Applying for BPSSC Sub Inspector 2026? With 1,799 posts and a 5-stage selection process, knowing exactly who qualifies is critical. Missing one criterion — especially height or domicile — means elimination well after you've cleared the written exams. Here is the complete eligibility checklist.
Eligibility at a Glance
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|
| Recruiting Body | BPSSC — Bihar Police Subordinate Services Commission |
| Post | Sub Inspector (SI) of Police / Sub Inspector Prohibition |
| Total Posts | 1,799 |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation (Bachelor's Degree) from any recognized university |
| Age — UR / EWS (Male) | 20 – 37 years |
| Age — UR / EWS (Female) | 20 – 37 years |
| Age — BC / OBC (Male & Female) | 20 – 40 years (+3 relaxation) |
| Age — SC / ST (Male & Female) | 20 – 42 years (+5 relaxation) |
| Domicile | Bihar domicile / permanent resident — mandatory |
| Nationality | Indian citizen |
| Gender | Both Male and Female eligible |
| Marital Status | No restriction |
| Criminal Record | No conviction / pending criminal cases |
Educational Qualification
Minimum: Bachelor's Degree (Graduation) from any university recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) or equivalent. Any stream is acceptable — Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Engineering.
- Final-year graduation students are NOT eligible — degree must be awarded before Document Verification
- Candidates with post-graduate degrees (MA/M.Sc./MBA) are also eligible
- Correspondence / distance learning degrees from recognized universities are valid
🎓 Graduation in Any Stream
Unlike many technical posts, BPSSC SI requires only a graduation degree in any subject. Arts graduates (BA), Science graduates (B.Sc.), Commerce graduates (B.Com.), and Engineering graduates (B.Tech.) are all equally eligible. Focus on clearing the written exams — your subject does not matter.
Age Limit
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age | Relaxation |
|---|
| General / UR (Male) | 20 years | 37 years | None |
| General / UR (Female) | 20 years | 37 years | None |
| EWS (Male & Female) | 20 years | 37 years | None (same as UR) |
| BC / OBC (Male) | 20 years | 40 years | +3 years |
| BC / OBC (Female) | 20 years | 40 years | +3 years |
| SC / ST (Male) | 20 years | 42 years | +5 years |
| SC / ST (Female) | 20 years | 42 years | +5 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (Bihar domicile) | As per Bihar Govt norms | Military service + 3 years over UR limit | Variable |
| PH / Divyang | 20 years | As per Bihar Govt rules | +10 years |
Age is calculated as on the last date of the application form submission. Verify the exact cut-off date in the official BPSSC notification.
Physical Standards — PMT (Physical Measurement Test)
Physical measurements are verified after the Written Mains exam. Candidates not meeting the height/chest standards are eliminated at this stage.
| Measurement | Male (General / OBC / EWS) | Male (SC / ST) | Female (General / OBC / EWS) | Female (SC / ST) |
|---|
| Height | 165 cm minimum | 160 cm minimum | 155 cm minimum | 150 cm minimum |
| Chest (Unexpanded) | 81 cm | 79 cm | N/A | N/A |
| Chest (Expanded) | 86 cm | 84 cm | N/A | N/A |
| Chest Expansion | Minimum 5 cm | Minimum 5 cm | N/A | N/A |
| Weight | Proportionate to height | Proportionate | Proportionate | Proportionate |
| Eyesight | Good vision required — colour blindness disqualifying | Same | Same | Same |
⚠️ Height and Chest Cannot Be Compromised
PMT happens after you clear both Prelims and Mains written exams. Candidates who do not meet height or chest standards are eliminated at that late stage — wasting all their written exam effort. If you are borderline on height or chest expansion, start physical training immediately — posture improvement can help height measurement, and breathing exercises increase chest expansion.
Physical Efficiency Test (PET) — Qualifying Events
PET comes after PMT. It is pass/fail only — does not add to written exam merit. Shortlisted candidates (based on Mains merit) must clear PET to proceed to Medical and DV.
| Event | Male Standard | Female Standard |
|---|
| Running (1600m / 1 mile) | Within time specified in official notification | Within time specified in official notification |
| Long Jump | As per official notification | As per official notification |
| Shot Put | As per official notification | N/A (check notification) |
📋 Verify PET Standards in Official Notification
BPSSC specifies exact PET timings and distances in each recruitment notification. Always download and read the official notification PDF for the exact current PET standards before training. The standards listed above reflect the general structure — exact numbers may vary.
Bihar Domicile Requirement
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?
| Function | Details |
|---|
| Investigation | Leads criminal case investigations at the police station level |
| Law & Order | Maintains law and order; deploys constables during sensitive events |
| FIR Management | Registers and investigates FIRs; prepares charge sheets |
| Station Officer | Acts as Officer-in-Charge (OC) of smaller police outposts |
| Court Liaison | Presents evidence and witnesses in courts; files charge sheets |
| Reporting | Reports to Inspector and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) |
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
| Document | Purpose |
|---|
| Class 10 Certificate + Marksheet | Date of birth proof |
| Graduation Degree Certificate + Marksheets | Educational qualification proof |
| Bihar Domicile / Resident Certificate | Issued by SDM/DM — confirms Bihar residence |
| Caste Certificate (if applicable) | SC/ST/OBC/BC — issued by Bihar competent authority |
| EWS Certificate (if applicable) | Bihar authority — current financial year valid |
| BC NCL Certificate (if applicable) | Non-Creamy Layer certificate — current year |
| Ex-Serviceman Discharge Book (if applicable) | ESM category proof |
| PH Certificate (if applicable) | Medical Board issued with disability % |
| Character Certificate | From Gazetted Officer / college last attended |
| Aadhaar Card | Identity proof |
| Passport-size Photographs | As specified in call letter |
| BPSSC Mains Admit Card | Proof of exam participation |
Complete Selection Process
| Stage | Details | Nature |
|---|
| Prelims | 100 MCQ / 200 marks / 2 hrs / 0.2 neg marking — General Knowledge | Screening — marks NOT added to merit |
| Mains | Paper 1: Hindi (100Q/100 marks/2hrs) + Paper 2: GS+Maths+Reasoning (100Q/200 marks/2hrs) | Merit-based — 300 marks decide selection |
| PMT | Height, Chest measured — qualifying | Pass/fail — based on Mains merit shortlist |
| PET | Running + Field events — qualifying | Pass/fail |
| Document Verification | All original documents verified | Eliminating for document issues |
| Medical Examination | Bihar Govt Medical Board — eyesight, fitness, colour blindness | Final gate |
🎯 Mains Marks = Final Selection
Your Mains exam score (out of 300) is the sole merit determinant. Physical tests (PMT + PET) and Medical are qualifying gates. Prelims is just screening. Maximize your Mains preparation — Hindi (100 marks) and GS (200 marks) are where rankings are decided.
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.
