1. Introduction

If you have studied urban planning, town planning, or GIS and have been waiting for a role where your education is actually used-not sidelined-this BPSC Assistant Town Planner recruitment deserves your attention.

Most government jobs attract aspirants from every background. This one does not. It is specialised, technical, and meant for people who genuinely understand how cities grow, struggle, and must be managed. Bihar is going through rapid urban expansion. Poor planning today becomes unlivable cities tomorrow. That is why this role matters.

This recruitment is best suited for candidates who want professional respect, long-term stability, and policy-level impact, not just a government salary.

2. Key Details Table (Verified)

ParticularDetails
Recruiting AuthorityBihar Public Service Commission (BPSC)
DepartmentUrban Development & Housing Department, Govt. of Bihar
Post NameAssistant Town Planner (Town Planning Supervisor)
Advertisement No.07/2026
Total Vacancies36
Job LocationBihar
Application ModeOnline
Selection ProcessWritten Examination + Document Verification
InterviewNot conducted
Pay LevelLevel-7 (7th Pay Commission)
Application Start Date14 January 2026
Last Date to Apply05 February 2026

3. Post-Wise Eligibility (Explained, Not Just Listed)

Educational Qualification - What It Actually Means

This post is not open to general graduates or engineers without planning specialisation.

You are eligible if you have:

  • Bachelor of Planning
  • Master’s degree in Planning / Town Planning / Urban Planning / Regional Planning / City or Country Planning
  • PG Diploma in Remote Sensing & GIS with Urban/Regional Planning focus

Who is genuinely suitable

  • Candidates who studied zoning, land use, transport planning, housing policy, GIS mapping, or urban governance
  • Those comfortable with technical drawings, spatial data, and regulatory frameworks

Who should not apply

  • Civil engineers without planning qualification
  • Architecture graduates without planning specialisation
  • Candidates planning to “somehow clear GS and manage later”

This exam filters out non-domain candidates. If your foundation is weak, it will show.

4. How to Apply - Guided Walkthrough (With Mistakes to Avoid)

Step-by-step

  1. Register through BPSC One Time Registration (OTR)
  2. Login and select Advertisement No. 07/2026
  3. Fill personal and academic details carefully
  4. Upload photo, signatures (Hindi & English), certificates
  5. Pay the application fee
  6. Submit and download final PDF

Common mistakes that reject applications

  • Uploading wrong degree name (example: “M.Tech” instead of “M.Plan”)
  • Incomplete semester marksheets
  • Signature mismatch (language-specific requirement ignored)
  • Forgetting to save final submitted PDF

Advice: Fill the form in one sitting. Cross-check qualification wording with your degree certificate.

5. Salary, Growth & Career Outlook (Rarely Explained Honestly)

Salary

  • Pay Level-7 means ₹44,900 basic + DA + HRA
  • Gross monthly salary typically ranges between ₹65,000-₹75,000, depending on posting

Career Growth

  • Promotion paths include Senior Town Planner and higher supervisory roles
  • Deputation opportunities in urban missions, smart city projects, housing boards
  • Strong profile value for future central or international planning roles

This is not a clerical desk job. It is a field-cum-policy role with accountability.

6. Preparation Plan & Study Strategy

Understand the exam structure

  • Paper I: General Studies (cannot be ignored)
  • Paper II: Optional - Planning or GIS (this decides rank)

Suggested 3-4 Month Plan

  • Month 1: Revise planning fundamentals + Bihar-specific GS
  • Month 2: Technical depth (land use models, transport planning, GIS tools)
  • Month 3: Previous year planning papers (state + central)
  • Last weeks: Mock tests + formula revision

Resources (Indicative)

  • Urban and Regional Planning by Rangwala
  • Town Planning by G.K. Hiraskar
  • GIS basics (remote sensing, spatial analysis)
  • Bihar economy, urban schemes, governance

Reality check: Optional paper is not theoretical fluff. Numerical and applied questions are common.

7. Pros & Cons (No Sugarcoating)

Pros

  • Domain-respect job for planners
  • No interview bias
  • Stable government career
  • Direct impact on city development

Cons

  • Limited vacancies, high technical competition
  • Field responsibilities in early years
  • Slower promotions compared to general services

This is not for those chasing “any government job”.

8. Checklist for Applicants

Before applying, ensure:

  • Degree title exactly matches eligibility wording
  • Age eligibility as on 01-08-2025
  • Category certificate in Bihar format
  • Aadhaar ready (to avoid biometric fee)
  • Application submitted before 05 Feb 2026

9. Conclusion

This recruitment is a rare window for planners who often feel sidelined in the Indian job market. If you have the qualification and the interest, take this seriously. If you are unsure about eligibility or preparation, pause and reassess. A wrong application wastes effort; a focused one builds a career.

Prepare with clarity, not panic.

10. FAQs - Real Aspirant Questions

Q1. Is there any interview later?
No. Selection is purely based on written examination and document verification.

Q2. Can final-year students apply?
Information not available. Unless degree completion proof is available before document verification, avoid risk.

Q3. Can I choose both Planning and GIS optional?
No. Only one optional subject is allowed.

Q4. Is this job transferable outside Bihar?
No. This is a Bihar state service post.

Q5. How tough is the competition?
Moderate to high. Fewer applicants, but most are technically strong.