WBP SI syllabus for prelims, mains and physical tests

Selection stages from prelims to personality test

1. Preliminary exam: objective questions that thin the field. Your score here decides who moves ahead and is then set aside.
2. Physical Measurement Test (PMT): height, chest and weight checks.
3. Physical Efficiency Test (PET): running a set distance within a time limit.
4. Final Combined Competitive Examination: three written papers, the stage aspirants call the WBP SI mains.
5. Personality test: an interview, followed by document and medical checks.

The physical stages are qualifying. Keep this order in mind, because many candidates relax after prelims and then lose weeks getting fit for the run.

WBP SI prelims syllabus and pattern

Every item is worth 2 marks, and one fourth of that is taken away for an incorrect choice. Every item is printed in both English and Bengali, so pick whichever you read faster.

• General Studies: current events, Indian and Bengal history, physical and economic geography with a Bengal focus, Indian polity, economy, everyday science and general knowledge of the state.
• Reasoning: family relation puzzles, letter and number codes, series, analogies, syllogisms, directions, odd one out, puzzles and figure based items.
• Arithmetic: set at the level of the Madhyamik syllabus: number system, fractions, percentages, ratio, averages, shopkeeper gain and loss, interest sums, work and speed problems, and basic mensuration.

WBP SI mains exam pattern

The final written exam is a conventional test, so you write your answers rather than shade bubbles. All three papers are held on one day.

With the personality test of 30 marks reported in the last notice, the final ranking is drawn from these papers and the interview. Prelims scores play no part.

WBP SI mains syllabus: English and language papers

Paper I repeats the prelims subjects, but you must show working for sums and give brief written answers. The two language papers are where many science graduates drop marks.

• Paper II, English: drafting a report from given points, translation from Bengali, Hindi, Urdu or Nepali into English, a summary or precis of a prose passage, and correct usage: sentence correction, common phrases, synonyms and antonyms.
• Paper III, language: drafting a report in the chosen language and translation of a passage into it, worth 20 marks in the last notice.

Report writing is close to real police work: a crisp account of an incident from a list of facts. Practise writing these within a strict word limit.

Physical standards and the timed run

Women applying for Lady SI need 160 cm and 48 kg, or 155 cm and 45 kg for the listed hill and tribal groups. For PET, men run 800 metres in 3 minutes and women run 400 metres in 2 minutes. Separate standards are notified for transgender candidates.

Who can apply

Under the most recent notice, you needed a degree in any subject, were required to be at least 20 and not past 30 on the board's reckoning date, and had to handle Bengali in speech and writing, with an exemption for permanent residents of the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hill areas. Reserved groups get extra room at the top end: 5 more years for SC or ST, 3 more for OBC. Women can apply only for the unarmed branch post.

Working through the WBP SI syllabus stage by stage

• Before prelims: General Studies is half the paper. Read West Bengal history, rivers, districts and state schemes daily alongside national current affairs.
• Arithmetic: revise Madhyamik level chapters and do 25 timed sums a day. With 2 marks per question, guesses hurt, so attempt only what you can reason through.
• Fitness: start running three months before the expected PMT date, not after prelims.
• Mains: write one report and one precis a week from the start, and keep translation practice going in both directions.

For the constable route, see the WBP constable syllabus and the WBP constable cut off. State civil service aspirants can compare the WBCS syllabus, and you will find other uniformed jobs collected under defence and police exams.