The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) is the gateway to prestigious administrative careers in Bihar. The first hurdle, the Preliminary Examination, is known for its factual depth and specific focus on the state of Bihar. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the syllabus, the latest exam pattern changes, and the strategic weightage of topics you need to master.
Latest Update: The BPSC has introduced negative marking (1/3rd) for every wrong answer in the Preliminary stage. Accuracy is now as important as coverage.
📝 BPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2025
The Preliminary exam is a screening test. The marks obtained here are not counted for the final merit list, but scoring above the cutoff is mandatory to qualify for the Mains.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of Paper | General Studies (GS) |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (OMR Sheet based) |
| Number of Questions | 150 Questions |
| Total Marks | 150 Marks |
| Duration | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) |
| Question Type | Objective Type (Multiple Choice Questions) |
| Negative Marking | 1/3rd (0.33) marks deducted for every wrong answer |
📚 Detailed BPSC Prelims Syllabus (Topic-Wise)
The syllabus is vast, but it can be categorized into core pillars. A significant emphasis is placed on Bihar-specific knowledge across all subjects.
1. History (India & Bihar) 🏰
This is the highest-yielding section in the exam.
- Ancient History: Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Age, Mahajanapadas (Focus on Magadha), Buddhism & Jainism (very important for Bihar), Mauryan & Gupta Empires.
- Medieval History: Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Administration systems (Sher Shah Suri is crucial), Bhakti & Sufi movements.
- Modern History: Revolt of 1857 (Special reference to Kunwar Singh), Formation of Congress, Partition of Bengal, Gandhian Era (Champaran Satyagraha), Quit India Movement, and the role of Bihar in the Indian Freedom Struggle.
- Art & Culture: Mauryan Art, Pala Art, Patna Qalam, and Madhubani Painting.
2. General Science 🔬
Questions are generally of the Class 10th level but require conceptual clarity.
- Physics: Units, Light, Electricity, Heat, Sound, and everyday phenomena.
- Chemistry: Acids, Bases & Salts, Metals & Non-metals, Carbon compounds, and common chemical formulas.
- Biology: Human Anatomy, Vitamins & Diseases, Photosynthesis, Cell Biology, and Hormones. (Biology usually carries the most weight in this section).
3. Current Events (National & International) 📰
Focus on events from the last 12 months.
- Major Summits (G20, BRICS, COP), Awards (Nobel, Padma Awards), Sports (Olympics, Cricket World Cup), Index Rankings, and new Government Schemes.
- Bihar Current Affairs: State government schemes (Saat Nischay), Bihar Budget, Economic Survey, and appointments in the state.
4. Geography (India & Bihar) 🌍
- Physical Geography: River systems (Ganga and its tributaries in Bihar), Climate, Soil types, and Natural vegetation.
- Economic Geography: Agriculture patterns, Minerals (Distribution in India & Bihar), and Industries.
- Bihar Specific: Districts, Census 2011 data (Literacy, Sex Ratio, Density), and disaster management (Floods/Droughts).
5. Indian Polity & Constitution 🏛️
- Preamble, Fundamental Rights, DPSP, President, Parliament, and Supreme Court.
- Local Self Government: Panchayati Raj Institutions (73rd & 74th Amendments) is a favorite topic of BPSC.
- Constitutional Bodies: Election Commission, CAG, Finance Commission.
6. Indian Economy 📈
- Basic characteristics of the Indian Economy, Planning (Five Year Plans vs NITI Aayog), Poverty & Unemployment measures.
- Bihar Economy: Major changes in Bihar's economy post-independence, State Revenue data, and Agriculture roadmap.
7. General Mental Ability 🧠
- Number series, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Directions, Time & Work, Percentage, and basic visual reasoning. (Usually 10 questions).
⚖️ Subject-Wise Weightage Analysis (Trend)
Based on the last few BPSC exams (67th, 68th, 69th), here is the approximate distribution of questions. This helps in prioritizing your study time.
| Subject | Approx. Questions | Priority Level |
|---|---|---|
| History (India + Bihar) | 30 - 35 | High |
| General Science | 25 - 30 | High |
| Current Affairs (Nat. + Bihar) | 25 - 30 | High |
| Bihar Special (Geo/Polity/Eco) | 20 - 25 | High |
| Geography | 10 - 15 | Medium |
| Polity | 10 - 12 | Medium |
| Economy | 10 - 12 | Medium |
| Mental Ability (Maths) | 10 | Low (But scoring) |
Pro Tip: To clear the cutoff, master the "Core 4": History, Science, Current Affairs, and Bihar Special. These four sections alone account for nearly 100-110 questions.