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UPSC vs BPSC: Key Differences Every Aspirant Must Know!

Sunday, July 06, 2025


For aspirants aiming for a prestigious government career in India, understanding the differences between UPSC and BPSC is absolutely vital. Both exams offer high-ranking administrative roles, but they differ significantly in scope, structure, competition level, syllabus, and career trajectory. This detailed comparison will help you decide which path aligns better with your aspirations.

What is UPSC? – The National-Level Civil Services Exam

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) annually to recruit candidates for top administrative posts in the Indian Government such as IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and more.

  • Jurisdiction: All-India

  • Posts Covered: Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Police Services (IPS), Indian Foreign Services (IFS), Indian Revenue Services (IRS), etc.

  • Authority: Central Government

The UPSC exam is widely considered India’s most competitive examination, with lakhs of aspirants every year vying for a few prestigious posts.

What is BPSC? – The State-Level Civil Services Exam

The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) is a state-level exam conducted to recruit administrative officers for various Bihar state government departments such as Bihar Administrative Service (BAS), Bihar Police Service (BPS), and more.

  • Jurisdiction: State of Bihar

  • Posts Covered: Block Development Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Revenue Officer, etc.

  • Authority: Bihar State Government

While BPSC follows a similar pattern to UPSC, it has a smaller scale and focuses on state-specific issues and policies.

Major Differences Between UPSC and BPSC

1. Jurisdiction and Scope

  • UPSC: Covers pan-India services with postings across the country.

  • BPSC: Covers only Bihar state services with roles confined to state-level governance.

2. Examination Conducting Body

  • UPSC is managed by the Union Government.

  • BPSC is managed by the State Government of Bihar.

3. Number of Vacancies

  • UPSC: Around 700–1000 vacancies annually across various services.

  • BPSC: Roughly 400–800 vacancies, depending on the notification.

4. Eligibility Criteria

Both UPSC and BPSC require a graduation degree from a recognized university. However:

  • UPSC Age Limit:

    • General: 21–32 years

    • OBC: 21–35 years

    • SC/ST: 21–37 years

    • Number of Attempts: General – 6, OBC – 9, SC/ST – Unlimited

  • BPSC Age Limit:

    • General (Male): 20–37 years

    • OBC/BC (Male & Female): 20–40 years

    • SC/ST (Male & Female): 20–42 years

    • Number of Attempts: No official limit

5. Exam Pattern and Stages

UPSC Exam Structure

  • Prelims: 2 objective-type papers (GS & CSAT)

  • Mains: 9 descriptive papers (including Essay, Optional, and Language papers)

  • Interview: Personality Test of 275 marks

BPSC Exam Structure

  • Prelims: Single paper – General Studies (150 marks)

  • Mains: 4 papers – GS1, GS2, Optional Subject, Hindi (Total 900 marks)

  • Interview: 120 marks

6. Syllabus and Focus

  • UPSC Syllabus:

    • National and international current affairs

    • Diverse and analytical content on governance, polity, economy, science, and more

    • Deep understanding of Indian and world geography, society, and environment

    • Emphasis on analytical and conceptual thinking

  • BPSC Syllabus:

    • Bihar-specific current affairs

    • Emphasis on state history, economy, geography, and schemes

    • Relatively limited depth compared to UPSC

7. Difficulty Level

  • UPSC: Considered one of the toughest exams in the world due to its vast syllabus and competitive ratio.

  • BPSC: Challenging but less intense than UPSC, focused more on state-level topics.

Career Path & Job Profile

UPSC Recruits Get:

  • Top leadership roles in Indian bureaucracy

  • Opportunity to serve at national and international levels

  • Roles such as District Collector, Commissioner, Ambassador, Joint Secretary, etc.

  • High prestige, responsibilities, and perks

BPSC Recruits Get:

  • Crucial administrative roles at the state level

  • Roles like SDM, DSP, Deputy Collector, etc.

  • Moderate level of perks and powers confined within Bihar

Salary and Perks Comparison

UPSC Officer (IAS) Starting Pay:

  • Basic Pay: ₹56,100 (Level 10 of 7th CPC)

  • Perks: Government accommodation, official vehicle, security, travel allowance, pension, etc.

BPSC Officer Starting Pay:

  • Basic Pay: ₹42,600–₹47,800 depending on the post

  • Perks: House rent allowance, transport allowance, medical benefits, state accommodation

Success Rate and Competition

  • UPSC Success Rate: Less than 0.2% (out of 10 lakh+ applicants)

  • BPSC Success Rate: Around 1-2% (out of 3-5 lakh applicants)

This makes UPSC much more competitive, requiring multi-year dedicated preparation, while BPSC is comparatively more accessible, especially for candidates from Bihar.

Medium of Examination

  • UPSC: Available in both Hindi and English, with a wide range of language options for literature optional subjects.

  • BPSC: Primarily conducted in Hindi and English with a state-specific tilt toward Hindi-medium candidates.

Which Exam Should You Choose?

Choose UPSC If You:

  • Aim for nationwide impact and higher authority

  • Are willing to invest years of preparation

  • Are comfortable with a wide and analytical syllabus

  • Aspire for all-India services and inter-state transfers

Choose BPSC If You:

  • Want to serve your home state (Bihar)

  • Prefer a more focused syllabus

  • Want to avoid relocating far from Bihar

  • Are preparing for state-level impact roles

Conclusion

Both UPSC and BPSC are respected paths to administrative service. Your choice should align with your career aspirations, willingness to invest time, and desired area of service. While UPSC opens the gateway to national governance, BPSC offers the power to shape the future of Bihar. Regardless of the path you choose, dedicated preparation, clarity of vision, and consistent effort are key to success.

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