WBCS Exam Pattern & Syllabus

The West Bengal Civil Services commonly referred to as “WBCS” is conducted to recruit candidates for various administrative positions in the West Bengal Government by the West Bengal Public Service Commission (WBPSC)
The recruitment process includes 3 stages -

1. Preliminary examination
2. Mains examination
3. Interview/ Personality test

Examination Scheme for All stages
Stage I: Preliminary Examination- the WBCS Prelims consist of One paper only i.e., General Studies. There is no Aptitude Test, Unlike various other state Public Service Commission Exams.

Stage II: Mains Examination: The WBCS Mains Exam has Six Compulsory Papers and One optional Subject consisting of two papers. Out of 6 compulsory papers, 4 papes are of MCQ type:

1. General Studies I
2. General Studies II
3. The Constitution of India and Indian Economy including role of functions of RBI.
4. Arithmetic and Test of Reasoning.

• The Mains Exam(conventional/Essay) is allowed to be taken only in Bengali/English language.
• There is a deduction of 10% of the total marks secured by the candidate if he/she discloses his/her identity by writing by his/her roll number/name.
• Optional Subjects are meant to be taken by candidates opting for Group A and Group B services.

The Preliminary Examination will consist of only one paper, viz., a paper on “General Studies”.

• The paper will be of an objective type consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions.
• The paper will carry 200 marks and will be of 2½ hours duration.
• The standard of the paper will be of the level of knowledge as expected of a graduate of any faculty of a recognized University.
• The paper will include questions covering the following fields of knowledge:

Note:

• The Preliminary Examination is meant to serve as a Screening Test only for the purpose of selection of candidates for the Main Examination.
• The marks obtained in this examination by the candidates will not be considered for final selection.
• Only those candidates who will be declared qualified at the Preliminary Examination in a year shall be eligible for admission to the W.B.C.S. (Exe.) etc.(Main) Examination of that year.
• Final Merit List will be prepared on the basis of marks obtained in Main Examination and Personality Test taken together.

WBCS Detailed Syllabus for Prelims Exam

Scheme of the Main Examination : The Main Examination shall consist of six Compulsory papers and one optional subject consisting of two papers (Only for candidates applying for group A and / or B) to be chosen by the candidates from the list of optional subjects given below.

• There will be two papers of the optional subject of 200 marks each.
• Each paper, Compulsory or Optional, will carry 200 marks and will be of 3 hours duration.
• Out of six compulsory papers four papers i.e.
  (i) General Studies- I, (ii) General Studies- II (iii) The Constitution of India and Indian Economy including role and functions of Reserve Bank of India and (iv) Arithmetic and Test of Reasoning will be of Objective type to be answered in OMR answer sheets.
• The remaining two compulsory papers i.e. Paper - I and Paper - II will be of conventional type written examination.

• The Main Exam(Conventional/Essay) is allowed to be taken only in Bengali/English language.
• There is a deduction of 10% of the total marks secured by the candidate if he/she discloses his/her identity by writing his/her roll number/name.
• Optional Subjects are meant to be taken by candidates opting for Group A and Group B services.

Abstract Table of Papers / Subjects and Marks Main Examination and Personality Test

Detailed Syllabus of Main Examination

List of Optional Subjects with the Subject Code:

• The Interview or Personality test is the final stage of the WBCS examination process.
• The candidates must prepare diligently for this round, as it has a certain weightage.
• This stage carries 200 marks for Group A & Group B services while 150 Marks for Group-C Services and 100 Marks for Group-D services.
• Candidates' overall personality, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and general awareness are evaluated.
• The marks obtained in the interview are added to the Mains marks for the final merit ranking.
• The candidates can check the merit list to see if he/she is qualified for the post.