BPSC 65th Combined Competitive Examination (2019): A Detailed Guide – The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) conducts the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) to recruit candidates for various administrative positions within the state of Bihar.
The 65th BPSC Combined Competitive Examination (CCE), held in 2019, saw a large number of aspirants competing for coveted posts like Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Block Development Officer, and other prestigious roles. This blog post provides a comprehensive guide to the 65th BPSC CCE, covering everything from the application process and exam pattern to the syllabus, preparation strategies, and cut-off trends.
Contents
- 1. Overview of BPSC
- 2. Important Dates for BPSC 65th CCE
- 3. Eligibility Criteria for BPSC 65th CCE
- 4. BPSC 65th CCE Exam Pattern
- 5. Syllabus for BPSC 65th CCE
- 6. Application Process for BPSC 65th CCE
- 7. Preparation Tips for BPSC 65th CCE
- 8. Cut-off Trends for BPSC 65th CCE
- 9. Final Result and Selection Process
- 10. Conclusion
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1. Overview of BPSC
The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) is a constitutional body responsible for recruiting officers for various state-level administrative posts. The BPSC Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) is one of its flagship exams, conducted to fill vacancies in key government departments. The 65th BPSC CCE followed the same rigorous pattern, offering a fair opportunity to aspirants aiming for a career in public service.
2. Important Dates for BPSC 65th CCE
The 65th BPSC CCE exam cycle spanned over several months, with the following key dates:
- Notification Release: July 4, 2019
- Application Start Date: July 10, 2019
- Application End Date: July 24, 2019
- Prelims Exam Date: October 15, 2019
- Mains Exam Date: August 2020
- Interview Date: February-March 2021
- Final Result: Announced on June 7, 2021
3. Eligibility Criteria for BPSC 65th CCE
To be eligible for the 65th BPSC Combined Competitive Examination, candidates needed to meet specific criteria:
- Nationality: The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
- Educational Qualification: A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
- Age Limit: The age limit varied depending on the post and category:
- General Category (Male): 20 to 37 years
- General Category (Female) & OBC (Male): 20 to 40 years
- SC/ST Candidates: 20 to 42 years
Candidates had to ensure they met these qualifications before applying for the examination.
4. BPSC 65th CCE Exam Pattern
The BPSC 65th CCE was conducted in three stages, like the other BPSC examinations, ensuring a thorough evaluation of candidates:
A. Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
The Prelims serves as a screening test, with the following details:
- Total Marks: 150
- Duration: 2 hours
- Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Subjects: General Studies, covering topics like History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Current Affairs, and General Science.
The Prelims was purely qualifying in nature, and candidates who cleared the cut-off were eligible to appear for the Mains.
B. Mains Examination (Descriptive Type)
The Mains Exam is more comprehensive and consists of four papers:
- General Hindi Paper: 100 marks (Qualifying in nature)
- General Studies Paper 1: 300 marks
- General Studies Paper 2: 300 marks
- Optional Paper: 300 marks
Candidates had to choose an optional subject for the Mains exam. Subjects such as History, Geography, Sociology, Public Administration, and Political Science were among the most popular choices. The marks obtained in the Mains exam were crucial for determining the final merit list.
C. Interview
- Total Marks: 120
Candidates who cleared the Mains examination were invited for the Interview round. The interview assessed the personality, communication skills, and decision-making ability of candidates. The final selection was based on the cumulative marks of the Mains and Interview rounds.
5. Syllabus for BPSC 65th CCE
The BPSC 65th CCE syllabus was designed to test candidates’ knowledge across a wide range of subjects. Here’s a breakdown of the key topics:
General Studies (Prelims and Mains)
- History: Indian History (ancient, medieval, and modern), with a special focus on the role of Bihar in the Indian freedom movement.
- Geography: Physical, social, and economic geography of India, with an emphasis on Bihar.
- Indian Polity and Governance: Indian Constitution, public policies, rights, and duties, with an understanding of the political system.
- Economy: Basics of Indian economy, economic planning, and development, particularly focused on Bihar’s economy.
- General Science: Basic concepts of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, with real-world applications.
- Current Affairs: National and international events, sports, science, and technology developments.
Optional Subjects (Mains)
Candidates had to choose one optional subject for the Mains exam. Popular optional subjects included History, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, Public Administration, and Anthropology. The optional paper carried 300 marks, and the right selection of subject could significantly impact the final score.
General Hindi
This paper tested basic proficiency in Hindi, focusing on comprehension, grammar, and writing skills. Candidates needed to score a minimum of 30% in this paper to qualify.
6. Application Process for BPSC 65th CCE
The application process for the 65th BPSC CCE was straightforward:
- Step 1: Candidates had to visit the official BPSC website and register by providing their basic details like name, contact information, and educational qualifications.
- Step 2: After registration, candidates were required to fill out the application form and upload scanned copies of required documents (photo, signature, etc.).
- Step 3: The next step was the payment of the application fee, which varied based on the category of the applicant.
- Step 4: Once the fee was paid, candidates could submit the form and print a copy for future reference.
7. Preparation Tips for BPSC 65th CCE
Here are some useful tips for those preparing for the BPSC 65th CCE or similar exams:
- Understand the Syllabus: Go through the official syllabus thoroughly and make a structured study plan.
- Focus on Current Affairs: Since the exam includes current events, read newspapers daily and follow government schemes and developments.
- Standard Books: Use reference books such as M. Laxmikanth for Polity, NCERTs for History and Geography, and Spectrum for Modern History.
- Mock Tests and Previous Papers: Practice solving previous year papers and take mock tests regularly to improve your time management and accuracy.
- Revision: Regularly revise what you have studied to ensure you retain important facts and concepts.
8. Cut-off Trends for BPSC 65th CCE
The cut-off marks for the BPSC 65th CCE varied across categories and stages. Here’s a rough estimate of the cut-offs for different categories in the Prelims:
- General Category: 97 marks
- OBC Category: 93 marks
- SC/ST Category: 89-91 marks
The cut-off for the Mains and final selection also differed depending on the performance of candidates in the written exam and interview.
9. Final Result and Selection Process
The BPSC 65th CCE Final Results were announced in June 2021, with a total of 422 candidates selected for various posts. The final merit list was prepared based on the cumulative marks obtained in the Mains examination and the Interview. Successful candidates were appointed to key positions such as Bihar Administrative Service, Bihar Police Service, Revenue Officer, and Block Panchayat Raj Officer.
10. Conclusion
The 65th BPSC Combined Competitive Examination was a challenging but rewarding process for aspirants aiming for a career in the state administration. With thousands of candidates competing for a limited number of positions, the exam demanded rigorous preparation, strategic planning, and perseverance.
For future aspirants, the 65th BPSC CCE offers valuable insights into the nature of the exam, including its syllabus, pattern, and preparation strategies. By staying focused, understanding the syllabus, and consistently practicing, candidates can enhance their chances of success in the BPSC exams.
For more details on upcoming BPSC exams like the 70th BPSC Combined Competitive Examination, make sure to visit bpscmitra.com for timely updates, notifications, and preparation tips.