WBCS Syllabus (Updated) – How to Prepare for the New UPSC-like Exam Pattern?

The West Bengal Public Service Commission (WBPSC) conducts several competitive exams in order to select applicants for coveted government jobs in West Bengal. Shortlisted applicants for Group A, B, C and D services include DMDC, BDO, DSP, LRO and other reputed positions.

On August 20, 2024, the Government of West Bengal’s Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department released the new syllabus and exam pattern for the WBCS, which will be in effect starting with the WBCS 2025 Examination. This follows their earlier communication under Notification No. 361-PAR(WBCS)/1D-179/21 dated March 15, 2023. To improve their preparation, candidates may review the comprehensive WBCS Exam Pattern, which has just undergone a revision that brings it more in line with the UPSC Civil Services Examination pattern. Candidates preparing for the West Bengal Civil Service Exam 2025 can review the WBCS syllabus and download the syllabus PDF.

What is the New WBCS Exam Pattern

The freshly revised syllabus includes more expansive topics, such as four general studies papers in the main examination, one separate paper in the preliminary examination, and more detailed current affairs, with an emphasis on descriptive writing.

The new test format may place more of a focus on analytical questions. To ace the exam, candidates will need to stop using rote memory and start analysing the subject matter.

Additionally, candidates may encounter questions in the 2025 WBCS test that have multiple possible answers, equivalent to the UPSC exam format (in the preliminary round). This might make the test more complex and challenging.

The examination will consist of — Preliminary and Mains. The test pattern may vary depending on the job post the candidate has applied for (whether it is Group A, B, C or D).

Preliminary exam will include two papers, each carrying 200 marks and of 2 hours duration.

The Mains exam shall consist of a written examination and a personality test. The written test will have a total of 10 conventional papers — paper A (Bengali/Nepali) & paper B (English) of 300 marks each, and paper I to VIII of 250 marks each. It is important to know that paper I to VI fall under the “compulsory category” and paper VII and VIII fall under the “optional category” (each of 3 hours duration).

Thus, the four groups — Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D will have 2000 marks (8 papers), 2000 (8 papers), 1500 marks (6 papers excluding optional) and 1500 marks (6 papers excluding optional), respectively.

This will then be followed by the personality test, where Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D will consist of 200, 200, 150 and 100 marks, respectively.

Another point worth mentioning is that Philosophy has been removed from the revised list of optional disciplines available for the Mains Examination.  This new exam format will require candidates to develop a deeper understanding of various subjects, providing a thorough evaluation of their knowledge and skills.

How to Grapple the New WBSC Pattern and Ace Your Preparation?

Here are some essential tips for you as suggested by experts that can steer up your preparation and help you have a better grasp of the new pattern:

Select Books as per the new pattern: When selecting text books for WBCS exam preparation, consider the following factors: relevance to the new pattern, thorough coverage of syllabus and  practice questions. It is important to choose books that match your learning style and provide detailed coverage of the topics.

Work on Descriptive Writing Skills: New descriptive portions of WBCS, like the UPSC Mains, will require applicants to submit well-articulated responses in a restricted amount of time. Therefore, daily answer writing practice becomes necessary.

Focus on Extensive Reading: Considering the syllabus’s resemblance to UPSC, you, as an applicant, must remain informed about national and international affairs by reading standard newspapers like The Hindu, The Indian Express etc along with government reports and schemes from authenticated websites like PIB, RSTV.

Attempt Mock Exams and Refer to Question Papers: Though earlier year’s papers may not be as useful because the pattern is changing, you could refer to the unchanging section. As an applicant, you should also look at the previous years’ UPSC CSE questions because now the preliminary syllabus and main syllabus are quite similar to WBCS. You may appear for mock tests from a standard WBCS Coaching Centre.

Inculcate Healthy Habits to Avoid Distractions and Anxiety: Exam anxiety is common among students due to the competitive nature of the exam. You must learn how to manage your anxiety by meditating, eating well, sleeping well, or engaging in some extracurricular activities. Furthermore, study persistently without any distractions.

Pave Your Way to Success in the WBCS Exam with APTI PLUS

APTI PLUS is one of the Best IAS Coaching in Kolkata and most coveted civil services coaching institution. The excellent Faculty members and R&D team at APTI PLUS Academy have begun hand-picking questions and information that correspond with the recently announced curriculum, as released by the government. Aspirants will receive explicit instructions from APTI PLUS Kolkata on how to approach the new exam format. Candidates will be able to take WBCS classes that are entirely based on the new curriculum.