BPSC CCE

BPSC CCE — the Combined Competitive Examination — is the Bihar state civil services exam, conducted by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC). Through it the state fills senior administrative and police posts such as the Sub-Divisional Magistrate / Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and a range of other Group A and Group B posts. It is a competitive exam decided by merit, in three stages: Preliminary, Main and Interview. Each cycle is numbered — the 70th, 71st and 72nd CCE are the recent editions.

BPSC CCE at a glance

Exam pattern in brief

The Preliminary exam is a single objective General Studies paper of 150 marks, used only to screen candidates for the Mains. The Main exam is descriptive, and the Interview follows. The final merit is drawn from the Mains and the Interview; the Prelims marks are not carried forward.

Eligibility in brief

A candidate must be a graduate. The minimum age is generally 20–22 years (varying by post) and the maximum is 37 years for general male candidates, with relaxations — 40 years for unreserved women and BC/EBC candidates and 42 years for SC/ST, as on 01.08.2026 for the 72nd CCE.

To apply for the BPSC CCE you must meet the nationality, age and qualification conditions set out in the Commission's notification for that cycle.

Nationality

A candidate must be a citizen of India (with the other categories of eligible persons specified by the Commission).

Educational qualification

A Bachelor's degree from a recognised university, in any discipline. A few posts within the exam require a specific qualification — check the post-wise requirements in the notification. Final-year candidates may apply subject to producing proof of passing at the prescribed stage.

Age limit

The maximum age is 37 years for unreserved male candidates as on 01.08.2026 for the 72nd CCE (the date is fixed in each cycle's notification, generally 1 August of the exam year). The upper limit is relaxed to 40 years for unreserved women and Backward Class / Extremely Backward Class (male and female) candidates and 42 years for SC/ST candidates; the minimum age (20–22 years) varies by the post applied for. Confirm the exact ages against the official notification.

BPSC CCE Application Form

The BPSC CCE application is submitted online at bpsc.bihar.gov.in (bpsconline.bihar.gov.in). A candidate first registers, then fills the detailed application and pays the fee.

Fee

The fee is paid online. The flat ₹100 fee applies from the 72nd CCE under the Bihar government's resolution of 21.08.2025; earlier cycles charged ₹600 (₹150 for Bihar SC/ST, PwD and women). Confirm the exact fee for your cycle against the official notification, as the Commission occasionally revises it.

How to apply

1. Complete One Time Registration (OTR) on bpsconline.bihar.gov.in with a valid email and mobile number. Candidates who registered on the earlier portal must complete OTR afresh on the new portal.
2. Fill the application, entering your qualification and choosing your post preferences.
3. Upload the photograph and signature in the prescribed format and pay the fee.
4. Submit and keep a printout of the completed application.

BPSC CCE Vacancy

The BPSC CCE vacancy is announced cycle by cycle in the Commission's notification, and is often revised during the recruitment. The recent cycles were held for:

The vacancies are spread across the state's administrative, police and departmental posts. The final post-wise, category-wise break-up is given in each notification, and allotment is by merit rank and post preference, subject to the reservation rules of Bihar.

BPSC CCE Selection Process

BPSC CCE selects candidates through three successive stages. A candidate must clear each stage to move to the next.

Stage 1 — Preliminary examination

A single objective General Studies paper used only to screen candidates. Those above the category-wise cut-off are shortlisted for the Mains at a set multiple of the vacancies; the Prelims marks are not carried forward.

Stage 2 — Main examination

Descriptive papers (General Studies and Essay carry the merit marks, with a qualifying language paper and an optional paper). Candidates are shortlisted for the Interview on the Mains result.

Stage 3 — Interview

A personality test. The final merit list is prepared from the merit-counting Mains papers and the Interview, and posts are allotted by rank and the candidate's preference, subject to reservation.

BPSC CCE Salary & Job Profile

The senior BPSC CCE posts — such as the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Deputy Collector) and Deputy Superintendent of Police — are placed at Pay Level 9 of the pay matrix, with a basic pay of about ₹53,100, plus Dearness, House Rent and other allowances, so the in-hand salary is considerably higher. Other posts filled through the exam sit at their own levels.

Posts filled through BPSC CCE

• Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Deputy Collector) — the premier post, in revenue and general administration.
• Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) — in the state police.
• Other Group A and Group B posts across the state's departments, listed in each cycle's notification.

Job profile

An officer appointed through the CCE carries administrative, revenue, law-and-order and development responsibilities in the district and the secretariat, and rises over a career to senior positions in the state administration.