Kolkata, May 28 – In a significant announcement, the West Bengal government has officially rolled back its earlier decision to change the examination pattern and syllabus of the West Bengal Civil Service (WBCS) (Executive) examination. This move comes as a relief to thousands of aspirants preparing for the state civil services under the traditional format.
The state government clarified on Wednesday that the previous notification to make WBCS exam patterns similar to those of the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) examinations has been cancelled. Instead of transitioning to a detailed answer format similar to UPSC, the old pattern of the WBCS exam will continue.
According to the government statement, “The two notifications of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (PAR) on introducing a syllabus and format of the WBCS similar to the UPSC exams have been stalled.”
The PAR department further stated, “The syllabus and format of the exams would remain what they were before the issuance of the two notifications.” This confirms that the existing exam structure—both in terms of pattern and syllabus—will remain unchanged for the foreseeable future.
Notably, in September last year, the West Bengal Public Service Commission (WBPSC) had announced a major overhaul of the WBCS examination pattern starting from 2025. The proposed changes included a shift towards a more descriptive format aligned with UPSC standards. However, that plan has now been shelved.
This decision provides clarity and stability for candidates who were uncertain about how to approach their preparation for the WBCS examination. With the continuation of the old format, aspirants can now focus on their studies without the added pressure of adapting to a new structure.
The announcement is expected to be welcomed widely by coaching centers, educators, and candidates across the state, many of whom had expressed concern about the feasibility and timing of the proposed changes.