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 University was a renowned center of learning in ancient India, known for its vast library, diverse subjects, and international students.
Q3: What are the major folk arts of Bihar?
A3: Bihar is known for its rich folk arts, including Madhubani painting, Mithila art, folk music, and dance forms like Jhora and Jata-Jatin.
Q4: What are the major rivers flowing through Bihar?
A4: The major rivers flowing through Bihar are the Ganga, Yamuna, Kosi, and Gandak.
Q5: What are the major environmental challenges faced by Bihar?
A5: Bihar faces challenges like flooding, drought, air and water pollution, and deforestation.
Indian Polity, Economy, and Current Affairs:
Q1: What are the fundamental rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution?
A1: The fundamental rights include the right to equality, right to freedom, right against exploitation, right to freedom of religion, cultural and educational rights, and right to constitutional remedies.
Q2: What is the difference between the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List?
A2: The Union List contains subjects on which the central government has exclusive legislative power, the State List contains subjects on which the state governments have exclusive legislative power, and the Concurrent List contains subjects on which both the central and state governments can legislate.
Q3: What are the major economic reforms implemented in India since 1991?
A3: The major economic reforms include liberalization, privatization, and globalization.
Q4: What are the major challenges faced by the Indian economy?
A4: The Indian economy faces challenges like poverty, inequality, unemployment, and inflation.
Q5: What are the major international organizations that India is a member of?
A5: India is a member of major international organizations like the United Nations (UN), World Trade Organization (WTO), and International Monetary Fund (IMF).
General Science and Technology:
Q1: What is the difference between a conductor and an insulator?
A1: A conductor allows electricity to flow through it easily, while an insulator resists the flow of electricity.
Q2: What is the difference between a physical change and a chemical change?
A2: A physical change alters the form or appearance of a substance but not its chemical composition, while a chemical change results in the formation of a new substance with different properties.
Q3: What is the role of DNA in heredity?
A3: DNA carries genetic information from parents to offspring, determining their traits.
Q4: What are the major applications of biotechnology?
A4: Biotechnology has applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry, including genetic engineering, disease diagnosis, and biofuel production.
Q5: What are the benefits of using nanotechnology?
A5: Nanotechnology offers benefits in various fields, including medicine, electronics, and energy, by manipulating materials at the atomic and molecular level.
Optional Subjects:
Q1: What are the major features of the Indus Valley Civilization?
A1: The Indus Valley Civilization is known for its urban planning, sophisticated drainage systems, standardized weights and measures, and unique art and artifacts.
Q2: What are the major differences between socialism and capitalism?
A2: Socialism emphasizes collective ownership and control of resources, while capitalism promotes private ownership and free markets.
Q3: What are the major theories of social change?
A3: Major theories of social change include evolutionism, functionalism, conflict theory, and modernization theory.
Q4: What are the major principles of public administration?
A4: Major principles of public administration include efficiency, effectiveness, accountability, transparency, and impartiality.
Q5: What are the major branches of law?
A5: Major branches of law include constitutional law, criminal law, civil law, and international law.
Note: These are just a few examples of frequently asked questions. The actual questions asked in the exam may vary. It is important to study the entire syllabus thoroughly and to practice answering questions in a concise and accurate manner.