Get fastest alerts on Results, Admit Cards & Govt Jobs directly on your phone.
The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has officially released the notification for the 72nd Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) 2026. This is one of the most prestigious state-level civil service examinations in Bihar, offering recruitment to 1186 posts across various Group A and Group B administrative departments of the Bihar Government.
The online application window is open from May 7 to May 31, 2026. The Preliminary Examination is officially scheduled for July 26, 2026. Eligible graduates can apply through the official BPSC portal at bpsc.bihar.gov.in or bpsconline.bihar.gov.in.
The application fee is just Rs. 100 for all categories — making this one of the most accessible government exam applications in the country. If you are a graduate looking for a career in Bihar’s administrative services, this is your opportunity.
Overview of BPSC 72nd CCE 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) |
| Exam Name | 72nd Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) 2026 |
| Post Type | Group A and Group B (State Civil Services) |
| Total Vacancies | 1186 Posts |
| Notification Released | May 5, 2026 |
| Application Start Date | May 7, 2026 |
| Application Last Date | May 31, 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | May 31, 2026 |
| Prelims Exam Date | July 26, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Mains Exam Date | To Be Announced |
| Admit Card | Before Exam |
| Result Date | To Be Announced |
| Application Fee | Rs. 100 (All Categories) |
| Age Limit | 20 to 37–42 Years (Category Wise) as on August 1, 2026 |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation (Bachelor’s Degree) from a Recognised University |
| Official Website | bpsc.bihar.gov.in |
| Apply Online Portal | bpsconline.bihar.gov.in |
Direct Link — Apply Online for BPSC 72nd CCE 2026
| Action | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online (Official Portal) | https://bpsconline.bihar.gov.in |
| Download Official Notification PDF | https://bpsc.bihar.gov.in |
| Check Syllabus and Exam Pattern | https://bpsc.bihar.gov.in |
| JIS Exams — Exam Updates, Admit Cards and Results | https://jisexams.in/ |
Visit bpsconline.bihar.gov.in to start your application. Complete One Time Registration (OTR) first if you have not registered before, then fill the application form, upload documents, and pay the fee before May 31, 2026.
BPSC 72nd CCE 2026 — Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | May 5, 2026 |
| Application Start Date | May 7, 2026 |
| Application Last Date | May 31, 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | May 31, 2026 |
| Prelims Exam Date | July 26, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Admit Card Release | Before Exam |
| Prelims Result | To Be Announced |
| Mains Exam Date | To Be Announced |
| Final Result | To Be Announced |
Do not wait until the last day. Server load increases significantly near the May 31 deadline. Complete your application and fee payment well in advance.
BPSC 72nd CCE 2026 — Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All Categories (General, OBC, EWS, SC, ST) | Rs. 100 |
Payment Modes: Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, IMPS, Cash Card, Mobile Wallet
This is a flat fee for every candidate regardless of category — one of the lowest application fees among major state PSC examinations.
BPSC 72nd CCE 2026 — Vacancy Details
Category-Wise Vacancy Breakdown:
| Category | Number of Posts |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 513 |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 116 |
| Extremely Backward Class (EBC) | 196 |
| Backward Class (BC) | 140 |
| BC Female | 36 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 175 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 10 |
| Total | 1186 Posts |
Post-Wise Vacancy Breakdown:
| Post Name | Number of Posts |
|---|---|
| 72nd Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination (Various Services) | 1033 |
| Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) | 20 |
| Financial Administrative Officer and Equivalent | 32 |
| Sub-Divisional Protection Officer | 101 |
| Total | 1186 Posts |
Note on Vacancy Revision: The original notification announced 1230 posts. However, 44 posts of Cane Officers from the Sugarcane Industry Department were later removed through a corrigendum, as these posts require different eligibility and a different examination pattern compared to the CCE. The final confirmed vacancy is 1186 posts.
Key Posts Under BPSC 72nd CCE 2026 (Various Services): The 1033 posts under the general CCE category include positions such as Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), District Commandant (Home Guards), Sub-Registrar, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO/SDM), Revenue Officer, Block Supply Inspector, Municipal Executive Officer, State Tax Assistant Commissioner, Rural Development Officer, Cooperative Extension Officer, Sub-Divisional Welfare Officer, and other allied services across Bihar government departments.
BPSC 72nd CCE 2026 — Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification (Post-Wise)
| Post | Qualification Required |
|---|---|
| 72nd CCE General Posts | Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent from any recognised university |
| Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised university. Optional subject for Mains must be from: Home Science, Psychology, Sociology, or Labour and Social Welfare |
| Financial Administrative Officer and Equivalent | Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce, Economics, Mathematics, or Statistics from a recognised university |
| Sub-Divisional Protection Officer | Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology or Law. Optional subject for Mains must be from: Psychology or Law |
Important: For posts with special educational qualifications (CDPO, FAO, Sub-Divisional Protection Officer), candidates must specifically select the relevant post while filling the application form. If the post is not selected correctly, the candidature for that post will not be considered.
Age Limit as on August 1, 2026
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| General Male (UR) | 20 Years | 37 Years |
| Female (UR) | 20 Years | 40 Years |
| BC / EBC Male | 20 Years | 40 Years |
| BC / EBC Female | 20 Years | 40 Years |
| SC / ST Male | 20 Years | 42 Years |
| SC / ST Female | 20 Years | 42 Years |
Post-Specific Minimum Age:
- DSP (Deputy Superintendent of Police): Minimum 20 years
- Probation Officer and Sub-Divisional Protection Officer: Minimum 21 years
- Other posts: Minimum 20 to 22 years as per post notification
Age relaxation is available to reserved category candidates as per Bihar Government rules. Candidates must calculate their age as on August 1, 2026 while checking eligibility.
BPSC 72nd CCE 2026 — Selection Process
BPSC conducts the Combined Competitive Examination in three stages:
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Preliminary Examination (Qualifying in nature — marks not counted in final merit) |
| Stage 2 | Main Examination (Written — marks counted in final merit) |
| Stage 3 | Personality Test / Interview (Marks counted in final merit) |
Candidates who clear the Preliminary Examination are eligible for Mains. Those who clear Mains are called for the Interview. The final merit list is based on Mains and Interview marks combined.
BPSC 72nd Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
The Preliminary Examination is a qualifying round. Its marks are not added to the final merit list — it is used only to shortlist candidates for the Main Examination.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Mode | Offline (OMR-Based) |
| Medium | English and Hindi |
| Total Marks | 150 |
| Number of Questions | 150 |
| Question Type | Objective (Multiple Choice) |
| Duration | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) |
| Negative Marking | Yes — 1/3 mark deducted for each wrong answer |
| Nature | Qualifying — marks not counted in final merit |
| Paper | Single Paper — General Studies |
Important: There IS negative marking in the BPSC Prelims. Do not attempt questions randomly. Wrong answers reduce your score by 1/3 mark each.
BPSC 72nd Mains Exam Pattern 2026
Candidates who clear the Prelims will appear for the Main Examination. Mains marks are counted in the final merit list.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Hindi | 100 | Qualifying (minimum 30 marks required) |
| Paper 2 | General Studies — I | 300 | Merit-Based |
| Paper 3 | General Studies — II | 300 | Merit-Based |
| Paper 4 | Optional Subject / Essay | 300 | Merit-Based |
| Total (Merit Papers) | 900 Marks |
The General Hindi paper is qualifying — candidates must score at least 30 out of 100 to be considered. Marks of the Hindi paper are not added to the final merit. The remaining three papers carry 900 marks and form the basis of the final merit list along with the interview.
Interview: 120 Marks
Grand Total (Mains + Interview): 1020 Marks
BPSC 72nd Prelims Syllabus 2026
The single General Studies paper in the Prelims covers the following topics:
Indian History: Ancient India, Medieval India, Modern India and the Freedom Struggle — focus on events, personalities, and timelines. Bihar’s role in the freedom movement carries special importance.
Indian Polity: Constitution of India, Fundamental Rights and Duties, Directive Principles, Parliament, Judiciary, State Legislature, local self-government, Panchayati Raj.
Indian Economy: Economic concepts, Five-Year Plans, government schemes, poverty, agriculture, industry, banking, and infrastructure. Special focus on Bihar’s economy.
General Science: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology at secondary school level. Everyday science applications. Health, disease, nutrition, and environment.
Indian and World Geography: Physical geography, Indian rivers, mountains, climate, agriculture, minerals, transport and communication. Major countries, capitals, and international geography.
Current Affairs: National and international events from the last 6 to 12 months. Government schemes, appointments, awards, sports, science and technology developments. Bihar-specific current affairs carry significant weight.
Bihar-Specific Topics: History of Bihar, culture, geography, social and economic conditions, important personalities, government schemes, industries, and recent developments in Bihar — this section is crucial and often decisive.
Statistical Analysis and Data Interpretation: Basic graphs, tables, and data interpretation questions at a moderate level.
How to Apply Online for BPSC 72nd CCE 2026
Follow these steps to complete your application before May 31, 2026:
- Visit the official BPSC application portal: bpsconline.bihar.gov.in
- If you are a new user, complete One Time Registration (OTR) first. OTR is a one-time process on this portal
- After OTR, log in with your Registration Number and Password
- Click on “BPSC 72nd CCE 2026 Application Form”
- Fill in your personal details — name, date of birth, category, address, contact information
- Fill in your educational qualification details carefully
- If applying for CDPO, FAO, or Sub-Divisional Protection Officer, select the specific post explicitly
- Upload your photograph (recent passport-size, white background)
- Upload your signature (on white paper, black ink)
- Upload any other required documents as specified in the notification
- Pay the application fee of Rs. 100 using Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, IMPS, or Mobile Wallet
- After payment, take a printout of the completed application form and keep it safe
- No offline applications are accepted — only the online mode is valid
Note: Candidates cannot edit the BPSC 72nd online application form after final submission. If a mistake is found after submission, you must cancel the application and fill a fresh form.
BPSC 72nd CCE 2026 — Documents Required for Application
Keep these documents ready before you start filling the form:
- Class 10 Marksheet and Certificate (for Date of Birth proof)
- Graduation Degree or Marksheet (from recognised university)
- Category Certificate — SC / ST / OBC / EWS (if applicable)
- Bihar Domicile / Residence Certificate
- Aadhaar Card or any valid photo ID
- Passport-size photograph (recent, white background)
- Scanned signature (on white paper, black ink)
- Mobile number and email ID (for OTR and updates)
Previous BPSC CCE Editions — Quick Reference
| Edition | Posts | Prelims Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPSC 70th CCE | 1271 | December 2023 | Declared |
| BPSC 71st CCE | 1153 | — | Process Ongoing |
| BPSC 72nd CCE | 1186 | July 26, 2026 | Awaited |
The 72nd CCE continues BPSC’s annual pattern of civil services recruitment. Competition is intense — lakhs of graduates apply each year across Bihar and other states for these prestigious positions.
Why BPSC 72nd CCE 2026 Is Important — Posts and Career Prospects
The BPSC 72nd CCE covers some of the most sought-after administrative positions in Bihar’s government machinery:
Deputy Collector: A key administrative officer managing revenue, law and order, and district administration at the sub-divisional level.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP): One of the most prestigious police service posts — manages law enforcement at the district and range level.
District Commandant (Home Guards): Oversees Home Guard operations across a district.
Revenue Officer: Handles land records, revenue collection, and dispute resolution.
Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO/SDM): Head of sub-division administration — a prestigious field posting.
Child Development Project Officer (CDPO): Manages integrated child development services (ICDS) schemes across blocks.
Municipal Executive Officer: Manages urban local body administration.
These are permanent government positions with job security, pension benefits, government accommodation in many cases, and a clear promotion path within Bihar’s administrative hierarchy.
Preparation Strategy for BPSC 72nd Prelims 2026
The Prelims exam is on July 26, 2026 — giving candidates approximately 79 days from the application start date. Here is how to approach your preparation:
Current Affairs (Highest Weight): Read a reliable daily newspaper and follow a monthly current affairs magazine. Focus heavily on Bihar-specific events — new government schemes, district-level news, appointments, and developments in the state carry significant weight in BPSC exams.
Bihar-Specific GK: Dedicate at least 30% of your preparation time exclusively to Bihar — its history, culture, geography, economy, rivers, famous personalities, government schemes, and recent developments.
Indian Polity: NCERT Class 11 and 12 Political Science books are the best starting point. Focus on constitutional provisions, important articles, and functioning of government bodies.
History: NCERT Class 6 to 12 covers the basics thoroughly. Modern History — particularly the freedom movement and Bihar’s role in it — is especially important.
General Science: Focus on practical and applied science questions. NCERT secondary level books are sufficient.
Previous Year Question Papers: Solve at least the last 5 years of BPSC Prelims papers. This shows the pattern of questions, commonly repeated topics, and the difficulty level you need to target.
Negative Marking Alert: Since BPSC Prelims has 1/3 negative marking, attempt only questions you are confident about. Avoid guessing — a wrong answer costs you 0.33 marks.
BPSC 72nd CCE 2026 — Application Fee Summary
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS / SC / ST | Rs. 100 |
| Payment Mode | Online (Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, IMPS, Mobile Wallet) |
FAQs — BPSC 72nd CCE 2026
When is the last date to apply for BPSC 72nd CCE 2026?
The last date to apply online and pay the fee is May 31, 2026. Apply well before the deadline to avoid server issues on the last day.
What is the application fee for BPSC 72nd CCE 2026?
Rs. 100 for all categories. Payment can be made online through Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, IMPS, Cash Card, or Mobile Wallet.
What is the BPSC 72nd Prelims exam date 2026?
The Preliminary Examination is officially scheduled for July 26, 2026 (Sunday) in offline OMR-based mode.
How many vacancies are there in BPSC 72nd CCE 2026?
A total of 1186 posts are available. This is revised from the original 1230 after 44 Cane Officer posts were removed through a corrigendum.
Is there negative marking in BPSC 72nd Prelims 2026?
Yes. There is 1/3 negative marking in the Prelims. Each wrong answer deducts 0.33 marks. Attempt only questions you are confident about.
What is the educational qualification for BPSC 72nd CCE 2026?
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent from any recognised university. Specific posts like CDPO, FAO, and Sub-Divisional Protection Officer require degrees in particular subjects.
Can I edit my BPSC 72nd application form after submission?
No. The form cannot be edited after final submission. If a mistake is found, you must cancel the application and submit a fresh one before the last date.
What is the total marks for BPSC 72nd CCE Mains?
The Mains has 900 marks across three merit-based papers (General Studies I, General Studies II, and Optional/Essay) plus 120 marks for Interview — making the total 1020 marks for final merit calculation.
The BPSC 72nd CCE 2026 is a golden opportunity for graduates across Bihar to enter the state’s most prestigious administrative services. With 1186 posts, a flat Rs. 100 fee for all categories, and Prelims on July 26, 2026 — there is enough time to prepare strategically if you start now. Visit bpsconline.bihar.gov.in, complete your application before May 31, 2026, and begin your focused preparation for the July Prelims. All the best.