BPSC 72nd Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Exam 2026: Full Notification, Eligibility, Fee, Selection Process
Focus Keyword: BPSC 72nd CCE preliminary exam eligibility 2026 – The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has released the advertisement for the 72nd Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination 2026. This integrated exam is being conducted for multiple posts including Child Development Project Officer (CDPO), Financial Administrative Officer (FAO), Subdivisional Protection Officer, Bihar Police Service, and others. Online applications start on 07 May 2026 and close on 31 May 2026. Candidates are advised to carefully understand the educational qualifications, age limits, and reservation rules before applying.
| Organisation Name | Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | 72nd Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination (Integrated) |
| Post Names | CDPO, FAO, Subdivisional Protection Officer, Bihar Police Service & others |
| Total Vacancies | Not mentioned – subject to change based on requisitions |
| Application Last Date | 31 May 2026 |
| Minimum Qualification | Graduate from recognised university (specific subjects for certain posts) |
| Age Limit (as on 01.08.2026) | Min 20-22 years (post‑wise), Max: UR Male 37, UR Female/OBC/EBC 40, SC/ST 42 |
| Application Fee | ₹100 per exam + additional ₹200 if Aadhaar not provided |
| Selection Process | Preliminary (150 marks) → Mains (Written) → Personality Test (120 marks) |
Based on official notification by BPSC (May 2026).
Quick Eligibility Check
- You are a graduate from a recognised university (specific subjects required for CDPO, FAO, Protection Officer).
- Your age as on 01 August 2026 is above the minimum (20/21/22 years as per post) and below the maximum (UR Male 37, UR Female/BC/EBC 40, SC/ST 42).
- You are a permanent resident of Bihar (required for reservation benefits).
- You do not have a graduate degree, or your subject does not match the required optional subjects for the post (e.g., Commerce/Economics for FAO, Psychology/Law for Protection Officer).
- You have been debarred from any examination by UPSC/State PSC for misconduct during a specified period.
- You are not a permanent resident of Bihar (reservation not applicable).
Expert note: For CDPO, you must choose one optional subject (Home Science, Psychology, Sociology, or Labour & Social Welfare) in the Mains exam. For FAO, graduation in Commerce, Economics, Mathematics, or Statistics is mandatory. For Subdivisional Protection Officer, graduation in Psychology or Law is required.
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Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 07 May 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 07 May 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 31 May 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 31 May 2026 (with application) |
| Preliminary Exam Date | To be notified |
Vacancy and Category Analysis
Application Fee
| Category | Fee (per exam) | Additional Biometric Fee (if Aadhaar not provided) |
|---|---|---|
| All candidates (UR/OBC/SC/ST/EWS) | ₹100 | ₹200 |
Important: If you do not provide your Aadhaar number in the online application, you must pay an additional ₹200 as biometric fee. Fee payment is online only and non‑refundable under any circumstances.
Age Limit (as on 01 August 2026)
| Category | Minimum Age (post‑wise) | Maximum Age | Relaxation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (Male) | 20/21/22 years* | 37 years | None |
| Unreserved (Female) | 20/21/22 years* | 40 years | 3 years (35% horizontal reservation for women) |
| Backward Class (BC) / EBC | 20/21/22 years* | 40 years | 3 years |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 20/21/22 years* | 42 years | 5 years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) | 20/21/22 years* | Above max +10 years | 10 years |
| Bihar Government Employees | 20/21/22 years* | Above max +5 years | 5 years (max 5 attempts after joining service) |
*Minimum age: CDPO – 20 years; posts at Sl. No. 12-21 of Table‑1 – 21 years; Sl. No. 01,03-11,22 of Table‑1 and Sl. No. 02 of Table‑2 – 22 years.
Age calculation example: For a UR male born on 01 August 1989, on 01 August 2026 he completes 37 years – eligible. Born on 02 August 1989 → 37 years 1 day – ineligible. SC/ST get 5 years additional relaxation.
Educational Qualifications (Post‑wise)
| Post | Mandatory Qualification | Optional Subject for Mains |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) | Graduate from recognised university | Home Science, Psychology, Sociology, or Labour & Social Welfare (any one) |
| Financial Administrative Officer (FAO) & equivalent | Graduate in Commerce, Economics, Mathematics, or Statistics | Commerce, Economics, Mathematics, or Statistics (any one) |
| Subdivisional Protection Officer | Graduate in Psychology or Law | Psychology or Law (any one) |
Common mistake: Applying for FAO or CDPO with a general graduation without the prescribed optional subject – such candidates will not have that subject available in Mains and their candidature will be cancelled.
Selection Process
1. Preliminary Examination (Part‑1)
The integrated preliminary exam is of General Studies – 150 marks, 2 hours duration. All questions are objective (MCQ). Each question has five options (A,B,C,D,E). You must select the correct answer from (A‑D). If you do not wish to answer, you MUST select option (E) – otherwise, for every unattempted question (without selecting E), 1/3 mark will be deducted. Incorrect answers also incur a penalty of 1/3 mark. This is only a screening test – 10 times the number of vacancies will be selected for Mains.
2. Mains (Written) Examination (Part‑2)
Successful candidates from Preliminary will be required to fill a separate online application for Mains. The Mains pattern includes: General Hindi (100 marks – 30% qualifying, not counted for merit), General Studies Paper I (300 marks), General Studies Paper II (300 marks), and one optional subject (300 marks) as per the post. Minimum qualifying marks: General – 40%, BC – 36.5%, EBC – 34%, SC/ST/Women/PwBD – 32%.
3. Personality Test (Interview) – Part‑3
Based on Mains marks, candidates will be called for interview at a ratio of 2.5 times the vacancies. Interview carries 120 marks. Attendance is mandatory; otherwise, final merit will not be prepared.
Your first 7 days after applying: 1️⃣ Ensure your OTR profile is locked. 2️⃣ Download and keep a hard copy of the application. 3️⃣ Understand the negative marking rule for Prelims. 4️⃣ Decide your optional subject for Mains in advance. 5️⃣ Keep all scanned documents (caste, income, residence) in PDF format, size under 100KB.
Preliminary Exam Syllabus
Exam Pattern
| Subject | Questions/Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies (Integrated) | 150 (MCQ) | 2 hours | 1/3 mark per wrong/unattempted question (if E not selected) |
Topics (from official notification)
- General Science
- Current events of national and international importance
- History of India and major features of Bihar history
- General Geography, major geographical divisions of Bihar and its important rivers
- Indian polity and economy
- Major changes in Bihar’s economy after independence
- Indian national movement and Bihar’s contribution
- General mental ability
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Physical Standards (for Bihar Police Service & other notified posts)
| Height (without shoes) | Chest (expiration) | Chest (inspiration) |
|---|---|---|
| 62½” to less than 65″ | 30″ | 32″ |
| 65″ to less than 68″ | 31″ | 33″ |
| 68″ to less than 70″ | 32″ | 34″ |
| 70″ to less than 72″ | 33″ | 35¼” |
| 72″ and above | 34″ | 36½” |
Vision standards (without glasses): Better eye 6/6, worse eye 6/9 – with glasses 6/6 and 6/9. Colour vision defect does not disqualify but will be noted.
How to Apply – Step‑by‑Step
- Go to BPSC’s new portal: https://bpsconline.bihar.gov.in
- Complete “One Time Registration (OTR)” – fill all details correctly (name, date of birth, Aadhaar, address, educational qualifications).
- After OTR, link documents via Digilocker or manually upload (PDF, max 100KB).
- Lock your profile – advertisements will appear only after profile is locked.
- In “New Application” tab, select “72nd CCE (Integrated)” and click “Pay Fees” – pay ₹100 (or ₹300 if no Aadhaar).
- You must apply separately for each post (CDPO, FAO, Protection Officer) – each requires separate fee.
- Capture live photo via webcam, upload English and Hindi signatures.
- Double‑check all entries before final submission – no corrections allowed after submission.
- ✔ Valid email and mobile number (for OTP)
- ✔ Aadhaar card (not mandatory but avoids ₹200 biometric fee)
- ✔ Matric/Intermediate marksheets & certificates
- ✔ All semester marksheets and degree certificate (if already obtained)
- ✔ Caste certificate (SC/ST) or Creamy Layer free certificate (OBC/EBC) – Bihar resident only
- ✔ Permanent residence certificate (Domicile)
- ✔ Disability certificate (if applicable) – from government medical college
- ✔ Passport size photo (live via webcam) and signature (JPG, 15KB)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the last date to apply for BPSC 72nd CCE 2026?
- Online application closes on 31 May 2026. No extension or correction will be allowed after that.
- How does negative marking work in the preliminary exam?
- Each wrong answer deducts 1/3 mark. Special rule: if you do not wish to answer, you MUST select option (E) – then no negative marking. Questions left unattempted without selecting E also incur a 1/3 mark penalty.
- Can candidates from outside Bihar claim reservation?
- No. Only permanent residents of Bihar (based on domicile certificate) are entitled to SC/ST/OBC/EBC/EWS reservation benefits.
- Can final year graduation students apply?
- The notification does not explicitly allow final year students. BPSC generally requires the degree certificate at the time of application or results declared before the last date. Final year students may apply at their own risk – failure to produce the degree during verification will lead to cancellation.
- What is the minimum height required for Bihar Police Service?
- Minimum 62½ inches (approx. 158.75 cm) and maximum above 72 inches. Chest expansion must be at least 2 inches.
- Can I apply for all posts with a single application?
- No. You must fill separate applications for each post (CDPO, FAO, Protection Officer) with separate fees. However, the preliminary exam is common for all.
- What are the minimum qualifying marks in Mains?
- General – 40%, BC – 36.5%, EBC – 34%, SC/ST/Women/PwBD – 32%. These are mandatory; scoring below these will disqualify you even if you score high in optional papers.
- Can I make corrections in OTR after locking?
- No. Fields like name, father’s name, mother’s name, gender, Aadhaar, and date of birth cannot be changed after OTR registration. Other details (address, educational info) can be edited before profile lock.
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