 Questions)
- Freedom movement milestones — Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India
- Bihar's role in the independence movement — Champaran Satyagraha (1917), Gandhi's first major satyagraha
- Ancient and medieval Bihar — Maurya, Gupta periods; Nalanda, Vikramshila
- Important personalities from Bihar (political, literary, social reform)
Geography – India and Bihar (4–5 Questions)
- Bihar's physical geography — Gangetic plains, major rivers (Ganga, Gandak, Kosi, Sone)
- Bihar administrative divisions, districts, important cities
- India's physical geography — Himalayas, Deccan, river systems, climate zones
- Natural resources and mineral deposits of India
Indian Polity and Constitution (3–4 Questions)
- Fundamental Rights (Part III), Directive Principles (Part IV), Fundamental Duties
- Structure of Parliament (Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha), State Legislature (Vidhan Sabha, Vidhan Parishad)
- Bihar state government structure, Panchayati Raj in Bihar
- Constitutional amendments relevant to education/skill development
Current Affairs (3–4 Questions)
- Bihar government schemes — Skill development programs, apprenticeship schemes, ITI upgradation
- National skill development news — NSDC, PMKVY, CITS program updates
- Science and technology in current news
- Sports, awards, state government announcements
General Science (4–5 Questions)
- Physics: Mechanics, heat, electricity, optics — class 10 level
- Chemistry: Periodic table basics, chemical reactions, common materials and their properties
- Biology: Human body systems — circulation, respiration, nervous system
- Environment: Pollution types, renewable energy basics
Does CITS Knowledge Get Tested Directly?
No — there is no separate CITS-specific section in the CBT. However, holding a CITS certificate means you have already studied trade theory at an advanced level (CITS teaches how to teach the trade, which requires deeper theoretical understanding than practitioner-level ITI). If you have CITS, your trade knowledge is already at a level where the 80 trade questions should feel familiar. If you have CITS but haven't revised in a few years, a 6–8 week trade-specific revision is still recommended.
Negative Marking Strategy
With -0.25 per wrong answer, your optimal strategy depends on how confident you are:
- Very sure (90%+ confidence): Always attempt — expected gain is +0.775 per question
- Somewhat sure (70–80% confidence): Still worth attempting — expected gain is positive
- Unsure (less than 50% confidence): Skip — expected loss exceeds expected gain
- Elimination to 2 options: If you can eliminate 2 of 4 options, attempt — 50% success rate with -0.25 penalty is still net positive
The GS section tends to have more guessable questions than the trade section. Most candidates can use elimination strategies effectively in GS. The trade section at 80 marks requires genuine knowledge — you cannot eliminate your way to a good trade score.
Study Resources by Trade
| Trade | Primary Resources |
|---|
| Electrician | NCVT ITI Electrician textbooks (Year 1 & 2), IS 732 Wiring code, CITS Electrician study material |
| Electronics | NCVT ITI Electronics Mechanic books, Boylestad's Electronic Devices (basics), CITS Electronics material |
| Fitter | NCVT ITI Fitter (Year 1 & 2), R.K. Jain's Production Engineering (for tolerances), CITS Fitter material |
| Welder | NCVT ITI Welder books, AWS welding handbook summary, CITS Welder material |
| Surveyor | NCVT ITI Surveyor books, B.C. Punmia Surveying Vol 1, CITS Surveyor material |
| Machinist | NCVT ITI Machinist (Year 1 & 2), R.K. Jain's Machine Tools, CITS Machinist material |
| General Studies | NCERT Class 9–10 (History, Geography, Science), Lucent's GK for Bihar GS section |
8–12 Week Preparation Timeline
Applications close 15 May 2026. Exam date has not been announced yet, but BTSC typically holds CBT 2–3 months after the close of applications. Here is a realistic preparation schedule assuming 8–10 weeks of focused study:
| Week | Focus |
|---|
| Week 1–2 | Trade foundation: revisit ITI Year 1 topics — basic theory, components, fundamental calculations |
| Week 3–4 | Trade advanced: Year 2 ITI + CITS-level topics; machines, precision measurement, advanced operations |
| Week 5–6 | Practice questions: 200–300 trade MCQs from previous ITI exams, CITS entrance papers, similar state exams |
| Week 7–8 | General Studies: Bihar history, geography, polity; current affairs last 6 months; science MCQs |
| Week 9–10 | Full-length mock tests (100 Q, 2 hrs timed); review weak areas; revision of formula/standards lists |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is there any interview or physical test in BTSC Instructor 2026 selection?
No. Selection is entirely through CBT merit list + Document Verification. No interview, no physical fitness test, no practical test at any stage.
Q2. Can I appear for multiple trade advertisements simultaneously?
Only if you meet the eligibility criteria for each trade. Each advertisement (Advt 14–23/2026) is trade-specific. You can apply to multiple trades if you hold relevant qualifications for each — but you would sit separate CBTs for each trade.
Q3. Are the 80 trade questions all from ITI syllabus or CITS level?
Primarily ITI Year 1 and Year 2 level, with some questions at CITS/application level. CITS holders will find the trade section more familiar because CITS training covers theoretical depth beyond practitioner ITI level. If you haven't revised trade topics in 2–3 years, a structured 6–8 week revision of NCVT ITI material is strongly recommended.
Q4. Is the CBT question paper the same for all trade advertisements on the same day?
No. The 80-question trade section is different for each advertisement. The 20 GS questions may be common across trades sitting on the same day — but this depends on BTSC's specific exam management arrangement.
Q5. What is a safe score to target for selection in BTSC Instructor CBT?
Based on similar BTSC and state technical recruitment exams, a score of 65–75+ out of 100 is typically competitive for general category candidates. SC/ST candidates may clear at lower scores depending on vacancy distribution. The exact cutoff will depend on this year's candidate pool — prepare to score 70+ to be safe.
📌 Bihar BTSC Instructor 2026 – Complete Guide:
