The BPSC Labour and Social Welfare Syllabus 2026 outlines the topics prescribed for candidates who choose Labour and Social Welfare as their optional subject in the BPSC Mains Examination. The syllabus is divided into two sections covering labour legislation, labour administration, industrial relations, trade unions, labour laws, social security, poverty, unemployment, and welfare measures.
It also includes Bihar-specific topics such as labour administration, prohibition, rural poverty programmes, and state welfare schemes. Understanding the complete syllabus will help candidates organise their preparation and cover every topic included in the examination.
The Labour and Social Welfare optional paper is divided into two sections. Both sections cover theoretical concepts as well as labour laws, industrial relations, and welfare measures in India and Bihar.
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam | BPSC Mains Examination |
| Optional Subject | Labour and Social Welfare |
| Total Sections | Section I and Section II |
| Focus Areas | Labour Legislation, Labour Administration, Industrial Relations, Trade Unions, Social Welfare, Social Security |
| Official Authority | Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) |
Section I focuses on labour legislation, constitutional provisions, labour administration, labour laws, and international labour organisations. Candidates should understand the objectives, important provisions, and significance of each topic mentioned in the syllabus.
The important topics are:
Kinds of Labour Legislation
Brief history of labour legislation in India
Labour-related provisions in the Indian Constitution
The syllabus includes the following labour laws along with their major provisions and evaluation:
Factories Act, 1948
Minimum Wages Act, 1948 (Working in Bihar)
Payment of Wages Act, 1936
Equal Remuneration Act, 1976
Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923
Maternity Benefit Act, 1961
Employees State Insurance Act, 1948
Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972
Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986
Beedi and Cigar Workmen (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1966
Bihar Shops and Establishments Act, 1953
Important areas include:
Composition of the International Labour Organisation
Activities of the ILO
Creation of international labour standards
Influence of the ILO on Indian labour legislation
The syllabus covers:
Structure of labour administration in Bihar
Functions of labour administration
Role of labour departments in implementing labour laws
Section II covers industrial relations, trade unions, social welfare, and social security programmes. It also focuses on welfare measures for different sections of society and Bihar-specific welfare initiatives.
The syllabus covers:
Concept and scope of industrial relations
Main aspects of industrial relations
Industrial disputes and strikes
Forms and causes of industrial disputes
Prevention of industrial disputes
Methods of settlement of industrial disputes
Collective bargaining
Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
Important topics include:
Objectives
Institutions
Present position
Causes of failure in India
The syllabus includes:
Brief history
Types of trade unions
Objectives
Methods of achieving objectives
Structure and organisation
Political affiliation
Leadership
Problems of rivalry
Recognition of trade unions
Trade Unions Act, 1925
Candidates should study:
Objectives
Importance
Application in industrial relations
This part of the syllabus focuses on social welfare programmes and welfare measures for different groups in society.
The syllabus covers:
Meaning
Scope
Nature
Methods of social security
Key areas include:
Meaning
Types
Causes
Measures for reducing unemployment
Special employment programmes in India
The syllabus includes:
Meaning
Types
Extent of poverty
Causes
Measures for eradication
Government programmes for rural poverty in India and Bihar
Topics include:
Problems faced by children
Welfare measures for children
Important topics include:
Problems faced by women
Welfare measures for women
Candidates should cover:
Major issues
Welfare measures
Government initiatives
This topic focuses on:
Position of prohibition in Bihar
Important areas include:
Nature
Causes
Effects
Measures for prevention
The syllabus covers:
Nature
Causes
Situation in Bihar
The syllabus includes:
Old-age pension
Unemployment dole
Group insurance
Rehabilitation of bonded labourers
The official BPSC syllabus PDF contains the complete list of topics prescribed for the Labour and Social Welfare optional subject. Candidates should refer to it while planning their preparation.
Download BPSC Labour and Social Welfare Syllabus PDF
The BPSC Labour and Social Welfare Syllabus 2026 covers labour legislation, labour administration, industrial relations, trade unions, labour laws, social security, and welfare programmes in a structured manner. Along with national-level topics, candidates should also focus on Bihar-specific labour administration and welfare schemes prescribed in the syllabus. Completing every section systematically and referring to the official syllabus will help build a strong foundation for the BPSC Mains optional paper.