BPSC or UPSC: Which One Should Bihar Aspirants Try First?

If you are from Bihar or preparing for civil services and confused about where to start, you have probably asked yourself this question at least once: Should I go for BPSC first or jump straight into UPSC?

It is a genuinely tough call. Both exams offer prestige, job security, and a chance to serve. But they are different in scale, difficulty, syllabus depth, and career outcomes. Choosing the wrong one to start with can cost you years of preparation time.

This article breaks it all down in plain language, no jargon, no fluff. By the end, you will know exactly which exam makes more sense for you to attempt first.

What Are BPSC and UPSC?

UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) conducts the Civil Services Examination, India's most prestigious national-level exam. Clearing it can make you an IAS, IPS, or IFS officer with posting across the entire country. Around 10 lakh+ candidates apply every year for roughly 1,000 vacancies.

BPSC (Bihar Public Service Commission) conducts the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE), a state-level exam that recruits for posts like Deputy Collector (SDM), Deputy SP (DSP), Revenue Officer, and Block Development Officer (BDO) within Bihar. Around 4 to 5 lakh candidates appear each year for a few hundred to a couple of thousand posts.

Think of it this way: UPSC is the national highway, wider, longer, harder to navigate. BPSC is the state expressway, shorter, more specific, and still leads to a very respected destination.

BPSC vs UPSC: Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	UPSC	BPSC
Level	National	State (Bihar)
Conducted by	Union Public Service Commission	Bihar Public Service Commission
Posts offered	IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and more	SDM, DSP, BDO, Revenue Officer and more
Total vacancies (approx.)	~1,000 per year	~500 to 2,000 per cycle
Applicants per year	10 lakh+	4 to 5 lakh
Exam stages	Prelims + Mains (9 papers) + Interview	Prelims + Mains (5 papers) + Interview
Syllabus breadth	Very broad (national + international)	Moderate (national + Bihar-specific)
Difficulty level	Extremely high	Moderate to High
Age limit (General)	21 to 32 years	20 to 37 years (Male), 20 to 40 (Female)
Attempts allowed (General)	6	Unlimited (till age limit)
Starting salary (approx.)	Rs. 56,100 basic + allowances (IAS)	Rs. 61,500 to 72,000 (SDM/DSP level)
Posting location	Pan-India	Within Bihar only

How Similar Are the Syllabuses?

Good news: the syllabuses of BPSC and UPSC overlap significantly. Both cover History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science, and Current Affairs. If you are preparing for one, you are already building a strong base for the other.

However, the differences matter:

Area	UPSC	BPSC
History	Indian + World History (depth)	Indian History + Bihar History
Geography	Indian + World Geography	Indian + Bihar Geography
Economy	National economy, policies, budget	National + Bihar state economy
Polity	Constitution, governance, IR	Constitution + Bihar governance
Current Affairs	National + International	National + Bihar-specific news
Ethics (Mains)	Separate paper with case studies	Integrated into General Studies
Essay Paper	Abstract, philosophical topics	India/Bihar-centric topics
Optional Subject	2 optional papers from 48 subjects	1 optional paper from a smaller list
CSAT / Aptitude	Separate qualifying paper (Paper 2)	Included in General Studies

The biggest add-on for BPSC is the Bihar-specific content, covering Bihar history, economy, geography, and current state affairs. This is unique to BPSC and cannot be skipped. For UPSC aspirants, this is additional preparation. For BPSC-only aspirants, it is a manageable extra chapter.

Which Exam Is Harder?

Honestly, UPSC is significantly harder than BPSC, and not just a little bit harder. Here is why:

Depth of knowledge required: UPSC Mains requires you to write long-form analytical answers on complex policy, ethics, and international affairs. BPSC Mains questions are more straightforward and factual.

Competition: For UPSC, you are competing with the best minds from across all 28 states. For BPSC, competition is mostly from Bihar candidates, which is still tough but comparatively more manageable.

Number of papers: UPSC Mains has 9 papers including Essay, 4 GS papers, 2 Optional papers, and 2 language papers. BPSC Mains has 5 papers, considerably less.

Selection rate: UPSC selects roughly 0.1% of applicants. BPSC's selection rate is still low but relatively better.

Bottom Line: If UPSC is a marathon at altitude, BPSC is a marathon at sea level. Both require serious running, but one demands significantly more endurance.

Career Outcomes and Salary: What Do You Actually Get?

If You Clear UPSC

You join the All India Services as an IAS, IPS, or IFS officer. Your starting basic pay is Rs. 56,100 per month at Pay Level 10, but with DA, HRA, and allowances, your total in-hand package easily crosses Rs. 1,00,000+ per month. You can be posted anywhere in India, lead districts, shape national policy, and eventually reach the Cabinet Secretary level. UPSC officers also get faster promotions and higher perks compared to state PSC officers.

If You Clear BPSC

You join Bihar's state services as an SDM, DSP, BDO, or Revenue Officer. At Pay Level 9 (SDM/DSP posts), your starting in-hand salary is around Rs. 72,000 to Rs. 80,000 per month including allowances. You also receive a government vehicle, official residence, security, and medical benefits. Promotion is regular but slower compared to IAS. You are a respected authority within Bihar.

Factor	UPSC (IAS)	BPSC (SDM/DSP)
Starting in-hand salary	Rs. 1,00,000+ (approx.)	Rs. 72,000 to Rs. 80,000
Posting area	Pan-India	Bihar only
Promotion speed	Faster (central rules)	Slower (state rules)
Perks and allowances	Very high	Good
Career ceiling	Cabinet Secretary	District Magistrate / SP
Prestige	National level	State level (highly respected)
Job security	Excellent	Excellent

So Which Exam Should You Choose First?

This is the real question. And the answer is not the same for everyone. Here is a practical guide based on your situation:

Choose BPSC First If...

•        You are from Bihar and want to serve the state you grew up in.

•        You want a government job within 2 to 3 years without spending 5 to 6 years on UPSC preparation.

•        You are attempting UPSC but want a backup plan that keeps you financially secure.

•        You find UPSC's vast syllabus overwhelming and want to build confidence with a comparatively manageable exam first.

•        Your age is above 28 to 29 and UPSC attempts are limited. BPSC gives you more attempts and a higher age limit.

Choose UPSC First If...

•        Your dream is IAS or IPS and nothing else will satisfy you.

•        You are young (22 to 24 years old) and have time to invest in a longer preparation without financial pressure.

•        You are willing to prepare for 3 to 5 years with full dedication.

•        You want a pan-India posting and exposure beyond Bihar.

•        You have strong analytical and writing skills and enjoy depth over breadth.

The Smart Strategy: Prepare for Both Simultaneously

Most successful candidates from Bihar do this: they prepare for UPSC as the primary goal and give BPSC as a well-prepared secondary attempt. Since the core syllabus overlaps heavily, you are not starting from scratch for BPSC. You just add Bihar-specific topics on top of your UPSC preparation.

Many candidates who cleared BPSC while targeting UPSC eventually served as SDM or DSP for a few years, gained ground-level administrative experience, and continued their UPSC preparation with much better perspective. Some even cleared UPSC later from that position.

Eligibility Criteria: A Quick Comparison

Criteria	UPSC	BPSC
Minimum qualification	Graduate (any stream)	Graduate (any stream)
Age (General - Male)	21 to 32 years	20 to 37 years
Age (General - Female)	21 to 32 years	20 to 40 years
Age (OBC)	21 to 35 years	Up to 40 years (Male), 42 (Female)
Age (SC/ST)	21 to 37 years	Up to 42 years (Male), 45 (Female)
Attempts (General)	6 attempts	No limit (till age)
Attempts (OBC)	9 attempts	No limit (till age)
Attempts (SC/ST)	Unlimited (till age)	No limit (till age)
Nationality	Indian citizen (IAS/IPS)	Indian + Bihar domicile required

One major advantage BPSC has over UPSC: there is no cap on the number of attempts. You can keep trying until you hit the age limit. This makes BPSC far less stressful in terms of attempt management.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose First?

There is no universal right answer, but here is a practical rule of thumb:

•        If you are young, driven, and set on IAS or IPS, start with UPSC as your primary. Give BPSC as a parallel attempt.

•        If you want a secure government job within 2 to 3 years, start with BPSC. It is more achievable, your Bihar knowledge gives you an edge, and the career is genuinely rewarding.

•        If you are above 28 years with limited UPSC attempts remaining, prioritise BPSC. Secure the job first, then continue UPSC if you wish.

•        No matter what, never ignore BPSC-specific Bihar content. It is a small investment with big returns in the exam.

Both BPSC and UPSC are paths worth walking. One takes you across India, the other roots you in Bihar's service. Neither is lesser. Both are honourable. Choose the one that fits your timeline, your goals, and your life, then prepare with everything you have.

Remember: The best exam to choose first is the one you are most likely to clear given where you are right now. Clearing BPSC does not close the UPSC door. It often makes you a better, more grounded candidate for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BPSC easier than UPSC?

Yes, BPSC is considered significantly easier than UPSC. UPSC covers a broader and deeper syllabus, attracts national competition, and has a far lower selection rate. BPSC is tough in its own right but more manageable in scope and competition.

Can I prepare for BPSC and UPSC at the same time?

Yes, and most Bihar aspirants do exactly this. The core syllabus overlaps by about 70 to 80%. You prepare common topics together and add Bihar-specific content separately for BPSC. It is a smart and efficient strategy.

Which exam has more vacancies, BPSC or UPSC?

It varies by cycle. UPSC fills around 1,000 posts per year across multiple services. BPSC vacancies can range from 500 to 2,000+ per CCE cycle. However, since UPSC draws from a national pool and BPSC from mostly Bihar candidates, your competition-to-vacancy ratio is better in BPSC.

Is BPSC a good career option?

Absolutely. BPSC officers are highly respected administrators in Bihar. An SDM or DSP under BPSC has real authority, good salary (around Rs. 72,000 to Rs. 80,000 in-hand), official housing, vehicle, and a lifetime of job security. It is a genuinely excellent career.

What happens if I fail UPSC but clear BPSC?

You get a solid government job with power, prestige, and purpose. Many students who cleared BPSC worked as SDM or DSP and either continued their UPSC attempts alongside or settled into state service. It is a win, not a consolation.

Is Bihar domicile required for BPSC?

For most posts under BPSC CCE, Bihar domicile (residential proof) is required. However, this varies by post. Always check the specific BPSC notification for domicile requirements before applying.