Bihar APO Preparation Tips: Important Topics & Study Plan

Overview: Do you want to effectively prepare for the Bihar APO exam? Then dive into this blog to know the phased study plan and "Mains-first" strategy essential for conquering the revised syllabus and acing the July 2026 exam!

With approximately 300 vacancies announced by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) and a revised syllabus introducing significant legal changes, a structured strategy is more important than ever.

This guide provides a comprehensive roadmap to help you navigate the syllabus, exam pattern, and study materials effectively. Read further to know more about the Bihar APO Exam 2026 preparation.

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Bihar APO Exam 2026 Overview

The Bihar APO exam is conducted by the Bihar Public Service Commission ( www.bpsc.bih.nic.in ) to recruit officers for the Bihar Prosecution Service. It is a highly competitive three-stage selection process designed to ensure that only the most capable legal minds join the state's law enforcement and legal machinery.

• Exam Objective: To select Assistant Prosecution Officers who will represent the state in criminal proceedings and ensure justice is upheld through a deep understanding of procedural and substantive laws.
• Exam Pattern & Structure: The selection process comprises three stages: a Preliminary Examination (Objective), a Mains Examination (Written/Descriptive), and an Interview (Personality Test).
• Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must hold a complete LLB degree. Unlike in some regions, there is no practical experience required for the Bihar APO exam. The minimum age is 21 years, while the maximum age for male candidates is generally 37 years, and for females, it is 40 years.

Bihar APO 2026: Exam Timeline

As per the recent BPSC calendar announcement, the dates mentioned below are essential for planning your preparation schedule.

Event	Tentative Date/Details
Notification Release	Expected by February 2026
Bihar Judiciary Exam	May 30, 2026
Bihar APO Exam	July 15, 2026 (approx. 45 days after Judiciary)
Expected Vacancies	Approximately 300 posts (specifically cited as 276–300)

Eligibility Comparison: Bihar Judiciary Exam 2026 vs. Bihar APO Exam 2026

BPSC has released 2 notifications regarding the Bihar APO Exam 2026 & the Bihar Judiciary Exam 2026. The aspirants need to understand the requirements between these two exams to decide where to focus.

• Practice Requirement: Unlike the Bihar Judiciary, which may require three years of practice, the Bihar APO requires zero practice experience; you only need a completed LLB degree.
• Age Limits:
  • Minimum age: 21 years.
  • Maximum age (Male): 37 years.
  • Maximum age (Female): 40 years.
• Common Subjects: Both exams cover core subjects such as Criminal Laws (BNS, BNSS, BSA) and the Constitution, allowing simultaneous preparation.

Check Out - Eligibility Requirement to Apply for Bihar APO Exam

Detailed Preliminary Exam Marks Weightage

While both Prelims papers have 100 questions, the sources clarify that the marking value differs significantly between General Studies and Law.

Paper	No. of Questions	Marks per Question	Total Marks
Paper I: General Studies	100	1.0	100 Marks
Paper II: Law	100	1.5	150 Marks
Total	200	—	250 Marks

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Bihar APO Exam 2026 Syllabus

The Bihar APO Exam 2026 syllabus has recently undergone a major overhaul. The Government of Bihar officially revised it to replace traditional laws like the IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act with new criminal codes.

General Studies / General Awareness

The General Studies paper covers a broad range of topics, including Current Affairs, General Science, Indian History and Culture, Indian Polity, and Geography of India. Sources suggest that Science plays a particularly vital role in the Bihar exams.

Quantitative Aptitude / Numerical Ability

While not a standalone paper, basic mental ability and numerical questions may be included within the General Studies framework. Candidates should be prepared for questions that are answerable without specialized study but require logical thinking.

Reasoning & Mental Ability

Similar to numerical ability, reasoning skills are tested through the General Studies paper, focusing on general awareness and the ability to analyze current legal and social issues.

Language / Hindi & English Proficiency

These are descriptive papers in the Mains stage, each carrying 100 marks. The Hindi paper covers grammar, essay writing, and syntax at a secondary level standard. The English paper includes essay writing, précis, letter writing, and comprehension.

Subject-Wise Study Timeline (Recommended)

For those starting from scratch, the sources suggest a specific number of days to allocate to each major subject to stay on track for the 2026 exam.

• Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA): 20 Days.
• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): 25 Days.
• Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS): 25–30 Days.
• Civil Procedure Code (CPC): 35 Days (noting it is a newer, larger addition).
• Constitution of India: 30 Days (focusing on 60 hours of study/understanding).

Section-Wise Strategy for New Criminal Laws (BNS)

The sources suggest a "tiered" approach to mastering the new laws rather than trying to memorize every section equally.

• Tier 1 (Deep Study): Approximately 100 sections need to be memorized "inside-out" (internal contents and details).
• Tier 2 (Heading Focus): Roughly 50 sections where only the headings and basic context are required.
• Tier 3 (General Awareness): About 150 sections where you only need to know the section number and a general idea of what they cover.

Breakdown of "Other Special Laws" (Mains Paper VIII)

The sources highlight that the Bihar APO exam includes several minor and local acts that are often overlooked but carry significant weight (150 marks in Mains).

• Standard Minor Acts: Arms Act (1959), Explosive Substances Act (1908), Prevention of Corruption Act (1988), and SC/ST Act (1989).
• Newer/Revised Additions: NDPS Act (1985), IT Act (Chapter 11), and the POCSO Act (2012).
• Bihar Local Laws: Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act (2016) with its 2021/2022 Rules, and the Bihar Police Act (2007).

Bihar APO Exam 2026 Pattern

Objective Type Questions

The Preliminary exam consists of two objective papers:

1. Paper I (General Studies): 100 questions for 100 marks.
2. Paper II (Law): 100 questions for 150 marks. The Prelims serve as a screening test, and these marks are not counted in the final merit list.

Negative Marking & Time Management Tips

There is a 1/3 negative marking system in the Prelims. Effective time management involves practicing daily MCQs—approximately 50 to 150 per day—to build speed and accuracy. For the Mains, you must aim to write 10-12 concise yet comprehensive answers within a three-hour window.

Bihar APO 2026 Preparation Strategy

A four-phase study plan, along with the following preparation tips, is recommended to cover the vast syllabus and score well in the Bihar APO 2026 Exam.

Phase 1 – Understanding the Syllabus & Exam Pattern

Spend the first 3-4 months building a foundation. Read Bare Acts thoroughly and understand the transition from old laws to the new criminal codes (BNS, BNSS, BSA).

Phase 2 – Topic-wise Study & Notes Making

Focus on intensive study. Create subject-wise notes using Bare Act headings as a structure. Start daily answer writing (at least 2 questions per day) to prepare for the descriptive Mains.

Phase 3 – Practice & Mock Tests

Transition into heavy practice. Solve at least 2 full-length mocks monthly and analyze your mistakes in an "error log".

Phase 4 – Revision & Last-Minute Tips

In the final 2-3 months, perform multiple revisions of the complete syllabus. Focus on landmark judgments and updated current affairs.

Best Books & Study Materials for Bihar APO 2026

Your book list should be limited but authoritative to avoid losing time during revision. Here is the list of the best Bihar APO Preparation Books 2026 for you:

• Law Subjects: Bare Acts are non-negotiable for all core subjects. Recommended commentaries include Ratanlal & Dhirajlal for Penal Law and Batuk Lal for the Law of Evidence.
• Constitution: M.P. Jain or J.N. Pandey is preferred for conceptual clarity.
• General Studies: Lucent’s General Knowledge is essential for a static GK base and General Science.

Bihar APO Previous Year Papers & Mock Tests

Solving previous Bihar judiciary exams is critical for understanding the exam's "pattern". In addition to that, you should also analyse the mocks and PYQs to understand where you lack and what your strong points are.

• How to Analyse Bihar APO PYQs: Look at the 2021 and 2022 papers to identify high-yield sections. Even though laws are changing, the GS and Constitutional Law patterns remain relevant.
• Mock Strategy for Bihar APO 2026: Use mocks to simulate actual exam conditions. Analyse your scores; if you are scoring below 70 in initial mocks, focus heavily on Prelims-specific facts for two months before returning to Mains practice.

Previous Year Preliminary Cut-Off Trends

Historical data from the sources shows why the 1/3 reservation for women and category benefits are critical in Bihar.

Category	Historical Cut-Off (approx.)	2026 Expected Target
General (Unreserved)	138.75	160–170 (due to higher competition)
EWS	83.00	100+
SC Female	-1.87 (historically very low)	Aim for positive scoring

Bihar APO 2026 Cut-Offs & Result

Previous trends show that the General category cut-off was approximately 138.75 in previous cycles. However, with fewer seats and increased competition, the cut-off is expected to rise, potentially reaching 160-170. The final selection is based on the combined scores of the Mains (1050 marks) and the Interview (100 marks).

Key Takeaways

• Master New Laws: Prioritize the 2023 criminal codes (BNS, BNSS, BSA).
• Mains First: Start with a Mains-oriented strategy to ensure you aren't overwhelmed after clearing Prelims.
• Daily Consistency: Write 2 answers and solve 50-100 MCQs every single day.
• GS and Languages: Do not ignore the Hindi, English, and General Studies papers, as they carry significant weight in the final merit.\
• Resource Limitation: Stick to one core book per subject plus the Bare Act.

By focusing on the new criminal codes, maintaining a rigorous schedule of answer writing, and using high-quality resources like Bare Acts and Lucent's GK, you can position yourself for success in 2026. Stay consistent, revise often, and keep practising.