BPSC 72nd CCE Prelims: Tentative Date 25 October 2026, 1,186 Vacancies, Eligibility and Pattern
BPSC has moved the 72nd CCE Preliminary exam from 26 July to a tentative 25 October 2026. Here are the vacancies, age limits, exam pattern and syllabus, and what to do before the admit card arrives.
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The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) had first scheduled the 72nd Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) Preliminary for 26 July 2026. BPSC postponed it in July, and its exam calendar dated 14 August 2026 now lists the Preliminary for Sunday, 25 October 2026. BPSC calls the calendar dates tentative, so plan around 25 October but confirm the date when the admit card and exam notice come out.
BPSC 72nd CCE at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) |
| Vacancies | 1,186 |
| Online application | 7 May to 31 May 2026 (closed) |
| First Prelims date | 26 July 2026 (postponed) |
| Current Prelims date | 25 October 2026, tentative, as per BPSC’s calendar of 14 August 2026 |
| Stages | Preliminary, Main and Interview |
| Official website | bpsc.bihar.gov.in |
What the new date means for you
From mid-September you have about six weeks. The three months gained since the original date help only if they go into revision and practice rather than new books. Two things have changed in that time: more current affairs are now in scope, and every serious candidate has had more time to revise, so accuracy matters more than coverage. If you had covered the syllabus for July, spend these weeks on previous papers, Bihar-specific facts and the months of current affairs you have not yet read.
We have put together a week-by-week plan for the six weeks before BPSC 72nd Prelims.
Vacancies
BPSC has put the number of posts under the 72nd CCE at 1,186, spread across Bihar’s state services. The detailed advertisement lists every post with its department, pay level and category-wise reservation, and some posts carry extra conditions, such as physical standards for police posts. Read the post-wise table so you know exactly which posts you are eligible for.
Eligibility
Education: a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university. A few posts ask for more, so check the post-wise conditions.
Age is counted as on 1 August 2026:
| Category | Maximum age |
|---|---|
| Unreserved, men | 37 years |
| Unreserved, women | 40 years |
| Backward Class and Extremely Backward Class | 40 years |
| Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe | 42 years |
The minimum age is 20, 21 or 22 years depending on the post. Some groups, such as candidates with disabilities, get further relaxation under Bihar government rules, so check your own category in the advertisement.
Prelims exam pattern
| Feature | BPSC 72nd CCE Prelims |
|---|---|
| Paper | One paper of General Studies |
| Questions | 150 multiple choice questions |
| Marks | 150 |
| Time | 2 hours |
| Negative marking | One-third of a mark for each wrong answer |
| Role in selection | Qualifying only: it decides who goes to Mains, and its marks are not added to the final merit |
Because Prelims only decides who reaches Mains, your target is a safe margin above the cut-off, not the highest possible score. Accuracy on the questions you know is worth more than attempting everything.
Prelims syllabus
BPSC’s General Studies paper covers:
- General science
- Events of national and international importance
- History of India and salient features of the history of Bihar
- General geography, the geographical divisions of Bihar and its major river systems
- Indian polity and economy, including Panchayati Raj, community development and planning in Bihar, and the major changes in Bihar’s economy since independence
- The Indian National Movement and the part played by Bihar in it
- General mental ability
Notice how often Bihar appears. Bihar’s history, geography, economy and current affairs are part of the syllabus itself, not an extra.
The Main exam and interview
Candidates who clear Prelims write the Main exam, a descriptive stage that includes a qualifying General Hindi paper and General Studies papers, followed by an interview. BPSC has revised the Main exam in recent cycles, so take the paper-wise marks and rules from the detailed 72nd CCE advertisement rather than from older guides.
What to do now
- Keep your BPSC registration number and password handy. BPSC publishes the admit card on its website before the exam.
- Check bpsc.bihar.gov.in every few days for the admit card and any notice about the date or exam centres.
- Solve recent BPSC Prelims papers under timed conditions, with negative marking.
- Update your current affairs to cover the months since your July preparation, with extra attention to Bihar.
- Do not change your sources now. Revise what you have already read.
Frequently asked questions
Is 25 October 2026 the final date for BPSC 72nd Prelims?
It is the date in BPSC’s exam calendar dated 14 August 2026, which BPSC describes as tentative. The admit card will confirm it.
Can I still apply for BPSC 72nd CCE?
No. The online application window ran from 7 May to 31 May 2026.
Is there negative marking in BPSC Prelims?
Yes. One-third of a mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
Do BPSC Prelims marks count in the final result?
No. Prelims only decides who qualifies for the Main exam.
Dates, vacancies and rules in this article are from BPSC’s notices and exam calendar as reported on 11 September 2026. Always confirm with the latest notice on the official website.
