Update (September 2026): the 2026 BCI and SCI exams were held on 22–23 August 2026. This subject stays
free to browse until the next cycle. MeritPrep now also covers
Rajasthan CET 2026 — chapter 1 of every subject and the whole Basic Computer subject are free.
Master the TCP/IP and OSI reference models, IPv4/IPv6 addressing, subnetting, routing protocols, and modern wireless networks. The Computer Networks section is one of the highest-yield areas for the BCI exam — every chapter is mapped to past-year questions.
Free preview: Chapter 1 of this subject is fully free — read every lesson, attempt every MCQ, review every flashcard. No sign-up required to read; sign in to save progress.
Syllabus & chapters
Aligned to the official RSSB BCI syllabus. Each chapter is split into microtopics, each with a lesson, a bank of MCQs and spaced-repetition flashcards, so you can learn, test and revise topic by topic.
Chapter 1
7 microtopics · 70 MCQs · 28 flashcards
Network Fundamentals
- Characteristics & Components of Data Communication
- Data Flow / Transmission Modes (Simplex · Half · Full Duplex)
- Network Categories — Client-Server vs Peer-to-Peer
- Network Topologies — Mesh · Star · Bus · Ring · Tree · Hybrid
- Network Types — LAN · MAN · WAN · PAN · CAN
- Performance Metrics — Bandwidth · Throughput · Latency · Jitter
- What is a Network · Data Communication
Chapter 2
7 microtopics · 70 MCQs · 28 flashcards
OSI & TCP/IP Reference Models
- Addressing across Layers — MAC · IP · Port · App-specific
- OSI Reference Model — All 7 Layers
- OSI vs TCP/IP — Comparison
- PDU at Each Layer · Encapsulation / Decapsulation
- Protocols-by-Layer Cheat Sheet
- TCP/IP Reference Model — 5 / 4 Layers
- Why Layered Architecture · Design Principles
Chapter 3
7 microtopics · 70 MCQs · 28 flashcards
Physical Layer
- Encoding Techniques — NRZ · Manchester · Differential
- Guided Media — Twisted Pair · Coaxial · Fiber Optic
- Modulation — ASK · FSK · PSK · QAM
- Multiplexing — FDM · TDM · WDM · CDMA
- Signals — Analog · Digital · Bandwidth · Bit Rate
- Switching — Circuit · Packet · Message · Virtual Circuit
- Unguided Media — Radio · Microwave · Infrared · Satellite
Chapter 4
7 microtopics · 70 MCQs · 28 flashcards
Data Link Layer
- ARQ Protocols — Stop-and-Wait · Go-Back-N · Selective Repeat
- DLL Services · Framing Techniques
- Error Correction — Hamming Code
- Error Detection — Parity · Checksum · CRC
- Ethernet · Hubs · Bridges · Switches
- Flow Control — Stop-and-Wait · Sliding Window
- MAC Sublayer — ALOHA · CSMA · CSMA/CD · CSMA/CA
Chapter 5
7 microtopics · 70 MCQs · 28 flashcards
Network Layer
- ARP · RARP · DHCP · NAT — Address Helpers
- ICMP · IGMP — Diagnostic & Multicast Protocols
- IPv4 Addressing — Format · Classes A/B/C/D/E
- IPv6 — Format · Features · Transition from IPv4
- Network Layer Services · Routing vs Forwarding
- Routing Algorithms — Distance Vector · Link State · RIP · OSPF · BGP
- Subnetting · VLSM · CIDR
Chapter 6
7 microtopics · 70 MCQs · 28 flashcards
Transport Layer
- Congestion Control — Slow Start · Congestion Avoidance · Fast Recovery
- Flow Control — Sliding Window · Window Scaling
- Ports · Sockets · TCP vs UDP Comparison
- TCP Reliability — Sequence Nums · ACKs · Retransmission
- TCP — Segment Format · 3-Way Handshake · Connection Close
- Transport Layer Services · Process-to-Process Delivery
- UDP — Format · When to Choose UDP
Chapter 7
6 microtopics · 60 MCQs · 24 flashcards
Application Layer
- Application Layer Services · Client-Server Architecture
- DNS — Hierarchy · Resolution · Record Types
- Email — SMTP · POP3 · IMAP
- FTP · Telnet · SSH · TFTP — File Transfer & Remote Login
- Firewalls · VPN · TLS / SSL · Digital Signatures
- HTTP / HTTPS · Web Architecture · Cookies
Chapter 8
7 microtopics · 70 MCQs · 28 flashcards
Networking Devices
- Access Point · Wireless Router · WLAN
- Bridge & Switch · Layer 2 devices · MAC learning
- Connecting Devices Overview · Layer-wise classification
- Hub & Repeater · Layer 1 devices
- Modem · NIC · MAC address
- Recap + device comparison table + PYQ tricks
- Router & Gateway · Layer 3+ devices · routing
Chapter 9
7 microtopics · 70 MCQs · 28 flashcards
Mobile Communication
- 1G to 5G evolution · features per generation
- Bluetooth · Personal Area Network · BLE
- CDMA · Spread Spectrum · OFDM (light)
- Cellular Communication — cell · base station · handoff
- GSM architecture · TDMA · SIM
- Other wireless: Zigbee · NFC · Mobile IP · Recap
- Wi-Fi (802.11) · standards · Wi-Fi 6/7
How MeritPrep helps you crack Computer Networks
- Microtopic depth: Each concept is broken into a 5-minute focused lesson with worked examples and diagrams, not 50-page chapters.
- RSSB pattern MCQs: Every MCQ is written in the style of past Paper II questions, with detailed explanations.
- Spaced repetition: Flashcards enter your Daily Review queue with intervals tuned to keep concepts fresh through exam day.
- Mock tests: 15-Q chapter mocks plus full-syllabus mocks for Computer Networks when you're ready.
- Bilingual: Every lesson is available in both English and Hindi.
Frequently asked questions
Is Computer Networks content free to read?
Every Computer Instructor subject — this one included — is free to browse in full until the next recruitment cycle is announced: no account, no payment. MeritPrep's paid courses are now the Rajasthan CET tracks; see pricing.
How does this prepare me for the BCI exam?
The Computer Networks chapters mirror the official BCI Paper II syllabus exactly. Past-year questions (PYQs) are tagged on relevant MCQs so you know which topics are highest-yield. The combination of focused microtopic lessons, RSSB-pattern practice, and spaced repetition is designed for the exam format.
Is content available in Hindi?
Yes — every lesson, MCQ, and flashcard has a Hindi version. Toggle between English and Hindi from the language button at the top of the app.