The Bihar Public Service Commission has officially released the notification for the 72nd Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) 2026, formally opening one of Bihar’s largest administrative recruitment drives in recent years. The commission has announced 1,230 vacancies across multiple state services, with the Preliminary Examination scheduled for July 26, 2026.
The notification has generated strong attention among civil services aspirants due to both the vacancy volume and a major procedural change introduced in the Preliminary examination pattern. Online applications will begin from May 7 and remain open till May 31, giving candidates a relatively short registration and preparation window before the first stage of the examination.
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BPSC 72nd CCE 2026: Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 5 May 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 7 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 May 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | 26 July 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Expected in July 2026 |
The recruitment process will be conducted in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Interview/Personality Test
Vacancy Details and Recruitment Scope
The 72nd CCE recruitment is expected to fill positions across several Bihar government departments and administrative services. These include executive, revenue, rural development, police, and allied administrative posts.
With more than 1,200 vacancies announced, this recruitment cycle is likely to witness participation from several lakh candidates, including a large number of UPSC aspirants who also target state PCS examinations.
The vacancy count is considered comparatively strong when measured against multiple recent BPSC recruitment cycles, indicating a broader administrative hiring push by the Bihar government.
Eligibility Criteria for BPSC 72nd CCE 2026
Candidates applying for the examination must fulfil the educational and age-related eligibility conditions mentioned in the official notification.
Educational Qualification
Applicants must possess:
- A graduation degree from a recognised university or institution
- Final-year candidates may apply, subject to notification conditions and document verification requirements
Age Limit
The minimum age requirement for most posts is 20, 21, or 22 years, depending on the service category, while the upper age limits are generally:
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| General (Male) | 37 Years |
| General/OBC Female | 40 Years |
| BC/EBC Male & Female | 40 Years |
| SC/ST Candidates | 42 Years |
Age relaxation provisions will apply according to the Bihar government recruitment norms.
Major Change in Preliminary Exam Pattern
One of the most discussed updates in this year’s notification is the introduction of the mandatory “E” option system in the Preliminary examination.
Under the revised instruction framework:
- Candidates attempting a question must select one answer among A, B, C, or D
- Candidates choosing not to attempt a question must mark option “E”
- Completely unmarked questions may attract penalty treatment
This procedural change could significantly influence attempt strategy, particularly in borderline questions where candidates traditionally left responses blank.
Application Process for BPSC 72nd CCE Recruitment 2026
Candidates will be able to submit applications through the official BPSC portal once the registration link becomes active on May 7.
Steps to Apply Online
- Visit the official BPSC website
- Open the 72nd CCE Recruitment 2026 application link
- Complete registration using personal and contact details
- Fill educational and category-related information
- Upload a photograph, signature, and required documents
- Pay the prescribed application fee
- Submit the application form and download a confirmation copy
Candidates are advised to complete registration well before the final deadline to avoid server congestion during the closing days.