WBCS 2025 Examination Syllabus & Pattern (Reverted to Old Pattern)

Preliminary Exam

• Single paper: General Studies
• 200 MCQs, 200 marks, 2.5 hours
• Graduation level
• Sections (25 marks each):
  1. English Composition
  2. General Science
  3. Current Events (National & International)
  4. History of India
  5. Geography of India (with West Bengal focus)
  6. Indian Polity & Economy
  7. Indian National Movement
  8. General Mental Ability
• Acts as screening test only; marks not counted for final merit.

Main Exam

• 6 Compulsory Papers (200 marks each):
  1. Bengali/Hindi/Urdu/Nepali/Santali
  2. English
  3. General Studies – I (History & Geography of India with WB focus)
  4. General Studies – II (Science, Tech, Environment, Current Affairs, GK)
  5. Indian Constitution & Economy (incl. RBI role)
  6. Arithmetic & Test of Reasoning
• Optional Subject (for Group A & B only):
  • 2 papers (200 marks each), chosen from 38 listed subjects (e.g., History, Political Science, Geography, Law, Management, etc.).
• 4 papers (GS I, GS II, Constitution & Economy, Arithmetic & Reasoning) → MCQ type (OMR).
• 2 papers (Language & English) → Conventional written type.
• Optional subject → Conventional written type.

Personality Test (Interview)

• Group A & B → 200 marks
• Group C → 150 marks
• Group D → 100 marks
• Tests alertness, clarity, integrity, leadership, general interests.

Other Key Points

• Negative marking for wrong answers in MCQ papers.
• Qualifying marks may be fixed at Commission’s discretion.
• Standard of compulsory papers = Graduate level.
• Arithmetic paper = Similar to Madhyamik Mathematics level.
• Optional papers = Honours level (except Law, Medicine, Engineering).
• Answers can be written in English or Bengali (with exceptions for some language/optional subjects).

Total Marks

• Group A & B → 1800 (1200 compulsory + 400 optional + 200 interview)
• Group C → 1350 (1200 compulsory + 150 interview)
• Group D → 1300 (1200 compulsory + 100 interview)

👉 In short: WBCS 2025 will follow the old pattern with Prelims (1 paper), Mains (6 compulsory + optional for A/B), and Interview.

Additional Key Information from the WBCS 2025 Gazette

1. Level of Questions
   • Compulsory papers → Graduate level of a recognized university.
   • Arithmetic (Paper VI) → Same standard as Madhyamik Mathematics.
   • Optional papers → Honours degree level (except Law, Medical Science, Engineering which follow LL.B, MBBS, BE levels).
2. Syllabus Details (Special Notes)
   • Environment (GS II): Includes biodiversity, CRZ, global warming, pollution, ozone depletion, etc.
   • Indian Economy & RBI (Paper V): Includes Central-State relations, Finance Commissions, Monetary & Fiscal policy, Planning process, role of RBI.
3. Language & Script Rules
   • Answers may be written in English or Bengali (unless specified otherwise).
   • Certain optional papers can also be written in Nepali.
   • Specific script requirements:
     • Sanskrit → Devanagari or Bengali
     • Hindi & Nepali → Devanagari
     • Bengali, Urdu, Arabic, Persian → respective scripts
     • Santali → Olchiki
4. Marking System & Deduction
   • Credit given for clarity, brevity, and originality.
   • 10% marks deducted if a candidate reveals identity in answer script.
   • Negative marking in MCQ papers for wrong answers.
5. Commission’s Discretion
   • WBCS Commission may fix qualifying marks for papers.
   • If a candidate fails to secure qualifying marks in any paper, that paper will not count in aggregate.
6. Group-wise Structure
   • Group A & B → All 6 compulsory + optional + personality test (total 1800).
   • Group C → All 6 compulsory + personality test (total 1350).
   • Group D → All 6 compulsory + personality test (total 1300).
7. Interview (Personality Test) Focus
   • Questions of general interest.
   • Tests mental alertness, clarity, integrity, leadership, and range of interests.
   • Group B (Police Service) → Special suitability test during interview.

To know more, please click on the link : WBCS Syllabus Update

A detailed syllabus is available till WBCS 2023 Exam – Detailed Syllabus.

Course Links:

• Prelims + Main + Interview (Classroom Foundation Course)  weekend batches, Specially beneficial for students / officer goers / those want matured guidance. 
• Prelims + Main + Interview (Online Foundation Course)  weekend batches,  – Specially beneficial for students / officer goers / those want matured guidance. 
• New course for Maths & Reasoning, weekly once, 6 months .
• Mock Test for Prelims (35 tests), online / classroom available. 
• WBCS Prelims Subject Wise Chapter Wise Mock Test
• Mock Test for Main Exam, online / classroom available. 
• Correspondence course for WBCS . 
• Crash Course for WBCS Main exam . 
• Optional Subjects (weekly once, 6 months).