BPSSC SI Eligibility 2026 — Graduation, Age Limit, Height & Bihar Domicile Criteria

All candidates must be permanent residents / domicile holders of Bihar. The domicile certificate must be issued by the competent authority in Bihar (SDM/DM/District level officer).

• SC/ST/OBC/BC category reservations are available only to Bihar domicile holders with valid caste certificates issued in Bihar
• Non-Bihar residents may apply in the UR/General category only if the official notification explicitly permits it
• EWS certificate must be from Bihar and valid for the current financial year

What is Sub Inspector's Role in Bihar Police?

Sub Inspector Prohibition

BPSSC also recruits Sub Inspector Prohibition — posted in the Prohibition, Excise & Registration Department. Their role involves enforcing liquor prohibition laws in Bihar (Bihar is a prohibition state since 2016). Same educational and physical eligibility criteria apply.

Medical Fitness Requirements

• Vision: Good eyesight required — colour blindness is disqualifying
• Hearing: No significant hearing impairment
• Flat Feet: Severe flat feet may be disqualifying
• No chronic illness — diabetes, severe hypertension, heart conditions are disqualifying
• No physical deformity that affects police duties
• Final medical conducted by a Medical Board constituted by the Bihar Government

Documents Required at Document Verification

Complete Selection Process

Common Disqualification Reasons

• Height below minimum — most common PMT failure
• Chest expansion below 5 cm — especially among male candidates
• Colour blindness — eliminates at medical stage even after clearing all written tests
• Graduation not completed — final-year students eliminated at DV
• No Bihar domicile certificate or certificate from another state
• Caste certificate not from Bihar — OBC/SC/ST from other states not eligible for reservation
• Criminal record — FIR, conviction, or pending case
• Character certificate issues — poor conduct record

Frequently Asked Questions

Is any specific graduation stream required?

No — any stream (Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, Law) is acceptable. The graduation subject is irrelevant; only the degree level matters.

Can a candidate from outside Bihar apply?

Sub Inspector posts are state government positions in Bihar Police. Candidates must hold a Bihar domicile certificate. Non-Bihar residents may appear in the general/UR category only if explicitly permitted in the official notification — but they will not get category-based reservation benefits.

Is there a physical test before or after the written exam?

The Physical Measurement Test (PMT) and Physical Efficiency Test (PET) come after both Prelims and Mains written exams. Only Mains-qualified candidates are called for PMT/PET based on merit-based shortlisting.

What is the difference between SI of Police and SI Prohibition?

Both posts are recruited through the same BPSSC SI exam. SI of Police works in the regular Bihar Police department. SI Prohibition works under the Prohibition, Excise & Registration Department — specifically enforcing Bihar's alcohol prohibition laws. Same pay scale and eligibility criteria.

What happens if I fail the Medical Examination?

Candidates declared medically unfit by the Medical Board are eliminated. If you believe the Medical Board's decision is wrong, you may apply for a re-medical examination (if the notification permits it) to a higher medical authority. The re-medical verdict is typically final.

Physical Standards for Bihar Police SI

Bihar Police Sub-Inspector is a uniformed position requiring candidates to meet defined physical standards. The Physical Efficiency Test (PET) is conducted after the preliminary and mains written examinations. Only candidates who clear the written stages are called for PET and PMT. Physical standards vary by gender and category as detailed below.

Physical Efficiency Test (PET) Events

The PET for Bihar Police SI involves running and field events. The purpose is to assess whether candidates can perform active field duties including foot patrols, apprehension of accused persons, and emergency response. Candidates who fail PET are eliminated even if they scored high in the written exam.

Selection Process: 5 Stages

The Bihar Police Sub-Inspector selection process is among the most competitive state police recruitments in India. Each stage has its own cut-off and candidates must qualify each stage to advance to the next.

• Preliminary Exam: 100 marks — General Studies, Current Affairs, basic logical reasoning. Qualifying nature — used only for shortlisting candidates for Mains.
• Mains Exam: 200 marks across two papers — General Hindi/English language, and General Studies. Score in Mains forms the merit base.
• Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Running, long jump, high jump, shot put. Qualifying in nature.
• Document Verification: All original certificates checked at designated BPSSC centres.
• Medical Examination: Eyesight, general health, and fitness check by government medical board.

Role & Responsibilities of Bihar Police SI

The Sub-Inspector is the first-level gazetted officer rank in Bihar Police who directly leads a police team in the field. The SI's responsibilities include registering FIRs, investigating crimes, supervising constables, maintaining law and order, and presenting charge-sheets in court. In Bihar, SIs are posted at police stations (thanas) and are responsible for the jurisdiction assigned to their station. Career growth leads to Inspector, DSP, and higher IPS-cadre ranks through departmental examination and promotion policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the BPSSC SI Preliminary Exam score counted in the final merit?

No. The Preliminary Exam is only used to shortlist candidates for the Mains examination. The Preliminary score has no weightage in the final merit list. Only the Mains score (and physical qualifying) determines the final selection. This is an important distinction — even a lower Prelims score is fine as long as you clear the cut-off.

Q: What graduation degree is accepted for Bihar Police SI eligibility?

Any graduation degree from a recognised university under the UGC Act is accepted — whether it is BA, B.Sc, B.Com, or a professional degree like B.Tech or MBBS. The subject or stream of graduation is not restricted. Final-year graduation students may apply, but must produce the degree certificate before document verification.

Q: What is the salary of Bihar Police Sub-Inspector after selection?

Bihar Police SI receives a pay in the Level-6 pay matrix under the 7th Pay Commission. The basic pay typically starts at ₹35,400 per month. With DA, HRA, and other allowances, the gross in-hand salary is approximately ₹42,000 to ₹55,000 per month depending on the posting location. Verify the exact figure from the official Bihar government pay rules.