New Syllabus of the WBCS Exam applicable from 2025
There is an important update for all the WBCS aspirants. On 20th August 2024, the Government of West Bengal Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department has notified and published the WBCS new syllabus and pattern for the aspirants that shall be applicable from WBCS 2025 Examination with reference its earlier communication under Notification No. 361-PAR(WBCS)/1D-179/21 dated 15.03.2023. Aspirants need to take a note that the WBCS Exam 2024 will follow the old syllabus. So, those who are planning to appear for the WBCS exam 2024 (Prelims and Mains) can continue with their preparation according to the old syllabus. You can easily access the WBCS syllabus 2024 on our website at: https://aptiplus.in/wbcs-syllabus/
In this article, we shall be discussing about the WBCS Exam New Syllabus for 2025 in detail. Let’s get started.
As per the amendments, the scheme and syllabus of the examination shall be as detailed below:
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
1. The Preliminary Examination will consist of two papers: viz. “General Studies Paper- I” and “General Studies Paper- II”. The Papers will be objective type consisting of 200 multiple choice questions. The papers will carry 200 marks each and each will be of 2 hours duration. The General Studies Paper will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33 %. It is mandatory for the candidates to appear in both the papers for the purpose of evaluation. A candidate will be disqualified in case he/she does not appear in both the papers. The standard of papers will be of the level of knowledge as expected of a Graduate of any faculty of a recognized University.
2. 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 Preliminary Examination by the candidates will not be counted for merit list rather will be qualifying in nature, only those candidates who will be declared qualified at the Preliminary Examination in a year shall be eligible for appearing at the West Bengal Civil Service (Executive) etc. (Main) Examination of that year.
MAINS EXAMINATION
1. The Main Examination shall consist of a Written Examination and Personality Test.
2. The Written Examination shall consist of Ten Papers of conventional type out of which two papers viz, Bengali/Nepali as paper ‘A’ and English Paper ‘B’ carrying 300 marks each shall be of qualifying in nature.
3. Marks obtained in all the compulsory papers (Paper-I to Paper – VIII) and marks obtained in the Personality Test shall be counted for final merit List.
4. Each compulsory and Optional Paper shall carry 250 marks and shall be of 3 hours duration.
5. Candidates opting for Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ Services and Posts need not to appear at the Paper VII and Paper VIII.
6. The Written Examination shall consist of the following Papers:
Papers to be counted for merit:
Note:
- The question paper will be of conventional type.
- Each Paper will be of three hours’ duration.
- Answers in all papers whether compulsory or optional, may be written either in English or in Bengali.
Candidates opting for Group ‘C’ & ‘D’ Services and Posts need not appear at the Paper- VII and Paper- VII
Distribution of Services in Different Groups:
Distribution of Total Marks among different Groups of W.B.C.S (Exe.) etc. Examination:
Written Examination:
LIST OF OPTIONAL SUBJECTS: For candidates applying for Group A or Group B Post, there will be two papers of any of the following optional subjects:
Bengali
Hindi
Sanskrit
English
Pali
Arabic
Persian
French
Urdu
Santali
Comparative Literature
Agriculture
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
Anthropology
Botany
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Commerce and Accountancy
Computer Science
Economics
Electrical Engineering
Geography
Geology
History
Law
Mathematics
Management
Mechanical Engineering
Medical Science
Physiology
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
Statistics
Zoology
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: Data Sufficiency, Logical Reasoning: (i) Logical Deduction (iii) Letter Series, Inferring from Data, Analogy Tests, Symbol Interpretation, Mathematical Puzzles, Odd man out, Perception Test, Non-verbal reasoning, Selecting the correct sequence.
The standard of other compulsory papers will be of the level of learning expected from a graduate of any faculty of a recognized University.
The two papers of any one of the optional subjects will be of conventional type and the standard of the examination will be approximately that of an Honours Degree Examination as prescribed by the recognized Indian Universities except Law, Medical Science and Engineering Subjects which will be that specified for the LLB, MBBS and BE or equivalent courses respectively by recognized Indian Universities/Institutions.
The Topic ‘Environment’ in Paper General Studies II will include the following:
Biodiversity and Coastal Regulation Zone, Global Warming, Industrial and Environmental Pollution, Ozone Layer and related issues.
The Topic’ Indian Economy including role and functions of the RBI of the compulsory paper -V will consist of the following:
Central State Relation and Devolution of Central Funds to State, Planning Process and objective of five years plan. Functions of RBI and Monetary Policy, Central Finance Commission and State Finance Commission and Fiscal Policy of GOI.
Answers in all papers, compulsory and optional, except the language papers may be written either in English or in Bengali (unless otherwise directed in these rules or in the question papers). Answers in the following optional papers may also be written in Nepali:
Optional:
1) Political Science
2) Botany
Note: Candidates shall write their answers to all the questions in only one and the same language in any particular paper.
Candidates may use the Devanagari or Bengali Script in the answer papers on Sanskrit, the Devanagri Script in the answer papers on Hindi or Nepali and the Bengali, Arabic, Persian, Urdu respectively. Questions for Santali paper will be set in Olchiki script and answers should also be written in Olchiki.
Summary of the group-wise papers in the Main Examination:
Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ and Posts: All 10 Compulsory Papers and one optional subject consisting of two papers:
Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ and Posts: All 10 Compulsory Papers
Personality Test: A 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. Each candidate will be asked questions on matter of general interest. The object of Test will be to assess the candidate’s personal qualities like alertness of mind, power of clear and logical exposition, intellectual and poral integrity, leadership and also the candidate’s range of interests.
Candidates for Group ‘B’ Service (West Bengal Police Service) will be tested at the interviews with regard to their suitability of the service.
Marks for Personality Test
Note: No separate Personality Test shall be held for different Groups viz: Group ‘A’, Group ‘B’, Group ‘C’, Group ‘D’ in respect of a candidate. Marks will be awarded to different services against allotted full marks for Personality Test.
Deduction of marks:
In all the answer papers under examination, due credit will be given for proper economy of words combines with clarity, precision and effectiveness of expression and originality of approach.
A deduction of 10% of full marks may be made for the total marks secured by the candidate in a particular paper if he/she discloses his/her identity by writing his/her name, roll number or by putting any identifying marks in the answer script of that paper.
There shall be negative marking for each wrong answer to MCQ type.
Discretion of the Commission:
The Commission has discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all the papers /subjects and all in aggregate.
If a candidate fails to secure qualifying marks in any paper/subject, the marks in that paper/subject will not be considered in calculating his/her aggregate.
SUBJECTS AND MARKS IN MAINS EXAM AND PERSONALITY TEST
MARKS
Analysis of the new WBCS exam syllabus
Lately, we have observed that State Level Civil Services Exams are aligning more with the UPSC Exam pattern. This was observed in Uttar Pradesh Public Services Exam and the Odisha Public Services Examination. The recent updates in the WBCS exam syllabus show a similar trend. In UPSC Mains, GS Papers are of 250 marks each. This scheme has been mirrored in the WBCS New syllabus too. Total marks have been increased to 2200 for Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ Services. It’s important to note that no major changes in total marks have been made for the Prelims Examination. One more thing that is worth noting is that Philosophy has been omitted from the new list of optional subjects one can choose from for the Mains Examination.
What to expect in terms of the pattern of questions in 2025 WBCS examination
Analysis of questions from the last 10 years show that WBCS used to focus on factual questions. There could be an emphasis on analytical questions in the new exam pattern. Candidates will need to analyze information and get rid of rote memorization to ace the exam.
Also, in 2025 WBCS exam, aspirants might face questions with multiple possible answers, similar to the UPSC exam pattern (in Prelims). This might increase the exam’s complexity and difficulty level.
How to prepare under the new exam pattern
Candidates need to embrace this shift in syllabus with a positive mind-set. Aspirants need to expand their study materials and knowledge base as the syllabus has broadened.
Our approach to the new syllabus
The transition to a new WBCS exam pattern could be challenging for the aspirants. Keeping this in mind, APTI PLUS Academy has started taking concrete steps.
Based on the new syllabus released by the government, APTI PLUS Academy’s top-notch R&D team has started curating content and questions that align with the new syllabus. APTI PLUS Academy will provide clear guidelines for aspirants on how to tackle the new exam pattern. WBCS classes that will be offered to candidates will be completely based on the new syllabus.
Closing Thoughts
In any examination, the syllabus is crucial. If you have the syllabus in hand, you have the essential tool to ace the examination. Yes, previous years’ question papers offer valuable insights, but the commission is aware of the challenges candidates might face. Hence, it will not make drastic changes in terms of the level of difficulty of questions and will not create questions that are beyond the scope of the syllabus. Therefore, focusing on the syllabus and preparing accordingly is your best strategy.
APTI PLUS is providing the best guidance in West Bengal for WBCS exam preparation. Hence, you can approach these changes in syllabus with confidence. It’s time to adapt to the new syllabus and stay focused. Remember that with proper preparation, you can succeed and serve the nation.
APTI PLUS – The best WBCS Coaching in West Bengal is here to support you every step of the way as you work toward success in the WBCS Exam.
