Mains Syllabus of Bihar State Exam 2024
General Studies
Paper 1: History, Culture, and Geography of Bihar
1. History of Bihar:
- Ancient Period:
- Indus Valley Civilization in Bihar
- Rise and Fall of the Magadha Empire (Maurya, Shunga, Gupta, Pala, and Sena Dynasties)
- Buddhism and Jainism in Bihar
- Art and Architecture (Nalanda, Bodh Gaya, Vaishali)
- Medieval Period:
- Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire in Bihar
- Rise of the Afghan and the Lodi Dynasties
- Social and Religious Movements (Bhakti and Sufi)
- Modern Period:
- British Rule in Bihar
- The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857
- Nationalist Movement in Bihar
- Bihar under the British Raj
- Post-Independence Bihar: Socio-economic and Political Developments
2. Culture of Bihar:
- Art and Literature:
- Folk Arts (Madhubani Painting, Mithila Art, Folk Music, Dance)
- Classical Music and Dance (Thumri, Khayal, Kathak)
- Literature (Maithili, Bhojpuri, Magahi)
- Religion and Festivals:
- Major Religions (Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism)
- Important Festivals (Chhath Puja, Holi, Diwali, Eid)
- Social Customs and Traditions:
- Family Structure and Social Norms
- Marriage and Rituals
- Food and Cuisine
3. Geography of Bihar:
- Physical Features:
- Plains, Hills, Rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, Kosi, Gandak)
- Climate and Weather Patterns
- Soil Types and Vegetation
- Natural Resources:
- Minerals (Coal, Iron Ore, Limestone)
- Forest Resources
- Water Resources
- Environmental Issues:
- Flooding and Drought
- Pollution (Air, Water, Soil)
- Deforestation and Land Degradation
Paper 2: Indian Polity, Economy, and Current Affairs
1. Indian Polity:
- Constitution of India:
- Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy
- Union, State, and Local Governments
- Parliamentary System, Judiciary, and Executive
- Federalism and Centre-State Relations
- Political System:
- Political Parties and Elections
- Pressure Groups and Civil Society
- Public Policy and Governance
- Social Justice and Human Rights:
- Reservation Policy
- Gender Equality and Women’s Rights
- Child Rights and Education
- Right to Information and Freedom of Speech
2. Indian Economy:
- Economic Development:
- Planning and Economic Reforms
- Agriculture, Industry, and Services
- Infrastructure Development
- Poverty and Inequality
- Financial System:
- Banking and Finance
- Monetary Policy and Inflation
- Foreign Trade and Investment
- Economic Issues:
- Unemployment and Labor Market
- Fiscal Policy and Public Finance
- Sustainable Development and Environmental Economics
3. Current Affairs:
- National Issues:
- Major Political, Economic, and Social Developments
- Government Policies and Schemes
- Supreme Court Judgments and Legislation
- International Issues:
- Global Politics and International Relations
- Major International Organizations (UN, WTO, IMF)
- India’s Foreign Policy and Regional Relations
- Science and Technology:
- Major Scientific Discoveries and Innovations
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Information Technology and Communication
Paper 3: General Science and Technology
1. General Science:
- Physics:
- Motion, Force, Work, Energy
- Heat, Light, Sound
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Modern Physics (Atomic Structure, Nuclear Physics)
- Chemistry:
- Matter and its Properties
- Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonding
- Acids, Bases, and Salts
- Organic Chemistry (Hydrocarbons, Functional Groups)
- Biology:
- Cell Structure and Function
- Plant and Animal Kingdom
- Human Physiology and Health
- Genetics and Evolution
2. Technology:
- Information Technology:
- Computers and their Applications
- Internet and its Uses
- Software and Programming
- Biotechnology:
- Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering and Healthcare
- Space Technology:
- Satellites and Space Exploration
- Remote Sensing and GIS
- Nanotechnology:
- Nanomaterials and their Applications
- Nanotechnology in Medicine and Industry
Optional Subjects
Candidates can choose one optional subject from the following list:
- History:
- Ancient India
- Medieval India
- Modern India
- World History
- Geography:
- Physical Geography
- Human Geography
- India’s Geography
- Environmental Geography
- Political Science:
- Indian Polity
- Comparative Politics
- International Relations
- Political Theory
- Economics:
- Microeconomics
- Macroeconomics
- Indian Economy
- Development Economics
- Sociology:
- Social Structure and Stratification
- Social Change and Development
- Indian Society
- Social Problems
- Psychology:
- General Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Applied Psychology
- Public Administration:
- Principles of Public Administration
- Indian Administration
- Comparative Public Administration
- Public Policy
- Law:
- Constitutional Law
- Criminal Law
- Civil Law
- International Law
- Philosophy:
- Indian Philosophy
- Western Philosophy
- Ethics and Values
- Logic and Epistemology
- Literature:
- English Literature
- Hindi Literature
- Maithili Literature
- Bhojpuri Literature
- Agriculture:
- Crop Production
- Soil Science
- Agricultural Economics
- Animal Husbandry
- Commerce:
- Accounting
- Business Management
- Marketing
- Finance
- Mathematics:
- Algebra
- Calculus
- Statistics
- Discrete Mathematics
- Physics:
- Mechanics
- Heat and Thermodynamics
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Modern Physics
- Chemistry:
- Physical Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biology:
- Botany
- Zoology
- Human Physiology
- Genetics and Evolution
Paper Pattern and Marking Scheme
- General Studies:
- Two papers of 200 marks each (Total 400 marks)
- Each paper will have 100 objective type questions (Multiple Choice Questions)
- Each question will carry 2 marks.
- There will be negative marking of 0.5 marks for each incorrect answer.
- Optional Subject:
- One paper of 200 marks
- The paper will have 100 objective type questions (Multiple Choice Questions)
- Each question will carry 2 marks.
- There will be negative marking of 0.5 marks for each incorrect answer.
Important Points to Note
- The syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC).
- Candidates are advised to refer to the official BPSC website for the latest syllabus and exam pattern.
- It is essential to have a strong understanding of the syllabus and to prepare accordingly.
- Regular practice and mock tests are crucial for success in the exam.
Table 1: General Studies Syllabus Breakdown
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| History, Culture, and Geography of Bihar | Ancient, Medieval, and Modern History of Bihar; Culture of Bihar (Art, Literature, Religion, Festivals, Social Customs); Geography of Bihar (Physical Features, Natural Resources, Environmental Issues) |
| Indian Polity, Economy, and Current Affairs | Constitution of India, Political System, Social Justice and Human Rights; Indian Economy (Economic Development, Financial System, Economic Issues); Current Affairs (National, International, Science and Technology) |
| General Science and Technology | Physics, Chemistry, Biology; Information Technology, Biotechnology, Space Technology, Nanotechnology |
Table 2: Optional Subjects and their Major Topics
| Subject | Major Topics |
|---|---|
| History | Ancient India, Medieval India, Modern India, World History |
| Geography | Physical Geography, Human Geography, India’s Geography, Environmental Geography |
| Political Science | Indian Polity, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory |
| Economics | Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Indian Economy, Development Economics |
| Sociology | Social Structure and Stratification, Social Change and Development, Indian Society, Social Problems |
| Psychology | General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, Applied Psychology |
| Public Administration | Principles of Public Administration, Indian Administration, Comparative Public Administration, Public Policy |
| Law | Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Civil Law, International Law |
| Philosophy | Indian Philosophy, Western Philosophy, Ethics and Values, Logic and Epistemology |
| Literature | English Literature, Hindi Literature, Maithili Literature, Bhojpuri Literature |
| Agriculture | Crop Production, Soil Science, Agricultural Economics, Animal Husbandry |
| Commerce | Accounting, Business Management, Marketing, Finance |
| Mathematics | Algebra, Calculus, Statistics, Discrete Mathematics |
| Physics | Mechanics, Heat and Thermodynamics, Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics |
| Chemistry | Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry |
| Biology | Botany, Zoology, Human Physiology, Genetics and Evolution |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Short Answers for Bihar State Exam 2024 Mains Syllabus
History, Culture, and Geography of Bihar:
Q1: What are the major dynasties that ruled Magadha in ancient times?
A1: The major dynasties that ruled Magadha were the Mauryas, Shungas, Guptas, Palas, and Senas.
Q2: What are the key features of the Nalanda University?
A2: Nalanda