BPSC Bible : 15 Steps to Clear BPSC | BPSC Preparation: All subjects - BPSC (Bihar) PDF Download

How was this guide made for BPSC Aspirants?

This guide has been curated by EduRev experts, with inputs and insights gathered from interviews with top-performing students and BPSC rank holders, such as:

• Abhay Kumar (BPSC Topper, Rank 1)
• Shalini Kumari (BPSC Topper, Rank 5)
• Nitin Kumar (BPSC Topper, Rank 10)
• Renu Kumari (BPSC Topper, Rank 3)

Special thanks to experts like Sanjay Mishra (BPSC Rank 20) and Vikash Kumar (BPSC Rank 40) for reviewing the final drafts of this guide. Their valuable feedback and experiences have shaped this comprehensive preparation guide for all BPSC aspirants.

Why did EduRev make this guide for BPSC Aspirants ?

• We wanted to answer the question "How to Prepare for BPSC" once and for all in the best / perfect way possible for all the BPSC Aspirants.
• Since students waste a large amount of time, effort, and money while preparing for BPSC just because of a lack of the right direction. We believe it will be very very valuable for every BPSC aspirant. 
• This guide was made to teach in a guided way so that you can clear your BPSC exam with the least amount of time, effort, and money spent, by just making sure you Study What Matters. We did the hard work of building strategy for your BPSC Examination, so that you can achieve your dream.

Let’s have a look at the full-proof STEP by STEP preparation strategy for preparing for the BPSC Examination at home.

Step-by-Step Preparation Strategy for BPSC

Step 0: Before You Begin Your BPSC Preparation

1. Set Goals and Devote Time Effectively: Before diving into your preparation, it’s important to prepare yourself mentally and physically for the long and demanding journey. Start by setting clear, achievable goals and allocate your time wisely based on your personal situation. Balancing study time with other commitments will require thoughtful planning.

2. Analyze and Chart a Plan: Create a balanced plan that considers both your study schedule and other commitments, such as work or personal obligations. Use online resources and technology to support your preparation, ensuring you have access to up-to-date materials and study tools.

3. Make a Timetable: Establish a structured timetable with realistic goals to ensure that you stay on track with your syllabus. A well-constructed routine is key to managing your time effectively and avoiding last-minute stress.

4. Focus on Micro-Planning: Break down your preparation into smaller, manageable chunks. Having daily, weekly, and monthly plans will help you stay focused and ensure steady progress throughout the preparation period.

5. Stay Motivated: Remember to keep your long-term goal in mind: becoming a BPSC officer. This will help you stay motivated and focused on the task at hand, even when the journey feels challenging.

Step 1: Understand the BPSC Syllabus

The syllabus is your guide throughout the preparation process. By thoroughly understanding it, you can:

• Identify the most relevant study materials.
• Prioritize subjects based on their weightage and importance.

Key Actions:

• Start by reading the BPSC notification to familiarize yourself with the exam pattern, syllabus, timeline, and eligibility criteria.
• Break down the syllabus into manageable sections to ensure a systematic approach to your preparation.
• Use the syllabus as a checklist to monitor your progress regularly.

Step 2: Analyze Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Once you’re through the syllabus, pick up the previous year's papers and skim through them to get an understanding of what is actually asked in the BPSC Exam. You can also analyse what sections are important for you and what are not in your BPSC Syllabus.

Key Actions:

• Dedicate 2 to 4 weeks to thoroughly review PYQs to understand the type of questions typically asked.
• Focus on analyzing topic-wise questions from the last 7-10 years to identify key areas that are frequently tested.
• Use these questions periodically as a tool for self-assessment, helping you refine your study approach.

Check out the previous year's question papers of BPSC here

Almost all the top rankers whom we spoke to spent over 2 weeks to just analyse the syllabus and previous year question papers. But this helped them insaving a considerable amount of time through their preparation journey and they were successful in getting ranks as well.

Step 3: Build Your Foundation with NCERTs

NCERT books are essential to building a solid foundation for your BPSC preparation. They offer clear concepts and concise information across a variety of subjects.

Recommended NCERT Reading:

• History: Class 6 to 12
• Geography: Class 6 to 12, with “Fundamentals of Physical Geography” being especially helpful
• Polity: Class 9 to 12, especially “Indian Constitution at Work”
• Economics: Class 9 to 12
• Science: Class 6 to 10 (sufficient for the BPSC syllabus)

Tips for Using NCERTs:

• Begin by reading through the material to get a general understanding.
• After the first read, go back and take detailed notes on important points.
• Relate what you’ve learned from the NCERTs to other advanced study materials for a deeper understanding.
• Use NCERT summaries during your revision phase to save time and ensure that you recall key concepts quickly.
• You can get a complete list of NCERTs subjectwise for the BPSC exam here

Step 4: Read Newspapers & Prepare Current Affairs for BPSC

Current Affairs hold great importance in the BPSC examination as they are integrated into all stages – Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Questions often have direct or indirect links to recent events, making it essential for candidates to stay updated with daily news.

1. Read Newspapers Daily: Focus on newspapers like The Hindu or The Indian Express. Pay special attention to Bihar-related news, government schemes, and developments. You can find the same here. 

2. Beyond Newspapers: Reading newspapers alone is not enough. General Knowledge (GK) questions also form a significant part of the BPSC exam, so supplement your preparation with reliable resources.

3. Monthly Revision: Go through monthly current affairs compilations to revise and remember key events. You can find the same here.

4. Practice Current Affairs-Based Questions: Attempt mock tests and quizzes on current affairs to evaluate your preparation. Regular practice helps identify gaps and improve your speed and accuracy. You can attempt tests based on Current affairs on EduRev here.

5. Government Sources: Government websites like the PIB, PRS and national television programs featured on Rajya Sabha TV are very helpful. 
   Read daily PIB Summary from here.
   Gist of Rajya Sabha TV programs for BPSC is another recommended source.

Step 5 : Standard Reference Books for BPSC Preparation

After completing NCERTs, it’s essential to move to advanced books for an in-depth understanding. These books have been consistently recommended by toppers and experts for BPSC preparation. To save your time , we have linked them to summaries for each.

Recommended Books:

• Modern History: Spectrum’s A Brief History of Modern India
• Polity: Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
• Geography: Certificate Physical and Human Geography by G.C. Leong, along with an Atlas
• Art & Culture: Indian Art & Culture by Nitin Singhania
• Economics: NCERTs and Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
• Environment & Ecology: Environment by Shankar IAS
• Science & Technology: Focus on current developments through newspapers and magazines.
• State Specific: Bihar General Knowledge by Ritesh Kumar
  Bihar Land People and Economy by V.P. Sinha, M Nazim, P Firoz Ahmed

How to Use these Books :

1. Start by reading summaries of these books to get an overview.
2. Once familiar, read the full texts and highlight key points.
3. Revise these books multiple times and make concise notes for quick revision.

Tips from Toppers:

• Begin with NCERTs to strengthen your basics.
• Only then move to standard books to add depth to your knowledge.
• Focus on revising these books regularly instead of collecting too many resources.
• Practice answer-writing using the knowledge gained from these books to ensure better retention.

Step 6: Subject-Wise Preparation Strategy for BPSC

A focused subject-wise strategy can help you approach the syllabus systematically. Prioritize topics based on the BPSC exam pattern and PYQs analysis.

How We Approach Each Subject:

1. Analyze the type of questions asked in the past years and focus on important topics.
2. Provide summaries, revision notes, and topic-wise tests for each subject.
3. Include NCERT-based notes and tests to strengthen fundamentals.

1. General Hindi (Qualifying Paper)

The General Hindi paper in BPSC is a qualifying paper, meaning it does not count for merit but is mandatory to clear in order to proceed to the next stages of the exam. If you fail this paper, you will not be considered for further selection.

Preparation Tips for General Hindi:

• Grammar (Vyakaran): Key topics like Samas, Sandhi, Karak, Tatsam-Tadbhav, and sentence correction,etc are crucial. Practice these thoroughly.
• Essay Writing (Nibandh Lekhan): Regularly practice writing essays on a variety of topics, especially those relevant to current affairs, social issues, and national events.
• Syntax: Regularly practice Syntax writng
• Summarisation: Regularly practice summary writing based on previous year questions.

2.  History

• Cover Ancient, Medieval, and Modern History thoroughly.
• Refer to NCERTs, Spectrum for Modern History, and standard sources for Art & Culture.
• Focus on specifically on Bihar based history for the same

3. Polity

• Focus on Indian Constitution, governance, and political systems.
• Use NCERTs and M. Laxmikanth as primary resources.
• Focus on Bihar- specific polity

4.  Geography

• Study physical and human geography through NCERTs and G.C. Leong.
• Practice mapping skills and refer to an Atlas for better clarity.
• Focus on Bihar based geography, important  rivers, landforms, etc

5. Economy

• Cover basic concepts with NCERTs and delve deeper with Ramesh Singh’s Indian Economy.
• Focus on Bihar’s economy, schemes, and government initiatives.

6. Science & Technology

• Focus on basics from NCERTs (Class 6-10) and current developments.
• For static portions, revise biology, chemistry, and physics concepts relevant to general science.

7. Statistical analysis, graphs and diagrams
Statistical Analysis:

• Understand key concepts like mean, median, mode, standard deviation, and correlation.
• Practice solving basic statistical problems and interpreting numerical data.

Graphs:

• Learn to interpret various types of graphs (bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, and histograms).
• Focus on analyzing trends, patterns, and comparative data effectively.

Diagrams:

• Study diagrammatic tools like flowcharts, tables, and pictographs.
• Practice creating and interpreting diagrams for presenting information concisely and accurately.

You can get complete list of resources including practice tests as per to the BPSC exam pattern from here.

Timeline for Preparation:

• Complete your first reading of General Studies (GS) and optional subjects at least 8 months before the exam.
• The second revision should be done 5 months before Prelims.

Step 7: How to Organize Notes for BPSC Preparation

Organizing your notes effectively is key to performing well in the BPSC exam. It saves time and makes it easier to revise when the exam is approaching.

1. Notes for Prelims & Mains: Prepare the same set of notes for both Prelims and Mains, but focus more on topics relevant for Prelims during your initial preparation. As you move closer to Mains, you can emphasize the more detailed aspects of the syllabus.

2. Create Dedicated Folders for Each Subject: For every subject you study, keep all the relevant materials—notes, printed articles, or any online resources—in one folder. This will make sure you don’t waste time searching for materials when it's time to revise.

3. Leverage EduRev's Organized Resources: EduRev offers well-organized courses, so you don't have to scramble for books and materials. Everything you need is already neatly arranged in courses, making your preparation more structured and less stressful.

4. Revise from Notes, Not Books: As the exam approaches, make your notes the primary source for revision. Avoid going back to books every time. You will save time and reinforce the key concepts in your mind by revisiting your notes regularly.

5. Access Notes on the Go: One major advantage of using EduRev is that you can access your notes from anywhere, whether you're at home or traveling. This gives you flexibility and ensures that you can study during any free time.

Step 8: Regularly Attempt Practice Tests for BPSC

Instead of waiting until you have "finished the syllabus" to start taking practice tests, it’s important to begin early. Regular mock tests help improve your exam strategy, reduce stress, and increase your chances of success.

Why Practice Tests Matter:

• Enhance Learning and Retention: The more you practice, the better you remember the concepts. For every subject or topic you cover, take a test immediately after to test your understanding.
• Check Your Understanding: Taking topic-wise tests after studying each section allows you to assess your understanding. You won't know where you’re lacking until you test yourself.
• Monitor Your Progress: Use mock tests to track your performance. EduRev provides All India Rankings (AIR) after each test, helping you compare your performance with others. This allows you to understand where you stand and make necessary improvements.

Test Series & Analysis:

• Detailed Test Analysis: After each mock test, thoroughly analyze your mistakes. Understand where you went wrong, spot any patterns in your errors, and work on improving those areas.
• Mock Tests Simulate Real Exam: EduRev offers mock tests that closely resemble the BPSC exam format. This gives you a chance to practice time management, question-solving techniques, and staying calm under exam conditions.

Step 9: Revise Regularly for BPSC

Due to the vast syllabus, it’s easy to forget topics you studied months ago. To avoid this, revise regularly and efficiently. It’s not just about how much you know, but how well you can recall and apply that knowledge under exam conditions.

• First Reading Before Time: Aim to complete your first round of studying at least 8 months before the BPSC exam. This will leave ample time for revision and consolidation.
• Second Reading with Note-Making: As you move into the second round of revision, make concise notes that will help you in the final revision phase. By summarizing key points, you can reduce your dependence on textbooks.
• Revision Plan: Ideally, you should aim to revise the entire syllabus at least three times before the exam. Frequent revision will ensure that the concepts remain fresh in your mind.
• Revise Current Affairs: Current Affairs are crucial for BPSC, so make sure to revise your notes on this topic multiple times, ideally 3 to 4 times before the exam.

Step 10: Take Mock Tests Regularly for BPSC Preparation

In the final 2-3 months before the exam, focus on taking regular mock tests. These will help you adjust to the exam format, manage time efficiently, and reduce exam anxiety.

How to Use Mock Tests for BPSC

• Simulate Exam Conditions: Take mock tests as per the actual BPSC exam schedule. This helps your body and mind adjust to the pressure and time constraints of the exam.
• Work on Speed and Accuracy: Practice solving questions quickly while ensuring accuracy. Initially, focus more on accuracy. As you progress, aim to increase your speed while maintaining accuracy.
• Take Full-Syllabus Tests: Along with subject-wise tests, attempt full-syllabus mock tests. This helps you get a feel for how to handle the entire paper within the allotted time.

Mock Test Analysis

• Post-Test Analysis: Right after each test, spend some time analyzing your performance. Identify the areas where you went wrong and figure out the reasons for your mistakes. This helps in improving your weak areas.
• Identify Repeated Mistakes: If you make the same mistakes across multiple tests, revisit those topics and ensure you understand the concepts better. Focus on your weak areas, so they don’t affect your final performance.
• Keep Consistency:Keep practicing tests, even up to the final weeks before the exam. The more tests you take, the more comfortable you'll feel with the exam format and timing.

By consistently practicing mock tests, analyzing your performance, and revising regularly, you'll be well-prepared for the BPSC exam and ready to face the competition.

Step 11: BPSC Mains Preparation at Home

1. Start Preparation Immediately After Prelims:

   • Begin Mains preparation as soon as you complete your Prelims.
   • Review your Prelims score and the answer key before starting.

2. Solve Previous Year's Questions:

   • After completing a topic, solve the previous year's questions from the Mains exam.
   • This helps familiarize you with the type of questions asked in the exam.

3. Focus on Static Subjects:

   • The BPSC Mains exam includes both static subjects (like History, Geography, Polity, Economics) and current affairs.
   • Develop a strong command over static subjects, as they form a significant part of both Mains and Prelims.
   • A solid understanding of static topics will give you an advantage in Prelims as well.

4. Expert Opinion:

   • "EduRev's resources for static subjects are well-structured and comprehensive, giving you an edge in mastering the essential portions for BPSC."

5. Revision and Practice:

   • Revise the completed topics regularly to ensure retention and clarity.
   • Keep practicing answer writing, especially for subjective questions in Mains.

Step 12: Answer Writing Preparation for BPSC Mains

• When you begin your BPSC preparation, focus initially on building a strong foundation of knowledge, particularly through NCERTs and other foundational texts. During the early stages, avoid over-focusing on newspapers or answer writing; these aspects should come into play once you've grasped the core subjects.
• Once you are comfortable with your understanding of the subjects, you can begin to practice answer writing. A good approach is to spend Sundays writing answers on topics you've studied during the week. This allows you to consolidate your learning and practice structuring your answers in a clear and concise manner.
• BPSC Mains is designed to test your analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills. You’ll need to demonstrate the ability to think clearly, structure your answers well, and present your arguments within time limits. Writing good answers, therefore, requires consistent practice.
• You’ll also need to incorporate various elements into your answers, such as facts, government schemes, reports, and current affairs. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at identifying the key points in any question, and at organizing your thoughts even if you don’t know everything about a given topic.
• Make sure to dedicate your weekends to revising and refining what you’ve learned throughout the week. This will help you reinforce your understanding and improve your recall during the exam.

Topper Tip: "Starting an answer with an interesting fact, anecdote, or quote can set the tone for the rest of the answer."

Step 13: How to Choose the Right Optional Subject for BPSC?

Choosing the right optional subject is an important decision as it is also the qualifying paper along with General Hindi. Take your time and carefully evaluate the options based on the following factors:

• Interest: Select a subject you find interesting and engaging. This will make your preparation smoother and more enjoyable.
• Prior Knowledge: If you already have a background in a particular subject or have studied it before, this can be an advantage.
• Overlap with General Studies: Some optional subjects have considerable overlap with the General Studies papers, which can help you save time and reduce the overall workload.
• Availability of Study Materials: Make sure there are enough quality study resources, books, and online materials available for the subject.

Before the Prelims, your focus should remain on General Studies. If you have time after the Prelims, you can start revising your optional subject in more depth. Don't let the optional subject divert your attention from the core exam preparation.

Step 14: How to Prepare for the BPSC Interview?

The BPSC Interview is the final stage of the exam, and it is less about academic knowledge and more about assessing your personality, communication skills, and overall suitability for the civil services.

The first step in preparing for the interview is to fill out the Detailed Application Form (DAF) carefully. Be honest and thoughtful about every detail, especially regarding your personal background, educational qualifications, and hobbies.

Key Tips for the BPSC Interview:

• Know Yourself: You will likely be asked questions about your background, education, hobbies, and hometown. Be well-prepared to talk about these aspects confidently.
• Stay Calm and Be Yourself: The panel is more interested in how you present yourself under pressure than in your ability to memorize facts. Be genuine and stay calm.
• Work on Communication Skills: Your ability to articulate your thoughts clearly and effectively is crucial. Practice speaking on current affairs, your experiences, and your opinions.
• Stay Updated: Be aware of the latest developments, both locally in Bihar and nationally, as these topics often come up during the interview.

If you reach the interview stage, try to connect with mentors or previous candidates who can guide you through the process and help you prepare better.

Step 15: Believe in Yourself During the BPSC Exam

Success in the BPSC exam is not just about hard work but also about believing in your ability to succeed. While the journey may be long and challenging, it’s important to stay positive and remain determined.

At times, you may encounter setbacks, but the key is not to let them discourage you. Everyone faces obstacles, but what matters is how you respond to them. The most successful candidates are those who don’t give up, even in the face of adversity.

Stay Focused and Positive:

• Consistency and Discipline: Maintain a regular study routine and stick to it. This consistency will pay off in the long run.
• Resilience: Accept that there will be difficult days, but always remember your ultimate goal. Perseverance and a positive attitude will get you through tough times.

In the end, believe in yourself, keep pushing forward, and don’t let negativity hold you back. With dedication and a focused approach, you can succeed in the BPSC exam and achieve your dream of joining the Bihar Administrative Services.