71st BPSC Prelims 2025 Question Paper
Explore the complete solved question paper for 71st BPSC Prelims 2025 featuring 150 solved questions with bilingual (English & Hindi) explanations, official answer key, and subject weightage breakdown.
According to PLFS 2023-24, which of the following statements best describe the nature of employment among women in Bihar?
Detailed Explanation:
PLFS 2023-24 data shows approximately 67% of women workers in India are self-employed, predominantly as unpaid helpers in household enterprises.
In Bihar, formal regular wage employment for women is minimal, with most engaged in agriculture and informal sectors, not secondary sector manufacturing.
Consider the following statements:
- The proportion of the young population (0-19 years) in Bihar is projected to decline significantly by 2041.
- Bihar's demographic dividend is expected to peak around 2041.
- The elderly population (60+ years) in Bihar is expected to rise more sharply than in India.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Falling fertility rates in Bihar will significantly reduce the proportion of the 0–19 years age group by 2041, though it will remain higher than the all-India average.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Bihar's demographic dividend (large working-age population) is projected to peak around 2031–2041 and continue benefiting the state until approximately 2051.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: While the elderly population (60+ years) in Bihar will increase, the pace of ageing is slower than the national average due to Bihar's younger age structure.
Which of the following statement/s is/are correct about Bihar's economic performance in 2023-24?
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Bihar's per capita GSDP at current prices increased by 12.8% in 2023-24 over the previous year as per official economic survey data.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The tertiary (services) sector share in Bihar's GSVA at constant prices was 58.6% in 2023-24, reflecting the dominance of the services sector.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) as a percentage of GSDP was significantly higher; the 4.6% figure misrepresents the actual capital formation ratio reported in official statistics.
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Which of the following is NOT one of the components under the YUVA framework of the Bihar Startup Policy 2022?
Detailed Explanation:
YUVA Framework under Bihar Startup Policy 2022 comprises three pillars: Vibrancy in education system (promoting entrepreneurial mindset), Young workforce engagement (skill development and employment), and Regulatory enablers (simplifying compliance and registration).
International market expansion schemes are NOT part of YUVA—the policy focuses on local incubation, state-level incentives, and regulatory support, not direct global market initiatives.
What is the primary objective of Bihar's Mission Daksh?
Detailed Explanation:
Mission Daksh is a remedial education initiative launched by the Bihar Education Department targeting students in Classes 3 to 8 in government schools.
The programme identifies students who are lagging behind in basic literacy and numeracy skills and provides them personalised mentoring and extra remedial classes to achieve grade-level competencies through regular assessments and progress tracking.
Which of the following statement/s is/are correct regarding the Indian cement industry?
- Around 87% of India's cement industry is concentrated in a few major states like Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
- India is the largest producer of cement in the world.
- Most cement plants in India are located far from raw material sources and near to the ports to support exports.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Around 87% of India's cement capacity is concentrated in states like Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, which possess abundant limestone deposits.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: China is the world's largest cement producer; India ranks second globally.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Cement plants in India are located near raw material sources (limestone mines), not near ports, as the industry is bulk-reducing and weight-losing in nature.
Share of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the country's Gross Value Added (GVA) has increased from_______ 2020-21 to_______ in 2022-23.
Detailed Explanation:
MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) contribution to India's Gross Value Added (GVA) increased from 27.3% in 2020-21 to 30.1% in 2022-23, as per Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) data.
MSME classification criteria: Micro (Investment ≤ ₹1 crore, Turnover ≤ ₹5 crore), Small (Investment ≤ ₹10 crore, Turnover ≤ ₹50 crore), Medium (Investment ≤ ₹50 crore, Turnover ≤ ₹250 crore).
Which of the following was NOT the outcome of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2020?
Detailed Explanation:
Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) 2020 introduced One Nation, One Subscription (ONOS) for providing unified access to scientific journals across Indian institutions.
Research and Innovation Excellence Framework (RIEF) was proposed under STIP 2020 for evaluating research quality and promoting innovation.
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) was launched by NITI Aayog in 2016, four years before STIP 2020, to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
Therefore, AIM is NOT an outcome of STIP 2020.
According to Annual PLFS 2023-24 report:
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Rural female LFPR increased from 23.3% (2021-22) to 41.7% (2023-24) — a rise of 18.4 percentage points. Urban female LFPR rose from 23.8% to 28.0% — only 4.2 points. The rural increase is substantially greater.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The PLFS 2023-24 does not report that 90% of states have WPR below 43.7%; no such state-wise statistic is provided.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Female agricultural participation remains high in rural areas; no significant decrease from 2017-18 to 2023-24 is documented in the report.
Match List-I with List-II
| List-I | List-II |
| a) Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme | 1) Introduced in the Union Budget for 2023-24 |
| b) Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) | 2) Aims to reduce emissions in energy-intensive industries |
| c) The Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) initiative | 3) Launched in 2019 as a national-level strategy |
| d) National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) | 4) Launched at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021 |
Detailed Explanation:
a) Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme is a market-based mechanism under the National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency that aims to reduce specific energy consumption in energy-intensive industries → matches with 2.
b) MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes) was announced in the Union Budget 2023-24 for mangrove plantation along coastlines → matches with 1.
c) LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative was launched by the Prime Minister at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021 to promote sustainable lifestyles → matches with 4.
d) National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched in 2019 as a comprehensive national-level strategy to tackle air pollution across Indian cities → matches with 3.
Therefore, the correct matching is a-2, b-1, c-4, d-3.
As per NFHS-5 data, which of the following state(s) recorded less than 6% of the population as multidimensionally poor in 2019-20?
Detailed Explanation:
NITI Aayog's National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) based on NFHS-5 data (2019-20) shows states with less than 6% multidimensionally poor population.
Jammu & Kashmir: 2.81% – below the 6% threshold.
Himachal Pradesh: 3.88% – below the 6% threshold.
Uttar Pradesh: 37.79% – significantly above 6%.
Both Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh recorded less than 6% multidimensionally poor population, making the answer "More than one of the above".
India's foreign exchange reserves:
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: India's foreign exchange reserves increased to around USD 640.3 billion by the end of December 2024, as per the Economic Survey 2024-25.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: India's forex reserves are the fourth largest in the world (after China, Japan, and Switzerland), not seventh.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Reserves actually increased by around USD 68 billion in FY24; there was no BoP deficit of USD 24 billion causing a decrease.
Answer: Only statement 1 is correct.
Before the launch of Kisan Rin Portal (KRP), farmers used to submit manual claims under the Interest Subvention and Prompt Repayment Incentive schemes to which of the following institution/s?
Detailed Explanation:
Kisan Rin Portal (KRP) digitized the manual claims submission process for Interest Subvention and Prompt Repayment Incentive schemes.
Before KRP's launch in September 2023, scheduled commercial banks submitted manual claims to Reserve Bank of India (RBI), while cooperative banks and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) submitted to NABARD.
The manual system caused delays, duplication, and lack of transparency; KRP now provides a single online portal for all banks.
Which state had the highest constructed road length under Bharatmala Pariyojana as of 31 October 2024?
Detailed Explanation:
Bharatmala Pariyojana is a national highway development program launched in October 2017 by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, targeting 34,800 km in Phase I across economic corridors, border roads, and coastal routes.
As of 31 October 2024, Rajasthan had the highest constructed road length under the scheme, surpassing states like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Which organization jointly developed the National Urban Innovation Stack (NUIS) Digital Blueprint with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)?
Detailed Explanation:
National Urban Innovation Stack (NUIS) is a digital public good framework jointly developed by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA).
The blueprint provides open APIs, standards, and protocols for urban local bodies and civic tech firms to build scalable digital solutions for urban governance.
Which of the following statement/s is/are NOT CORRECT about the U-WIN portal of Ministry of Health and Family welfare?
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: U-WIN portal provides QR-based e-vaccination certificates for immunization records.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The portal facilitates creation of Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) for both parents and children.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: U-WIN is accessible in 11 regional languages to ensure wider reach across India.
Since all three statements are correct, the answer is None of the above.
Which of the following countries had greater share than India in the global services export in 2023?
Detailed Explanation:
India was the 7th largest services exporter with approximately 4.6% share in global services exports in 2023.
Ireland had a significantly higher share (~6-7%) driven by its robust software, finance, pharmaceutical, and aircraft leasing services sectors. Russia and Indonesia both had smaller services export shares than India, with less developed global services sectors.
Therefore, only Ireland qualifies as having a greater share than India.
According to India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR 2023):
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: According to ISFR 2023, the total forest and tree cover is 24.62% of India's geographical area, not 15%.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The top three states with largest recorded forest area (RFA) are Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, not Jharkhand, Andaman & Nicobar, and Manipur.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Maximum tree cover is found in Maharashtra, followed by Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh as per ISFR 2023.
Which of the following is not among the top ten principal commodities of India's export during April-September 2024-25?
Detailed Explanation:
Top Ten Principal Commodities (April-September 2024-25): Petroleum Products, Gems & Jewellery, Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, Engineering Goods, Iron & Steel, Organic & Inorganic Chemicals, RMG of Textiles, Electronic Goods, Marine Products, and Non-Basmati Rice as per DGCI&S data (Ministry of Commerce).
Basmati Rice is a major agricultural export but did not feature in the top ten list for this period. Only Option 3 is excluded; Petroleum Products and Iron & Steel are both in the top ten.
Which of the following statement/s is/are correct about Capability Poverty Measure (CPM) developed by the UNDP?
- CPM includes child malnutrition as a proxy for lack of health and nourishment.
- Female illiteracy is included to reflect deprivation in education and knowledge.
- It considers male illiteracy as a key indicator of capability poverty.
- It includes lack of access to clean drinking water as an important indicator of capability poverty.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: CPM (Capability Poverty Measure) includes child malnutrition (proportion of children under 5 who are underweight) as a proxy for deprivation in health and nourishment.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Female illiteracy rate is used to reflect deprivation in education and knowledge, recognizing gender-based capability gaps.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: CPM uses only female illiteracy, not male illiteracy, as the education indicator.
❌ Statement 4 – Incorrect: Access to clean drinking water is not included in CPM; the third indicator is proportion of births unattended by trained health personnel (not water access).
71st BPSC Prelims 2025 Questions Paper - Subject-wise Question Distribution
Current Affairs
43 Qs (28.7%)General Science
29 Qs (19.3%)Modern History
17 Qs (11.3%)Indian Polity
14 Qs (9.3%)Bihar Special
13 Qs (8.7%)Indian Geography
11 Qs (7.3%)General Mental Ability
9 Qs (6%)Ancient History
5 Qs (3.3%)World Geography
3 Qs (2%)Indian Art & Culture
2 Qs (1.3%)Medieval History
2 Qs (1.3%)World History
1 Qs (0.7%)Environment & Ecology
1 Qs (0.7%)71st BPSC Prelims 2025 Question Paper - FAQs & Analysis
Q1 How many total questions were asked in 71st BPSC Prelims 2025?
Q2 What is the subject-wise question breakdown for 71st BPSC Prelims 2025?
- Current Affairs: 43 questions (28.7%)
- General Science: 29 questions (19.3%)
- Modern History: 17 questions (11.3%)
- Indian Polity: 14 questions (9.3%)
- Bihar Special: 13 questions (8.7%)
- Indian Geography: 11 questions (7.3%)
- General Mental Ability: 9 questions (6%)
- Ancient History: 5 questions (3.3%)
- World Geography: 3 questions (2%)
- Indian Art & Culture: 2 questions (1.3%)
- Medieval History: 2 questions (1.3%)
- World History: 1 questions (0.7%)
- Environment & Ecology: 1 questions (0.7%)