BPSC 72nd CCE 2026: Complete Guide for Aspirants
The authoritative, verified guide for the BPSC 72nd Combined Competitive Examination. Covers official 3-stage selection structure, eligibility criteria, age relaxations, application process, and service allocation.
1. What is the BPSC 72nd CCE?
The BPSC Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) is the premier state civil services examination conducted annually by the Bihar Public Service Commission to recruit Class II (Group A & Group B) gazetted officers into Bihar's executive administration.
The 72nd CCE represents the principal gateway for prestigious state cadres, including the Bihar Administrative Service (BAS / Sub-Divisional Magistrate), Bihar Police Service (BPS / Deputy Superintendent of Police), Bihar Financial Service, and Rural Development administration.
2. The 3-Tier Examination Structure
The examination is conducted in three successive stages:
| Stage | Format & Duration | Total Marks | Nature of Evaluation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1: Preliminary Exam (CCE) | Objective MCQs (150 Questions, 120 Minutes) | 150 Marks (Negative: -0.33) | Screening / Qualifying only; marks not counted in final merit |
| Stage 2: Main Written Exam | Descriptive Subjective Papers + Qualifying Optionals | 900 Marks (GS-1, GS-2, Essay) + 100 Qualifying Hindi + Optional MCQ | Determines 88% of final merit selection |
| Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview) | Personal Interview before BPSC Board in Patna | 120 Marks | Evaluates administrative aptitude, integrity, and state awareness |
| Final Total Merit | Mains (900) + Interview (120) | 1,020 Marks Total | Allocates services and state rank |
3. Eligibility: Education, Age Limits & Domicile
• Educational Qualification: Bachelor's degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a recognized university. Final-year students are eligible to apply subject to official notification cut-off dates.
• Age Limits (General Male): Minimum 20, 21, or 22 years (depending on the specific service post) and Maximum 37 years.
• Age Relaxations: BC/EBC (Male & Female) up to 40 years; Unreserved Female up to 40 years; SC/ST (Male & Female) up to 42 years.
• Domicile Rules: Candidates across India are eligible to apply for General (Unreserved) category vacancies. Category reservation benefits apply exclusively to permanent residents of Bihar.
4. Top Administrative Cadres Recruited Through 72nd CCE
1. Bihar Administrative Service (Sub-Divisional Officer / Senior Deputy Collector)
2. Bihar Police Service (Deputy Superintendent of Police - DSP)
3. Bihar Financial Service (Commercial Tax Officer / Assistant Commissioner)
4. Bihar Education Service (District Programme Officer)
5. Rural Development Officer (BDO cadre)
6. Revenue Officer / Circle Officer (CO cadre)
5. Official Notifications & Verification Sources
Always verify official exam calendars, seat vacancy distributions, and notification releases directly from the official portal at bpsc.bih.nic.in. Avoid relying on speculative social media channels for exam dates.