Candidates who are looking for the right WBCS books to prepare effectively for the West Bengal Civil Service exam will find complete WBCS book list in this article for both prelims and mains preparation.
Several thousand candidates compete each year in the West Bengal Civil Service (WBCS) examination, which is considered one of the most prestigious and challenging exams in West Bengal. For succeeding in this exam, candidates need to develop a well-structured study plan, a thorough understanding of the syllabus, and most importantly, the right study materials for WBCS. This article provides a detailed guide on the best books for WBCS preparation that covers both English and Bengali versions to cater to all aspirants.
Before you dive into the WBCS book list, get an overview of the exam structure so that you can select the appropriate resources for both WBCS preliminary and main examination.
The WBCS exam is conducted in three stages:
Now that we have covered the exam format, let us explore the best WBCS books that will help you ace both the WBCS prelims and mains.
The WBCS Preliminary Exam is meant to screen candidates by testing their understanding of general studies and current affairs. Hence, it is important to choose books that offer comprehensive coverage of the syllabus. Below is the recommended book list for WBCS prelims:
| Subject | Books (English) | Books (Bengali) |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies |
|
সাধারণ জ্ঞান by Naba Kumar Dutta |
| History |
|
ভারতের স্বাধীনতা সংগ্রাম by Sekhar Bandopadhyay |
| Geography |
|
ভূগোল সহজপাঠ by Prof. Majid Hussain |
| Polity |
|
ভারতীয় সংবিধান ও রাজনীতি by Dr. Subhasish Barua |
| Economy |
|
ভারতীয় অর্থনীতি by Dipankar Mahapatra |
| Current Affairs |
|
প্রতিযোগিতা দर्पণ, RICE ADAMAS TIMES by RICE Education |
| General Science |
|
সাধারণ বিজ্ঞান by Ashok Kumar Mondal |
The WBCS Mains Examination requires a deeper understanding of each subject, and the questions are descriptive. Therefore, selecting the right WBCS books is essential for clearing in this phase.
Here is the recommended WBCS booklist for the mains exam:
| Subject | Books (English) | Books (Bengali) |
|---|---|---|
| Bengali |
|
বাংলা সাহিত্য সংকলন (WBCHSE) |
| English |
|
Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi |
| General Studies Papers |
|
WBCS General Studies Manual (Bengali) by Nitin Singhania |
| Constitution & Polity |
|
ভারতীয় সংবিধান by G.K. Sarkar |
| Geography |
|
ভারতের ভূগোল by Gopal Das |
| History |
|
ভারতীয় ইতিহাস ও সংস্কৃতি by R.K. Chattopadhyay |
| Current Affairs |
|
আনন্দবাজার পত্রিকা |
| Indian Economy |
|
ভারতীয় অর্থনৈতিক সমীক্ষা by Pranab Kumar Pal |
Below is a list of recommended WBCS books for Mains covering General Studies, Languages, Polity, and Reasoning.
| Subject | Books (English) | Books (Bengali) |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient India |
|
ভারতের প্রাচীন ইতিহাস by Sailendra Nath Sen |
| Medieval India |
|
মধ্যযুগের ভারতের ইতিহাস by Ashoke Kumar Roy |
| Modern India |
|
আধুনিক ভারতের ইতিহাস by Sekhar Bandopadhyay |
| India After Independence |
|
স্বাধীনোত্তর ভারত by Dhirendranath Samanta |
| Subject | Books (English) | Books (Bengali) |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Constitution |
|
ভারতীয় সংবিধান by G.K. Sarkar |
| Indian Economy |
|
ভারতীয় অর্থনীতি by Pranab Kumar Pal |
| Subject | Books (English) | Books (Bengali) |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic |
|
সংখ্যাতত্ত্ব সহজপাঠ by Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay |
| Logical Reasoning |
|
যুক্তিবিদ্যা ও বিশ্লেষণ by Sumanta Chatterjee |
The WBCS mains exam offers several optional subjects. Here are some popular options with their recommended WBCS books:
| Subject | Books (English) | Books (Bengali) |
| General Knowledge | – Lucent’s General Knowledge by Binay Karna & Manwendra Mukul | – সাধারণ জ্ঞান by Naba Kumar Dutta |
| General Science | – General Science by Lucent Publications | সাধারণ বিজ্ঞান by Ashok Kumar Mondal |
| – NCERT Science Books (Class 6-10) |
| Subject | Books (English) | Books (Bengali) |
| Modern India | – A Brief History of Modern India by Spectrum | – ভারতের স্বাধীনতা সংগ্রাম by Sekhar Bandopadhyay |
| Indian Freedom Struggle | – India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra | – ভারতের স্বাধীনতা সংগ্রাম by Sekhar Bandopadhyay |
| Subject | Books (English) | Books (Bengali) |
| Physical Geography | – Certificate Physical and Human Geography by G.C. Leong | – ভূগোল সহজপাঠ by Prof. Majid Hussain |
| Geography (NCERT) | – NCERT Geography Books (Class 6-12) |
| Subject | Books (English) | Books (Bengali) |
| Indian Polity | – Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth | – ভারতীয় সংবিধান ও রাজনীতি by Dr. Subhasish Barua |
| Indian Economy | – Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh | – ভারতীয় অর্থনীতি by Dipankar Mahapatra |
| Subject | Books (English) | Books (Bengali) |
| Newspapers | – The Hindu or The Indian Express | – আনন্দবাজার পত্রিকা |
| Monthly Magazines | – Pratiyogita Darpan | – প্রতিযোগিতা দर्पণ |
| Subject | Books (English) | Books (Bengali) |
| English Composition | – High School English Grammar & Composition by Wren & Martin | – অক্সফোর্ড ইংরেজি গ্রামার |
| – Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi |
For candidates who prefer studying in Bengali, here are some essential WBCS books in Bengali version to consider:
| Subject | Books (Bengali) |
| General Studies | – ভারতের ইতিহাস by Sailendra Nath Sen |
| Geography | – ভূগোল সহজপাঠ by Majid Hussain (Bengali version) |
| General Science | – সাধারণ বিজ্ঞান by Lucent Publications (Bengali version) |
| Indian Polity | – ভারতীয় রাজনীতি by M. Laxmikanth (Bengali version) |
| Economy | – ভারতীয় অর্থনীতি by Ramesh Singh (Bengali version) |
| Current Affairs | – প্রতিযোগিতা দर्पণ (Bengali edition) |
Choosing the right books is of utmost importance and the WBCS books mentioned above are curated after thorough research and align with the latest syllabus of the WBCS exam. These materials offer a balance between conceptual clarity and exam-oriented study which makes them critical for any aspirant.
RICE Education, a premier institute in West Bengal, has been guiding WBCS aspirants for over 40 years with its exceptional coaching and resources. RICE follows a systematic approach that focusses on core concepts, personalized mentoring, and following the best WBCS books to provide comprehensive preparation. With a dedicated faculty team, RICE ensures that each student gets the best possible preparation for both WBCS prelims and mains.
Moreover, our focus on both English and Bengali medium students makes it a reliable choice for all aspirants. Whether it’s access to top-notch study resources, regular updates on current affairs, or mock interviews, RICE Education is committed to providing a holistic preparation environment for WBCS aspirants.
Preparing for the WBCS exam requires dedication, strategic planning, and, above all, the right WBCS books. The recommended booklist covers all major areas which will ensure that aspirants are well-prepared for both WBCS prelims and mains. Along with these WBCS books, it is important to stay updated with current affairs and practice mock tests to improve your chances of success. Finally, to ace the WBCS exam in first attempt, you may seek guidance and training from RICE Education and make your dream of becoming a WBCS officer a reality.
Published on Sep 20, 2024
