WBCS Eligibility Criteria - Qualification, Age Limit, Special Conditions

The West Bengal Civil Services Examination takes place annually or as and when announced by the West Bengal Public Service Commission (WBPSC). The examination is conducted in three stages- Preliminary, Mains and Interview. Candidates taking the exam have to qualify WBCS eligibility criteria set by the commission. Aspirants should first check the WBCS Age Limit before they start applying for the exam.

The details of WBCS 2022 are given in the linked article below:

WBCS Exam Details Linked Article
WBCS 2022 Click Here
WBCS Result Click Here
WBCS Notification 2022 Click Here
WBCS Admit Card Click Here
WBCS Syllabus 2022 Click Here
WBPSC Exam Preparation 2022 Click Here

For details of other PSC exams candidates may check the linked article.

WBCS Exam Eligibility 2022

Few major takeaway points from official WBCS notification with respect to eligibility are:

  • A candidate must be an Indian citizen (either natural or by registration.)
  • The candidate must have good health and character and suitability in all respects for appointment to Government service.
  • A candidate should be able to read, write and speak in Bengali (Candidates whose mother tongue is Nepali are excluded)

WBCS Exam Age limit

Minimum WBCS Age Limit
  • Group A and C – 21 years
  • Group B – 20 years (For West Bengal Police Service only)
  • Group D – 21 years
Maximum WBCS Age Limit 
  • Group A and C – 36 years (As on January 1 of the year of the examination)
  • Group B – 36 years (As on January 1 of the year of the examination)
  • Group D – 39 years (As on January 1 of the year of the examination)
  • Those candidates whose date of birth lies between the 1st January 2000 & the 1st January 2001 [i.e. whose age is between 20 & 21 years as on 01.01.2020] may apply for Group B only.
  • Age, as‌ ‌recorded‌ ‌only‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌Madhyamik‌ ‌or‌ ‌equivalent‌ ‌certificate, will be accepted.
  • The age limits apply to all the candidates whether in Government service or not.

WBCS Eligibility Details

The West Bengal Public Service Commission (WBPSC) has stated that a candidate taking the WBCS examination 2022 must meet the following requirements

WBCS 2022 Qualification

  • Degree from a recognized University.
  • Ability to read, write and speak in Bengali (not required for those candidates whose mother tongue is Nepali)

WBCS 2022 Age Limit

  • The Minimum and maximum age is 21 years and 36 years respectively on the 1st January of the year of examination for services and posts included in Group ‘A’ & ’C’ (i.e. born not earlier than the 2nd January 1986 and not later than the 1st January 2001).
  • The Minimum and maximum age is 20 years and 36 years respectively for Group ‘B’ Service (i.e. born not earlier than the 2nd January 1986 and not later than the 1st January 2002)
  • The Minimum and maximum age is 21 years and 39 years respectively for Group ‘D’ Service ((i.e. born not earlier than the 2nd January 1983 and not later than the 1st January 2001).

Note: Those candidates whose date of birth lies between the 1st January 2001 & the 1st January 2002 [i.e. whose age is between 20 & 21 years as of 01.01.2022] may apply for Group B only. 

WBCS 2022- Age limit Relaxation

As per the notification, the upper age limit is relaxable for S.C., S.T. and B.C. . In the case of Persons with Disabilities (PWD), the upper age limit is relaxable up to 45 years. The S.C./S.T./B.C. candidates of other States shall be considered for Unreserved posts only. The age relaxations for different categories are given below

Age limit Relaxation Category
Scheduled Castes 5 years 
Scheduled Tribes 5 years 
OBC 3 years 
Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Up to 45 years

The WBCS Eligibility criteria 2022 are expected to be on similar lines as that of WBCS 2021 exam. No changes have been made for candidates to apply for the exam.

In the case of the civil services exam, once a candidate is found eligible to apply for the post and successfully completes the online registration, the UPSC admit card is released by the conducting body. A similar procedure is also followed in the case of WBSC.

Choice of Groups of Services and Allotment

As we have mentioned before that WBCS recruits for four groups-A, B, C and D; there are few details that candidates should keep in mind about the WBCS Eligibility criteria:

  • Candidates may apply for one or more of the four groups of services.
  • All Candidates who get selected in order of merit on the result of the Mains exam will have to appear for the Personality Test.
  • There is no separate Personality Test for different groups of services.
  • Allotment of candidates takes place with respect to the order of merit and also the vacancies available.

Note by the Commission:

  • All appointments are made on a temporary basis in the first instance.
  • Candidates are particularly advised to note that unless they indicate a preference for a post or service they shall not be recommended for such post or service even if they may be otherwise eligible for the same on the results of the examination. Belated request for being considered for appointment to such post or service is liable to rejection.
  • Candidates suffering from blindness or low vision, locomotor disability/cerebral palsy will be allowed compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour.
  • No fee exemption is available to SC/ST/BC candidates of other states.

For further details, candidates may check below:

WBCS Eligibility 2020 - Groups of Services and Allotment 1

WBCS Eligibility 2020 - WBPSC Qualification 3

Special Conditions for WBCS Recruitment

The West Bengal Public Service Commission has mentioned a few conditions for various posts under different groups of services.

Some basic conditions are:

  • Minimum height requirement for male- 1.65 metres
  • Minimum height requirement for female – 1.50 metres
  • Races like Gorkhas, Garwalis, Assamese Tribes etc. are subject to height relaxation

An aspirant may find it important to know a few special conditions about WBCS Eligibility:

WBPSC Post Special Condition
West Bengal Police Service (Group ‘B’ Service)
  • The minimum height requirement for male candidates –  1.65 metres
  • The minimum height requirement for female candidates – 1.50 metres
  • Height requirement is subject to relaxation in the case of candidates belonging to races such as:
    • Gorkhas
    • Garwalis
    • Assamese Tribals etc.
  • Candidates intending to be considered for this Group must indicate their height in appropriate column of the application form
Assistant Canal Revenue Officer
  • Will have to work in remote areas and their jurisdiction will cover a large number of villages
  • Will be required to attend Tehsil and Zilla Offices on bicycle for transport
West Bengal Junior Social Welfare Service In homes of blind/deaf/dumb- degree or Diploma or Certificate in the training of Blind and / or Deaf and Dumb shall be an essential qualification
Male candidates will be unsuitable for the posts meant for institutions for females, and female candidates will be unsuitable for the posts meant for institutions for males.
West Bengal Subordinate Land Revenue Service, Grade – I
  • Has good working knowledge of the Bengali Language, written and spoken
  • Candidates with Nepali as their mother tongue will need to pass a departmental examination in Bengali in two years
  • Shall be appointed provisionally and shall undergo a period of six months’ in-service training
  • The training includes subjects such as cadastral survey, preparation of records-of-rights, revenue laws, elementary instructions in all other laws relevant for the service
  • Candidates who fail to pass the end of Training Examination shall be liable to be discharged without notice

For further details you may check below:

WBCS Eligibility 2020 - Special Conditions for various posts 1

WBCS Eligibility 2020 - Special Conditions for Various Posts 2

The Application Fee:

  • Online Payment through debit/credit card- Rs. 210/- only + Service Charge 1% of Examination Fee subject to a minimum of Rs.5/-
  • Netbanking- Rs.210/- only+ Service Charge 1% of Examination Fee subject to a minimum of Rs.5/- + Service Charge/ GST as applicable
  • Bank Counter (Offline Payment)- Rs.210/- only+ Service Charge 1% of Examination Fee subject to a minimum of Rs.5/- + Service Charge/ GST as applicable/ Service Charge of Rs.20/-

Fee Exemption for following candidates:

  • SC/ST candidates of West Bengal.
  • Persons with disabilities (PWD) having physical disability of 40% and above.

All eligible candidates can also review the eligibility and UPSC exam syllabus. In case of similarities, candidates can easily apply for both the examinations and increase their probability of entering these services, be it at the central or the state level.

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  1. What is the age limit to enroll ??and process ?

    • Hi Swati
      The maximum WBPSC Age Limit for: Group A and C – 36 years; Group B – 36 years and Group D – 39 years (As on January 1 of the year of the examination respectively). Get more information about WBCS in the linked article.

  2. What percentage marks need to be at the undergraduate level?

    • Hi Shraddha
      As the West Bengal Public Service Commission (WBPSC) mentions, a passing graduation certificate from a recognized university is a must qualification criteria for WBCS Exam. Hence, you need to pass your graduation with the minimum passing percentage.

  3. can i apply wbcs exam if i have two bachler degree a bca after a ba . can i show both degree when i apply wbcs exam from filup? i complete bca(2012-2015)& ba(2016-2019)

    • Hi Payel
      To be eligible for the exam, a valid graduation degree is a must. In your case, your BCA degree is sufficient.

  4. What percentage marks need to be in graduation? I have Bcom degree.

    • The only education criteria is a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. Since you have a Bcom degree, you can sit for the WBCS exam.

  5. is there any age relaxation for BC or SC, ST ?

    • Hi
      Candidates who belong to SC/ST category and are natives of West Bengal are eligible for age relaxation of 5 years and 3 years for OBC candidates.

  6. I want to appear for WBPCS exam in order to be able to serve in the social sector. What are the different departments I can choose from if I clear the mains?

  7. Hi
    Can i apply wbcs exam if I have B. Tech in electrical engineering after diploma.
    Can i show both degree when I apply wbcs exam form fill up?
    I complete diploma (2012-2015)
    & B. Tech (2016-2019)

  8. I want to know that in wbcs main exam except peper l(Bengali) and paper 2(English) remaining four subject s exam conduct in which language?? Both English and Bengali language or only English??

  9. When can I start preparing for WBCS ?

  10. Hello there,
    I’m currently studying in class 12 and I’ve taken science. So which subject will be best for me in college. How can a science student prepare for it?

    • Hi
      One should know the exam pattern and syllabus of the WBCS examination. Any student with the right strategy can prepare for the examination. We suggest you go through the WBCS preparation page to get an idea on how to prepare.

  11. I’m in my final year graduation course and still have not received the University certificate .Can I apply for wbcs prelims 2021?

    • Hi
      As per the WBCS Notification 2021, the candidate must have a degree of a recognized university and it also states, “The candidates must fulfil the requisite qualifications by the closing date of the submission of the application.” The closing date is 16th January 2021.

  12. A candidate from other state is eligible for the exam??

    • Yes, an Indian citizen is eligible, however, a candidate should be able to read, write and speak in Bengali (Candidates whose mother tongue is Nepali are excluded).

  13. Hi, I am Biotechnology honors graduate of 2012. After that I have a very long gap due to miscellaneous factors including health and also during that period I tried for further higher education but unfortunately ended as dropped-out. I’m now 31 without any job at present. Can I start WBCS preparation immediately? Please give some guidance according to my situation.

    • Hi,
      If you meet the eligibility criteria. You can sit for the exam. If you are aiming for Group A WBCS, the maximum age limit is 36. Hence, you can prepare for this given you are a graduate of a government-recognized university.