BPSC 72nd Prelims 2026: The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has scheduled the 72nd Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) Preliminary Examination for October 25, 2026. The latest examination calendar issued by BPSC on August 14, 2026, lists 1,189 vacancies for the 72nd CCE. The Commission has clarified that the dates mentioned in its examination calendar are tentative.
The Preliminary Examination was earlier scheduled for July 26, 2026. BPSC subsequently issued a notice regarding postponement of the examination. The latest calendar now lists October 25, 2026, as the scheduled date.
As of August 26, 2026, candidates have 60 days until the scheduled examination date. This period can be used for focused syllabus revision, previous-year-question practice, current affairs, Bihar-specific preparation and mock tests.
BPSC 72nd Prelims 2026: Latest Update
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination | 72nd Combined Competitive Examination |
| Conducting Body | Bihar Public Service Commission |
| Stage | Preliminary Examination |
| Vacancies in latest BPSC calendar | 1,189 |
| Earlier Prelims date | July 26, 2026 |
| Current scheduled Prelims date | October 25, 2026 |
| Days remaining as of August 26 | 60 days |
| Admit Card | Release date not announced in the official information checked |
| Latest calendar | August 14, 2026 |
| Date status | Tentative |
The latest BPSC examination calendar is the primary source for the current scheduled date and vacancy figure.
Important: Candidates should continue checking the official BPSC website for subsequent notices because examination-calendar dates are tentative.
BPSC 72nd Prelims Admit Card 2026
The BPSC 72nd CCE Preliminary Examination admit-card release date has not been announced in the official information checked for this article.
Candidates should rely on the official BPSC website for the admit-card announcement and avoid treating dates circulated through unofficial sources as confirmed.
Once the admit card is released, candidates should carefully check:
- Candidate name
- Roll number
- Examination centre
- Examination date
- Reporting time
- Photograph and other details
- Examination-day instructions
Candidates should follow all instructions mentioned on the final admit card.
BPSC 72nd Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
The BPSC Preliminary Examination is an objective General Studies examination carrying 150 marks with a duration of two hours.
BPSC has also issued an official notice regarding the introduction of the fifth answer option, E, in MCQ-based examinations. Candidates should follow the instructions applicable to the 72nd CCE.
BPSC 72nd Prelims Pattern
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Paper | General Studies |
| Question Type | Objective / MCQ |
| Maximum Marks | 150 |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Answer Options | A, B, C, D and E |
| Negative Marking | Refer to the official BPSC 72nd CCE notification for applicable marking instructions |
Note: Candidates should refer to the official BPSC 72nd CCE notification for the applicable negative-marking and evaluation provisions. Any subsequent instructions issued by the Commission should also be followed.
BPSC 72nd Prelims Syllabus 2026
The Preliminary Examination covers General Studies. Candidates should prepare the syllabus areas specified by BPSC, including:
- General Science
- History of India
- Indian National Movement
- Geography
- Geography of Bihar
- Indian polity and governance
- Indian economy
- Current events of national and international importance
- General mental ability
- Bihar-related history and other areas specified by the Commission
Candidates should use the latest official BPSC notification and syllabus as the final reference for the complete syllabus.
BPSC 72nd Prelims 2026: What Should You Study First?
With 60 days available, candidates should avoid giving equal time to every topic.
A more practical approach is to divide preparation into high-priority, regular-revision and current-affairs areas.
1. Bihar-Specific Preparation
Bihar-related topics deserve dedicated preparation for the BPSC examination.
Bihar History
Revise:
- Ancient Bihar
- Magadha
- Mauryan period
- Gupta period
- Medieval Bihar
- Colonial Bihar
- Champaran Satyagraha
- Bihar’s role in the freedom movement
- Important personalities
- Important institutions
Bihar Geography
Focus on:
- Rivers
- Physical features
- Climate
- Soil
- Agriculture
- Irrigation
- Minerals
- Industries
- Population
- Important geographical locations
Bihar Economy and Current Affairs
Cover:
- State economy
- Agriculture
- Infrastructure
- Government programmes
- Budget-related developments
- Important institutions
- Recent developments in Bihar
Indian History for BPSC 72nd Prelims
Divide History into three broad sections.
Ancient India
Important areas include:
- Indus Valley Civilisation
- Vedic period
- Buddhism
- Jainism
- Mauryan Empire
- Gupta period
- Ancient education centres
- Art and architecture
Medieval India
Focus on:
- Delhi Sultanate
- Mughal Empire
- Bhakti movement
- Sufi traditions
- Medieval administration
- Art and architecture
Modern India
Give systematic attention to:
- British expansion
- Colonial economic policies
- Revolt of 1857
- Social and religious reform movements
- Indian National Congress
- Swadeshi Movement
- Gandhian movements
- Revolutionary activities
- Constitutional developments
- Quit India Movement
- Independence and Partition
Geography for BPSC 72nd Prelims
Indian Geography
Revise:
- Physiographic divisions
- Rivers
- Climate
- Monsoon
- Soils
- Agriculture
- Minerals
- Industries
- Population
- Transport
Bihar Geography
Give particular attention to:
- River systems
- Flood-prone regions
- Agriculture
- Soil
- Climate
- Natural resources
- Major crops
- Industries
- Population distribution
Preparation tip: Use maps during revision. Mapping rivers, physical divisions and important locations can make factual preparation easier to recall.
Indian Polity
Important areas include:
- Preamble
- Fundamental Rights
- Directive Principles
- Fundamental Duties
- President
- Vice-President
- Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
- Parliament
- Supreme Court
- High Courts
- Governor
- Chief Minister
- State Legislature
- Constitutional bodies
- Election Commission
- Finance Commission
- Comptroller and Auditor General
- Panchayati Raj
- Constitutional provisions
Focus on understanding the functions and powers of institutions, rather than memorising isolated facts.
Economy
Important areas for revision include:
- GDP
- National income
- Inflation
- Monetary policy
- Fiscal policy
- Banking
- RBI
- Taxation
- Government expenditure
- Employment
- Poverty
- Agriculture
- External sector
- Government schemes
- Bihar economy
Current economic developments should be studied along with the underlying concepts.
General Science and Environment
Physics
- Motion
- Force
- Work and energy
- Electricity
- Light
- Sound
- Everyday applications
Chemistry
- Basic chemical reactions
- Acids and bases
- Metals and non-metals
- Everyday chemistry
- Important compounds
Biology
- Human body
- Nutrition
- Diseases
- Genetics basics
- Plants
- Ecology
Environment
- Ecosystems
- Biodiversity
- Pollution
- Climate change
- Conservation
- Important environmental developments
BPSC Current Affairs Strategy 2026
Current affairs should be prepared selectively instead of trying to memorise every news headline.
Bihar Current Affairs
Prioritise:
- State government decisions
- Government schemes
- Economy
- Agriculture
- Infrastructure
- Education
- Health
- Environment
- Important appointments
- Awards
- State reports
- Major developments in Bihar
National Current Affairs
Focus on:
- Government policies
- Economy
- Science and technology
- Space
- Defence
- Environment
- Important reports
- Awards
- Major national developments
International Current Affairs
Focus on developments related to:
- India
- International organisations
- Major global events
- International relations
- Economy
- Environment
- Science and technology
BPSC PYQs: Why Previous-Year Questions Matter
Previous-year question papers should be an important part of preparation.
BPSC provides examination-related question-paper resources through its official website. Candidates can use previous papers to understand the nature of questions and identify topics requiring further revision.
Use the 3-Step PYQ Method
Step 1: Solve
Attempt the questions without immediately checking the answers.
Step 2: Analyse
For every incorrect or uncertain question, identify the underlying topic.
Step 3: Revise
Return to that topic and solve related questions.
The objective is not simply to memorise previous answers. It is to understand the concepts and topics tested in earlier examinations.
BPSC 72nd Prelims 60-Day Preparation Strategy
The remaining 60 days can be divided into four preparation phases.
Phase 1: Days 1–15
Syllabus Mapping + PYQs + Core Revision
During the first 15 days:
- Map the official syllabus
- Analyse previous BPSC papers
- Identify weak subjects
- Begin systematic Bihar preparation
- Revise core History and Geography
- Start daily current-affairs revision
- Create an error notebook
Key Rule
Do not postpone PYQs until the final weeks.
Start solving and analysing them from the beginning.
Phase 2: Days 16–35
Complete High-Priority Static Topics
A suggested allocation is:
| Days | Focus |
|---|---|
| 16–20 | History + Bihar History |
| 21–24 | Geography + Bihar Geography |
| 25–28 | Polity |
| 29–31 | Economy |
| 32–35 | Science + Environment |
Current affairs should continue alongside static preparation.
Phase 3: Days 36–50
PYQs + Full-Length Tests
During this phase, gradually shift from learning-heavy preparation to testing and revision.
After every mock test, classify mistakes.
Knowledge Error
You did not know the information.
Action: Study the topic.
Recall Error
You had studied it but could not remember it.
Action: Add it to your revision list.
Conceptual Error
You misunderstood the topic.
Action: Revisit the basic source.
Reading Error
You misunderstood the question.
Action: Improve question-reading discipline.
Repeated Error
You continue making the same mistake.
Action: Give that topic priority during the next revision cycle.
Phase 4: Days 51–60
Final Revision
The last 10 days should primarily focus on:
- PYQs
- Mock-test mistakes
- Bihar-specific notes
- Current affairs
- Short notes
- Difficult topics already identified
Avoid adding large amounts of new study material during the final revision period.
The objective should be recall, revision and consolidation.
The 3-Notebook Revision Method
A simple system can make the final revision more organised.
Notebook 1: Important Facts
Record:
- Difficult facts
- Bihar-specific information
- Chronology
- Frequently confused facts
- Important institutions
Notebook 2: Mistakes
Record important mistakes from:
- PYQs
- Mock tests
- Practice questions
Notebook 3: Current Affairs
Keep concise, examination-relevant information.
These notebooks can then be used for rapid revision during the final days.
Suggested Daily Study Plan
Candidates studying around eight hours a day can consider the following framework:
| Activity | Suggested Time |
|---|---|
| Static GS | 2 hours |
| Bihar-specific preparation | 1.5 hours |
| Current Affairs | 1.5 hours |
| PYQs / Practice | 2 hours |
| Revision | 1 hour |
| Total | 8 hours |
These are suggested timings, not an official BPSC schedule. Candidates can modify them according to their available study time and preparation level.
The important combination is:
Static GS + Bihar + Current Affairs + PYQs + Revision
BPSC 72nd Prelims: 8-Week Study Plan
| Week | Main Focus |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Syllabus + PYQs + History |
| Week 2 | Modern History + Bihar History |
| Week 3 | Geography + Bihar Geography |
| Week 4 | Indian Polity |
| Week 5 | Economy + Bihar Economy |
| Week 6 | Science + Environment |
| Week 7 | Current Affairs + PYQs + Mock Tests |
| Week 8 | Full Revision + Mock Tests |
| Final Days | Error Notebook + Bihar + Current Affairs |
Candidates who have already completed some subjects can shift more time toward revision, PYQs and mock-test analysis.
How to Analyse BPSC Mock Tests
Do not stop after checking your score.
Track:
| Area | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Score | Is it improving? |
| Accuracy | Are incorrect answers decreasing? |
| Knowledge | Which topics remain weak? |
| Recall | Which facts are being forgotten? |
| Time | Was the paper completed comfortably? |
| Repeated mistakes | Which errors are occurring again? |
The purpose of a mock test is not simply to produce a score. It should show you what to study next.
What Candidates Should Avoid in the Last 60 Days
Avoid collecting too many books
Use a manageable number of reliable sources and revise them properly.
Avoid postponing PYQs
Previous-year questions should be part of preparation from the beginning.
Avoid ignoring Bihar
Bihar-specific preparation is important for BPSC-focused preparation.
Avoid unlimited current-affairs material
Focus on relevant information and repeated revision.
Avoid frequently changing your strategy
Consistency gives more time for revision.
Avoid relying on unofficial examination dates
Use the BPSC website and official notices for schedule-related information.
BPSC 72nd Prelims 2026: Examination-Day Preparation
Candidates should follow the instructions provided on the final admit card and official examination notices.
BPSC currently also carries an official notice regarding the introduction of the fifth answer option ‘E’ in MCQ-based examinations. Candidates should follow the instructions applicable to the 72nd CCE.
Candidates should not rely on instructions from earlier examinations if the Commission issues updated instructions for the 72nd CCE.
BPSC 72nd Prelims 2026: Important Facts at a Glance
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Bihar Public Service Commission |
| Examination | 72nd Combined Competitive Examination |
| Stage | Preliminary Examination |
| Vacancies in latest calendar | 1,189 |
| Current scheduled date | October 25, 2026 |
| Days remaining on August 26 | 60 days |
| Paper | General Studies |
| Maximum Marks | 150 |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Question Type | Objective |
| Answer Options | A, B, C, D and E |
| Negative Marking | Refer to the official BPSC 72nd CCE notification |
| Admit Card | Release date not announced in the official information checked |
| Calendar Date Status | Tentative |
The examination date and vacancy figure are taken from the latest BPSC examination calendar.
BPSC 72nd Prelims 2026: Final Preparation Strategy
The remaining preparation can be organised around one simple cycle:
Syllabus → PYQs → Study → Revision → Mock Test → Error Analysis → Revision
Candidates should focus on the syllabus prescribed by BPSC, give appropriate attention to Bihar-specific topics, practise previous-year questions, revise current affairs and regularly assess their preparation through mock tests.
The objective of the final 60 days should not be to collect more and more study material. It should be to improve recall, strengthen weak areas, reduce repeated mistakes and become comfortable with the examination format.
Since the latest BPSC examination calendar identifies October 25, 2026, as a tentative date, candidates should continue monitoring the Commission’s official website for any subsequent schedule or examination-related notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is BPSC 72nd Prelims 2026?
The latest BPSC examination calendar schedules the 72nd CCE Preliminary Examination for October 25, 2026. The calendar states that examination dates are tentative.
How many days are left for BPSC 72nd Prelims?
As of August 26, 2026, there are 60 days until the scheduled examination date of October 25, 2026.
How many vacancies are there in BPSC 72nd CCE?
The latest BPSC examination calendar lists 1,189 vacancies for the 72nd CCE.
When will the BPSC 72nd Prelims admit card be released?
BPSC has not announced an admit-card release date in the official information checked for this article. Candidates should follow the official BPSC website for the release announcement.
What is the BPSC 72nd Prelims exam pattern?
The Preliminary Examination is an objective General Studies paper carrying 150 marks with a duration of two hours. BPSC has also issued an official notice regarding the fifth answer option, E, in MCQ-based examinations.
Is there negative marking in BPSC 72nd Prelims?
Candidates should refer to the official BPSC 72nd CCE notification for the applicable negative-marking and evaluation instructions and follow any subsequent instructions issued by the Commission.
Where can candidates find BPSC previous-year question papers?
Candidates can access examination-related question-paper resources through the official BPSC website.