66th BPSC CCE 2020

BPSC 66th Combined Competitive Examination: A Comprehensive Overview – The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) conducts the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) to recruit officers for various administrative and governmental roles in Bihar.

The 66th BPSC Combined Competitive Examination was a landmark event, attracting thousands of aspirants eager to serve the state. This blog post delves deep into the details of the 66th BPSC CCE, covering its exam pattern, eligibility, syllabus, important dates, and preparation strategies, helping candidates understand what it takes to succeed in this highly competitive exam.

1. BPSC: An Overview

The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), established in 1949, is responsible for recruiting candidates for civil services and other significant posts in Bihar’s state administration. The 66th Combined Competitive Examination was conducted to fill vacancies across various government departments, including roles like Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Block Development Officer, Revenue Officer, and District Commandant.

2. Key Dates for BPSC 66th CCE

Here are the crucial dates for the 66th BPSC Combined Competitive Examination:

• Notification Release: September 2020
• Application Start Date: September 28, 2020
• Last Date to Apply: October 20, 2020
• Prelims Exam Date: December 27, 2020
• Mains Exam Date: July 29, 2021 (held in three phases)
• Interview Rounds: March-May 2022
• Final Results: Announced in May 2022

These timelines reflect the progression of the selection process, with each stage bringing candidates closer to their dream of joining the state administration.

3. Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the 66th BPSC CCE, candidates had to meet certain eligibility criteria:

• Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen.
• Educational Qualification: A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
• Age Limit: For general category candidates, the age limit was 20 to 37 years. However, age relaxations were applicable for certain categories:
• OBC and Female Candidates: Maximum age limit extended to 40 years.
• SC/ST Candidates: Maximum age limit extended to 42 years.

Candidates needed to ensure that they satisfied these criteria before applying.

4. Exam Pattern and Stages of BPSC 66th CCE

The BPSC examination is held in three distinct stages:

A. Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)

The Prelims Exam is the first hurdle, designed to screen candidates for the Mains exam.

• Total Marks: 150
• Duration: 2 hours
• Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Subjects: General Studies (History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Current Affairs, and General Science)

There is no negative marking in the Prelims, making it crucial for candidates to attempt as many questions as possible confidently.

B. Mains Examination (Descriptive Type)

The Mains Exam is more comprehensive and assesses a candidate’s in-depth knowledge of various subjects. It 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 Subject Paper: 300 marks

Candidates must select one optional subject for the fourth paper. Popular choices for optional subjects include History, Political Science, Geography, Sociology, and Public Administration. The Mains exam is crucial since it carries a significant weightage in the final merit list.

C. Interview Round

• Total Marks: 120

After qualifying for the Mains, candidates proceed to the interview round, where their personality, communication skills, decision-making abilities, and overall suitability for administrative roles are evaluated.

5. Syllabus for BPSC 66th CCE

The BPSC syllabus is vast and requires in-depth study. Here is a breakdown of the key areas for both Prelims and Mains:

General Studies (Prelims and Mains)

• History of India and Bihar: Includes ancient, medieval, and modern history, with a special focus on Bihar’s role in the Indian freedom struggle.
• Geography: Covers physical, economic, and social geography of India and Bihar.
• Indian Polity and Economy: Fundamental rights, Indian Constitution, governance, economic development, and current challenges.
• General Science: Concepts from physics, chemistry, and biology relevant to everyday life and practical applications.
• Current Affairs: National and international events, government schemes, sports, and environmental issues.

Optional Subject (Mains)

Candidates can choose from a wide range of optional subjects such as Public Administration, History, Political Science, Geography, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, and others. The optional paper plays a critical role in determining the final rank of candidates, so selecting the subject carefully is crucial.

General Hindi (Mains)

This paper is qualifying in nature, and candidates need to score at least 30 marks to clear it. The questions are designed to test basic proficiency in the Hindi language, including comprehension, grammar, and writing skills.

6. Application Process for BPSC 66th CCE

Candidates could apply for the 66th BPSC Combined Competitive Examination by following these steps:

• Step 1: Visit the official BPSC website.
• Step 2: Complete the registration by providing personal details like name, contact information, and educational qualifications.
• Step 3: Upload required documents, including a passport-sized photograph and signature.
• Step 4: Pay the application fee (varies based on category).
• Step 5: Submit the application form and download a copy for future reference.

7. Preparation Tips for BPSC 66th CCE

Cracking the BPSC 66th Combined Competitive Examination requires a strategic and focused approach. Here are some key preparation tips:

• Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly review the syllabus and identify key areas of focus.
• Standard Reference Books: For subjects like Polity, refer to M. Laxmikanth, for History, use Spectrum’s Modern History, and for Geography, refer to NCERTs and Majid Husain.
• Current Affairs: Regularly read newspapers and monthly magazines like Pratiyogita Darpan to stay updated with the latest events and developments.
• Mock Tests: Practice previous years’ question papers and take regular mock tests to build speed and accuracy.
• Revise Regularly: Consistent revision is essential for retaining concepts and facts.
• Time Management: Create a well-structured study schedule and stick to it religiously.

8. Cut-Off Trends for BPSC 66th CCE

The cut-off marks for the 66th BPSC exam vary each year based on the difficulty of the exam and the number of candidates. Here’s a rough estimate of the cut-off for various categories in the 66th exam:

• General Category (Prelims): 108-110 marks
• OBC Category (Prelims): 104-106 marks
• SC/ST Category (Prelims): 95-98 marks

In the Mains exam, candidates need to score at least 40% (General) to qualify, with some relaxation for reserved categories.

9. Final Result and Selection Process

The BPSC 66th CCE Final Result was announced in May 2022. Candidates were selected based on their performance in the Mains and the Interview rounds. The merit list was prepared by considering the scores obtained in these two stages, with the Prelims serving only as a qualifying stage.

10. Conclusion

The 66th BPSC Combined Competitive Examination was a tough but rewarding process for thousands of aspirants. With multiple stages of evaluation, the exam tests not just academic knowledge, but also decision-making, analytical abilities, and overall personality. For those who succeeded, the journey doesn’t end here; it marks the beginning of a fulfilling career in the Bihar state administration.

As future BPSC aspirants gear up for the next cycle of exams, the lessons learned from the 66th BPSC CCE serve as a valuable guide. Rigorous preparation, dedication, and strategic planning can help candidates secure a top position in one of the most prestigious state exams in Bihar.

For more updates and detailed insights into upcoming BPSC exams like the 70th BPSC Combined Competitive Examination, visit bpscmitra.com regularly.