WBCS, or West Bengal Civil Services, is the competitive exam for recruiting officer-ranking administrative positions in the West Bengal government. This is a prestigious career option for people who are not ready for all-India posting. Can IAS aspirants attempt these exams with no extra efforts? This article discusses whether there should be any difference between IAS and WBCS preparations for candidates taking IAS coaching in Kolkata.
West Bengal Civil Services
In 2024, the West Bengal Public Service Commission (WBPSC) declared a total vacancy of 300 positions in different West Bengal government departments and agencies. Recruitments happen in Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D ranks. Officers of Group A and West Bengal Revenue Services are eligible for IAS rank after the completion of 27 years in their services. Group B or WB Police Service officers get IPS rank after 15 years of service. So, despite IAS aspirations, if you decide to join WBCS, you have the option to reach your dream.
WBCS exam pattern
|
Stages |
Paper |
Duration |
Subjects |
Questions type |
Total marks in the paper |
|
PRELIMS |
1 |
2.5 hours |
General studies |
MCQ |
200 |
|
MAINS |
1 |
Language (Bengali not compulsory) |
Descriptive |
200 |
|
|
2 |
English |
Descriptive |
200 |
||
|
3 |
History & Geography |
Objective |
200 |
||
|
4 |
Science & Technology, Environment, G.K and Current Affairs |
Objective |
200 |
||
|
5 |
The Constitution of India & Indian Economy |
Objective |
200 |
||
|
6 |
Arithmetic and Test of Reasoning |
Objective |
200 |
||
|
7 |
Optional subject-I |
Descriptive |
200 |
||
|
8 |
Optional subject-II |
Descriptive |
200 |
||
|
PERSONALITY TEST |
200 (For Group C 150 and Group D 100) |
UPSC CSE
Every IAS aspirant knows UPSC conducts Civil Services Exam every year for recruitments of all-India services, central civil services Group A and B officer-ranking administrative positions.
All-India services include:
- IAS
- IPS
Central Civil Services Group A ranks include:
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS)
- Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS)
- Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS)
- Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS)
- Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES)
- Indian Information Service (IIS)
- Indian Postal Service (IPoS)
- Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS)
- Indian Railway Protection Force Service (IRPFS)
- Indian Revenue Service (IRS-IT)
- Indian Revenue Service (IRS-C&CE)
- Indian Trade Service (ITrS)
- Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS)
Central Civil Services Group A include:
- Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Services (AFHCS)
- Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS)
- Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Service (DANIPS)
- Pondicherry Civil Service (PCS)
- Pondicherry Police Service (PPS)
WBCS vs UPSC CSE
The major differences between these two exams are:
- Candidates need to qualify in Prelims Paper-II and it is an aptitude test (CSAT). WBCS does not have such a test.
- The total marks in UPSC CSE Mains is 1750, while the same in the WBCS is 1600.
- Both the exam requires selecting 2 optional subjects for Mains.
- Other subjects covered are similar, like Indian heritage and culture, history and geography of the world and society, S&T, governance, environment, economy, etc.
- UPSC gives emphasis on international relations and the world economy.
Bottom-line
So, it is evident that subject-wise appearing WBCS does not require any extra study load for IAS aspirants. Are you looking for WBCS online coaching? Check https://aptiplus.in/ as they are the oldest and one of the most popular institutes offering IAS coaching in Kolkata.