WBCS Prelims 2019 Exam Pattern, Syllabus
The scheme and syllabus of the examination shall be as detailed in the Schedule below :-
1. Scheme of the Preliminary Examination : The Preliminary Examination will consist of only one paper, viz., a paper on
―General Studies‖. The paper will be of an objective type consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions. The paper will carry 200 marks
and will be of 2½ hours duration. 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 of knowledge:
(i) English Composition 25 Marks
(ii) General Science 25 Marks
(iii) Current events of National & International Importance 25 Marks
(iv) History of India 25 Marks
(v) Geography of India with special reference to West Bengal 25 Marks
(vi) Indian Polity and Economy 25 Marks
(vii) Indian National Movement 25 Marks
(viii) General Mental Ability 25 Marks
Scheme of the Main Examination : The Main Examination will consist of six Compulsory papers and one optional
subject (Only for candidates applying for group A and / or B) to be chosen by the candidates from the list of optional subjects given
below. There will be two papers of the optional subject of 200 marks each. Each paper, Compulsory or Optional, will carry 200 marks
and will be of 3 hours duration.
Out of six compulsory papers four papers i.e. (i) General Studies- I, (ii) General Studies- II, (iii) The Constitution of India
and Indian Economy including role and functions of Reserve Bank of India and (iv) Arithmetic and Test of Reasoning will be of MCQ
Type to be answered in OMR answer sheets. Remaining two compulsory papers i.e. Paper - I and Paper - II will be of conventional
type written examination.
Compulsory Papers :
Paper I : Bengali/Hindi/Urdu/Nepali/Santali - Letter writing (within 150 words) / Drafting of Report (within 200 words),
Précis Writing, Composition and Translation from English to Bengali/Hindi/Urdu/Nepali/Santali
Paper II : English - Letter writing (within 150 words) / Drafting of Report (within 200 words), Précis Writing, Composition and
Translation from Bengali/Hindi/Urdu/Nepali/Santali to English
Paper III : General Studies-I : (i) Indian History with special emphasis on National Movement and (ii) Geography of India with
special reference to West Bengal.
Paper IV : General Studies-II : Science and Scientific & Technological advancement, Environment, General Knowledge and
Current Affairs.
Paper V : The Constitution of India and Indian Economy including role and functions of Reserve Bank of India.
Paper VI : Arithmetic and Test of Reasoning.
