Rachit Kumar SaxenaManager-Editorial
The West Bengal Public Service Commission released a notice mentioning that the WBCS 2024 exam will be conducted based on the old syllabus and exam pattern. The new syllabus will come into force next year. The Commission will mention the WBCS Syllabus 2024 separately before the release of the official WBCS 2024 notification. The Commission will mention the list of topics that can be asked in the WBCS 2024 exam. The candidates are suggested to ascertain the sub-topics and prepare accordingly. The WBCS syllabus will be the guiding path to prepare for the WBCS 2024 exam. The WBCS Syllabus 2024 is the most important component of the exam. The syllabus provides the locus of WBCS Preparation. The Commission will mention the names of the topics in the official WBCS 2024 notification.
The Commission will also specify the marks assigned to each section. The candidates are suggested to prepare all the topics mentioned in the official WBCS 2024 syllabus because the Commission can ask any number of questions about any topic. So it would be imperative to prepare all the topics. The Commission mentions the WBCS syllabus separately for prelims and mains exams. Commission mentions all the topics in the official syllabus pdf. The Commission asked the same number of questions from each of the topics. The candidates are suggested to prepare all the topics mentioned in the official syllabus. The WBCS 2024 exam is conducted based on the syllabus and the WBCS 2024 exam pattern.Â
Q: Â How many stages are there in the WBCS exam?
WBCS exam consists of the following stages of the exam. Each stage has an uncommon exam pattern. The WBCS stages of the exam are as follows.
- Prelims
- Mains
- Personality Test
The candidates need to qualify in each of the stage to get finally select.
Q: Â What is the duration of the WBCS exam?
The duration of the WBCS exam varies depending on the specific stage of the exam. The WBCS Preliminary Exam has a duration of 2.5 hours.
On the other hand, the Main Exam comprises eight papers, each with a different duration, totaling to 150 minutes (2.5 hours) for the entire exam
Q: Â Is there any normalisation of Marks in the WBCS exam?
No, there is no provision of normalization of marks in the WBCS (West Bengal Civil Services) exam. Normalization is a method used to adjust scores across different shifts of the exam to account for variations in the difficulty level of the question papers. This normalization process ensures fairness in evaluating candidates' performance across different exam sessions.
The final merit list is based on the marks scored by the candidates in the main (written) and personality test conducted by the WBPSC.
WBCS Syllabus Overview
Candidates can check the WBCS Syllabus 2024 overview in the table below.
Exam Particulars | Exam Details |
---|---|
Exam Conducting Authority | West Bengal Public Service Commission’s (WBPSC) |
Name of Exam | West Bengal Civil Service exam |
Notification Release Date | To be announced |
Type of Post | Group A, Group B, Group C, Group D |
Selection Process |
|
WBCS Preliminary Exam Date | To be announced |
Eligibility Criteria | Graduation |
Posting Location | Anywhere in West Bengal |
Official Website | psc.wb.gov.in |
Q: Â What are the languages allowed for the WBCS Exam?
The West Bengal Public Service Commission notify the languages in which the candidates can answer in the WBCS main exam. The WBCS prelims exam is an objective type exam and the candidates are required to select correct answer from the given options.
In the WBCS main exam, the candidates can answer in Bengali, English and Nepali. The candidates can write the answers in Nepali for the following two subjects
1. Political Science
2. Botany
Q: Â How many papers are there in the WBCS exam, and what are they on?
In the WBCS exam, there are a total of eight papers. These papers include:
- Bengali/Hindi/Urdu/Nepali/Santali
- English
- General Studies - I
- General Studies - II
- The Constitution of India and Indian Economy including the role and functions of the Reserve Bank of India
- Arithmetic and Test of Reasoning
- Optional Subject - 1 subject to be chosen; 2 papers of 200 marks each
- Personality Test
Q: Â What are the similarities between the WBCS prelims and Mains syllabus?
The candidates should note that the WBCS main syllabus can be said as the extension of the prelims syllabus because some of the sections are common in both the prelims and main exam. The candidates are suggested to prepare for the main exam with factual orientation so that they can answer prelims questions also. The candidates arre required to check their preparation through the previous year question papers.
The candidates can see below the list of common subjects:
- English
- History
- Geography
- Indian Polity and Economy
- Indian National Movement
- Current Affairs
WBCS Prelims Syllabus 2024
The WBCS answer key will be released on the next day of the WBCS prelims exam. The candidates can take references from the UPSC syllabus because the static topics are similar and the candidates are required to prepare them for both exams. WBCS syllabus will be notified with the official notification. WBCS syllabus is very much similar to the IAS syllabus. WBCS prelims syllabus is very categorised in terms of marks and hence the candidates can expect a definite number of questions from a section of the syllabus. This makes the exam easy because the number of questions is fixed in every section and it makes it different from the IAS exam where the number of questions is unexpected. This makes the WBCS preparation a little bit easier. The WBCS prelims and mains exam are conducted based on the WBCS syllabus given in the official notification.
WBPSC WBCS Prelims Syllabus 2024
The WBCS prelims syllabus is an abridged version of the mains syllabus. The WBCS prelims exam has only one objective question paper. The WBCS notification defines the sections and their marks in the prelims exam. The time allotted for the WBCS prelims exam is two-and-a-half hours. The WBCS prelims syllabus is given below.
Sl. No |
Subject |
Marks |
---|---|---|
1 |
English Composition |
25 |
2 |
General Science |
25 |
3 |
Current events of National & International Importance |
25 |
4 |
History of India |
25 |
5 |
Geography of India with special reference to West Bengal |
25 |
6 |
Indian Polity and Economy |
25 |
7 |
Indian National Movement |
25 |
8 |
General Mental Ability |
25 |
Total |
200 |
The WBCS prelims exam is a screening exam and the marks scored in the prelims exam are not considered for the final result. WBCS Notification 2024Â mentioned the topics of the WBCS prelims exam but the topics are open to any interpretation. The WBCS prelims syllabus as given in the official notification is mentioned below:
WBCS Prelims English Syllabus
Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms and Phrases, Vocabulary tests, Phrasal Verbs, the Same words bearing more than one meaning, use of appropriate and qualifying words etc.
WBCS Prelims General Science Syllabus
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.
WBCS History of India Syllabus
In History, emphasis will be on a broad general understanding of the subject in its social, economic and political aspects.
WBCS Geography of India Syllabus
Physical Geography, Social and Economic Geography of the country, including the main features of Indian Agricultural and Natural Resources with special
reference to West Bengal.
WBCS Indian Polity and Economy Syllabus
Country’s Political System, Panchayati Raj, Community Development and Planning in India.
WBCS Indian National Movement Syllabus
Nature and character of the Nineteenth Century Resurgence, Growth of Nationalism and attainment of Independence.
WBCS Mental Ability Syllabus
Ability will relate to Logical perception, understanding and natural conclusion.Â
See Here: WBCS exam pattern
Q: Â What is the WBCS Syllabus for the prelims exam?
The WBCS Prelims Syllabus for the West Bengal Civil Services exam includes eight subjects/topics, each carrying 25 marks, with a total of 200 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) asked in the exam. The topics covered in the WBCS Prelims Syllabus are:
- English Composition
- General Science
- Current Events of National and International Importance
- History of India (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)
- Geography of India with special reference to West Bengal
- Indian Polity and Economy
- Indian National Movement
- General Mental Ability
The WBCS prelims exam is expected to be conducted in July 2024.
Q: Â Is the WBCS prelims syllabus different from the Mains syllabus?
The WBCS syllabus for the prelims and Mains exam is mentioned separately in the official notification. The WBCS Prelims syllabus is somewhat similar to the Mains syllabus, with some overlap in topics. The Prelims exam focuses on testing candidates' general knowledge across various subjects like English, Science, History, Geography, Economics, Polity, Indian National Movement, Mental Ability, and Current Affairs. It consists of 200 objective questions with a total of 200 marks.
On the other hand, the WBCS Mains syllabus includes six compulsory subject papers and two optional subject papers. The compulsory papers cover areas like Language, English, General Studies, Constitution of India, Indian Economy, Arithmetic, and Reasoning. Candidates for Group A and B posts must attempt the optional subject papers, choosing from a list of 37 subjects. The Mains exam is more comprehensive and in-depth compared to the Prelims, with a mix of objective and descriptive type questions.
Q: Â How many marks are assigned to each subject in WBCS prelims exam?
The West Bengal Public Service Commission (WBPSC) releases the marks pattern for the prelims exam. The Commission has assigned a set quota of marks to each of the topic. The candidates can see here the WBCS prelims marks pattern.
Sl. No | Subject | Marks |
1 | English Composition | 25 |
2 | General Science | 25 |
3 | Current events of National & International Importance | 25 |
4 | History of India | 25 |
5 | Geography of India with special reference to West Bengal | 25 |
6 | Indian Polity and Economy | 25 |
7 | Indian National Movement | 25 |
8 | General Mental Ability | 25 |
Total | 200 |
WBCS Mains Syllabus 2024
The WBCS main exam is the critical phase of the WBCS exam. The marks scored in the main exam are counted for the WBCS main exam. There are six compulsory objective-type question papers and two question papers on the optional subject chosen from the given list. The syllabus for each optional subject is given in the official WBCS notification. WBCS question papers of previous years can be the best guiding path for interpreting the vertical and horizontal expansion of the WBCS syllabus.Â
Each compulsory paper carries 200 marks. The time allotted for each paper is three hours. 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 WBCS syllabus for the main exam is as follows.
WBCS Mains 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
WBCS Mains 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 General Studies - 1 Syllabus
- Indian History with special emphasis on the National Movement and
- Geography of India with special reference to West Bengal.
WBCS Mains General Studies - 2 Syllabus
- Science and Scientific & Technological advancement,
- Environment
- Biodiversity and Coastal Regulation Zone,
- Global Warming,
- Industrial and Environmental Pollution,
- Ozone Layer and related issues.
- General Knowledge and
- Current Affairs
WBCS Mains Syllabus for Constitution of India and Indian Economy
- Central State relation and devolution of central funds to state,
- Planning process and objectives of five-year plan,
- Functions of RBI and Monetary Policy,
- Central Finance Commission & State Finance Commission
- Fiscal Policy of Government of India.
WBCS Mains Syllabus for Arithmetic and Test of Reasoning
The standard of 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:
Logical Deduction
(ii) The 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,
- The odd man out,
- Perception test,
- Non-verbal reasoning & Selecting the correct sequence.
The two papers 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 for Law, Medical Science and Engineering subjects which will be that specified for the LLB, MBBS and BE or equivalent courses respectively recognized by Indian Universities / Institutions.
See Here: WBCS exam dates
WBCS Exam Pattern 2024
The WBCS 2024 exam pattern will be mentioned in the official notification which is yet to be released. The WBCS Exam Pattern 2024 will be mentioned for the prelims and main exam separately. The candidates can see here the WBCS 2024 exam pattern (based on the previous year's notification) for the prelims exam as below:
Paper |
Number of Questions |
Max. Marks |
---|---|---|
General Studies |
200 |
200 |
There is only one paper in the WBCS prelims exam and the candidates need to qualify for the exam. The marks scored in the prelims exam are not considered for the final merit list. The candidates who clear the prelims exam are called for the main exam. The candidates can check here in detail about the WBCS Exam Pattern 2024.
WBCS Syllabus FAQs
The candidates can see here important questions related to the WBCS syllabus.
Q: Â What is the passing mark for the WBCS exam?
The West Bengal Public Service Commission have a discretion to fix the minimum qualifying marks in all or any paper/subject and in the aggregate. The Commission will not mention it in the official notification. The Commission is expected to release the WBCS 2024 notification soon on its official website - psc.wb.gov.in.
Q: Â How many marks are assigned to WBCS interview?
The WBCS interview, also known as the Personality Test, is assigned different marks based on the group of service. The marks allocated for the interview are as follows:
- Group 'A' and 'B': 200 Marks
- Group 'C': 150 Marks
- Group 'D': 100 Marks
The West Bengal Public Service Commission mention these marks in the official notification.
Q: Â What is the marking scheme for the WBCS exam, and how are the questions weighted?
The WBCS exam follows a specific marking scheme where each correct answer in the exam is awarded one mark. In the Preliminary Exam, there are 200 multiple-choice questions, each carrying one mark. Additionally, in the Main Exam, there are eight papers with each paper carrying 200 marks, totaling 1600 marks for the entire exam.
The WBCS 2024 notification is expected to release soon by the West Bengal Public Service Commission.
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Student Forum
Answered 2 months ago
No., the West Bengal Public Service Commission is expected to release the WBCS 2024 notification soon on the official website. The Commission will also mention the WBCS application dates in the official notification. The WBCS 2024 exam is scheduled to be conducted on December 15, 2024.
When is WBCS 2024 notification expected to be released?