Who would not love to join the government services and that too with the Officer rank? Government job is positively crazed amongst candidates for various reasons. It not only gives you a respectful job, working environment or handsome salary but, most importantly, provides job security that is otherwise not found in the Private sectors. One such government job we will discuss today is of the BDO or Block Development officer.
The post of a BDO or the Block Development Officer is a well-reputed government post all across the States of India. Achieving the job post of a BDO is highly competitive, and one requires clearing a set of examination and other selection procedure for the same.
As the job opening for the post of BDO is soon to be published, we have tried to gather all the essential information for our readers. Within this article, you will find answers to various questions, including, what is a BDO officer? How to become a BDO officer? BDO qualification, eligibility, syllabus, salary and a lot more.
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How to Become BDO Officer?
To become a BDO (Block development officer), candidates have to undergo entrance examinations and specific selection procedures. Aspirants who clear all the required processes are then appointed as the Block Development officer for the respective zone. Before we discuss about How to become a BDO Officer? Let’s first learn about Who/ What is a BDO Officer?
What is a BDO Officer?
BDO or the Block Development Officer is the governing official in charge of a specific block. Block (administrative division) is the subdivision under a district that is usually made to plan and develop a particular area. The administrative structure of India is divided further like:
Government of India ->State Government (s) -> Division -> District -> Block.
The Block Development officer plays a very significant role within a block and regulates the planning and implementation of all the block region developments. He/ She is the main head of the government’s operational wing for both growth and regulatory administration.
For instance, the construction of roads, bridges, or validation of any project within the block area must first go under the permission process within the Block Development Officer. These projects mainly include all the work done for public betterment.
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BDO Qualification & Eligibility
Candidates who are looking forward to applying for the post of Block Development Officer have to fulfill a specific Qualification & Eligibility criterion.
- School Education: 12th pass with any stream (Science, Commerce, Arts/ Humanities) from any recognized Indian Boards.
- Graduation from any recognized university/ Institution in India. Candidates who hold a Bachelor’s degree in BA, B.COM, B.Sc., B. Tech, BBA, BCA, BE, or any other undergraduate program can apply for the post of Block Development Officer.
- A Master’s degree is optional and would be accepted for any government-verified program within a recognized university/ Institution in India.
Age limit: Candidates who want to apply for the post of BDO must have reached the minimum age of 21 years. The maximum age limit for the same is 32 (for general category), and relaxation is provided for specific categories, including:
- 35 years upper limit (3 years relaxation) for OBC (Other Backward Class)
- 37 years upper limit (5 years relaxation) for SC/ ST (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes)
- Physically Disabled Candidates– 42 years upper limit (10 years relaxation)
Citizenship:
- Citizens of India.
- Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan.
- Refugees who came to Indian before January 1962 and are not listed as permanent residents of India.
Also Read: How to Become Income Tax Officer After 12th?
Entrance examination for the Post of Block Development Officer (BDO)
Candidates have to undergo the State Public Service Commission examination conducted by the State government. PSC examination in India is the mandatory requirement for recruitment, transfers, and disciplinary actions in India’s State government. It acts as an entry point for coveted services in the state administration.
Public Service Commission examinations are highly competitive, and their pattern is quite similar to the UPSC examination. Every Public Service Commission has its own dedicated website, syllabus and exam pattern according to the State they are held for/ at.
The State Public Service Commission examinations are conducted within three stages:
#1 PSC Preliminary Exam:
The PSC Preliminary Examination consists of two papers- General Studies and Civil Aptitude test.
General Studies
- Total Questions– 100 questions of 2 marks each
- Time- 2 hours
Civil Aptitude test
- Total Questions– 80 questions of 2.5 marks each
- Time– 2 hours
Both the Papers hold 200 marks each.
#1 PSC Main examination:
The PSC Main examination consists of 8 papers, including-
Any Language Hindi, Punjabi, Marathi, Tamil etc. (till 12th Standard)
- Time– 3 hours
- Total Marks– 100
Essay
- Time- 3 hours
- Total marks– 100
General Studies 1 (Geography, History, Society)
- Time– 3 hours
- Total Marks– 250
General Studies 2 (Governance and International Relations, Indian Constitution and Political Science)
- Time- 3 hours
- Total Marks- 250
General Studies 3 (Economy, Statistics, and Security issues)
- Time- 3 hours
- Total Marks– 250
General Studies 4 (Science and Technology, Environment, Problem Solving, and Decision Making)
- Time– 3 hours
- Total Marks– 250
Optional Subject- Paper 1
- Time- 3 hours
Optional Subject- Paper 2
- Time- 3 hours
The optional subjects consists of the following categories-
- Agriculture
- Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Service
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Commerce and Accountancy
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- English Literature
- Geography
- Hindi Literature
- Indian History
- Law
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Physics
- Political Science and International Relations
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Punjabi Literature
- Sociology
- Sanskrit Literature
- Zoology
Out of the following list, candidates have to choose two optional subjects and give two consecutive papers in regard to those subjects.
The marks for the Preliminary examination are not counted in the final result; however, candidates have to score a minimum of 33% in order to sit for the main examination.
Furthermore, after the Main examination, candidates are selected on the basis of the merit list and cut off. The selected candidates are further eligible to sit for the Interview/ Personality test.
#2 PSC Personality Test/ Interview
The PSC interview is of 150 marks, and candidates are asked random and challenging questions. Candidates who clear the Interview round are then finally selected for the post of Block Development Officer (BDO) and then get their posting for the blocks within their respective States.
BDO (Block Development Officer) Syllabus
The syllabus for the PSC examination for the post of Block Development Officer is given below:
PSC Preliminary Examination syllabus:
- Everyday Science
Syllabus– States of Matter, Life on Earth Force, Energy, Light Sound Communications and Technology Public Health
- Environmental Science
Syllabus– Atmosphere Soil Water-Earth Solar System Climate Change
- Indian Politics
Syllabus– Basic Amendments Election process and reforms Panchayati Raj
- Political Sciences
Syllabus– Basic and international politics
- Indian History
Syllabus– Starting from Indus Valley Civilization to the national Movements of 1857-1947 (from class 6th to class 10th)
- Indian Economy, Geography and the history of the State
Syllabus-All about the State and economy of India.
- Reading Comprehensions
Syllabus– Punjabi and English comprehensions, synonyms and acronyms, basic grammar and sentence correction and formation
- Logical Reasoning
Syllabus– Analytical and mental ability
- Basic Mathematical Skills
Syllabus– Numbers, magnitudes, percentages and numerical abilities
- Skills
Syllabus– Communication skills
- Data Analysis
Syllabus– Graphs, charts, tables, and spreadsheet representation
PSC Main examination syllabus:
- Language & Essay (Paper 1 and Paper 2)
Syllabus- Precise Writing, Comprehension of given passages, Essay, usage and Vocabulary, General Grammar / Composition
A specific topic within the choice of subject will be given. Candidates have to write the essay within the word limit.
- General Studies (Paper 3, 4, 5, and 6)
Syllabus: All the question papers are divided into 2 parts, and both parts are compulsory.
- Indian Geography including social, physical and economical geography.
- Indian Politics, including the Indian constitution, the political system of India
- Present National Issue & Social Relevance including the human rights, corruption, ecological preservation, national heritage, Democracy & Human resource issues, adult literacy
- India and the World including the Internal- external security and the relationship between India and the World in spheres like Foreign affairs, The Economy of India including WTO, Indian and foreign trade and the economic development of India
- International Affairs including the World’s current affairs and international institutions.
- Development in Science Related Fields including the development of science and technology, telecommunication, computer (basic) and space
- Statistics including statistical, graphical and diagrammatical questions
The syllabus for the Optional Papers totally depends upon the subjects a candidate has chosen. However, the following subject combination is not allowed to be selected together:
- Agriculture with Animal husbandry and veterinary service.
- Hindi literature, English literature, Sanskrit literature and Punjabi literature
- Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering.
- Political science and International relations with Public Administration.
BDO (Block Development Officer) Role and responsibilities
Serving for the officer rank within the State government of India brings in many roles and responsibilities as well. The responsibility that a Block Development Officer has to fulfill is mentioned below:
- Execution of plans and programs approved by the government authorities.
- Attending the village council (panchayat Samiti) and other essential meetings organized within the block.
- Attending the public work programs within the block and ensuring that it gets completed within the scheduled time and given guidelines.
- Monitoring the storing and distribution of agricultural supplies.
- Distribution of Panchayat Samiti funds as and when required.
- Find and improve the irregularities related to the Panchayat Samiti funds.
- Preparing progress report, annual budget and other reports and share them with the village council, district council and the State Government.
BDO (Block Development Officer) Salary
Block Development Officers are the head of the rural development areas and thus hold the responsibility of the salary of the block level employees, taxation process, and other record management.
Block Development officers are recruited in different states of India, and the pay scale depends upon the State and region they are appointed for. Currently, on the basis of 7th PayScale, BDOs, while joining, earn a hefty amount of around Rs. 9300/- to Rs. 34800/ along with Rs. 4800/- as grade Pay (as of the year 2020).
As and when their service period increases, their monthly salary and additional perks are also increased accordingly. Like various other government officials, Block Development Officers also serve their job until the age of 60. After retirement from the job, they are eligible for the monthly pension (as per the pension policy).
How to Apply for the Post of Block Development Officer (BDO)?
In order to apply for the service post of Block Development Officer, candidates have to follow the procedure given below:
Note: Aspirants who are looking forward to applying for the post of Block development officer in their respective State must attentively check about the recruitment notice served under the State government.
- Firstly, visit the State Public Service Commission official website (of your State), download the recruitment notification and go through it.
- Now, if you stand along with all the required eligibility criteria, then navigate to the official website once again and fill your application form in order to register yourself for the entrance examination. (You would be required to upload your passport sized coloured photograph, digital signature, mark sheet/ certification of 10th, 12th, and Bachelor’s degree).
- Further, pay the examination fees and submit the application. Make sure you keep a print out with yourself for further reference.
- Once the examination date is out, you can then download your admit card/ hall card with the registration number’s help. Admit card/ Hall card is compulsory before you enter the examination hall.
Summary
Getting appointed as a Block Development Officer (BDO) is not an easy task, and one requires to work extremely hard and dedicatedly for that. Though the eligibility and educational criteria are still basic but the State Public service commission examination is extremely hard.
After going through all the information mentioned here in the article above, make sure you start preparing hard from today onwards. Various books and study material are available online and offline that will help you prepare well for the SPSC examination and further for the post of Block Development Officer.
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