BTSC Diploma Engineer Recruitment 2025–26 Notification for Mechanical, Electrical & Civil Posts

Managing Your Application Timeline Effectively

The Bihar Technical Service Commission (BTSC) has opened the application window for Junior Engineer positions from 12 December 2025 to 12 January 2026. This 32-day period is crucial for candidates to complete all formalities without rushing. Unlike many state recruitments, BTSC provides a single continuous window for registration, document upload, and fee payment. There's no separate correction window mentioned, so you must ensure all details are accurate before final submission. The commission explicitly states that late, incomplete, or handwritten applications will be summarily rejected. A common mistake is waiting until the last 48 hours, leading to website congestion and payment gateway failures. Since all documents must be issued on or before 12 January 2026, you should arrange your certificates—especially caste, domicile, and disability certificates—well in advance. The selection process timeline (exam dates, admit cards) will be announced separately on the official website www.btsc.bihar.gov.in.

Understanding Age Calculation and Relaxation Policies

Your age eligibility is locked as of 01 August 2025. This means you must be at least 18 years old on or before this date, and you must not exceed the maximum age limit for your category. For example, if you were born on 15 July 2007, you will be considered 17 years and 17 days old on the reference date and will be ineligible. Conversely, a General category male candidate born on 31 July 1988 will be 37 years and 1 day old on 01 August 2025, thus crossing the limit. The age relaxations are substantial: +3 years for General females and OBC/EWS (making it 40 years), and +5 years for SC/ST candidates (making it 42 years). Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD) get an additional 10 years relaxation over their category limit. Government servants with 3 years of continuous service and candidates with contractual JE experience also get age concessions. Crucially, if you qualify for multiple relaxations, they are cumulative. However, no candidate above 60 years of age will be appointed regardless of relaxations.

The Non-Negotiable Diploma Requirement from Recognized Institutions

To apply for the Bihar JE post, you must possess a three-year full-time Diploma in Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering from an institution approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) or a Diploma awarded by a University established under the UGC Act. The notification strictly excludes diplomas obtained through distance or correspondence mode. The commission will verify the approval status of your institute; if your college is not listed in the AICTE's latest approval handbook, your application will be rejected. For candidates with diplomas in allied branches, equivalence will be determined by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of Bihar. A common pitfall is when candidates from private institutes that are not AICTE-approved assume eligibility. You must check your institute's approval status on the AICTE portal before applying. Provisional certificates are accepted only if the final diploma is pending due to administrative reasons, but you must submit proof.

Bihar Domicile: The Key to Reservation Benefits

While the post is open to all Indian citizens, reservation benefits are exclusively for candidates with permanent residency in Bihar. The domicile certificate is mandatory for claiming SC/ST/OBC/EWS/WBC reservations, horizontal reservation for women, and even for the 40% quota reserved for diploma holders from institutions located within Bihar. The address you fill in the "Permanent Address" column of the online form will be considered your domicile proof. Candidates from other states can apply under the unreserved (open) category but will not get any age relaxation or reservation. For women candidates, the 35% horizontal reservation is applicable only if they are Bihar domicile holders. The commission is strict about this; even if you have a Bihar caste certificate but your permanent address is outside Bihar, your reservation claim will be invalidated. Ensure your domicile certificate is issued by a competent authority (SDM/Tehsildar) of your home district in the prescribed format.

Decoding the 60-40 Quota and Category-Wise Distribution

The vacancy distribution follows a unique 60% Open Merit and 40% Bihar-Institute quota system. The 60% Open Merit seats are filled purely on the basis of merit, irrespective of the candidate's diploma institution location (within or outside Bihar). The 40% Bihar-Institute quota is reserved exclusively for candidates who have passed their diploma from AICTE-approved institutions located within Bihar. This quota aims to promote local candidates. Within both these quotas, vertical reservations for SC, ST, EBC, BC, EWS apply. Additionally, horizontal reservations for Women (35%), PwD, and Grandchildren of Freedom Fighters (2%) are applied. For example, in Civil Engineering, out of 2653 posts, roughly 1592 (60%) will be filled through Open Merit and 1061 (40%) through the Bihar-Institute quota. The notification also carries forward backlog vacancies from previous advertisements, which have been merged into the unreserved category.

Understanding the Pay Scale and Career Growth

Selected candidates will be appointed in Pay Level-7 of the 7th Central Pay Commission, which corresponds to the pre-revised Pay Band-2 (₹9,300-34,800) with Grade Pay ₹4,600. The starting basic pay will be approximately ₹44,900 per month. After adding Dearness Allowance (currently around 46%), House Rent Allowance (city-based), Travel Allowance, and other admissible allowances, the gross monthly salary will be between ₹70,000 to ₹75,000. After deductions for National Pension Scheme (10% of basic+DA), professional tax, and other contributions, the in-hand salary typically ranges from ₹45,000 to ₹50,000 per month. This is a significant package for a diploma-level entry position in state government. The career progression offers regular increments, promotions to Assistant Engineer, and opportunities for higher technical posts. The job also provides job security, pension benefits (under the NPS scheme), and a respectable position in the state's technical administration.

Navigating the ₹100 Fee Payment and Bank Charges

The application fee is a uniform ₹100 for all categories, including SC, ST, PwD, and women candidates. No fee exemption is mentioned in the notification, which is unusual but strictly enforced. Payment must be made online through the integrated payment gateway on the BTSC portal. Importantly, banks may levy additional processing charges (typically ₹5 to ₹20), which will be automatically added to the ₹100 fee. This total amount is non-refundable, even if your application is rejected due to ineligibility. Candidates often make the mistake of assuming the fee is only ₹100 and then face transaction failure when the total amount differs. Use a stable internet connection and complete the payment at least 3 days before the deadline. After payment, save the transaction ID and take a screenshot of the success page. The commission will not accept any offline payment or demand drafts.

Certificate Validity and Format-Specific Requirements

Every certificate you upload must be issued on or before 12 January 2026 and must be in the prescribed format. For caste certificates, SC/ST candidates need a caste certificate and a domicile certificate. OBC/EBC candidates must submit a Non-Creamy Layer certificate specific for Bihar Government purposes; a regular caste certificate is insufficient. The EWS certificate must include income and asset details for the financial year preceding the application. For PwD candidates, the disability certificate must be issued by a Medical Board constituted by Central/State Government in the prescribed Appendix-1 format. Those claiming multiple disabilities need Form-VI under RPWD Rules 2017. Experience certificates for contractual work must strictly follow the Appendix-1 format (salary payment certificate); any other format will be rejected. All documents must be clear, legible scans; blurred or cropped documents lead to rejection during automated scrutiny.

A Guided Walkthrough from Registration to Final Submission

The application process is exclusively online through the BTSC portal. On 12 December 2025, the "Apply Online" link will become active. First, complete the registration by providing a valid email ID and mobile number—these will be used for all future communications. You will also need to enter your Photo ID details (Aadhaar is preferred; if not available, use PAN, Driving License, etc.). After registration, you will receive login credentials. The application form is divided into multiple sections: personal details, educational qualifications (Matric, Intermediate, Diploma), category details, experience details (if any), and document upload. A critical section is the preference for department allocation (Water Resources, Urban Development, Rural Works, etc.). You must carefully choose your preference order during the application, as no changes will be allowed later during counseling. Fill each section meticulously; the form does not allow saving drafts for long periods, so keep all information ready beforehand.

Document Upload Specifications and Post-Submission Steps

Document upload is the most technical part. Each document has specified size and format limits (usually PDF/JPG/PNG, max 500KB). The system will have separate columns for each certificate. Ensure your scanned documents are clear, color, and all edges visible. For the photograph, use a recent passport-size white background image. The signature should be on white paper with black ink. After uploading, review the preview. Once you proceed to payment, you cannot go back to edit documents. After successful payment, click "Final Submit". Immediately download the confirmation page and take a printout. This printout, along with the fee receipt, must be preserved until the final appointment. Note that BTSC will not send individual SMS/email alerts for admit cards or results; you must regularly check the website. Also, there is no option for editing the application after final submission, except during a possible correction window if announced.

Understanding the 75+25 Mark Distribution and Normalization

The selection is based on a 100-mark composite score where 75 marks are from the Computer Based Test (CBT) and up to 25 marks are for relevant work experience. The CBT will consist of 100 multiple-choice questions from the core engineering syllabus of your diploma branch (Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical). The exam will be conducted in multiple shifts, so scores will be normalized using statistical methods to ensure fairness. The normalized score out of 100 in the CBT is then multiplied by 0.75 to arrive at the 75-mark component. For example, if you score 80% in the exam (80 marks), your normalized score might be 78, which becomes 78 * 0.75 = 58.5 marks. The experience marks are calculated as 5 marks per completed year of contractual JE work (or equivalent). Part of a year is calculated proportionally. These two are added to prepare the final merit list.

Exam Syllabus, Minimum Qualifying Marks, and Negative Marking

The CBT will strictly follow the latest AICTE diploma curriculum for the respective engineering branch. For Civil Engineering, topics include Building Construction, Surveying, Hydraulics, Environmental Engineering, etc. The exam will be bilingual (Hindi and English). There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer, so attempt questions carefully. More importantly, there are minimum qualifying marks (cut-offs) for the written exam: General - 40%, OBC - 36.5%, EBC - 34%, SC/ST/Women/PwD - 32%. These cut-offs apply to the normalized CBT score, not the final composite score. If you fail to meet this threshold, you will be eliminated regardless of your experience marks. The experience marks are only for those who have worked in Bihar Government/Undertakings or Central Government offices located in Bihar on a contractual basis. The experience certificate must be in the prescribed Appendix-1 format, detailing salary payments.

Comprehensive Reservation Framework and Claim Process

The reservation system is multi-layered. First, the 60-40 quota splits the vacancies. Within each quota, vertical reservations (SC, ST, etc.) apply. Then, horizontal reservations (Women, PwD, FF Grandchildren) are applied within each vertical category. For example, in the 40% Bihar-institute quota for Civil JE, there will be separate seats for SC women, ST women, etc. To claim reservation, you must tick the appropriate box in the online form and upload the valid certificate. If you do not claim it in the form, you will not get the benefit later, even if you produce the certificate during verification. For OBC/EBC, the Non-Creamy Layer certificate is mandatory. For women, the 35% reservation is only for Bihar domicile women. PwD candidates must have a disability of 40% or more, and the certificate must be issued by a Medical Board. The commission will reconstitute a Medical Board to verify disability claims at the document verification stage.

Zero-Tolerance Policy Towards Fraud and Non-Compliance

BTSC has a strict policy against malpractices. Submitting forged documents (fake caste, domicile, experience, or disability certificates) will lead not only to disqualification but also to criminal prosecution under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. The commission explicitly states that no changes in reservation category will be allowed after registration. If you claim OBC but submit an SC certificate during verification, your entire application will be rejected. Another critical rule: candidates above 60 years of age (as per birth certificate) will not be appointed, even if they have age relaxations. Also, if you are already a government servant, you must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your department; failure to do so may result in cancellation of candidature. The selection is provisional, subject to verification of antecedents and medical fitness.

1. I have a diploma from an institute outside Bihar. Can I apply for the 40% Bihar-institute quota?

No, the 40% quota is exclusively reserved for candidates who have passed their three-year diploma from AICTE-approved institutions located within the geographical boundaries of Bihar. If your institute is outside Bihar, you can only compete for the 60% Open Merit seats. Your domicile (being from Bihar) does not make you eligible for this quota; the institute's location is the sole criterion. Ensure you correctly select the appropriate quota (Open or Bihar) while filling the application, as this choice affects your merit list placement.

2. How is work experience calculated for the additional 25 marks?

Work experience is calculated based on the duration for which you received salary as a contractual Junior Engineer (or equivalent post) in Bihar Government/Undertakings or Central Government offices located in Bihar. Each completed year of service earns you 5 marks, with a maximum of 25 marks for 5+ years. For incomplete years, the marks are calculated proportionally: (Number of days worked / 365) * 5. The experience must be certified in the prescribed Appendix-1 format (Salary Payment Certificate) issued by the controlling officer. Experience in private companies or in other states is not considered.

3. Is there any interview or physical test for Bihar JE recruitment?

No, the selection is based entirely on the composite score (CBT + Experience Marks). There is no interview, group discussion, or physical efficiency test. After the merit list is prepared, shortlisted candidates will be called for document verification, which is a verification process, not an interview. Your final appointment depends on the verification of your original certificates and medical fitness (for PwD candidates, a re-assessment by a Medical Board may be conducted).

4. Can I apply for more than one engineering discipline (e.g., Civil and Electrical)?

No, you can apply for only one discipline—Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical—based on your diploma specialization. The online application form will ask you to choose the post you are applying for. Submitting multiple applications for different disciplines will lead to the cancellation of all your applications. Choose the discipline that exactly matches your diploma branch; if you have a diploma in Electrical Engineering, you cannot apply for Civil JE.

5. What is the validity period of the EWS certificate for this recruitment?

The Income and Asset Certificate for EWS category must be valid for the financial year preceding the application year. Since the application is in 2025-26, the certificate should be for the financial year 2024-25 (or 2025-26) and must be issued on or after 1 April 2025. The certificate is valid for one year from the date of issue. Ensure it contains family income and asset details as per the Government of India format and is issued by a competent authority of your district in Bihar.

6. Are scribe facilities available for PwD candidates?

Yes, candidates with benchmark disabilities (40% or more) can avail the facility of a scribe. You must indicate your requirement for a scribe in the online application by selecting "Yes" in the relevant column. The scribe should be of a lower qualification than the candidate (ideally below graduation level). The extra time will be as per government norms. You will also need to submit a request along with your disability certificate during the document verification stage.

7. How will the department (Water Resources, Urban Development, etc.) be allotted?

Department allotment is done through a centralized counseling process based on your merit rank and the preference order you choose during the application. After the final merit list is published, you will be called for counseling where you will be asked to confirm your department preferences. Seats are allotted in order of merit; higher-ranked candidates get their first preference. If you do not indicate any preference, you may not be considered for any department. No changes in preference are allowed after the counseling process.

8. What if my payment is deducted but the application status shows 'pending'?

This is usually due to a delay in payment gateway reconciliation. Wait for 24-48 hours; the status should update automatically. If it doesn't, contact the BTSC helpdesk with your transaction ID, bank reference number, and application ID. Do not attempt to pay again, as duplicate payments are rarely refunded. Keep a screenshot of the successful payment message and your bank statement as proof. The commission is not responsible for technical glitches, so it's advisable to complete the payment well before the deadline.

Mastering the CBT: Syllabus Deep Dive and Question Pattern

The CBT will strictly follow the AICTE diploma curriculum. For Civil Engineering, focus on Building Construction (types of foundations, masonry, roofs, plastering), which typically carries the highest weightage. Surveying questions often involve numerical problems on leveling, theodolite, and chain surveying. Environmental Engineering will cover water treatment, wastewater disposal, and sanitation standards. Since the exam is computer-based, practice online mock tests to get accustomed to the interface. The questions are likely to be application-based rather than theoretical. For example, instead of asking "What is the formula for slump test?" they might ask "If a concrete mix shows a slump of 150mm, what is its consistency?" Previous year trends suggest that around 20% of questions are from recent advancements in the field, so read about new construction materials and sustainable practices.

Time Management and Negative Marking Strategy

With 100 questions in 120 minutes, you have approximately 1.2 minutes per question. However, some questions will be calculation-intensive and may require more time. Develop a strategy: first attempt all direct, theory-based questions, then move to numerical problems. Since there is a 0.25 negative marking, avoid blind guessing. If you can eliminate two options, it may be worth attempting. For the unknown questions, it's better to leave them blank. Your target should be to attempt 75-80 questions with 90% accuracy rather than all 100 with 70% accuracy. The normalized scoring means your raw score will be adjusted relative to other candidates in your shift, so consistency matters. Finally, the experience marks (up to 25) can be a game-changer; if you have eligible experience, ensure your certificate is flawless to claim these valuable marks.

The category-wise distribution of vacancies for BTSC Diploma Engineer Recruitment 2025–26 has been announced discipline-wise. Reservations are applied as per Bihar Government rules for SC, ST, EBC, BC, EWS, Women (WBC), and PwD categories. Candidates must carefully check their category before applying, as category claims are verified during document verification.

Horizontal reservations such as Women (WBC) and Persons with Disabilities (PwD – VH, HH, OH, MH) are adjusted within their respective vertical categories. If suitable candidates are not available in a reserved category, vacancies may be carried forward as backlog posts, as per Bihar Government reservation policy.