BPSC 72nd CCE 2026: exam date, pattern, syllabus and how to apply
The Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) is how the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) recruits for the Bihar Administrative Service, Deputy Superintendent of Police and the other state posts named in its advertisement. The current cycle is the Integrated 72nd CCE, advertised on 5 May 2026. The question most candidates are asking now is the BPSC 72nd exam date: as of 20 October 2026, the preliminary has been postponed and BPSC has not yet announced a new date. This guide explains where the date will appear, who can apply, the exam pattern, the syllabus and how to use the waiting weeks.
BPSC CCE at a glance
| Conducting body | Bihar Public Service Commission, Patna |
| What it is for | Bihar Administrative Service, DSP and other state services in the advertisement |
| Stages | Preliminary (objective), Main Examination (written), personality test |
| Prelims mode | Pen and paper, answers on an OMR sheet, at centres in Bihar |
| Prelims paper | One General Studies paper of 150 marks |
| Prelims time | 2 hours |
| Marking | One-third of a mark off for a wrong answer, and for a question with no bubble at all |
| Languages | Question paper in Hindi and English |
| How often | One combined competition per advertisement; the 72nd is the current one |
| Official website | bpsc.bihar.gov.in |
BPSC 72nd CCE exam date
The 72nd preliminary has been postponed twice. It was first fixed for Sunday 26 July 2026 and was postponed by a BPSC notice. It was then set for Sunday 25 October 2026, and a BPSC notice dated 12 October 2026 postponed it again "for unavoidable reasons", saying the new date will be announced later (notice of 12 October 2026, checked 20 October 2026).
So, as of 20 October 2026, there is no confirmed date. The new date will appear as a notice on the BPSC home page and on its exam calendar page. Our BPSC exam dates page will be updated when it does. Do not trust a date you see on social media until it is on the Commission's own site.
How to apply for BPSC CCE
Online applications for the 72nd preliminary ran from 7 May to 31 May 2026 on the Commission's portal, so the window for this cycle is closed. If you applied, the next step is the admit card, which BPSC releases before the new exam date.
For the next advertisement, the process works like this:
- Read the full advertisement on bpsc.bihar.gov.in: posts, age limits, reservation and the fee.
- Register on the Commission's online application portal, linked from the home page.
- Fill in the form, choose your posts and exam centre preferences, and upload your photograph and signature.
- Pay the fee online and keep the printout of the submitted form.
- Watch the home page for corrigenda, the admit card and the exam date.
Documents to keep ready: matriculation certificate (BPSC accepts the date of birth on it), graduation certificate or final marksheet, caste, residence and other category certificates if you claim reservation, and your Aadhaar number (the advertisement charges more where Aadhaar is not used as the identity document).
BPSC eligibility: a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognised university. Age is counted on 1 August 2026. The minimum is 20, 21 or 22 years depending on the post. The maximum is 37 for an unreserved man, 40 for an unreserved woman and for Backward Class and Extremely Backward Class candidates, and 42 for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates, with further relaxations in the advertisement.
BPSC CCE exam pattern
| Stage | Paper | Marks | Time | Counts for merit? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | General Studies (objective) | 150 | 2 hours | No, screening only |
| Mains | General Hindi | 100 | 3 hours | No, 30% needed |
| Mains | General Studies Paper I | 300 | 3 hours | Yes |
| Mains | General Studies Paper II | 300 | 3 hours | Yes |
| Mains | Essay | 300 | 3 hours | Yes |
| Mains | Optional subject (objective, 100 questions) | 100 | 2 hours | No, minimum needed |
| Interview | Personality test | 120 | Yes |
For the combined competition, final merit is the two GS papers and the Essay (900) plus the interview (120), a total of 1,020.
Negative marking and option E. Each prelims question has five bubbles: A to D for the answer and E for "not attempted". A wrong answer costs one-third of a mark. A question where you darken no bubble at all also costs one-third of a mark. So if you want to skip a question, darken E. The 72nd advertisement states 150 marks; the 71st paper had 150 questions of 1 mark each.
Prelims qualifying marks. About ten times the vacancies are called for the Main Examination, and you must also reach the minimum: 40% for unreserved, 36.5% for Backward Class, 34% for Extremely Backward Class, and 32% for SC, ST, women and candidates with disability.
BPSC syllabus
The prelims General Studies paper covers:
- General science
- Events of national and international importance
- History of India and the main features of Bihar's history
- General geography, Bihar's geographical divisions and main rivers
- Indian polity and economy, and the main changes in Bihar's economy since independence
- The Indian national movement and Bihar's part in it
- General mental ability
The Bihar portions are what separate BPSC from UPSC preparation. The topic-wise list is on our BPSC syllabus page, and the Commission's own file is on its syllabus page.
A plan while the new date is awaited
A postponement is extra time, but only if you use it with a structure. Work in six-week blocks, and repeat the block until the date is out:
- Weeks 1 and 2: Bihar-specific topics: history of Bihar, its geography and rivers, its economy since independence, and Bihar's role in the national movement. Make one page of notes per topic.
- Weeks 3 and 4: Polity, economy and general science. Do one timed BPSC mock test at the end of each week and record how many you got wrong, not just your score.
- Week 5: Current affairs of the last 12 months, and general mental ability every day for 30 minutes.
- Week 6: Two full mocks under exam conditions, two hours each, practising the habit of darkening E on every question you skip.
After every mock, use the method in how to analyse a mock test. With one-third off for a wrong answer, a wild guess costs more than it gains on average; read negative marking: when to guess before deciding how many to attempt. Once BPSC announces the date, switch to two full mocks a week.
Useful links
- BPSC official website (applications, admit cards, notices)
- Advertisement, Integrated 72nd CCE, 5 May 2026
- Postponement notice, 12 October 2026
- Free BPSC CCE mock tests
- BPSC CCE syllabus
- BPSC CCE exam dates
- UPPSC PCS 2026: exam date and how to apply
- Negative marking: when to guess
Frequently asked questions
What is the BPSC 72nd exam date?
As of 20 October 2026, no new date has been announced. The preliminary, last fixed for 25 October 2026, was postponed by a notice of 12 October 2026, which says the new date will be given later. Check the BPSC home page and exam calendar.
Is there negative marking in BPSC prelims?
Yes. A wrong answer costs one-third of a mark, and so does a question where no bubble is darkened. Darken E (not attempted) for any question you want to skip, and you lose nothing on it.
Are BPSC prelims marks counted in the final merit?
No. The preliminary is only a screening test. Final merit for the combined competition is GS Paper I, GS Paper II and the Essay in the Main Examination (900) plus the interview (120).
What is the age limit for BPSC CCE?
Age is counted on 1 August 2026. The minimum is 20, 21 or 22 depending on the post; the maximum is 37 for an unreserved man, 40 for an unreserved woman and BC and EBC candidates, and 42 for SC and ST candidates, with further relaxations in the advertisement.
Can I write the BPSC exam in Hindi?
Yes. Question papers are in Hindi and English, and apart from the language papers the Main Examination can be answered in Hindi, English or Urdu.
Can I still apply for the 72nd BPSC CCE?
Applications ran from 7 May to 31 May 2026, and the postponement notices do not mention reopening the form. Watch the home page for any notice about the application portal, and for the next advertisement.