1. BSSC, BPSC and Bihar Police Exams at a Glance
Three bodies run most Bihar government recruitment exams: the Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC), the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) and the Central Selection Board of Constable (CSBC). Every one of them asks General Knowledge questions on Bihar. This lesson gives the broad pattern of each exam. Patterns change, so always read the official notification for your post.
BSSC Inter Level (Combined Competitive Exam)
- The BSSC Inter Level exam is for Group C posts that need Class 12 (Intermediate) as the minimum qualification, such as clerks and assistants in many departments.
- For the current recruitment, online applications opened on 15 October 2025 and, after extensions, the last date was 16 February 2026, as reported. Vacancies were reported to have risen to about 25,311 after additional posts were added in January 2026.
- Selection has a Preliminary written exam, a Main written exam, document verification, and a skill test only for some posts.
- As reported for this recruitment (from coaching and news summaries of the notification), the Preliminary exam has 150 objective questions on General Studies, General Science and Mathematics, and Mental Ability and Reasoning, 4 marks each (600 marks), 2 hours 15 minutes, with 1 mark deducted for each wrong answer. Confirm these details in the official notification.
- About five times the number of vacancies are called for the Mains, as reported. The Mains papers and syllabus are given in the official notification; Hindi, General Awareness, Mathematics and Reasoning are usually covered.
- Official website: bssc.bihar.gov.in. Online application links for BSSC are also given on onlinebssc.com.
BPSC general-studies exams
- BPSC conducts the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) for posts such as SDM, DSP and other state services. It has a Preliminary exam, a Mains exam and an interview.
- The CCE Preliminary is an objective General Studies paper of 150 questions for 150 marks in 2 hours. It is a screening test; its marks are not counted in the final merit.
- Negative marking was introduced in the BPSC CCE Preliminary from the 68th CCE (2022-23), when 0.25 mark was deducted per wrong answer. In recent BPSC exams, one-third (1/3) mark is deducted for each wrong answer, as reported. Check your notification.
- In the Mains, General Hindi (100 marks) and the optional subject are qualifying only. General Studies I and II and the Essay (300 marks each) count for merit, along with an interview.
- BPSC also conducts the Teacher Recruitment Exam (TRE) for government school teachers. It also has a General Studies part with Bihar questions.
- BPSC has also added a fifth option (E, 'not attempted') in its objective exams, as reported; a question left without any option marked can attract a penalty. Official website: bpsc.bihar.gov.in (the older address bpsc.bih.nic.in was used earlier).
Bihar Police Constable (CSBC)
- The Central Selection Board of Constable (CSBC) recruits constables for Bihar Police and some related forces. Official website: csbc.bihar.gov.in (the older address csbc.bih.nic.in is also cited).
- Stage 1 is an objective OMR-based written test of Class 12 standard: 100 questions, 100 marks, 2 hours, covering subjects such as Hindi, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science and General Knowledge including current affairs.
- The written test is a qualifying stage (minimum 30% marks, as reported). Candidates who pass it are called for the Physical Efficiency Test (PET).
- In recent recruitments, the final merit list has been based on the PET marks. Height and chest are measured as per the rules in the notification.
- Recent CSBC notifications have not had negative marking in the written test, but always confirm it in the latest notification.
Before you apply
- Read the full notification PDF: eligibility, age limit, domicile rules, reservation, fee and exam pattern.
- Bihar gives 35% reservation to women in state government jobs. Check the domicile rules for this benefit in your notification.
- Admit cards, answer keys and results are released only on the official websites. Trust official sites, not social media forwards.
- Keep scanned copies of your photo, signature and certificates ready before you start the online form.
Quick facts
- BSSC
- Bihar Staff Selection Commission: bssc.bihar.gov.in
- BPSC
- Bihar Public Service Commission: bpsc.bihar.gov.in
- CSBC
- Central Selection Board of Constable: csbc.bihar.gov.in
- BSSC Inter Level
- Prelims + Mains + document check (+ skill test for some posts)
- BPSC CCE
- Prelims 150 Q (screening; negative marking from 68th CCE, now 1/3 as reported) + Mains + interview
- CSBC constable
- Written test 100 marks (qualifying), then Physical Efficiency Test
💡 Save the three official websites in your phone browser. Check them once a week, because dates in Bihar exams are often changed or extended.
📝 5-question quiz on this lesson: enrol free to take it and track your score.
