BPSC Syllabus 2025: Detailed Analysis of Prelims and Mains Examination
The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) conducts a state-level offline competitive exam for recruiting candidates to administrative positions, such as SDM, DSP, and other roles in the Bihar government. Understanding the BPSC syllabus is the first step toward effective preparation. This blog provides a detailed breakdown of the BPSC syllabus for the Preliminary, Main, and Interview stages.
BPSC Exam Structure
The BPSC State Civil Services Exam is conducted in three stages:
Stages | Paper / Duration | Marks |
---|---|---|
Prelims Exam | General Studies Paper / 2 Hours | 150 |
Mains Exam | General Hindi / 3 Hours | 100 |
General Studies I / 3 Hours | 300 | |
General Studies II / 3 Hours | 300 | |
Essay / 3 Hours | 300 | |
Optional Paper / 3 Hours | 100 | |
Interview Exam | Personality Test | 120 |
The General Hindi and Optional Paper are qualifying in nature, requiring only 30% marks to pass.
BPSC Syllabus – Mark Distribution
Preliminary Exam | 150 marks (qualifying stage). |
Mains Exam | 900 marks (General Hindi & Optional excluded from the total). |
Interview | 120 marks |
Grand Total | 1020 marks (Mains + Interview). |
Candidates must qualify at each stage to progress further.
BPSC Prelims Syllabus
The Preliminary Exam consists of a single General Studies (GS) paper worth 150 marks. It is objective in nature, and a penalty of 1/3 marks is applied for each incorrect answer under the negative marking scheme.
Key Topics:
- General Science
- Events of national and international importance
- History of Bihar and Indian History
- Geography of Bihar
- Geography
- Indian Polity and Economy
- Changes in the economy of Bihar post-independence
- Indian National Movement and the Role of Bihar
- General Mental Ability
Attempt Free GK Quiz for BPSC Prelims Exam
BPSC Mains Syllabus
The BPSC Mains exam is the second stage of the selection process. Candidates who clear the Preliminary Examination become eligible for the Mains. This exam is descriptive in nature and demands an in-depth understanding of various subjects.
General Hindi (Qualifying Paper)
- Essay Writing
- Grammar and Syntax
- Precis Writing
General Studies Paper 1
- Modern Indian History and the Freedom Struggle
- History and Culture of Bihar
- Statistical Analysis, Graphs, and Diagrams
General Studies Paper 2
- Indian Polity (including Bihar’s administration)
- Indian Economy and Planning
- Geography of Bihar and India
- Role of Science and Technology in India’s Development
Optional Paper
Candidates must choose one subject from the list of optional subjects provided by BPSC.
Agriculture | Philosophy |
Anthropology | Physics |
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science | Political Science and International Relations |
Botany | Psychology |
Chemistry | Public Administration |
Commerce and Accountancy | Sociology |
Civil Engineering | Statistics |
Economics | Zoology |
Electrical Engineering | English Language and Literature |
Geography | Urdu Language and Literature |
Geology | Hindi Language and Literature |
History | Persian Language and Literature |
Law | Arabic Language and Literature |
Labour and Social Welfare | Pali Language and Literature |
Mechanical Engineering | Maithili Language and Literature |
Mathematics | Bangla Language and Literature |
Management | Sanskrit Language and Literature |
BPSC Syllabus – Interview/Personality Test
The final stage of the BPSC exam is the Personality Test (Interview), which carries a total of 120 marks. The purpose of the interview is to evaluate the candidate’s personality, communication skills, decision-making abilities, and awareness of current events and administrative issues, ensuring they possess the qualities required for administrative roles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many stages are there in the BPSC exam?
The BPSC exam has three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
Is there negative marking in BPSC Preliminary Exam?
Yes, there is negative marking in the BPSC Preliminary Exam. For every incorrect answer, 1/3 of the marks allotted to that question will be deducted as per the negative marking scheme.
Is General Hindi mandatory in the BPSC Mains exam?
Yes, General Hindi is a qualifying paper in the Mains exam. Candidates need to score a minimum of 30 marks out of 100 to qualify.
What is the weightage of Bihar-specific questions in BPSC exams?
Bihar-specific questions carry significant weight, especially in the Main exam and Interview.
Is the BPSC syllabus similar to the UPSC syllabus?
While there are similarities, BPSC focuses more on Bihar-specific topics compared to UPSC.
Conclusion
The BPSC syllabus is vast but manageable with a structured approach. By analyzing the BPSC syllabus in detail, creating a strategic study plan, and practicing consistently, you can significantly improve your chances of success in the BPSC exam.