BPSC 72nd CCE 2026 runs three stages — Prelims, Mains, Interview — and this cycle carries one real change worth knowing before you start prep: a new “Option E” rule on the Prelims OMR sheet that changes how blank answers are penalised. Last updated: 12.07.2026.
Prelims — General Studies (qualifying only)
| Prelims General Studies | BPSC 72nd official record |
|---|---|
| Total marks | 150 |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Negative marking | 1/3 mark per wrong answer |
| Answer options | A, B, C, D, and E (Not Attempted) |
The Option E change: BPSC has added a fifth OMR option specifically for “Not Attempted.” Mark it deliberately when skipping a question and there’s no penalty. But leave the row completely blank — no option marked at all — and it now costs the same 1/3 negative mark as an outright wrong answer. Previous BPSC cycles didn’t penalise blank rows this way. Practically, this means you need to fill in a bubble for every single question on your OMR sheet, either your answer or Option E, with zero rows left untouched.
Prelims covers general studies: current affairs (national and Bihar-specific), Indian history and Bihar’s history, Indian and Bihar geography, Indian polity and economy, general science, and general mental ability.
Mains — Five Papers
| Paper | Marks | Counts toward merit? |
|---|---|---|
| General Hindi | 100 | No — qualifying only |
| General Studies Paper 1 | 300 | Yes |
| General Studies Paper 2 | 300 | Yes |
| Essay | 300 | Yes |
| Optional Subject | 100 | No — qualifying only |
General Hindi and the Optional Subject are pass/fail gates — clear their qualifying cutoff and stop worrying about them. The 900 marks across GS Paper 1, GS Paper 2 and Essay are what actually build your merit rank, together with the Interview.
Interview — 120 Marks
Candidates who clear the Mains cutoff sit a Personality Test worth 120 marks. Combined with GS Paper 1 (300), GS Paper 2 (300) and Essay (300), the interview brings the final merit total to 1,020 marks.
Preparation priorities
Since Prelims marks don’t carry forward, treat it purely as a qualifying hurdle — don’t over-invest revision time there once you’re comfortably past the expected cutoff. The real preparation weight belongs on GS Paper 1, GS Paper 2 and Essay, since those 900 marks plus the 120-mark interview are the entire final merit. Bihar-specific current affairs and history carry disproportionate weight across all BPSC stages compared to generic national-level competitive exams, so prioritise state-specific sources over generic pan-India material.
Related pages
Full vacancy, eligibility and admit card details are on the BPSC 72nd CCE 2026 main page. Admit card status is tracked on our admit card page.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BPSC 72nd CCE 2026 exam pattern?
The BPSC 72nd CCE 2026 exam consists of objective-type questions. Check the official notification on https://bpsc.bihar.gov.in for the complete subject-wise breakdown and marking scheme.
Is there negative marking in BPSC 72nd CCE 2026?
Refer to the official BPSC notification at https://bpsc.bihar.gov.in for the exact negative marking rules for BPSC 72nd CCE 2026. Most CBT exams carry 0.25 marks deduction per wrong answer.
When is the BPSC 72nd CCE 2026 exam date?
The BPSC 72nd CCE 2026 exam is scheduled for 26.07.2026. Download the admit card from https://bpsc.bihar.gov.in before the exam.
What subjects are covered in the BPSC 72nd CCE 2026 syllabus?
The BPSC 72nd CCE 2026 syllabus covers General Awareness, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and the relevant subject or trade. Full subject-wise topics are in the official notification on https://bpsc.bihar.gov.in.
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