BPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2025: Updated Structure, Marking & Subjects!

Check the latest BPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2025, including subjects, marking scheme & new Essay Paper. Get insights on preparation tips & exam structure.

The BPSC Mains Exam Pattern is an important part of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) recruitment process. After passing the Prelims, candidates must appear for the Mains exam, which is descriptive in nature. The updated pattern now includes five papers, with a newly added Essay Paper.

The Mains exam is very important because its marks decide the final merit list. The exam has General Studies, an Optional Subject, and an Essay Paper. There is also a General Hindi Paper, but it is only qualifying (candidates must score at least 30%).

Candidates must carefully understand the BPSC Mains Exam Pattern to prepare well. Since the exam is descriptive, good answer writing skills and time management are necessary. A well-planned study approach can help candidates score well and improve their chances of success in the BPSC selection process.

BPSC Exam Pattern 2025 Overview

The BPSC Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) 2025 consists of three stages:

  1. Prelims Exam – Objective type with negative marking of 0.25 per wrong answer.
  2. Mains Exam – Subjective/Descriptive type.
  3. Interview – Personality test assessing knowledge, decision-making, and general awareness.

BPSC Exam Stages and Marking Scheme 2025

Stage Type of Exam Duration Total Marks
Prelims Objective (MCQs) 2 Hours 150 Marks
Mains Descriptive 3 Hours per Paper 900 Marks (excluding qualifying Hindi paper)
Interview Personality Test Not Defined 120 Marks

BPSC Mains Exam Pattern Structure 2025

Check below the BPSC mains exam 2025 complete structure:

Paper Subject Marks Duration
Paper 1 General Hindi (Qualifying) 100 3 Hours
Paper 2 General Studies Paper 1 300 3 Hours
Paper 3 General Studies Paper 2 300 3 Hours
Paper 4 Essay 300 3 Hours
Paper 5 Optional Subject 300 3 Hours
  • The total marks for the Mains exam are 900, excluding the qualifying Hindi paper.
  • Candidates must score at least 30% in the General Hindi paper to qualify.
  • The Essay paper is a new addition to the BPSC Mains Exam Pattern.
  • Candidates must choose one optional subject from the list provided by BPSC.

Also Read: BPSC Mains 2025 Exam Date

BPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2025 Subject-Wise Details

1. General Hindi (Qualifying Paper)

  • Minimum Qualifying Marks: 30% (30 out of 100 marks).
  • Sections included:
    • Essay Writing
    • Grammar
    • Sentence Structure
    • Summary Writing

2. General Studies Paper 1

  • Focuses on Indian and Bihar History, Culture, and Economy.
  • Important topics:
    • Modern Indian History
    • Freedom Struggle
    • Socio-Economic Impact of British Rule
    • Bihar’s Role in the Freedom Movement
    • Economic and Social Conditions in Bihar

3. General Studies Paper 2

  • Covers Indian Polity, Economy, Science & Technology.
  • Key topics:
    • Indian Constitution & Political System
    • Governance and Public Administration
    • Economic Reforms and Development in Bihar
    • Science and Technology advancements

4. Essay Paper

  • Newly introduced in the BPSC 70th CCE Mains Exam.
  • Candidates must write essays on various socio-political and economic issues.

5. Optional Subject

  • Candidates must select one optional subject from the list provided by BPSC.
  • Some popular optional subjects include:
    • History
    • Geography
    • Political Science
    • Sociology
    • Public Administration
    • Mathematics

Also Read: Bihar Main Course 2025

BPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2025 Important Points to Remember

Keep the below mentioned point in mind while attempting BPSC mains exam:

  • Descriptive in Nature: Unlike the Prelims, which is objective, the Mains exam requires detailed answers.
  • Time Management: Writing structured and concise answers within the 3-hour limit is essential.
  • Optional Subject Selection: Choose an optional subject based on interest and scoring trends.
  • General Hindi Paper: Though qualifying, failure to pass this paper results in disqualification.

BPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2025 Preparation Tips

To succeed in the BPSC Mains Exam Pattern, candidates should follow these strategies:

Preparation Aspect Strategy
Answer Writing Practice descriptive answers daily.
Time Management Solve previous years’ question papers.
Conceptual Clarity Focus on understanding rather than rote learning.
Optional Subject Choose a subject that aligns with personal strengths.

BPSC Interview Pattern 2025

The BPSC Interview is the final stage of the selection process, carrying 120 marks. It evaluates a candidate’s analytical skills, decision-making ability, and general awareness about Bihar and India.

  • Candidates who qualify the Mains exam appear for the Personality Test/Interview.
  • The total marks for the interview are 120.
  • The interview evaluates analytical skills, decision-making ability, and general awareness about Bihar and India.

Conclusion

Understanding the BPSC Mains Exam Pattern is essential for strategic preparation. Since the exam is descriptive, aspirants should focus on answer writing, conceptual clarity, and time management. With the introduction of the Essay Paper, structured preparation is more important than ever. By following a disciplined study plan, candidates can enhance their performance and increase their chances of success in the BPSC Mains exam.

Are you preparing for BPSC 2025? Join IAShub’s BPSC coaching batches to boost your preparation. Enroll now!

BPSC Mains Exam Pattern FAQs

There are five papers in BPSC Mains: General Hindi (Qualifying), General Studies Paper 1, General Studies Paper 2, Essay Paper and Optional Subject Paper.

Candidates must pass the General Hindi paper with at least 30% marks (30 out of 100). The final selection is based on the total marks of the remaining four papers and the interview.

The starting salary of a BPSC officer is around ₹56,100 per month, and it can go up to ₹2,50,000 per month, depending on the rank and post.

There is no fixed passing mark, but candidates must score above the official cut-off in both Prelims and Mains. The General Hindi paper requires 30% marks to qualify in Mains.

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UPSC Prelims TS 2025 -Hindi Medium
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