BPSC 72nd CCE Syllabus 2026: Prelims, Mains & Interview Complete Guide

BPSC 72nd Combined Competitive Examination has 1,230 posts across Bihar's top civil services — Bihar Administrative Service (BAS), Bihar Police Service (BPS), Bihar Finance Service (BFS), and others. The selection runs through three stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Personality Test. This article covers every stage's syllabus, the Bihar GK content that makes BPSC unique, and what separates qualifiers from also-rans.

👉 BPSC 72nd CCE Salary 2026 — what BAS, BPS, and BFS officers earn at each stage of their career

Selection Process Overview

Final merit = Mains GS (600) + Interview (80–120). Preliminary is just a screening test.

Preliminary Examination — Syllabus

PT is a single General Studies paper: 150 questions, 150 marks, 2 hours, ¼ negative marking. A wrong answer deducts 0.25 marks. The paper covers:

History of India (with Bihar emphasis)

• Ancient India: Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic period, Maurya Empire (Pataliputra connection), Buddhist period (Bodh Gaya, Nalanda, Vaishali), Gupta Empire
• Medieval India: Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, regional kingdoms of Bihar (Sher Shah Suri — born in Bihar, built Grand Trunk Road)
• Modern India: British colonialism, 1857 revolt (Kunwar Singh — Bihar's hero), Indian National Movement, Champaran Satyagraha 1917 (Gandhi's first satyagraha, in Bihar), Non-cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India (JP Narayan's role)
• Bihar-specific history: Santhali Hul 1855 (Santhal rebellion from Jharkhand-Bihar region), Birsa Munda movement, Champaran Indigo movement, famous personalities (Rajendra Prasad, Jayaprakash Narayan, Karpoori Thakur)

Geography of India and Bihar

• Physical geography: Himalayan rivers (Ganga, Gandak, Kosi, Budhi Gandak, Son in Bihar), Chota Nagpur plateau (now Jharkhand), alluvial plains
• Bihar geography: Districts (38), major cities, Rajgir hills, Kaimur plateau, mineral resources (mica from Koderma belt, pyrite, bauxite)
• Climate: Monsoon patterns, Bihar's flood-prone areas (Kosi river — "Bihar's sorrow")
• Agriculture: Major crops of Bihar (paddy, wheat, maize, sugarcane, jute in Kosi region, litchi from Muzaffarpur)
• Indian geography: Climate zones, natural vegetation, river systems, ports, mountain ranges

Indian Polity and Governance

• Constitution: Preamble, Fundamental Rights (6 categories), DPSP, Fundamental Duties
• Parliament: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, legislative process, President's powers
• State government: Bihar Legislative Assembly, Governor, Chief Minister, Council of Ministers
• Panchayati Raj: 73rd Amendment, 3-tier system, role of Gram Sabha
• Judiciary: Supreme Court, High Court (Patna High Court), subordinate courts

Indian Economy

• GDP concept, national income measurement
• Five Year Plans, NITI Aayog
• Banking: RBI functions, types of banks, priority sector lending
• Bihar economy: Agriculture dominance, MSME sector, skill development
• Government schemes: PM Kisan, Jan Dhan, Mudra Loan, Ayushman Bharat

Science and Technology

Class 10 level Physics, Chemistry, and Biology — no advanced concepts.

Current Affairs

Last 6–12 months: National and international events, Bihar government policies, important appointments, sports, awards.

Bihar GK — The Deciding Factor

Bihar GK accounts for 20–25% of the PT paper — roughly 30–38 questions. This is often the differentiator between qualifiers and non-qualifiers. Candidates from outside Bihar frequently lose marks here. Key topics:

• Tribal communities of Bihar: Santhal (largest), Oraon, Munda, Ho, Gond — their traditions, revolts, current status
• Famous historical sites: Pataliputra (ancient Patna), Vaishali (world's first republic), Nalanda University, Bodh Gaya (Buddha's enlightenment), Vikramshila (ancient Buddhist university), Rajgir
• Rivers: Ganga (flows through Bihar — enters at Buxar, exits at Rajmahal), Gandak, Kosi, Bagmati, Son, Punpun
• Wildlife: Valmiki Tiger Reserve (West Champaran), Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary
• Current Bihar government: Chief Minister, important ministers, recent policy announcements
• Personalities: Rajendra Prasad (first President of India, born Bihar), Jayaprakash Narayan (Total Revolution), Karpoori Thakur (OBC reservation pioneer in Bihar)

👉 BPSC 72nd CCE Eligibility 2026 — age limits, qualification requirements, and reservation rules

Mains Examination — Paper-Wise Syllabus

General Hindi (Qualifying, 100 marks)

Need minimum 30/100. Tests grammar (Sandhi, Samas, Alankar), comprehension, essay writing, letter writing. Not counted in final merit.

GS Paper I — History & Culture (150 marks)

Modern Indian History (1857–1947): Governors-General, national movement phases, role of Bihar. Post-independence India: Constitution framing, integration of princely states, Five Year Plans. Indian and world geography. Bihar-specific history and culture.

GS Paper II — Polity, Economy & Governance (150 marks)

Indian Constitution in depth. Centre-State relations. Public administration concepts. Bihar's economic development. Agriculture, industry, infrastructure. Welfare schemes.

GS Paper III — Science, Environment & Geography (150 marks)

Science and technology in India (ISRO, DRDO, nuclear programme). Environmental issues (climate change, biodiversity, pollution). Physical and human geography.

GS Paper IV — Statistics & Mental Ability (150 marks)

Basic statistics (mean, median, mode, standard deviation), data interpretation (tables, bar charts, pie charts), basic mathematics, reasoning and mental ability. Accessible level — not JEE standard.

Personality Test (Interview)

Conducted after Mains. BAS/BPS/BFS: 120 marks. Other posts: 80 marks. The panel assesses communication, current affairs awareness, Bihar-specific knowledge, leadership qualities, ethical reasoning. A civil service persona test — not a quiz.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is PT result carried forward to next BPSC attempt?

No. PT is exam-specific. If you qualify PT in BPSC 72nd, you must appear in BPSC 72nd Mains. You cannot use a 72nd PT result to appear in BPSC 73rd Mains.

Q: What is the safe score to qualify PT in BPSC 72nd?

BPSC does not announce a fixed cutoff before the exam. Historically, PT cutoffs have ranged from 90–110 out of 150 for the general category. With ¼ negative marking, targeting 115+ with high accuracy is safer than attempting all 150 questions blindly.

Q: How much Bihar GK is enough for PT?

Bihar GK is 20–25% of the paper — roughly 30–38 questions. Getting 25+ from this section can significantly lift your total. Read Bihar Darshan (BPSC standard book) and follow Bihar government press releases for 3–4 months before the exam.

Q: Can Mains be written in Hindi?

Yes. Mains can be written in Hindi or English. General Hindi paper is only in Hindi. Most Bihar-domicile candidates write GS papers in Hindi.

Q: How many months to prepare for BPSC 72nd from scratch?

A focused 6-month preparation is sufficient for PT qualification. Mains requires an additional 4–6 months. NCERT books Classes 6–12 for History/Geography/Polity/Economy, plus Bihar-specific material (Bihar Darshan, newspaper for current affairs).

General Studies Paper I — Detailed Topic Breakdown

GS Paper I covers General Science, Current Events, History, Geography, and Polity. The Bihar-specific angle runs through all topics — local history, geography, and current affairs are high-yield areas.

General Studies Paper II — Social Science Focus

GS Paper II has stronger emphasis on Social Science — Indian Society, Women Issues, Environment, and Bihar-specific social topics:

Optional Subject (Paper III) — Subject List

Candidates choose one optional subject for the Mains Paper III (300 marks). The list includes:

• History
• Geography
• Economics
• Sociology
• Political Science
• Philosophy
• Psychology
• Public Administration
• Hindi Language and Literature
• Urdu Language and Literature
• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Botany
• Zoology
• Agriculture
• Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
• Law
• Management
• Commerce and Accountancy
• Labour and Social Welfare
• Engineering (Civil/Electrical/Mechanical)

Optional subject carries 300 marks in Mains. Choose a subject you studied at graduation level — attempting an unfamiliar optional purely on rankings is a common mistake.

Interview (Personality Test) — 120 Marks

Candidates who clear the Mains written exam are called for a Personality Test worth 120 marks. This is not a GK quiz — it assesses:

• Mental alertness and clarity of thought
• Critical thinking and balanced judgement
• Depth of interest in the optional subject and current affairs
• Communication ability and leadership potential
• Awareness of Bihar's socio-economic problems and government initiatives

The interview board typically has 5 members. Duration is 20–30 minutes. Expect questions on Bihar — its districts, development schemes, rivers, and economic challenges — regardless of your optional subject.

Preparation Strategy

BPSC 72nd CCE is a 3-stage exam spread over 6–12 months. Prioritise PT first — 150 questions, 2 hours, no negative marking means attempting all is optimal. For Mains, Bihar GK is the differentiator: candidates from outside Bihar often underperform on this segment compared to locals.

Frequently Asked Questions (continued)

Q: Is there negative marking in the Preliminary exam?

No. There is no negative marking in BPSC Preliminary (PT). Attempt all 150 questions. A wrong answer does not reduce your score — only unattempted questions score zero.

Q: Can I change my optional subject after the PT result?

No. The optional subject is declared at the time of filling the Mains application form, after PT results. You select it when applying for the Mains stage — not during the initial notification application.

Q: Are BPSC Mains papers in Hindi or English?

Candidates can write Mains papers in either Hindi or English — the medium of the paper is the candidate's choice and must be declared when filling the Mains application. General Hindi paper is compulsory for all, and must be written in Hindi.

Bihar Special Knowledge — High-Priority Topics

Bihar-specific content consistently differentiates high scorers in BPSC Mains. These topics carry disproportionate weight:

• Ancient Bihar: Magadh Empire, Ajatashatru, Chandragupta Maurya's connection to Pataliputra, Ashoka's Patna capital, Nalanda University history, Vikramshila University
• Medieval Bihar: Shershah Suri (born in Bihar), Grand Trunk Road history, Mughal administration in Bihar
• Modern Bihar: Champaran Satyagraha (1917), role of Bihar in India's freedom movement, Bihar Reorganization Act 2000 (separation of Jharkhand)
• Bihar Economy: Litchi (Muzaffarpur), Makhana (Darbhanga), Silk (Bhagalpur), Madhubani Painting (GI tag topics), paddy and wheat production stats
• Bihar Schemes: Seven Resolves of Bihar government, Har Ghar Bijli scheme, Mukhyamantri Gramin Setu Nirman Yojana, JEEViKA self-help groups, Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme
• Rivers of Bihar: Ganga (separates North-South Bihar), Sone (right tributary), Gandak, Bagmati, Kosi (Sorrow of Bihar), Mahananda — seasonal flood patterns, embankment controversies
• Districts: 38 districts, 9 divisions, newly created districts and their parent districts — often asked in geography section

Answer Writing for BPSC Mains

BPSC Mains answers are written in a booklet — 3-hour sessions. Key tips from toppers:

• Begin every answer with a one-line definition or context — it signals structured thinking
• Use Bihar examples wherever the question allows — local examples score higher than generic ones
• For governance questions, name actual Bihar schemes and link them to outcomes
• Draw a simple table or diagram when the answer has comparative data — saves words and improves readability
• Conclude with a forward-looking statement linking the issue to Bihar's development

BPSC 72nd CCE Syllabus 2026: Prelims, Mains और Interview की पूरी जानकारी

BPSC 72nd Combined Competitive Examination में Bihar की top civil services के 1,230 posts हैं — Bihar Administrative Service (BAS), Bihar Police Service (BPS), Bihar Finance Service (BFS) और अन्य। Selection तीन stages में होता है: Preliminary, Mains, और Personality Test। यहाँ हर stage का syllabus, Bihar GK का महत्व, और selection strategy दी गई है।

👉 BPSC 72nd CCE Salary 2026 — BAS, BPS, BFS officers की career में salary कैसे बढ़ती है

Selection Process का Overview

Final merit = Mains GS 600 + Interview 80–120। Preliminary सिर्फ screening है — PT marks count नहीं होते।

Preliminary Examination — Syllabus

PT एक GS paper है: 150 questions, 150 marks, 2 घंटे, ¼ negative marking। गलत उत्तर पर 0.25 marks कटते हैं। Topics:

भारत का इतिहास (Bihar emphasis के साथ)

• Ancient India: Maurya Empire (Pataliputra — आज का Patna), Nalanda University, Vaishali
• Modern India: 1857 का विद्रोह (Kunwar Singh — Bihar से), Champaran Satyagraha 1917 (Gandhi का पहला satyagraha Bihar में), Quit India Movement में JP Narayan का role
• Bihar की history: Santhali Hul 1855, Birsa Munda आंदोलन, Champaran Indigo आंदोलन, महत्वपूर्ण व्यक्तित्व (Rajendra Prasad, JP Narayan, Karpoori Thakur)

भूगोल — India और Bihar

• Bihar की नदियाँ: गंगा (Buxar से enter, Rajmahal से exit), गंडक, कोसी (Bihar का शोक), सोन, बागमती, पुनपुन
• Bihar के जिले: 38 जिले; Rajgir Hills, Kaimur Plateau; खनिज: mica (Koderma), pyrite, bauxite
• कृषि: धान, गेहूँ, मक्का, गन्ना, जूट, लीची (Muzaffarpur — world famous)

Indian Polity और Governance

• संविधान: Preamble, Fundamental Rights, DPSP, Fundamental Duties
• Parliament, State Legislature (Bihar Legislative Assembly), President, Governor
• Panchayati Raj: 73rd Amendment, 3-tier system, Gram Sabha

Bihar GK — परीक्षा में निर्णायक

Bihar GK PT paper का 20–25% हिस्सा है — लगभग 30–38 questions। यह section अक्सर qualified और non-qualified candidates को अलग करता है। Important topics:

• जनजातियाँ: संथाल (सबसे बड़ी), उराँव, मुंडा, हो, गोंड — इनके विद्रोह और वर्तमान स्थिति
• ऐतिहासिक स्थल: पाटलिपुत्र (Patna), वैशाली, नालंदा, बोधगया, विक्रमशिला, राजगीर
• Wildlife: Valmiki Tiger Reserve (West Champaran), Vikramshila Dolphin Sanctuary
• प्रसिद्ध व्यक्तित्व: Rajendra Prasad (भारत के पहले राष्ट्रपति, Bihar से), JP Narayan, Karpoori Thakur
• वर्तमान Bihar सरकार की schemes और नीतियाँ

👉 BPSC 72nd CCE Eligibility 2026 — आयु सीमा, qualification और reservation की पूरी जानकारी

Mains Examination — Paper-Wise Syllabus

General Hindi — Qualifying (100 marks, minimum 30 चाहिए)

Grammar (संधि, समास, अलंकार), comprehension, essay writing, letter writing। Final merit में count नहीं होता।

GS Paper I — History & Culture (150 marks)

Modern Indian History (1857–1947), National Movement, post-independence India, Bihar की history और culture।

GS Paper II — Polity, Economy & Governance (150 marks)

Indian Constitution, Centre-State relations, Public Administration, Bihar economy, welfare schemes।

GS Paper III — Science, Environment & Geography (150 marks)

Science and technology (ISRO, DRDO), environmental issues, physical and human geography।

GS Paper IV — Statistics & Reasoning (150 marks)

Basic statistics (mean, median, mode, standard deviation), data interpretation, basic maths, reasoning। Class 10–12 level — JEE standard नहीं।

Personality Test / Interview

BAS/BPS/BFS: 120 marks। अन्य posts: 80 marks। Panel communication, current affairs, Bihar GK, leadership, ethical reasoning test करती है।

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न

Q: PT qualify करने का safe score क्या है?

BPSC कोई fixed cutoff पहले announce नहीं करता। Historically General category cutoff 90–110/150 रही है। ¼ negative marking के साथ accuracy-first approach रखें — 115+ target करें।

Q: Mains Hindi में लिख सकते हैं?

हाँ। Mains GS papers Hindi या English में लिख सकते हैं। Bihar domicile के अधिकांश candidates Hindi में लिखते हैं।

Q: Bihar GK के लिए कौन सी book पढ़ें?

"Bihar Darshan" (standard BPSC preparation book) और daily Bihar government news। Exam से 4–6 महीने पहले से Bihar-specific current affairs focus करें।

Q: BPSC 72nd की तैयारी में कितना समय लगेगा?

PT qualification के लिए focused 6 months काफी है। Mains के लिए अतिरिक्त 4–6 months। NCERT 6–12 (History/Geography/Polity/Economy) + Bihar-specific material।

Q: क्या PT result next BPSC में carry forward होता है?

नहीं। PT qualify करने पर उसी cycle (72nd) के Mains में appear करना होगा। किसी अगले BPSC में नहीं।

GS Paper I — Detailed Topics

General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology basics), Current Events (national + Bihar-specific), History (Magadh, Maurya, Gupta — Bihar ka strong connection), Bihar ka Geography (Ganga, Sone, Gandak, Kosi nadiyaan, districts), Indian Polity (Constitution, Fundamental Rights, Parliament), Economy (planning, budget, poverty) — ye sab cover hota hai.

GS Paper II — Social Science Focus

Indian Society, Women Development (Anganwadi, ICDS, Beti Bachao), Environment and Ecology (climate change, biodiversity laws), Disaster Management (Bihar mein floods — critical topic), Bihar ke CM schemes (JEEViKA, Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana, Har Ghar Bijli), Science and Technology latest developments.

Optional Subject (Paper III)

History, Geography, Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Philosophy, Psychology, Public Administration, Hindi/Urdu Literature, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Agriculture, Law, Management, Commerce — in mein se graduation level par jo subject padhaa hai, wahi choose karein. 300 marks ka paper hai.

Interview — 120 Marks

Mains qualify karne wale candidates ko Personality Test ke liye bulaya jaata hai. 120 marks, 20-30 minutes, 5 members ka board. Mental alertness, critical thinking, Bihar ke socio-economic problems ki awareness, communication ability test hoti hai. Bihar ke districts, schemes, nadiyaan, economic challenges — ye zaroor pucha jaata hai.

Aksar Puche Jane Wale Prashn (continued)

Q: Preliminary mein negative marking hai?

Nahi. BPSC PT mein koi negative marking nahi hai. Saare 150 sawaalon ke jawab den — galat jawab score nahi ghataate.

Q: Optional subject kab choose karna hota hai?

PT result ke baad, Mains ka application fill karte samay. Initial notification mein nahi.

Q: Mains Hindi ya English mein dey sakte hain?

Haan. Candidate apni choice se Hindi ya English mein likh sakta hai. Sirf General Hindi paper compulsorily Hindi mein likhna hota hai.

Bihar Special Knowledge — High Priority

BPSC Mains mein Bihar-specific topics se high scorers differentiate hote hain. Ye zaroori hai:

• Ancient Bihar: Magadh, Maurya, Nalanda University, Vikramshila University
• Modern Bihar: Champaran Satyagraha 1917, Bihar Reorganization Act 2000 (Jharkhand alag hua)
• Bihar Economy: Litchi (Muzaffarpur), Makhana (Darbhanga), Silk (Bhagalpur), Madhubani Painting
• Bihar Schemes: Seven Resolves, Har Ghar Bijli, JEEViKA, Bihar Student Credit Card
• Rivers: Ganga, Sone, Gandak, Kosi (Bihar ka Sorrow), Mahananda — flood patterns
• 38 districts, 9 divisions — geography section mein frequently poochhaa jaata hai

Answer Writing Tips

Har answer ek-line definition se shuru karein. Bihar-specific examples dein jahan bhi possible ho — ye marks badhata hai. Tables aur diagrams use karein comparative data ke liye. Governance questions mein actual Bihar schemes ka naam len aur outcomes se link karein.