How does the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) work?

The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) is a constitutional body established under Article 315 of the Indian Constitution. Its primary function is to conduct examinations and recruit candidates for the state's civil services and other administrative posts.

Here is how the BPSC's recruitment process generally works:

1. Issuing Notification: The BPSC begins the process by releasing an official notification for its Combined Competitive Exam (CCE). This document details the number of vacancies (for posts like Deputy Collector, DSP, etc.), eligibility criteria, syllabus, and important dates.
2. Three-Stage Examination: The BPSC CCE is a rigorous three-stage process:
   • Preliminary Exam (Prelims): This is a screening test consisting of objective-type (MCQ) questions. Its main purpose is to filter candidates for the next stage. The marks from this exam do not count towards the final merit list.
   • Main Exam (Mains): Candidates who clear the Prelims are eligible for the Mains. This is a descriptive, written exam with multiple papers (e.g., General Hindi, General Studies, Optional Subject) designed to test the candidate's in-depth knowledge and analytical ability.
   • Interview (Personality Test): Candidates who clear the Mains are called for a one-on-one interview with the BPSC board. This stage assesses their personality, communication skills, and suitability for a career in public administration.
3. Final Merit List: The BPSC prepares a final merit list based on the combined marks obtained by the candidates in the Main Exam and the Interview.
4. Recommendation: This final list of successful candidates is then recommended to the Government of Bihar for appointment to the respective posts.

Besides recruitment, the BPSC also advises the state government on matters like promotions, transfers, and disciplinary actions concerning state civil servants.