How to approach Bihar special topics for BPSC Pre exam (History, Geography, Current Affairs, Economy & Budget)
Introduction
Bihar Special is the most decisive component of the BPSC Preliminary Examination. In recent years, BPSC has clearly shifted its focus towards Bihar-centric questions in almost every section.
In this article, I will explain a clear and practical strategy to prepare Bihar Special History, Geography and Economy & Budget for the BPSC Pre Exam. The approach is simple, source-limited and fully exam-oriented.
Importance of Bihar special topics for BPSC Pre exam
If you carefully analyse previous year BPSC Pre question papers, you will notice that:
- A large number of questions are directly asked from Bihar
- Bihar-related questions are easy to moderate
- Bihar Special acts as a selection-deciding factor
Many aspirants fail not because they don’t study national topics, but because they ignore Bihar Special. Bihar Special should be treated as high priority, not as a supplementary topic.
Bihar special: Subject-wise breakup
Bihar Special questions are mainly asked from:
- History of Bihar: 08 to 10 questions
- Geography of Bihar: 05 to 06 questions
- Economy & Budget of Bihar: 05 to 06 questions
- (Also linked with current affairs and schemes)
This article focuses on History, Geography and Economy–Budget, as these areas contribute the maximum number of questions.
Bihar Special History for BPSC Pre exam
Areas to focus
Bihar History questions are mostly factual and static in nature. Focus on:
- Magadh, Anga, Vajji
- Buddha & Mahavira
- Nalanda, Vikramshila, Odantapuri
- Sher Shah Suri
- Administrative reforms
- Champaran Satyagraha
- Role of Bihar in freedom struggle
- Important personalities of Bihar
Source & Strategy (History)
For History preparation, follow one reliable Bihar Special book only, such as Lucent Bihar Special or Imtiyaz Ahmad Bihar Special. These books are written strictly from the BPSC exam point of view and cover Bihar-related facts in a compact manner.
Along with this, read NCERT History books and always try to connect national events with Bihar’s role in them—for example, linking the Revolt of 1857 with Kunwar Singh of Jagdishpur. While studying, do not make separate notebooks. Instead, underline important points directly in the book, especially names of places, important personalities, chronological sequences, and unique facts related to Bihar. During revision, rely only on these underlined portions. This saves time, avoids repetition, and keeps your preparation focused and exam-oriented.
Bihar Special Geography for BPSC Pre exam
Areas to focus
Bihar Geography questions are highly predictable if prepared properly. Focus on:
- Physical geography of Bihar. Such as Rivers (Ganga river system is most important), Soil types, Flood-prone areas, lakes, national park, sanctuary.
- Climate of Bihar
- Agriculture such as Crops, dams, Irrigation projects
- Minerals and industries
- Transport and connectivity
Source & Strategy (Geography)
For Geography, first build your basic understanding from NCERT Geography books, as they explain concepts like rivers, soil, climate, and agriculture in a very simple way. After that, rely on one Bihar Special Geography book such as Lucent Bihar Special or Imtiyaz Ahmad Bihar Special, which covers district-wise and exam-focused facts needed for BPSC.
While studying, keep the Bihar map in front of you and use it daily. Instead of making separate notes, underline important information directly in the book—especially river origins and their tributaries, district-wise geographical facts, and crop–region mapping. Always try to understand Bihar geography as a living system: rivers act as the lifeline, soil forms the base of productivity, and agriculture works as the backbone of Bihar’s economy. This way of thinking helps in better retention and faster revision before the exam.
Bihar Special Economy and Budget for BPSC Pre exam
Areas to focus
Bihar Economy questions are increasing every year. Focus on:
- Structure of Bihar economy
- Agriculture vs industry contribution
- Poverty, employment, migration
- Government schemes of Bihar
- Bihar Budget specially, Major allocations, new announcements, Priority sectors
- Budget questions are often direct and current-oriented.
- Bihar Economic Survey: The current year Bihar Economic Survey is crucial because many BPSC questions come from latest data and government priorities. It reflects Bihar’s real economic condition, not theory.
What to cover from Bihar economic survey
- Growth trends
- Agriculture, industry, services
- Budget priorities
- Social sector data (education, health)
- Bihar-specific schemes
Source & Strategy (Economy and Budget)
For Economy, first clear your basic concepts from NCERT books, as they explain ideas like income, inflation, and growth in a simple manner. After this, use one standard Bihar-focused economy source, such as Lucent Bihar Special or Imtiyaz Ahmad Bihar Special, to connect concepts with Bihar’s economic reality.
For the Budget, there is no need to read the full budget document. Instead, depend on budget highlights and summaries from a reliable current affairs source. While studying, focus only on important numbers, the objectives of government schemes, and sector-wise emphasis such as education, health, and agriculture. Regular revision of these summaries is enough to handle budget-related questions in the exam.
For Bihar Economic Survey like a report card of the Bihar economy for the current year. BPSC mainly uses it to test whether you understand latest trends and government focus, not deep theory.
- Focus on growth trends: overall growth rate and which sector is growing faster.
- Study sector-wise performance: agriculture, industry, and services—note major changes and reasons.
- Observe budget priorities: where the government is spending more (education, health, infrastructure).
- Cover social sector data: key indicators related to education, health, poverty, and employment.
- Note Bihar-specific schemes and new initiatives mentioned in the survey.
Avoid memorising every number. Read the survey through summaries, underline key points, and revise them multiple times. This approach is sufficient for BPSC Prelims.
Bihar Special Current Affairs for BPSC Pre exam
Bihar Special is closely linked with:
- Bihar government schemes
- Budget announcements
- Development projects
- Social indicators of Bihar
Source and Strategy (Bihar Current Affairs)
Follow one monthly current affairs magazine and revise Bihar-related pages thoroughly. You can also download monthly Bihar current affairs compilation of various website such as dristi IAS. In my opinion, separate note-making for Bihar Special is not required for BPSC Pre Exam. Just Underline facts in books/pdf, Revise underlined portions multiple times. Time saved from note-making should be used for revision.
Conclusion
Bihar Special is the backbone of BPSC Prelims preparation. If you prepare Bihar History, Geography and Economy–Budget with a focused, limited-source and revision-based strategy, your chances of clearing BPSC Pre Exam increase significantly. Treat Bihar Special not as an extra topic, but as a core scoring area.
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