Patna: The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) on Sunday conducted the 71st combined preliminary competitive examination, with nearly 4.7 lakh candidates appearing across 912 centres in the state. The two-hour exam was held from 12pm to 2pm.
Authorities enforced strict measures to ensure transparency and fairness. Entry to exam centres began at 9.30am and closed sharply at 11am. Candidates were required to carry their admit card along with valid photo identification such as Aadhaar, voter ID, passport or driving licence. Electronic devices including mobile phones, Bluetooth gadgets, smartwatches and calculators were strictly prohibited.
In Patna district alone, 70 exam centres were set up for more than 50,000 candidates. CCTV cameras monitored the centres, each under the supervision of a magistrate, while police were deployed to prevent malpractice or disorder.
The question paper followed the established BPSC prelims pattern: 150 multiple-choice questions, each worth one mark, with a two-hour duration. Subjects included history, geography, Indian polity and governance, science, economy, Bihar-specific general studies, current affairs and mathematical aptitude. Negative marking was applied, with one-third of a mark deducted for each wrong answer.
The commission reiterated that maintaining fairness in the process was its top priority and urged candidates to trust only their preparation. The answer key will be released shortly on the official BPSC website, followed by the cutoff and results in due course.
