BPSC CCE syllabus by paper
Preliminary examination
Preliminary (objective, screening) · 1 paper
Preliminary examination
Preliminary (objective, screening) · 1 paper
General Studies
150 marksQualifying
General Studies
150 marksQualifying
Official syllabus · BPSC CCE syllabus (Bihar Gazette, 23 August 2017)
The paper on General Studies will include questions covering the following fields of knowledge:-
- General Science
- Current events of national and international importance.
- History of India and salient features of the history of Bihar.
- General Geography and geographical division of Bihar and its major river systems.
- Indian Polity and Economy and major changes in the economy of Bihar in the post independence period.
- Indian National Movement and the part played by Bihar in it and also Questions on General Mental Ability.
Note: Questions on General Science will cover general appreciation and under-standing of science, including matters of everyday observation and experience, as may be expected of a well educated person who has not made a special study of any scientific discipline. In History, emphasis will be on broad general under-standing of the subject in its social, economic and political aspects. The candidates are expected to be familiar with the broad aspects of the history of Bihar. In Geography, emphasis will be on geography of India and Bihar. Questions on the Geography of India and Bihar will relate to physical, social and economic Geography of the country including the main features of Indian agricultural and natural resources. Questions of Indian Polity and Economy will test knowledge on the country’s political system, panchayati raj, community development and planning in India and Bihar. Question on the Indian National Movement will relate to the nature and character of the nineteenth century resurgence, growth of nationalism and attainment of Independence and candidates will be expected to answer questions on the role of Bihar in the freedom movement of India.
Source: BPSC Combined Competitive Examination syllabus, Bihar Gazette of 23 August 2017 — The file BPSC's syllabus page links for the CCE (uploaded 10 April 2025). English text from pp. 55–56.
Main examination
Main (written, 900) · 5 papers · 900 marks count for merit
Main examination
Main (written, 900) · 5 papers · 900 marks count for merit
General Hindi (qualifying)
100 marksQualifying
General Hindi (qualifying)
100 marksQualifying
Official syllabus · BPSC CCE syllabus (Bihar Gazette, 23 August 2017)
इस पत्र में प्रश्न बिहार विद्यालय परीक्षा समिति के माध्यमिक (सेकेण्डरी) स्तर के होंगे। इस परीक्षा में सरल हिन्दी में अपने भावों को स्पष्टतः एवं शुद्ध–शुद्ध रूप में व्यक्त करने की क्षमता और सहज बोध शक्ति की जाँच समझी जायेगी।
अंकों का विवरण निम्न प्रकार होगाः–
- निबन्ध – 30 अंक
- व्याकरण – 30 अंक
- वाक्य विन्यास – 25 अंक
- संक्षेपण – 15 अंक
Source: BPSC Combined Competitive Examination syllabus, Bihar Gazette of 23 August 2017 — Hindi text from pp. 4–5, read off the page images (the text layer is in a legacy Kruti Dev font).
General Studies Paper I
300 marks12 topics
General Studies Paper I
300 marks12 topics
Official syllabus · BPSC CCE syllabus (Bihar Gazette, 23 August 2017)
General studies papers I and paper II will cover the following areas of knowledge:-
- (1) Modern History of India and Indian culture.
- (2) Current events of national and international importance.
- (3) Statistical analysis, graphs and diagrams.
Note: In paper-I, Modern History of India and Indian Culture will cover the broad history of the country (with special reference to Bihar) from about the middle of nineteenth century. The modern history of Bihar will include questions on the introduction and expansion of western education (including technical education). It will also have questions on Bihar’s role in the freedom struggle of India. Questions will relate to the Santhal Uprising, 1857 in Bihar, Birsa movement, Champaran Satyagrah and the Quit India Movement 1942. A knowledge of the chief features of Mauryan and Pal art and Patna Qulam painting will be expected from the examinees. It would also include questions or Gandhi, Tagore and Nehru. The part relating to statistical analysis, graphs and diagrams will include exercises to test the candidate’s ability to draw common sense conclusions from information presented in statistical, graphical or diagrammatical form and to point out deficiencies, limitations or inconsistencies therein.
Source: BPSC Combined Competitive Examination syllabus, Bihar Gazette of 23 August 2017 — The file BPSC's syllabus page links for the CCE (uploaded 10 April 2025). English text from pp. 55–56.
Topics on upsc2ias
Art & Culture
Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Modern Indian History
Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present—significant events, personalities, issues.
Freedom Struggle
The Freedom Struggle—its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
Post-Independence India
Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
India and Neighbourhood Relations
India and its neighbourhood—relations.
International Groupings and Agreements
Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests.
Foreign Policies and Indian Diaspora
Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora.
International Institutions
Important International institutions, agencies and fora—their structure, mandate.
Data Interpretation
Charts, graphs, tables and data sufficiency up to Class X level.
Gandhian Thought
Gandhian thoughts and their relevance today: truth and non-violence, satyagraha, swaraj, sarvodaya, trusteeship and the village economy.
History of Bihar
Modern Bihar from the mid-nineteenth century: western and technical education, the Santhal Uprising, 1857 in Bihar, the Birsa movement, the Champaran Satyagraha, the Quit India Movement of 1942 and Bihar's role in the freedom struggle.
Bihar's Art & Culture
Mauryan and Pala art, Patna Qalam painting and the cultural heritage of Bihar.
General Studies Paper II
300 marks35 topics
General Studies Paper II
300 marks35 topics
Official syllabus · BPSC CCE syllabus (Bihar Gazette, 23 August 2017)
General studies papers I and paper II will cover the following areas of knowledge:-
- (1) Indian Polity:
- (2) Indian economy and Geography of India; and
- (3) The role and impact of science and technology in the development of India.
Note: In Paper II, the part relating to Indian Polity, will include questions on the political system in India including Bihar. In the part pertaining to the Indian Economy and Geography of India, questions will be put on planning in India and the physical, economic and social geography of India and Bihar. In the third part relating to the role and impact of science and technology in the development of India, questions will be asked to test the candidate’s awareness of the role and impact of science and technology in India and Bihar Emphasis will be on applied aspects.
Source: BPSC Combined Competitive Examination syllabus, Bihar Gazette of 23 August 2017 — The file BPSC's syllabus page links for the CCE (uploaded 10 April 2025). English text from pp. 55–56.
Topics on upsc2ias
Resources & Industry
Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
Indian Constitution
Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Federal Structure
Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
Separation of Powers
Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
Parliament and State Legislatures
Parliament and State Legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
Executive and Judiciary
Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
Representation of People Act
Salient features of the Representation of People's Act.
Constitutional Bodies
Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
Statutory Bodies
Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Government Policies
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Welfare Schemes
Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
Social Sector
Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Poverty and Hunger
Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
Governance and Accountability
Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance—applications, models, successes, limitations and potential; citizens' charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
Indian Economy
Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Inclusive Growth
Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
Government Budgeting
Government Budgeting.
Major Crops & Irrigation
Major crops—cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems, storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
Farm Subsidies & MSP
Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System—objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
Food Processing Industry
Food processing and related industries in India—scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
Land Reforms
Land reforms in India.
Liberalization & Industrial Policy
Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Investment Models
Investment models.
Science & Technology
Science and Technology—developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Achievements in S&T
Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Information Technology & IPR
Awareness in the fields of Information Technology, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Geography of India
Physical features of India: major landforms, climate and the monsoon, soils, rivers and drainage, natural vegetation; social and economic geography of India.
Population & Demographics
Population distribution, density, age-sex composition and growth; rural-urban composition; SC/ST composition, religion, language and literacy; migration, urbanisation and population policy.
Local Self-Government
Panchayati Raj and urban local bodies: the 73rd and 74th Amendments, structure, powers, finances and functioning, and the challenges of devolution.
Fiscal & Monetary Policy
Fiscal policy and the Indian tax system; public expenditure, public debt and deficit financing; money, banking, inflation and monetary policy.
Energy
India's energy needs, sources and efficiency measures; renewable energy technologies and their impact; India's nuclear energy programme and international commitments.
Polity & Governance of Bihar
Bihar's legislature, executive, local bodies and administration, and the state's governance initiatives.
Geography of Bihar
Physiography, river systems, floods and droughts, climate, natural resources and population of Bihar.
Economy of Bihar
Bihar's economy since independence: planning, agriculture, industry, infrastructure, migration and the state's schemes; science and technology in Bihar's development.
Essay
300 marks10 topics
Essay
300 marks10 topics
Official syllabus · BPSC notice of 14 February 2023 (68th CCE Mains): format of the Essay paper
Section-I (100 Marks)
- Write any one (01) Essay out of given Topics.
Section-II (100 Marks)
- Write any one (01) Essay out of given Topics.
Section-III (100 Marks)
- Write any one (01) Essay out of given Topics.
- Bihar Specific Topics.
- The questions of this section will be in Devnagri Script and it will be transliterated in Roman Script.
Source: BPSC notice: Format of Model Question Papers for General Studies-I, General Studies-II and Essay Papers (68th CCE Mains), 14 February 2023 — p. 5, read off the page image.
Topics on upsc2ias
Philosophy, Quotes & Values
Abstract and quote-based essays: truth, knowledge, happiness, character, excellence, self and society.
Democracy, Polity & Governance
Democracy, federalism and decentralisation, the judiciary, administration and civil services, citizenship and rights.
AlsoCorruption1Society, Culture & Social Justice
Indian society, culture and values, poverty and social justice, media, cinema and literature, youth.
Economy & Development
Growth versus development, sectors of the economy, employment, agriculture and the farmer, inclusive growth.
Environment & Sustainability
Environment versus development, climate change, conservation, water and natural resources.
Education & Knowledge
Education systems and values in education, learning, skills and the knowledge society.
Women & Gender
Women's empowerment, gender justice and the place of women in society and the economy.
Science & Technology
Science and society, computers, the internet and social media, artificial intelligence and technology's promise and risks.
International Affairs & Security
Globalisation, India in the world, international organisations and bilateral relations, national and internal security.
History & Heritage
Lessons of history, colonialism and the freedom struggle, India's heritage and its relevance today.
Optional Subject (qualifying MCQ)
100 marksQualifying
Optional Subject (qualifying MCQ)
100 marksQualifying
Topics for this paper haven't been mapped yet.
Interview / Personality Test
120 marks · final merit out of 1020
Interview / Personality Test
120 marks · final merit out of 1020
Official text · BPSC 68th CCE Mains advertisement (5 April 2023)
व्यक्तित्व परीक्षण
- (i) मुख्य परीक्षा में सफलीभूत उम्मीदवारों का व्यक्तित्व परीक्षण 120 अंकों का होगा।
- (ii) व्यक्तित्व परीक्षण हेतु आमंत्रित उम्मीदवारों को व्यक्तित्व परीक्षण में भाग लेना अनिवार्य है, अन्यथा वे अंतिम परीक्षाफल हेतु बनाये जाने वाले मेधा सूची में शामिल नहीं किये जायेंगे।
मेधा सूची
- (i) मुख्य परीक्षा के 900 अंक (वैकल्पिक विषयों को छोड़कर) एवं साक्षात्कार के लिए 120 अंक कुल– 1020 अंकों के आधार पर मेधा सूची तैयार करते हुए आरक्षण कोटिवार अंतिम परीक्षाफल का प्रकाशन किया जायेगा।
Source: BPSC: 68th Combined Main (Written) Competitive Examination, Important Notice and Advertisement (2 of 2), 5 April 2023 — pp. 3–4, read off the page scans.