Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Slashes Exam Fees: ₹100 for All Prelims, Mains Free for Job Aspirants

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has announced ₹100 uniform fee for all entrances of state recruitment exams, mains is now free. This is a major relief for lakhs of government job aspirants in Bihar.

In a major relief to lakhs of government job aspirants in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Independence Day announced a uniform application fee of ₹100 for all preliminary recruitment examinations conducted by state agencies, while declaring that no fee will be charged for mains examinations. The reform will provide benefit to lakhs of candidates preparing for competitive exams in Bihar and is being seen as one of the biggest pro-youth measures in recent years.

A Major Relief for Aspirants

Previously, application fees for prelims and mains varied widely across recruitment bodies like BPSC, BSSC, often becoming a financial burden for candidates—especially those appearing for multiple exams in a year. With the new system, candidates will pay only a nominal ₹100 for the prelims stage, and once qualified, they can sit for the mains for free.

The decision covers major recruitment exams conducted by:

Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC)

Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC)

Bihar Technical Service Commission (BTSC)

Bihar Police Subordinate Services Commission (BPSSC)

Central Constable Selection Board

This reform is expected to significantly reduce the cost of preparation for aspirants who often apply to multiple exams simultaneously.

One of the candidates, Santosh Kumar from Patna said: "This is very big relief for aspirants like me who come from rural background with financially weak background."

Empowering Bihar’s Youth

Highlighting the importance of inclusive governance, CM Nitish Kumar said the policy was aimed at creating a level playing field for all, particularly economically weaker sections and rural candidates. “The youth of Bihar should not be deprived of opportunities because of financial hurdles,” he said in his I-Day address.

Educationists and student bodies have welcomed the move, noting that examination fees—often ranging from ₹500 to ₹1,000 for prelims and even higher for mains—were a deterrent for many first-generation learners and students from marginalized backgrounds.

Wider Political and Social Impact

The announcement comes months before the Bihar Assembly elections and is seen as a strategic step to win over the state’s massive youth population, which makes up more than 55% of Bihar’s demographic. Analysts say this measure aligns with the state government’s broader push to promote employment, education, and skill development.

Over the last few years, Bihar has witnessed demand for government jobs, with BPSC and BSSC examinations drawing millions of applications annually, with aspirants even holding protest in Patna and other parts of the state. In 2024, nearly 8 lakh aspirants applied for BPSC prelims alone. The new fee structure could push these numbers higher, making competition even stiffer but more equitable.\

Reactions from Aspirants

Many job seekers took to social media to praise the decision, calling it a “historic gift” for students on Independence Day. Several pointed out that this reform will allow them to appear in multiple exams without worrying about high application costs, thereby widening their chances of securing employment.