WBCS Syllabus 2025 for the Prelims and Mains Exam is available here. Aspirants who are planning or have applied to the WBCS Examination need this valuable information. Hence, through this page we share the complete West Bengal Civil Service Exam Syllabus for the aspirants. Thus, go through the section shared below to get the useful information and prepare for the upcoming test.
Update: The details of WBCS Prelims & Mains Exam Syllabus is discussed here. This post will help all candidates to get an idea of the syllabus of WBCS Exam. So read this article very carefully.
WB Civil Service Exam Syllabus 2025 Overview
| Recruitment Authority | West Bengal Public Service Commission (WBPSC). |
| Advertisement No | 08/2024 |
| Exam Name | WBCS 2024 |
| Start Date of Application | 18th November 2025 |
| Last Date of Application | 4th December 2025 |
| Job Type | State Govt Jobs |
| Place of Posting | West Bengal |
| Page Category | Syllabus |
| Website | psc.wb.gov.in |
West Bengal Civil Service Exam Syllabus 2025
The toughest of the exam in West Bengal is the WBCS Exam. Thus, the applicants shall leave no stone un-turned to crack this highly competitive exam. To crack this highly competitive exam, a candidate needs a continuous practice and precise study plan. Thus, in this direction this page will provide the required information.
| WBCS Exam Links | |
| Notification | WBCS Notification |
| Apply Online | WBCS Apply Online |
| Exam Pattern | WBCS Exam Pattern |
| Syllabus | WBCS Syllabus |
| Previous Papers | WBCS Previous Papers |
| Admit Card / Exam Date | WBCS Admit Card |
| Answer Keys | WBCS Answer Keys |
| Results | WBCS Prelims Result WBCS Results |
Selection Stages in WBCS Examination
WBCS Examination consists of three stages as per Official Notification. West Bengal PSC shortlists the candidates in this prestigious examination through the following stages –
- Prelims Examination
- Mains Examination &
- Interview or a Personality Test.
The Prelims Examination is a screening test for the Mains Exam. The WBCS Mains Exam is conventional in nature and the shortlisted candidates in this stage shall qualify for the Interview Stage. Finally, West Bengal PSC allots the candidates to different Services or Groups based on the combined score of Mains and Interview.
WB Civil Service Examination Pattern Overview
Check the WBCS Exam Pattern shared here to prepare for both the Prelims and Mains Exam. The Exam Pattern here shares the Exam Topics, Marks Distribution, test duration and also the negative marking scheme. Thus, refer to these to prepare and score high mark in the exam.
WBCS 2025 Preliminary Exam Pattern
The WBCS Preliminary Examination is 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 qualifies at the Preliminary Examination in a year shall be eligible for admission to the WBCS (Exe.) etc.(Main) Examination of that year.
- The Preliminary Examination will consist of only one paper, viz., a paper on “General Studies”.
- The papers will be of objective type consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions.
- The papers will be of 2½ hours duration.
- The standard of the papers will be of the level of knowledge as expected of a Graduate of any faculty of a recognized University.
- There shall be negative marking for each wrong answer.
The General Studies of WBCS Preliminary Examination will include questions covering the following fields of knowledge:-
| S.l. No. | Subjects | No of Qs | Marks | Duration |
| i. | English Composition | 25 | 25 | 2½ hour |
| ii. | General Science | 25 | 25 | |
| iii. | Current Events of National and International Importance | 25 | 25 | |
| iv. | History of India | 25 | 25 | |
| v | Geography of India with special reference to West Bengal | 25 | 25 | |
| vi. | Indian Polity and Economy | 25 | 25 | |
| vii. | Indian National Movement | 25 | 25 | |
| viii. | General Mental Ability | 25 | 25 | |
| TOTAL | 200 | 200 | ||
WBCS Mains Examination Pattern 2025
The WBCS Main Examination shall consist of a Written Examination and Personality Test. The Mains Written Examination shall consist of six (06) compulsory papers of and one optional subject consisting of two papers
(only for candidates applying for Group A and /or Group 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. The features of the WBCS Mains Examination scheme is as follows –
- Marks obtained in all the Mains Examination and marks obtained in Personality Test shall be counted for final merit list.
- Each compulsory and Optional Paper shall carry 200 marks and shall be of 3 (Three) hours duration.
- Candidates opting for Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ Services & Posts need not appear for the Paper VII and Paper VIII.
- Category Wise Qualifying marks – UR – 40%, EWS – 40%, OBC(A&B) – 38%, S.C.- 35%, S.T.- 30%, PwBD – 30% & MSP – 40%
| Papers | Subjects | Duration | Marks | Group of Services |
| Paper I | Bengali/ Hindi/ Urdu/ Nepali/ Santali | 3 Hours | 200 | For A, B, C & D |
| Paper II | English | 3 Hours | 200 | For A, B, C & D |
| Paper III | General Studies I | 3 Hours | 200 | For A, B, C & D |
| Paper IV | General Studies II | 3 Hours | 200 | For A, B, C & D |
| Paper V | The Constitution of India and Indian Economy including role and functions of the Reserve Bank of India. | 3 Hours | 200 | For A, B, C & D |
| Paper VI | Arithmetic and Test of Reasoning | 3 Hours | 200 | For A, B, C & D |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject Paper 1 | 3 Hours | 200 | Only for Group A and / or B |
| Paper VIII | Optional Subject Paper 2 | 3 Hours | 200 | Only for group A and / or B |
- Out of six compulsory papers, four papers i.e. Paper-III, Paper IV, Paper V & Paper-VI will have multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
- Paper-I and Paper-II will be of conventional type written examination.
- The two papers of the optional subjects ( Paper VII & Paper VIII) will be of conventional type and the standard of the examination will be approximately that of an Honours Degree Examination of as prescribed by the recognised Indian Universities.
WBCS List of Optional Subjects
Here is the List of Optional Subjects as per the WBCS Exam Pattern. Actually, the candidates who applies for Group A or Group B post, will have to select two papers of any of the following optional subjects.
| Subject | Code |
| Bengali | 01 |
| Hindi | 02 |
| Sanskrit | 03 |
| English | 04 |
| Pali | 05 |
| Arabic | 06 |
| Persian | 07 |
| French | 08 |
| Urdu | 09 |
| Santali | 10 |
| Comparative Literature | 11 |
| Agriculture | 12 |
| Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science | 13 |
| Anthropology | 14 |
| Botany | 15 |
| Chemistry | 16 |
| Civil Engineering | 17 |
| Commerce and Accountancy | 18 |
| Computer Science | 19 |
| Economics | 20 |
| Electrical Engineering | 21 |
| Geography | 22 |
| Geology | 23 |
| History | 24 |
| Law | 25 |
| Mathematics | 26 |
| Management | 27 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 28 |
| Medical Science | 29 |
| Philosophy | 30 |
| Physiology | 31 |
| Physics | 32 |
| Political Science | 33 |
| Psychology | 34 |
| Sociology | 35 |
| Statistics | 36 |
| Zoology | 37 |
WBCS Personality Test
As per the WBCS Examination scheme a certain number of candidates selected in order of merit on the results of the Main Examination for all the services and posts included in Group A,B,C and D shall have to appear for the Personality Test. The Commission will ask questions on matters of general interest in the personality test. The object of the test will be to assess the candidate’s personal qualities e.g., alertness of mind, power of clear and logical exposition, intellectual and moral integrity, leadership and also the candidate’s range of interests. The marks of the Personality Test is as follows –
| Sl No | Services | Marks | Qualifying Marks |
| 1 | Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ | 200 | UR – 40% EWS – 40% OBC(A&B) – 38% S.C.- 35% S.T.- 30% PwBD – 30% MSP – 40% |
| 2 | Group ‘C’ | 150 | |
| 3 | Group ‘D’ | 100 |
WBCS Syllabus 2025 for Prelims Exam
The WBCS Syllabus for the Preliminary or Prelims Examination is a test having MCQ on various topics. Students can cover the following topics listed below and also the latest newspaper, magazines etc to prepare for the prelims exam. Actually, the Syllabus according to the topics of the examination are as follows –
- Questions on English Composition will cover Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms and Phrases, Vocabulary test, Phrasal Verbs, the same words bearing more than one meaning, use of appropriate and qualifying words etc.
- Questions on General Science will cover general appreciation and understanding of science, including matters of everyday observation and experience as may be expected of a well-educated person who has not made a special study of any scientific discipline.
- In History, emphasis will be on broad general understanding of the subject in its social, economic and political aspects.
- Questions on the Geography of India will relate to Physical, Social and Economic Geography of the country, including the main features of Indian Agricultural and Natural Resources with special reference to West Bengal.
- Questions of Indian Polity and Economy will test the knowledge of the country’s Political System, Panchayati Raj, Community Development and Planning in India.
- Questions on the Indian National Movement will relate to the nature and character of the Nineteenth Century Resurgence, Growth of Nationalism and Attainment of Independence.
- General Mental Ability will relate to Logical perception, understanding and natural conclusion
| Mathematics | Number systems, BODMAS, Decimals, Fractions, LCM and HCF, Ratio and Proportion, Percentages, Mensuration, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Algebra, Square Root, Age Calculations, Calendar & Clock, Pipes & Cistern. |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | Analogies, Alphabetical and Number Series, Coding and Decoding, Relationships, Syllogism, Jumbling, Venn Diagram, Data Interpretation and Sufficiency, Conclusions and Decision Making, Similarities and Differences, Analytical reasoning, Classification, Directions, Statement – Arguments and Assumptions etc |
| General Awareness | Knowledge of Current affairs, Indian geography with special reference to West Bengal, Culture and history of India including freedom struggle, Indian Polity and constitution, Indian Economy, Environmental issues concerning India and the World, Sports, General Scientific and technological developments etc |
| English Language | Composition Error recognition, Fill in the blanks (using verbs, preposition, articles etc), Vocabulary, Spellings, Grammar, Sentence Structure, Synonyms, Antonyms, Sentence Completion, Phrases and Idiomatic use of Words, etc |
WBCS Syllabus 2025 for Mains Exam
WBCS Mains Examination is a combination of common papers and also of optional papers. Candidates based on the preference during the online application shall have to appear for compulsory papers and the optional subjects papers during the mains examination. The WBCS Syllabus for the Mains Examination according to the papers are as follows –
Paper 1: Bengali / Hindi / Urdu / Nepali / Santali Syllabus
- Letter writing (within 150 words) / Drafting of Report (within 200 words), Précis Writing, Composition and Translation from English to Bengali/ Hindi /Urdu/ Nepali /Santali.
Paper 2: English Syllabus
- Letter writing (within 150 words) / Drafting of Report (within 200 words), Précis Writing, Composition and Translation from Bengali / Hindi / Urdu / Nepali / Santali to English.
WBCS Mains Paper 3 General Studies-I Syllabus
- Indian History with special emphasis on National Movement and
- Geography of India with special reference to West Bengal.
WBCS Mains Paper 3 General Studies-II Syllabus
- Science and Scientific & Technological advancement, Environment, General Knowledge and Current Affairs. The Topic ‘Environment’ in paper General Studies II will include the following:-
- Bio diversity and Coastal Regulation Zone,
- Global Warming,
- Industrial and Environmental Pollution,
- Ozone Layer and related issues.
Paper V Syllabus of WBCS Mains Exam
- The Constitution of India and Indian Economy including role and functions of the Reserve Bank of India. The Topic ‘Indian Economy including role and functions of the Reserve Bank of India’ of the compulsory Paper- V will consist of the following:-
- Central State relation and devolution of central funds to state,
- Planning process and objectives of five years plan,
- Functions of RBI and Monetary policy,
- Central Finance Commission & State Finance Commission and
- Fiscal Policy of Government of India.
WBCS Mains Paper V Syllabus
The standard of Arithmetic part of Compulsory Paper – VI (Arithmetic & Test of Reasoning) will be similar to that of the Compulsory Mathematics paper at the Madhyamik Examination of the Board of Secondary Education, West Bengal. Test of Reasoning will cover Analytical Reasoning: Data Sufficiency, Logical Reasoning : (i) Logical Deduction (ii) Forcefulness of the Arguments (iii) Implication of sentences (iv) Inferring from diagrams, Series: (i) Letter series, (ii) Number series, Inferring from Data, Analogy tests, Symbol Interpretation, Mathematical puzzles, Odd man out, Perception test, Non-verbal reasoning & Selecting the correct
sequence
| Subjects | Syllabus |
| Arithmetic | Number systems, BODMAS, Decimals, Fractions, LCM and HCF, Ratio and Proportion, Percentages, Mensuration, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Algebra, Square Root, Age Calculations, Calendar & Clock, Pipes & Cistern. |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | Analogies, Alphabetical and Number Series, Coding and Decoding, Relationships, Syllogism, Jumbling, Venn Diagram, Data Interpretation and Sufficiency, Conclusions and Decision Making, Similarities and Differences, Analytical reasoning, Classification, Directions, Statement – Arguments and Assumptions etc |
WBCS Mains Syllabus for Paper 7 & 8 (Optional Papers)
The WBCS Mains Paper 7 & 8 is the optional paper of the examination. The List of optional paper subjects in the WBCS Mains Examination are as follows –
| Optional Subjects | Code |
| Bengali | 01 |
| Hindi | 02 |
| Sanskrit | 03 |
| English | 04 |
| Pali | 05 |
| Arabic | 06 |
| Persian | 07 |
| French | 08 |
| Urdu | 09 |
| Santali | 10 |
| Comparative Literature | 11 |
| Agriculture | 12 |
| Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science | 13 |
| Anthropology | 14 |
| Botany | 15 |
| Chemistry | 16 |
| Civil Engineering | 17 |
| Commerce and Accountancy | 18 |
| Computer Science | 19 |
| Economics | 20 |
| Electrical Engineering | 21 |
| Geography | 22 |
| Geology | 23 |
| History | 24 |
| Law | 25 |
| Mathematics | 26 |
| Management | 27 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 28 |
| Medical Science | 29 |
| Philosophy | 30 |
| Physiology | 31 |
| Physics | 32 |
| Political Science | 33 |
| Psychology | 34 |
| Sociology | 35 |
| Statistics | 36 |
| Zoology | 37 |
With regard to the WBCS Mains Optional Syllabus 2025, the Public Service Commission has already defined the Syllabus and according to that the aspirants should prepare. Since, this is the only authentic source of WBCS Syllabus for Mains Exam, we have shared the pdf version for the aspirants. Thus, the intenders can follow the link below and download the WB Civil Service Exam Syllabus PDF.
- Download WBCS Syllabus PDF
WBCS Exam Preparation Tips
WBCS Exam Preparation Tricks 2025 are disclosed here. With the help of WBCS Exam Preparation Steps, get to know easy ways of exam preparation. Find detailed West Bengal Civil Services Exam Preparation Tips and prepare for the test. Preparation plan gives the best time management.
- Refer WBCS Syllabus 2025 & Exam Pattern at first.
- Make an effective preparation scheme for all the topics.
- As per the schedule, intenders should prepare for the exam.
- After preparing for the test, do revise the subjects carefully.
- Practice Previous Question papers thoroughly.
Thus, we hope the information here on WBCS Syllabus and Exam Pattern is useful. Thus, we suggest the aspirants to prepare according to the WBPSC prescribed Syllabus and score higher mark.
Good Luck
FAQs
What is the total mark of WBCS Prelims Exam ?
200 is the total mark of WBCS Prelims Exam.
What is the duration of Prelims exam ?
2 hrs and 30 minutes is the duration of WBCS Prelims exam.