WBCS 2025 New Exam Syllabus Released, Check in Details

The West Bengal Public Service Commission (WBPSC) has released the WBCS 2025 new exam syllabus, bringing some important changes. The Preliminary Examination will now have two objective-type papers, including a newly added General Studies Paper II, which is a qualifying paper requiring a minimum of 33% marks.

The Main Examination syllabus has also been updated with new compulsory papers for all candidates. These changes aim to improve the exam structure and test a wider range of knowledge and skills. Aspirants should carefully go through the new pattern to prepare well and succeed in the WBCS 2025 exam.

WBCS 2025 Preliminary Examination Syllabus

The Preliminary stage is now split into two objective-type papers:

➤ General Studies Paper I

• Duration: 2 hours
• Nature: Screening only, not counted for final merit
• Negative Marking: Yes

➤ General Studies Paper II (Qualifying Paper – 33% Minimum Required)

• Based on the CSAT model (like UPSC Prelims Paper II).

Structure of the Mains Examination:

The WBCS Mains Examination consists of ten conventional papers, including two qualifying language papers: Paper-A (Bengali/Nepali) and Paper-B (English), each carrying 300 marks. These language papers are designed to test basic proficiency and will not be counted towards the final merit ranking. Candidates must secure at least 30% marks in each qualifying paper to have their other examination papers evaluated. The remaining eight papers (Paper-I to Paper-VIII) constitute the Main Examination, which determines the final merit list.

Details of Qualifying Papers:

Note:

• Both papers follow the Madhyamik Pariksha (Secondary Examination) or equivalent standard.
• Marks obtained in these papers do not contribute to the final merit ranking.
• Only candidates meeting the 30% threshold in both Paper-A and Paper-B will have their Main Examination answer sheets evaluated.

New SYLLABUS OF COMPULSORY PAPERS FOR WBCS 2025 MAIN EXAMINATION

PAPER – I: English Essay

Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics.

Credit will be given for proper economy of words combined with clarity, precision, and effectiveness of expression and originality of approach.

PAPER – II: TRADITION & CULTURE OF BENGAL

a) Cultural Aspects of Bengal (60 Marks)

1. Bengal School of Art – Art & Nationalism
2. Paintings & Sculpture – Abanindranath Tagore, Gaganendranath Tagore, Rabindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose, Jamini Roy, Ramkinkar Baij, Sunil Das, etc.
3. Jatra
4. Theatre – Personalities like Lebedeff, Girish Ghosh, Dinabandhu Mitra, Nati Binodini, Sisir Bhaduri, Utpal Dutta, Sambhu Mitra, Tripti Mitra, Badal Sarkar, Rudraprasad Sengupta, Soumitra Chattopadhyay;
   Star Theatre, Rangna Theatre, Minerva Theatre etc., Group Theatre.
5. Cinema – Silent Era to Colour Film through Talkies;
   Personalities like Hiralal Sen, Promothesh Barua, Debaki Bose, Kanan Devi, Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Ritwik Ghatak, Tapan Sinha, Chhabi Biswas, Uttam Kumar, Soumitra Chattopadhyay, Suchitra Sen, Aparna Sen;
   Awards and major film festivals.
6. Fairs and Festivals – Gangasagar Mela, Poush Mela, Basanta Utsab, Gajner Mela, Kenduli Mela, Ratha Mela, Rash Mela.

b) Art Forms including Folk Art & Music of Bengal (60 Marks)

1. Classical Music – Bishnupur Gharana, Toppa
2. Folk Music – Baul, Bhawaiya, Bhatiali, Kabi Gan, Jari Gaan, Sari Gaan, Murshidi, Alkap, Bhatiyali, Agamani, Bonbibir Pala, Jhumur
3. Spiritual Songs – Kirtan, Shyama Sangeet & Ramprasadi
4. Patriotic Songs – Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Geeti, Dwijendra Geeti, Atul Prasadi
5. Dance Forms – Chhau, Bhadu, Tusu, Gambhira, Gaudiya or Gouriyo Nritya, Khenka, Rabindra Nritya
6. Musical Instruments – Ektara, Dotara, Khol, Kartal, Dhamsha, Madol, Dhak, Dhol.

c) Literature of Bengal (70 Marks)

1. Styles in Bengali Language – Sadhubhasha (sophisticated type) and Chalitbhasha (colloquial type)
2. Dialects in Bengali Language – Rarhi, Bengali, Varendri, Jharkhandi and others
3. Bengali Literature: Old (950–1350), Middle (1350–1800, Pre-Chaitanya and Post-Chaitanya),Modern (1800–till date)- Personalities like Rammohan Roy, Vidyasagar, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Rabindranath Tagore, Kaji Nazrul Islam, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Tarashankar Bandyopadhyay, Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, Manik Bandopadhyay, Jibanananda Das, Sukumar Roy, Satyajit Ray, Sunil Gangopadhyay, Shankha Ghosh, Buddhadeb Basu, and others.

d) Architectural Heritage of Bengal (60 Marks)

1. Bishnupur – Burnt-Clay Architectural Structures (Terracotta) like Pancharatna Temple, Rashmancha, Jor Banglow Temple, Terracotta Temples of Kalna.
2. Buddhist Architecture – Chandraketu Garh, Mogalmari.
3. Islamic Architecture – Adina Mosque, Chhoto Sona Masjid, Boro Sona Masjid, Eklakhi Masjid, etc.
4. British Architecture – Hazar Duari, Victoria Memorial, etc.
5. Others – Madan Mohan Temple of Cooch Behar, Hangeshwari Temple of Bansberia, Pottery of Ghurni in Krishnanagar.

PAPER–III ( General Studies – I )

General Studies – I (History & Geography) for the WBCS Main Examination carries a total of 250 marks, divided equally between Group-A and Group-B, with each group accounting for 125 marks.

Group – A (History)

i) Indian history from about the middle of the 18th century until the present — significant events, personalities, issues.

ii) The freedom struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country especially from Undivided Bengal.

iii) Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.

iv) History of the world — events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, colonialism, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.

Group – B (Geography)

i) Physical geography of India with special reference to West Bengal.

ii) Salient features of world’s physical geography.

iii) Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world including India.

iv) Important geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location — changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

v) Major crops — cropping pattern in various parts of the country especially in West Bengal, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems.

vi) Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment, ozone layers and related issues.

vii) Disaster and disaster management.

PAPER-IV (General Studies-II)

PAPER-IV of the General Studies-II examination comprehensively covers three major domains: Indian Polity, India and the World, and Indian Economy, with a total of 250 marks divided equally between Group-A (125 marks) and Group-B (125 marks). Group-A focuses on Indian Polity and International Relations, Group-B delves into Indian Economy and Development Issues, encompassing themes.

General Studies-II

Group-A (INDIAN POLITY, INDIA AND THE WORLD)

i) Indian Constitution – historical foundation, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

ii) Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.

iii) Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.

iv) Parliament and State legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges, and issues arising out of these.

v) Structure, organisation and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary.

vi) Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.

vii) Appointments to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions, and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.

viii) Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies.

ix) India and its neighbourhood relations.

x) Bilateral, regional, and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

xi) Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.

xii) Important international institutions, agencies, and fora – their structure and mandate.

xiii) Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.

xiv) Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organised crime with terrorism.

Group-B (INDIAN ECONOMY)

i) Indian economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation of resources, growth, development, and employment. Role of RBI and other Regulatory Bodies.

ii) Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.

iii) Government Budgeting.

iv) Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support price; Public Distribution System – objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; Issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions, economics of animal-rearing.

v) Food processing and related industries in India and West Bengal – scope and significance. Location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.

vi) Land reforms in India with special reference to West Bengal.

vii) Effects of liberalisation on the economy, changes in industrial policy, and their effect on industrial growth.

viii) Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc.

ix) Investment models.

x) Issues relating to poverty, hunger, and unemployment.

xi) Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources, and Human Development Index.

xii) Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

xiii) Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

PAPER-V (General Studies-III)

General Studies-III  (Total Marks: 250) is structured into Group A (150 Marks) and Group B (100 Marks), covering vital areas such as Indian Society and Developments in Science and Technology in India.

Group-A (INDIAN SOCIETY)

i) Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.

ii) Women empowerment, role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

iii) Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism and secularism.

iv) Effects of globalization on Indian society.

v) Role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders in the development process.

vi) Linkages between development and spread of extremism.

vii) Role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basis of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.

Group-B (DEVELOPMENTS IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY IN INDIA)

i) Science and technology—developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

ii) Achievements of Indians in science and technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

iii) Awareness in the fields of IT, space, computers, robotics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

PAPER-VI (General Studies-IV: ETHICS, INTEGRITY AND APTITUDE)

General Studies-IV (Total Marks: 250) is divided into Group A (150 Marks) and Group B (100 Marks), focusing on Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude. This paper aims to assess the candidate’s attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life, and their problem-solving and decision-making abilities in complex situations.

Group-A ( ETHICS, INTEGRITY AND APTITUDE)

i) Role of civil services in a democracy.

ii) Ethics and Human Interface:

• Essence, determinants, and consequences of ethics in human actions.
• Dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships.
• Human values—lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers, and administrators.
• Role of family, society, and educational institutions in inculcating values.

iii) Attitude:

• Content, structure, function; its influence on thought and behaviour.
• Moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.

iv) Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service:

• Integrity, impartiality, non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service.
• Empathy, tolerance, and compassion towards weaker sections.

v) Emotional Intelligence: Concept, utilities, and application in administration and governance.

vi) Contribution of Moral Thinkers: Philosophers and social reformers from India and the world.

vii) Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration:

• Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions.
• Laws, rules, regulations, and conscience as sources of ethical guidance.
• Accountability and ethical governance; strengthening ethical and moral values in governance.
• Ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.

viii) Probity in Governance:

• Concept of public service; philosophical basis of governance and probity.
• Information sharing and transparency in government; Right to Information.
• Code of ethics, code of conduct, Citizen’s Charters, work culture.
• Quality of service delivery, utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.

ix) E-Governance: Applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential.

Group-B

Case studies on the above issues.

PAPER-VII and PAPER-VIII

Optional Papers: The syllabus of optional subjects will remain the same as exists now.

• Word Limit for Compulsory Papers:
• Questions carrying 10 marks: 150 words
• Questions carrying 15 marks: 250 words

Abstract Table of Papers/Subjects and Marks in WBCS 2025 Main Examination and Personality Test:

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