Bihar Reduces Exam Fees for Government Jobs: ₹100 for Prelims, Mains Now Free
In a major decision aimed at easing the financial burden on government job aspirants, the Bihar government has announced a uniform examination fee of ₹100 for all preliminary tests of state recruitment exams. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar made the announcement on Friday, stating that no candidate will be charged for appearing in the mains examinations after qualifying the prelims stage. The reform comes as a significant relief to lakhs of aspirants who spend considerable amounts applying for multiple state-level exams throughout the year.
The announcement was made via a post on social media platform X, where the Chief Minister emphasized the goal of bringing uniformity to the examination fee structure and offering substantial concessions to candidates. He stated that this decision was made to benefit the youth of the state and provide more accessible pathways to secure government jobs. He confirmed that instructions have already been issued to ensure that candidates appearing for the preliminary tests will pay only ₹100. Furthermore, those who clear the prelims and proceed to the mains stage will no longer be required to pay any additional examination fees.
This decision will apply across all major state recruitment bodies, including the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC), Bihar Technical Service Commission (BTSC), Bihar Police Subordinate Service Commission (BPSSC), and the Central Constable Selection Board (CSBC), among others. These commissions conduct various recruitment drives for administrative, technical, and police jobs throughout the year, often involving multiple stages of examination. Until now, each commission charged different fees for each stage, with candidates sometimes paying several hundred rupees just to apply.
Previously, the cost of sitting for preliminary and mains exams varied widely between commissions and exam categories. In many cases, candidates paid between ₹300 and ₹750 for the prelims and additional fees for the mains. The cumulative cost of applying for multiple positions created financial pressure on aspirants, particularly those from economically weaker backgrounds and rural areas. This new policy drastically reduces that burden and encourages broader participation by making the process more affordable.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar stressed that providing job opportunities to the state’s youth has always been a priority for his administration. He noted that the state government has taken several concrete steps over the years to create employment and support job seekers. The current reform, he said, is yet another step in that direction. By waiving off the fees for the mains stage and capping the prelims fee at ₹100, the state has removed one of the key barriers many candidates face in pursuing public sector careers.
The move is expected to have a significant impact ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. With youth unemployment being one of the most pressing issues in the state, this decision appears strategically timed to appeal to young voters. The state has a large youth population, many of whom rely heavily on government job opportunities for stable employment. By reducing examination costs, the government is likely to strengthen its support base among students, graduates, and competitive exam aspirants.
The response from the ground has been overwhelmingly positive. Students and candidates in cities like Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, and Darbhanga have welcomed the announcement, calling it a much-needed relief. Many aspirants shared how they often struggled to afford multiple application fees, especially when preparing for several exams simultaneously. For those from rural or underprivileged backgrounds, the cost of application fees was often a deciding factor in whether they could even attempt an exam.
Coaching centers and student organizations have also praised the move, stating that it will not only increase participation in exams but also motivate more serious preparation among candidates. Many believe that this policy will particularly empower women candidates and those from remote regions who were previously hesitant to apply due to financial constraints.
The decision aligns with the state government’s broader focus on equitable access to public sector employment and its commitment to strengthening youth empowerment initiatives. However, some experts have pointed out that fee reduction, while helpful, is only part of the solution. Aspirants also hope to see continued reforms in the recruitment process itself—such as faster timelines for exams and results, increased transparency, and a higher number of job vacancies.
Nevertheless, this latest move is being viewed as a meaningful and practical reform. By significantly cutting down the financial barrier to entry for government job aspirants, the Bihar government has demonstrated its intent to make the recruitment process more inclusive and supportive of the aspirations of its youth.
In conclusion, the Bihar government’s decision to implement a uniform ₹100 fee for all prelims and eliminate fees for mains exams is a landmark reform that directly addresses a long-standing demand of job seekers across the state. It promises to make the recruitment process more accessible and equitable, while also signaling the government’s focus on youth welfare as the state moves closer to its next electoral cycle.
