Is there negative marking in the BPSC Civil Services mains exam?

Yes, there is negative marking in the BPSC Civil Services mains exam. The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) follows a specific marking scheme for its Civil Services mains exam, which includes negative marking for incorrect answers. Here is a detailed explanation of the marking scheme:

Marking Scheme:
- The BPSC mains exam consists of both subjective and objective type questions.
- For the objective type questions, each question carries 1 mark.
- For every incorrect answer, 1/4th of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as negative marking.
- However, if a question is left unanswered or if multiple options are marked for a single question, no marks will be deducted.

Example:
To better understand the negative marking system in the BPSC mains exam, let's consider an example. Suppose there are 100 objective type questions, and each question carries 1 mark. If a candidate answers 80 questions correctly and marks 20 questions incorrectly, the following calculations will be made:

- Total marks obtained for correct answers: 80 marks
- Total marks deducted for incorrect answers: 20 * 1/4 = 5 marks
- Net marks obtained: 80 - 5 = 75 marks

Importance of Negative Marking:
The inclusion of negative marking in the BPSC Civil Services mains exam serves multiple purposes:

1. Encourages accuracy: Negative marking discourages guesswork and encourages candidates to answer only when they are confident about the correct response. This promotes accuracy and reduces the chances of random selection.

2. Filters out uninformed candidates: The negative marking system helps in filtering out candidates who lack knowledge or preparation. It penalizes incorrect answers, ensuring that only those with a good understanding of the subjects are rewarded.

3. Maintains fairness: Negative marking maintains fairness in the evaluation process by ensuring that candidates are not unfairly benefited by guessing or blindly marking answers. It rewards those who have a thorough understanding of the topics.

4. Enhances exam credibility: The presence of negative marking adds credibility to the BPSC mains exam. It ensures that the evaluation process is unbiased, transparent, and based on the candidate's knowledge and understanding of the subjects.

In conclusion, the BPSC Civil Services mains exam follows a negative marking system where 1/4th of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for every incorrect answer. This marking scheme encourages accuracy, filters out uninformed candidates, maintains fairness, and enhances the credibility of the examination process.