West Bengal Civil Service (Exe.) Examination 2025 New Syllabus

West Bengal Civil Service (Exe.) Examination 2025 New Syllabus. PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, WEST BENGAL

WEST BENGAL CIVIL SERVICE (EXECUTIVE) ETC. EXAMINATION

SCHEME AND SYLLABUS

In terms of Notification No. 361-PAR(WBCS)/1D-179/21 dated 15.03.2023 and Notification No. 1060- PAR(WBCS)/1D-179/21 dated 24.07.2024 the scheme and syllabus of the examination shall be as detailed in the Schedule below. This new Scheme & Syllabus shall come into effect on and from W.B.C.S (Exe.) etc. Examination, 2025.

Scheme and Syllabus of the Preliminary Examination:

A. i) The Preliminary Examination will consists of two papers, viz, “General Studies Paper-I” and “General Studies Paper-II”.

ii) The papers will be of objective type consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions.

iii) The papers will carry 200 marks each and each will be of 2(two) hours duration.

iv) The “General Studies Paper-II” will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.

v) 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.

vi) The standard of the papers will be of the level of knowledge as expected of a Graduate of any faculty of a recognized University.

General Studies Paper-I will include questions covering the following fields of knowledge:-

Sl No.	Subjects	Marks Assigned
i.	English Composition	20
ii.	General Science	20
iii.	Current Events of National and International Importance	20
iv.	History of India	20
v.	Geography of India with special reference to West Bengal	20
vi.	Indian Polity and Economy	20+20=40
vii.	Indian National Movement	20
viii.	General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-Diversity and Climate Change that do not require subject specialization	40
	TOTAL	200

General Studies Paper-II will include questions covering the following fields of knowledge:

Sl No.	Topics	Marks Assigned
i.	Comprehension	60
ii.	Interpersonal Skills including Communication Skills	10
iii.	Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability	35
iv.	Decision Making and Problem Solving	30
v.	General Mental Ability	30
vi.	Basic Numeracy (Numbers and their relations, Orders of Magnitude, etc.), Data Interpretation (Charts, Graphs, Tables, Data Sufficiency) Class X Level	35
	TOTAL	200

B. The Preliminary Examination is meant to serve as 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.

II. MAIN EXAMINATION

The Main Examination shall consist of a Written Examination and Personality Test.
The Written Examination shall consist of Ten papers of conventional type out of which two papers viz., Bengali/Nepali as Paper ‘A and English as Paper ‘B’ carrying 300 marks each shall be of qualifying in nature.
Marks obtained in all the Compulsory papers (Paper-1 to Paper-VIIII) and marks. obtained in Personality Test shall be counted for final merit list.
Each compulsory and Optional Paper shall carry 250 marks and shall be of 3 (Three) hours duration.
Candidates opting for Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ Services & Posts need not to appear at the Paper VII and Paper VIII.
The Written Examination shall consist of the following papers:-

Paper-A

Bengali/Nepali 300 Marks

The paper will include questions covering the following topics:-

Letter writing, Drafting of report, Precis writing, Comprehension, Translation from English to Bengali/Nepali, Short Essay.

Paper-B

English 300 Marks

The paper will include questions covering the following topics:-

Comprehension of a given passage, Precis writing, Usage and Vocabulary, Short Essay, Letter writing/Drafting of Report.

Note: These papers will be of Madhyamik Pariksha or equivalent examination standard and will be of qualifying nature only. Answer Books of the Main Examination (Paper-I to Paper-VIII) of only those candidates will be evaluated who would secure the qualifying marks of 30% or more in each of the Paper-A and Paper-B. The marks obtained in these papers shall not be considered for Merit List.

Papers to be counted for merit:

Paper-1

English Essay 250 marks

Paper-II

Tradition and Culture of Bengal 250 marks

Comprising –

(a) Cultural aspects of Bengal

(b) Art forms including Folk Art and Music of Bengal

From ancient to modern times

(d) Architectural Heritage of Bengal

Paper-III

General Studies-l

Paper-IV

General Studies-II

250 marks

Paper-V

General Studies-III

250 marks

Paper – VI

General Studies-IV

250 marks

Paper-VII

Optional Subject-Paper-1

250 marks

Paper-VIII

Optional Subject-Paper-2

250 marks

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 unless otherwise directed in the Question Paper.

NB.

Candidates opting for Group ‘C’ & ‘D’ Services & Posts need not appear at the Paper VII & Paper- VIII.

List of Optional Subjects: – For candidates applying for group A or group 8 post, there will be two papers of any of the following optional subjects:-

Subject

Code

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

23 24

Law

Mathematics

Management

Mechanical Engineering

Medical Science

Philosophy

Physiology

Physics

Political Science

Psychology

Sociology

Statistics

Zoology

Page 3 of 10

Note:

(1) The question papers for Main Examination will be of Conventional Type.

(ii) The standard of compulsory papers will be of the level of learning expected from a graduate of any faculty of a recognized Indian University.

(iii) 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 of the standard specified for the LLB, MBBS and BE or equivalent courses respectively by recognized Indian Universities/Institutions.

(iv) Answers in all the papers, Compulsory & Optional, except Paper-I and Language Papers may be written either in English or in Bengali (unless otherwise directed in the Question Paper).

Note: Candidates shall write their answers to all the questions in only one and the same language in any particular paper.

(v) Candidates may use the Devanagari or Bengali Script in the answer papers on Sanskrit, the Devanagari Script in the answer papers on Hindi or Nepali, and the Bengali, Arabic, Persian, Urdu in the answers papers on Bengali, Arabic Persian, Urdu respectively. Questions for Santali paper will be set in Olchiki script and answers should also be written in Olchiki.

A summary of the group-wise papers in the Main Examination:

Group ‘A’ & ‘B’ Services & Posts: 2(two) Qualifying Papers, all 6(six) Compulsory Papers and 1(one) Optional Subject consisting of 2(two) papers.

Group ‘C’ & ‘D’ Services & Posts: 2(two) Qualifying Papers and all 6(six) 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 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 tested at the interviews with regard to their suitability for the service.

Marks for the Personality Test

(i) Group ‘A’ and ‘B’

(ii) Group ‘C’

(iii) Group ‘D’

200 marks

150 marks

100 marks

Note: No separate Personality Test shall 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.

Deduction of marks:-

(1) A deduction of 10% of full marks shall 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 mark in the answer script of that paper.

(0) There shall be negative marking for each wrong answer to multiple-choice questions (MCQ) type.

Discretion of the Commission:-

The Commission has discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all the papers/subjects and in the aggregate.

SYLLABUS OF COMPULSORY PAPERS FOR MAIN EXAMINATION

PAPER-1

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

Bengal School of Art-Art & Nationalism,

Paintings & Sculpture Abanindranath Tagore, Gaganendranath Tagore, Rabindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose, Jamini Roy, Ramkinkar Baij, Sunil Das etc.

Jatra

iv)

Theatre-Personalities like Lebedev, 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.

v) 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-Laurels earned by them.

vi) Gangasagar Mela, Poush Mela, Basanta Utsab, Gajaner Mela, Kenduli Mela, Rather Mela and Rash Mela.

Art Forms including Folk Art & Music of Bengal:

60 Marks

)

Classical Music of Bishunupur Gharana, Toppa

Folk Music like Baul, Bhawaiya, Bhatiali, Kabi Gan, Jari Gaan, Sari Gaan, Murshidi, Alkap, Patua, Agamoni, Bonbibir Pala, Jhumur,

Spiritual Songs like Kirtan, Shyama Sangeet & Ramprasadi;

Patriotic Songs, Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Geeti, Dwijendra Geeti, Atul Prasadi,

Kanta Geeti, Gana Sangeet (IPTA) & Adhunik(Swarna Juger Gaan);

Dance Forms like Chhau, Bhadu, Tusu, Gambhira, Gaudiya or Gouriyo Nritya, Khemta & Rabindra Nritya;

Musical Instruments like Ektara, Dotara, Khol, Kartal, Dhamsa, Madol, Dhak & Dhol

c) Literature of Bengal:

70 Marks

Styles in Bengali Language: Sadhubhasa (sophisticated type) and Chalitbhasa (colloquial type).

Dialects in Bengali Language: RARHI, Bangali, Varendri, Jharkhandi and Rajbanshi.

Bengali Literature:

Old (950-1350), Middle (1350-1800 referred to as Pre-Chaitanya and Post Chaitanya), Modern (1800-till date). Ram Mohan Roy, Vidyasagar, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Madhusudan Dutta, Rabindranath Tagore, Kaji Nazrul Islam, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Upendra Kishore Ray Chowdhury, Bibhuti Bhusan Bandyopadhyay, Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay, Manik Bandyopadhyay, Sukumar Roy, Sukanta Bhattacharya, Ashapurna Devi, Lila Mazumder, Mahasweta Devi, Subhash Mukhopadhyay & Bishnu Dey.

d) Architectural Heritage of Bengal:

60 Marks

Bishnupur Temple, etc. Burnt-Clay Architectural Structure (Terrakota) like Pancharatna Rashmancha, Jor Bunglow Temple, Terrakota Temples of Kalna

Buddhist Architecture like Chandraketu Garh, Mogalmari;

Islamic Architecture like Adina Mosque, Chhoto Sona Masjid, Boro Sona Masjid, Eklakhi Masjid etc.;

British Architecture like Hazar Duari, Victoria Memorial etc.;

Madan Mohan Temple of Cooch Behar, Hangseshwari Temple of Bansberia, Pottery of Ghurni in Krishnanagar.

PAPER-III

General Studies-1

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY

Total Marks: 250 (Gr.-A-125+ Gr.-B-125)

Group-A

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, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.

Group- B

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, tsunami, 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 part of the country specially 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

INDIAN POLITY, INDIA AND THE WORLD, INDIAN ECONOMY

Group-A

Total Marks: 250 (Gr.-A-125+ Gr.-B-125)

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 per taining 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 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

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-objective, 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

INDIAN SOCIEITY, DEVELOPMENTS IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY IN INDIA

Total Marks: 250 (Gr.-A-150+ Gr.-B-100)

Group-A

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

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

iii) Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism and secularism

iv) Effects of globalisation on Indian society

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

1) 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, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

PAPER-VI

General Studies – IV

ETHICS, INTEGRITY AND APTITUDE Total Marks: 250 (Gr.-A-150+ Gr.-B-100)

Group-A

1) 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 and relation with thought and behaviour, moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.

iv) Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.

v) Emotional intelligence concept, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.

vi) Contribution of moral thinkers, philosophers, social reformers from India and 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 of 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-8

Case studies on above issues.

PAPER-VII and PAPER-VIII

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

For Compulsory Papers word limit for questions carrying 10 marks shall be 150 words and that of questions carrying 15 marks shall be 250 words.
Abstract Table of Papers / Subjects and Marks in Main Examination and Personality Test:

SI. No.

Compulsory Papers

Marks

Group ‘A’

Group B

Group ‘C’

Group ‘D’

English Essay

250

Tradition and Culture of Bengali

250

General Studies-1

250

General Studies-II

250

General Studies-III

250

General Studies-IV

250

Optional Subject Paper-I

250

Optional Subject Paper-II

250

Personality Test

200

150

100

Total Marks

2200

1650

1600

Official Website : https://psc.wb.gov.in/

Table of Contents

SCHEME AND SYLLABUS

Scheme and Syllabus of the Preliminary Examination:

II. MAIN EXAMINATION

PAPER-1

PAPER-II

PAPER-III

PAPER-IV

PAPER-V

PAPER-VI