1. MPESB Group Exams, MP Police and MPPSC Prelims
Most Group C jobs in the Madhya Pradesh government are filled through exams of the Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MPESB). Higher posts such as Deputy Collector and DSP are filled by the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC). This lesson explains the recent patterns. Patterns change from exam to exam, so always read the rule book (niyam pustika) of your own exam.
MPESB: the board and its common features
- MPESB was earlier the Professional Examination Board (PEB), popularly called Vyapam from its Hindi name Vyavsayik Pariksha Mandal. The PEB was formed in 1982, and in 2022 it was renamed the Employees Selection Board (Karmchari Chayan Mandal).
- Its official website is esb.mp.gov.in. Online applications are filled through the MPOnline portal.
- Most MPESB exams are now computer-based tests (CBT) held in many shifts over several days. Scores of different shifts are normalised.
- Recent MPESB exams such as Group 4 (2025) and Police Constable (2025) had no negative marking. Still, check the rule book of your exam, because this is decided exam by exam.
- Question papers are usually in Hindi and English. MP general knowledge appears in almost every MPESB exam.
Group 4 and Patwari (Group 2 Sub Group 4)
- Group 4 Combined Recruitment Test 2025 was for posts such as Assistant Grade 3, Steno Typist and Stenographer, with 966 posts. The CBT was held in May 2025 (from 7 May, after a reschedule).
- As reported, the Group 4 2025 paper had 100 objective questions for 100 marks in 2 hours, covering General Knowledge, General Hindi, General English and General Mathematics (20 each), and Computer Knowledge and General Aptitude (10 each).
- Patwari is recruited through the Group 2 Sub Group 4 exam. The large Patwari recruitment of 2023 was a combined exam with other posts.
- On 4 August 2026, MPESB notified a special recruitment of 200 Patwari posts for persons with disabilities (under Group 2 Sub Group 4), with the CBT from 22 September 2026. As reported, the paper is of 200 marks in two parts of 100 each: General Science, Hindi, English and Mathematics; and General Knowledge, Computer, Reasoning and General Management.
- Patwari candidates need a graduation degree and are generally asked for a CPCT score (Computer Proficiency Certification Test) with Hindi typing. Read the notification for the exact rule.
MP Police Constable written test (outline)
- Police Constable recruitment is also conducted by MPESB. The 2025 recruitment was for 7,500 posts. Applications opened on 15 September 2025.
- The written exam began on 30 October 2025 and ran in phases until mid-December 2025, in two shifts per day.
- As reported, the written test has 100 questions for 100 marks in 2 hours: General Knowledge and Reasoning (40), Intellectual and Mental Ability (30), and Science and Simple Arithmetic (30).
- Each correct answer gets 1 mark and there is no negative marking in the 2025 exam.
- Candidates who qualify the written test go on to the Physical Standard Test, the Physical Efficiency Test and document checks, as given in the rule book.
MPPSC State Service Exam: prelims overview
- MPPSC's website is mppsc.mp.gov.in. The State Service Exam (SSE) has three stages: Prelims, Mains (descriptive) and Interview.
- The SSE 2026 notification was issued on 31 December 2025 for about 155 posts, including Deputy Collector and DSP. Prelims were held on 26 April 2026 at about 365 centres in 54 districts, as reported.
- Prelims have two objective papers on the same day, each of 100 questions and 2 hours: Paper 1 General Studies (10 am to 12 noon) and Paper 2 General Aptitude Test or CSAT (2:15 pm to 4:15 pm).
- Only Paper 1 marks are used to shortlist for Mains. Paper 2 is qualifying (reported as 40 percent for unreserved and 30 percent for reserved categories).
- The SSE 2026 notification includes negative marking in prelims, as reported. Coaching guides describe it as 3 marks for a right answer and 1 mark deducted for a wrong one; confirm in the notification.
- MPPSC General Studies has a large Madhya Pradesh section (history, geography, economy, culture, tribes and schemes), so Modules 2 to 4 of this course matter for MPPSC too.
Quick facts
- MPESB website
- esb.mp.gov.in (applications via MPOnline)
- MPESB old name
- Professional Examination Board (PEB), popularly Vyapam; renamed ESB in 2022
- Group 4 2025
- 966 posts; 100 questions, 100 marks, 2 hours; no negative marking
- Police Constable 2025
- 7,500 posts; written exam from 30 October 2025; no negative marking
- Patwari
- Group 2 Sub Group 4; graduation plus CPCT
- MPPSC website
- mppsc.mp.gov.in
- MPPSC prelims 2026
- 26 April 2026; Paper 1 GS for merit, Paper 2 CSAT qualifying
💡 Before you start studying, download the rule book (niyam pustika) of your exam from esb.mp.gov.in and note four things: number of questions, time, subjects and whether there is negative marking.
📝 5-question quiz on this lesson: enrol free to take it and track your score.
