BPSC Assistant Section Officer Recruitment 2025: Notification Overview

BPSC ASO Recruitment 2025 Notification PDF Out: The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has released the official notification (Advt. No. 37/2025) for the recruitment of Assistant Section Officer (ASO), also known as Sahayak Prashakha Padadhikari. A total of 41 vacancies are available in the BPSC office in Patna. Eligible Indian citizens can apply online for these positions. The online application process will commence on May 29, 2025, and the last date to submit applications is June 23, 2025. Read on for detailed information regarding vacancies, eligibility criteria, salary, selection process, and how to apply.

BPSC ASO Recruitment 2025: Organization Details

Hiring Body: Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC)
Post Name: Assistant Section Officer (ASO) / सहायक प्रशाखा पदाधिकारी
Advertisement Number: 37/2025
Total Number of Posts: 41
Job Location: Bihar Public Service Commission Office, Patna
Official Website: bpsc.bihar.gov.in

BPSC ASO Vacancy 2025: Detailed Breakdown

A total of 41 vacancies have been announced for the Assistant Section Officer position. The category-wise distribution of these posts, including horizontal reservation for women, is as follows:

Category	Total Vacancies	Vacancies for Women (35% Horizontal Reservation)
Unreserved (UR)	16	06
Economically Weaker Section (EWS)	04	01
Scheduled Caste (SC)	09	03
Scheduled Tribe (ST)	01	00
Extremely Backward Class (EBC)	01	00
Backward Class (BC)	09	03
Backward Class Ladies (BCL)	01	00
Total	41	13

Other Horizontal Reservations:

Grandchildren of Freedom Fighters (2%): 01 post.
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) (4%):
- Visually Impaired (VI): 00 posts
- Deaf & Dumb (DD): 01 post (This vacancy is carried forward from Advt. No. 06/2022 and is allocated from the Unreserved category due to previous unavailability of a DD candidate)
- Orthopedically Handicapped (OH): 00 posts
- Multiple Disabilities (MD): 01 post

Note: The number of advertised vacancies may increase or decrease.

BPSC ASO Eligibility Criteria 2025

Candidates must fulfill the following eligibility criteria regarding educational qualification and age limit to be considered for the BPSC ASO position:

Educational Qualification

Applicants must possess a Graduation Degree from a recognized university.
It is mandatory for the candidate to hold the graduation degree by the last date of application submission (June 23, 2025).

Age Limit (as of August 1, 2025)

Minimum Age: 21 years.
Maximum Age:
- Unreserved (Male): 37 years.
- Backward Class (BC) / Extremely Backward Class (EBC) (Male & Female) & Unreserved (Female): 40 years.
- Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) (Male & Female): 42 years.
The age of superannuation (retirement) is 60 years.

Age Relaxation Provisions

The BPSC provides relaxation in the upper age limit for various categories as per Bihar government norms:

Contractual Employees: Candidates who have worked or are working on a contract basis on the same post will be given age relaxation equivalent to the period of their service. This relaxation is subject to the condition that their age does not exceed 60 years as of August 1, 2025. The experience for this will be calculated up to the cut-off date of August 1, 2025.
Candidates who were eligible based on the upper age limit between August 1, 2023, and August 1, 2025, are also considered eligible for this recruitment, provided they fulfill other qualifications.
Regular Bihar Government Employees: A relaxation of 5 years in the upper age limit is admissible, provided they have not availed more than 5 attempts in competitive examinations. A certificate from the competent authority is required.
Persons with Disabilities (PwD): An additional relaxation of 10 years in the maximum age limit is provided. A valid disability certificate is necessary.
Ex-Servicemen: A relaxation of 3 years plus the number of years of service rendered in defense services is applicable, provided their actual age on the date of application does not exceed 57 years. A relevant certificate is required.

BPSC ASO Recruitment 2025: Important Dates

Keeping track of important dates is crucial for aspirants. Here’s a summary:

Event	Date
Advertisement Number	37/2025
Online Application Start Date	May 29, 2025
Online Application End Date	June 23, 2025
Age Limit Calculation Date	August 1, 2025
Cut-off for Contractual Work Experience	June 23, 2025
Last Date for Issuance of Certificates	June 23, 2025
Preliminary Exam Date	To be notified
Main Exam Date	To be notified

BPSC ASO Salary & Benefits (Pay Scale)

Selected candidates for the Assistant Section Officer post will be offered a handsome salary package.

Pay Level: Level-7 of the pay matrix.
Pay Scale: ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 per month.
In addition to the basic pay, other allowances as per Bihar Government rules will be applicable.

BPSC ASO Selection Process 2025

The selection process for the BPSC Assistant Section Officer will be conducted in two stages:

Preliminary Competitive Examination
Main Competitive Examination

Candidates who qualify in the Preliminary exam will be eligible to appear for the Main exam. Information provided in the Preliminary and Main exam applications must be consistent; any discrepancy can lead to disqualification from the Main exam.

A. Preliminary Examination

The Preliminary Exam will consist of one paper on General Knowledge.
Exam Pattern:
- Subjects & Number of Questions:
  - General Studies: 50 questions
  - General Science and Mathematics: 50 questions
  - Mental Ability Test: 50 questions
- Nature of Questions: All questions will be objective type with multiple choice answers.
- Marking Scheme: Each question will carry 01 mark.
- Duration: The examination will be for 2 hours and 15 minutes.
- Language: The question paper will be available in both Hindi and English. In case of any ambiguity or difference between the Hindi and English versions, the English version will be considered final.
Open Book Exam: Candidates are permitted to carry books into the examination hall for the Preliminary Exam.
- A maximum of three books can be taken: one for General Knowledge, one for Mathematics, and one for General Science.
- Only NCERT, BSEB, ICSE, and other board textbooks are allowed.
- Guides, photocopies of books, or handwritten notes are strictly prohibited.
- Candidates must write their name and roll number clearly on their permissible books before entering the exam hall.
- Exchange of books inside the examination hall is not allowed.
Syllabus for Preliminary Examination:
- Section (A) – General Studies:
  - Questions will aim to assess the candidate’s general awareness of their surroundings and its application to society.
  - Knowledge of current events and matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspect as may be expected of any¹ educated person.
  - Topics include:
    - Current Affairs: Scientific progress, national/international awards, Indian languages, books, sports, important events, etc.
    - India and its Neighboring Countries: History of neighboring countries, History of India, Culture, Geography, Economic scenario, Freedom Movement, Indian Agriculture² and main features of natural resources, Constitution of India and Polity, country’s political system, Panchayati Raj, Community Development, Five Year Plan, and National Movement.
- Section (B) – General Science and Mathematics (Matriculation Level):
  - General Science: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Geography.
  - Mathematics: Number system related questions, computation of whole numbers, decimal and fractions, relationship between numbers, fundamental arithmetical operations, percentage,³ ratio and proportion, average, interest,⁴ and profit & loss.
- Section (C) – Mental Ability Test:
  - Will include both verbal and non-verbal type questions.
  - Topics include: Analogy, similarities and differences, space visualization, problem-solving, analysis, visual memory, discrimination, observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning, arithmetical number series, and coding & decoding.
Minimum Qualifying Marks for Preliminary Exam:
- General Category: 40%
- Backward Class (BC): 36.5%
- Extremely Backward Class (EBC): 34%
- Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) / Women / Persons with Disabilities (PwD): 32%
Weightage for Contractual Service: Candidates with prior satisfactory service on a contractual basis will be given a weightage of a maximum of 5 marks per year, up to a maximum of 25 marks. This will be added after securing the minimum qualifying marks and will be considered for shortlisting for the Main Examination.
The number of candidates selected for the Main Examination will be ten times the total number of notified vacancies, based on the sum of marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination and the weightage for contractual service.

B. Main Examination

Candidates who clear the Preliminary Exam will be required to apply separately for the Main Examination. The Main Examination will consist of two papers:

Paper 1: General Hindi
- Nature of Questions: Objective type with multiple choice answers.
- Qualifying Nature: This paper is qualifying in nature. Candidates must secure at least 30% marks. The marks obtained in this paper will not be counted for the preparation of the merit list.
- Importance: If a candidate fails to score 30% in General Hindi, their Paper 2 (General Knowledge) will not be evaluated, and they will be deemed disqualified from the Main Examination.
- Language: The medium of this paper will be Hindi.
- Total Questions: 100 questions.
- Marking Scheme: Each question will carry 01 mark.
- Duration: 2 hours and 15 minutes.
- Syllabus for General Hindi: The questions will be of the secondary (matriculation) level of the Bihar School Examination Board. The exam will test the candidate’s ability to express ideas clearly and correctly in Hindi and their सहज बोधशक्ति (natural comprehension). Topics include: Sentences, sub-sentences, phrases, words, letters and visarga, sandhi (joining of words), noun, vachan (number), pronoun, adjective, kriya visheshan (adverb), samanarthak shabd / viparitarthak shabd (synonyms/antonyms), Hindi ke prachalit kathy evam muhavare (common Hindi sayings and idioms), and other aspects of Hindi language and grammar.
Paper 2: General Knowledge (Main)
- Nature of Questions: Objective type with multiple choice answers.
- Exam Pattern:
  - Subjects & Number of Questions:
    - General Studies: 50 questions
    - General Science and Mathematics: 50 questions
    - Mental Ability Test: 50 questions
  - Language: The question paper will be in Hindi and English.
  - Marking Scheme: Each question will carry 01 mark.
  - Duration: 2 hours and 15 minutes.
- Syllabus for General Knowledge (Main):
  - Section (A) – General Studies: The syllabus is the same as for the Preliminary Examination, focusing on general awareness, current events, scientific outlook, India and its neighboring countries (history, culture, geography, economy, freedom movement, agriculture, resources, Constitution, polity, Panchayati Raj, community development, Five Year Plan, national movement).
  - Section (B) – General Science and Mathematics (Matriculation Level): The syllabus is the same as for the Preliminary Examination (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography; Number system, whole numbers, decimals, fractions, arithmetical operations, percentage, ratio, proportion, average, interest, profit & loss).
  - Section (C) – Mental Ability Test: This section will include both verbal and non-verbal questions. Topics include: Analogy, similarities and differences, space visualization, spatial orientation, problem-solving, analysis, visual memory, discrimination, observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning,⁵ verbal and figural classification, arithmetical number series, non-verbal series, coding, and decoding.⁶
Minimum Qualifying Marks for Main Exam (Paper 2):
- General Category: 40%
- Backward Class (BC): 36.5%
- Extremely Backward Class (EBC): 34%
- Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) / Women / Persons with Disabilities (PwD): 32%

C. Merit List

The final merit list will be prepared based on the marks obtained by candidates in Paper 2 (General Knowledge) of the Main Examination and the weightage marks for contractual work experience (if applicable), according to reservation categories.
There is no provision for re-evaluation of answer sheets for either the Preliminary or the Main Examination.

How to Apply for BPSC ASO Recruitment 2025

Candidates must apply online through the official BPSC portal. The process involves One Time Registration (OTR), filling the application form, and payment of fees.

Step-by-Step Application Guide:

Visit Official Website: Go to the BPSC online application portal.
One Time Registration (OTR):
- This is mandatory for applying to any BPSC exam.
- Click on the “New user Registration Button”.
- Provide a valid and active email ID and mobile number, as OTPs will be sent to them.
- Carefully enter your Name, Father’s Name, Mother’s Name, Gender, Aadhaar Number, and Date of Birth, as these cannot be changed later.
- Candidates who registered on the old BPSC portal must complete a fresh OTR on this new portal.
Digilocker Account Integration (Optional but Recommended):
- After OTR, the Digilocker Meri Pehchan Portal will open.
- If you have a Digilocker account, sign in and provide consent to OAMS (Online Application Management System).
- If you don’t have an account, you can create one.
- You can upload required documents via Digilocker.
- If you do not wish to proceed via Digilocker, click the browser’s back button to go to the Online Application Portal and log in with your credentials.
Profile Creation (Six Steps):
- Step 1: Personal Information: Enter caste, category, disability details, sports achievements, ex-serviceman status, NCC cadet info, government employee details, etc. Save.
- Step 2: Address Information: Enter permanent address and correspondence address. Save.
- Step 3: Other Information: Provide details of any criminal proceedings or convictions, if any. Save.
- Step 4: Qualification Information: Enter educational qualifications starting from 10th, 12th, and graduation. Include details like board/university, subjects, year of passing, marks, percentage, mode of education, etc. Add each qualification and save.
- Step 5: Experience Information: If you have relevant work experience, click “Yes” and provide details like type of employment, department, designation, pay grade, period of service, etc. Add each experience and save.
- Step 6: Upload Photo/Signature and Profile Lock:
  - Capture a live photo using a webcam.
  - Upload scanned images of your signature in English and Hindi. The signature image size should not exceed 20KB, with dimensions between 150-220 pixels (Width) and 250-320 pixels (Height).
  - Click “Save”. Confirm that all provided information is correct by checking the box, then click “Submit and Lock Profile”.
Applying for the Advertisement:
- After locking your profile, active advertisements will appear under the “New Advertisement Tab”.
- In the “New Application Tab,” find the BPSC ASO Recruitment (Advt. No. 37/2025). Click “View,” then “Check Advertisement Criteria.”
- Proceed to “Submit & Pay Fees” to complete the payment process.
Application Form Printout:
- After successful submission and payment, go to the “My Account Tab.”
- You will see your applied advertisements. Under the “Action” column, options like “Application Form Print,” “Cancel Application,” “Pay Now” (if payment failed), and “Payment History” will be available.
- Download and print at least two copies of the completed application form. Ensure each page has the Application Number, Application ID, and Bar Code.

Important Notes for Applicants:
- No hard copy of the application or documents needs to be sent to the BPSC office unless specifically asked for.
- If there’s any error in the submitted application, you can “Cancel Application” and re-apply. However, the fee paid for the cancelled application will not be refunded.
- Keep your registered email ID and mobile number active until the final results are declared.
- It is advisable to complete the application process well before the last date to avoid any last-minute technical glitches.

BPSC ASO Application Fees 2025

Candidates are required to pay the application fee online as per their category:

Category	Application Fee
General Candidates	₹600/-
Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) (Bihar Domicile Only)	₹150/-
All Female Candidates (Permanent Residents of Bihar – Reserved/Unreserved)	₹150/-
Persons with Disabilities (PwD) (40% or more disability)	₹150/-
All Other Candidates (not covered above)	₹600/-

Additional Charges: Applicable bank charges for online payment will be borne by the candidate.
Biometric Fee: Candidates who do not provide their Aadhaar Number as an ID in the online application will have to pay an additional ₹200/- as a biometric fee.
Note on Concessional Fees: Candidates availing concessional fees (SC/ST, Female, PwD) must be able to produce valid certificates during verification. Failure to do so may lead to disqualification. Such candidates can choose to pay the general fee to secure their candidature against this point.

Important Instructions for BPSC ASO Applicants

Document Verification: Candidates will be required to produce original certificates for verification at a later stage. These include matriculation certificate (for age proof), graduation degree, reservation category certificates (caste, NCL, EWS, PwD, freedom fighter dependent), domicile certificate, experience certificate (if applicable), NOC (if employed), photo ID, passport photos, and a hard copy of the submitted online application.
Reservation Benefits: Reservation benefits are applicable only to permanent residents of Bihar. Certificates for married women claiming reservation must be issued in their father’s name and address. EWS certificates are valid for one year from the date of issue.
All required certificates must be issued on or before the last date of online application, i.e., June 23, 2025.
The Commission’s decision regarding eligibility will be final.
Information provided in the online application will be considered final, and no changes will be permitted later.

BPSC ASO 2025: Official Notification & Apply Online Links

Official Notification PDF: Download Here
Online Application Link: Apply Here
Official BPSC Website: Visit Here

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Candidates are strongly advised to read the official notification carefully before applying for the BPSC ASO Recruitment 2025. This is a significant opportunity for graduates seeking a government job in Bihar. Prepare well and apply before the deadline!