West Bengal Public Service Commission (WBPSC) manages the WBCS Exam and sets for its syllabus. This exam includes 3 tiers – Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. In an official notification, WBPSC releases syllabus and guidelines for the WBCS exam so that candidates will be able to understand the topics and prepare accordingly for this examination.
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WBCS 2020 – Important Links
- Name – WEST BENGAL CIVIL SERVICE (EXE.) etc. EXAMINATION, 2020
- Advertisement No. – 22/2019
- Registration starts on – 05/11/2019
- Application ends on – 25/11/2019
- Official Website
- Applying Guideline Link
- Official Notification Link
In this article, we will discuss and understand the whole syllabus for WBCS 2020 and provide some tips for candidates so that they can clear the exam and be a civil servant. As syllabus and questions level is very much different for prelims and mains that’s why different strategies required separately to qualify these exams. As per the WBCS syllabus 2020, the topics are below.
WBCS Prelims Exam (Total 200 Marks) – MCQ
The WBCS Prelims will have only one paper- General Studies. There is no Aptitude Test, unlike various other states’ Public Service Commission exams. General Studies is divided into 8 sections. WBCS prelims paper will be of an objective type consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours 30 minutes time duration and is qualifying in nature. The standard of the paper will be of the level of knowledge as expected of a graduate of any faculty of a recognized University. The paper will include questions covering the following fields or topics of knowledge.
1) English Composition (25 Marks)
I. Synonyms and Antonyms
II. Idioms and Phrases
III. Vocabulary Test
IV. Phrasal Verbs
V. The same words bearing more than one meaning
VI. Use of appropriate and qualifying words
VII. Etc.
2) General Science (25 Marks)
I. General appreciation
II. Understanding of science
III. Matters of everyday observation
IV. Experience as expected from an educated person not having made special studies of scientific disciplines
3) Current events of National & International Importance (25 Marks)
4) History of India (25 Marks)
Broad general understanding of the subject in its social, economic, and political aspects.
5) Geography of India with special reference to West Bengal (25 Marks)
I. Physical Geography
II. Social Geography
III. Economic Geography
IV. Main features of Indian Agricultural and Natural Resources with special reference to West Bengal.
6) Indian Polity and Economy (25 Marks)
I. Country’s Political System
II. Panchayati Raj
III. Community Development and Planning in India
7) Indian National Movement (25 Marks)
I. Nature and character of the Nineteenth Century Resurgence
II. Growth of Nationalism
III. Attainment of Independence.
8) General Mental Ability (25 Marks)
I. Logical perception
II. Understanding
III. Natural conclusion
WBCS Mains Exam (Total 1200/1600 Marks)
After qualifying on the basis of their performance in Prelims the shortlisted candidates will have to appear for the WBCS Mains exam. The Mains exam will contain six compulsory papers and one optional subject comprising two papers. Each of these papers will consist of 200 marks and 3 hours of time to complete each paper.
Only candidates appearing for Group A and Group B exam have to take exams for Optional Subject. Candidates enrolled for Group C and Group D have to only take the six compulsory papers.
Out of six compulsory papers, four papers i.e. Paper-III, Paper-IV, Paper-V, and Paper-VI will be of MCQ Type and that to be answered in OMR answer sheets and remaining two compulsory papers i.e. Paper-I and Paper-II will be of conventional type written-examination.
1) Paper-I – Bengali/Hindi/Urdu/Nepali/Santali
I. Letter writing (within 150 words) / Drafting of Report (within 200 words)
II. Précis Writing
III. Composition
IV. Translation from English to Bengali/Hindi/Urdu/Nepali/Santali
2) Paper-II – English
I. Letter writing (within 150 words) / Drafting of Report (within 200 words)
II. Précis Writing
III. Composition
IV. Translation from Bengali/Hindi/Urdu/Nepali/Santali to English
3) Paper-III – General Studies-I – MCQ
I. Indian History with special emphasis on the National Movement
II. Geography of India with special reference to West Bengal
4) Paper-IV – General Studies-II – MCQ
I. Science and Scientific & Technological advancement
II. Environment
- Biodiversity and Coastal Regulation Zone
- Global Warming
- Industrial and Environmental Pollution
- Ozone Layer and related issues.
III. General Knowledge
IV. Current Affairs.
5) Paper-V – The Constitution of India and Indian Economy – MCQ
I. Central State relation and devolution of central funds to state
II. Planning process and objectives of five years plan
III. Role and Functions of RBI and Monetary policy
IV. Central Finance Commission & State Finance Commission
V. Fiscal Policy of Government of India
6) Paper-VI – MCQ
I. Arithmetic – will be similar to that of the Compulsory Mathematics paper at the Madhyamik Examination of the Board of Secondary Education, West Bengal.
II. Test of Reasoning
- 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.
Note: The standard of other compulsory papers (i.e. except Paper-VI) will be of the level of learning expected from a graduate of any faculty of a recognized University.
Optional Paper – List of Optional Subjects with their Subjects Code (in WBCS Mains Exam)
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
Note: 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.
Note: Answers in all the 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 optional papers (i.e. Political Science, Botany) may also be written in Nepali.
WBCS Personality Test (Total 150/200 Marks)
A number of candidates selected in order of merit on the results of the Main Examination for all the services and posts included in Groups A, B, C, and D shall have to appear at a Personality Test. Each candidate will be asked questions on matters of general interest. 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. Candidates for Group ‘B’ Service (West Bengal Police Service) will be specially tested at the interviews with regard to their suitability for the service.
Marks for the Personality Test (in WBCS Exam)
(i) Group ‘A’ & ‘B’ – 200 Marks
(ii) Group ‘C’ 150 – Marks
(iii) Group ‘D’ 100 – Marks
Note: No separate Personality Test will be held for different groups viz. Group-‘A’, Group-‘B’, Group-‘C’ and Group-‘D’ in respect of a candidate. Marks will be awarded according to different services against allotted full marks for Personality Test. In all the answer papers under examination, due credit will be given for the proper economy of words combined with clarity, precision, and effectiveness of expression and originality of approach.
Other Notes
WBCS Exam – Deduction of marks
A deduction of 10% of full marks may be made from the total marks secured by a 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 multiple-choice questions (MCQ) type.
WBCS Exam – Discretion of the Commission
The Commission has the discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all the papers/subjects and in the 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.
WBCS Study Tips
Some tips to be followed to clear the examinations
- Study on various subjects daily with a certain time table
- Practise MCQ mocks on the topics that you read
- Study small part in one time and before bed once recall it. This will help in memorizing and storing what you have read.
- Study the previous day’s part and a new one so that revise and new leaning happen.
- Put emphasis on History, General Knowledge, and Current Affairs. These will help you to score in exams.
WBCS Previous Years Papers
English Version (PDF Download)
W.B.C.S. 2019 Preliminary Exam Paper – Questions & Answers
W.B.C.S. 2018 Preliminary Exam Paper – Questions & Answers
More Coming Soon…
Bengali Version (PDF Download)
Coming Soon…
