WBPSC IDO Syllabus 2026 — Subject-wise Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Marks & Preparation Plan
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| West Bengal Public Service Commission | Industrial Development Officer (IDO) | Advt No. 15/2024 | 247 Posts | 7 Subjects, 100 MCQs, 100 Marks, 90 Minutes | Negative Marking 0.25 | Interview 15 Marks |
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| Particulars |
Details |
| Recruiting Authority |
West Bengal Public Service Commission (WBPSC) |
| Post Name |
Industrial Development Officer (IDO) |
| Department |
Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and Textiles Department, Government of West Bengal |
| Advertisement Number |
15/2024 |
| Total Vacancies |
247 |
| Written Exam |
Objective MCQ — 100 questions — 100 marks — 90 minutes |
| Number of Subjects |
7 |
| Negative Marking |
0.25 mark for every wrong answer |
| Interview |
15 marks (no separate minimum qualifying mark) |
| Total Selection Marks |
115 |
| Online Application |
6 November 2026 to 26 November 2026, 3:00 PM |
| Exam Date |
Not announced yet |
| Official Website |
psc.wb.gov.in |
WBPSC IDO Syllabus 2026 — Latest Update (As on 7 November 2026)
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| The West Bengal Public Service Commission (WBPSC) has released the detailed advertisement for 247 Industrial Development Officer (IDO) posts under Advertisement No. 15/2024. The advertisement gives the exam scheme and the seven subject headings with marks for each. The written exam has 100 multiple-choice questions for 100 marks in 90 minutes, with 0.25 negative marking for each wrong answer. After that, there is an interview of 15 marks, so the final merit is out of 115 marks.
Here is something important for your preparation. The commission gives the subject names and marks, but it does not give a detailed chapter-by-chapter list for each subject. So the topics listed in this article under each subject are preparation suggestions based on the subject headings. They are not extra “official” topics. Please use them as a guide, and always keep the official advertisement as your base.
The online application is open from 6 to 26 November 2026 (3:00 PM), and the exam date has not been announced yet. So you have time to build a good plan. This guide explains the seven subjects, the weightage, the negative marking rule, the qualifying marks, the Bengali language condition and a 60-day study plan, in simple words. |
Confirmed vs Suggested — Know the Difference
- Confirmed (from the detailed advertisement): 7 subjects, their marks, 100 MCQs, 100 marks, 90 minutes, 0.25 negative marking, 15-mark interview, total 115 marks
- Confirmed: Category-wise minimum aggregate qualifying percentages (UR/EWS/MSP 40%, OBC 38%, SC 35%, ST 30%, PwBD 30%)
- Confirmed: Bengali (read, write, speak) is tested in the interview, except where the Nepali mother-tongue exemption applies
- Suggested (not official): The chapter-wise topics given below for each subject
- Not announced yet: Exam date, admit card date and interview date
- To check later: Exam centres, exam mode and any further exam instructions on psc.wb.gov.in
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| Exam Detail |
Information |
| Written Examination |
Part I — Objective type multiple choice |
| Total Questions |
100 |
| Marks per Question |
1 |
| Maximum Written Marks |
100 |
| Duration |
1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes) |
| Negative Marking |
0.25 mark for each wrong answer |
| Interview (Part II) |
15 marks |
| Final Merit Marks |
115 (written + interview) |
| Tie-breaking Rule |
If marks are equal, the older candidate gets preference |
| Subject |
Questions / Marks |
| English |
15 |
| Industrial Safety / Security Measures and Pollution Control Measures |
10 |
| Environmental Issue with Emphasis on Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy |
15 |
| Physical Science |
15 |
| Elementary Computer Knowledge |
10 |
| Industrial Scenario and Industrial Potential in West Bengal |
15 |
| Mental Ability and Arithmetic |
20 |
| Total Written Exam |
100 |
| Interview |
15 |
| Total Selection Marks |
115 |
| Subject |
Weightage in Written Exam |
| Mental Ability and Arithmetic |
20% |
| English |
15% |
| Environmental Issues and Energy Conservation |
15% |
| Physical Science |
15% |
| Industrial Scenario and Potential in West Bengal |
15% |
| Industrial Safety and Pollution Control |
10% |
| Elementary Computer Knowledge |
10% |
| Smart reading of the table: Mental Ability and Arithmetic (20) is the biggest single section. The four 15-mark subjects together carry 60 marks, and the two 10-mark subjects carry 20 marks. All seven subjects must be prepared, because questions can come from every one of them. |
1. English — 15 Marks (Suggested Topics)
- The commission lists English as a subject but does not give chapter names
- Grammar: Parts of speech, tenses, articles, prepositions, subject-verb agreement, active-passive voice
- Sentence work: Error spotting, sentence correction, fill in the blanks
- Vocabulary: Synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution, idioms and phrases
- Comprehension: Short reading passages and questions
- How to prepare: Solve 15–20 questions daily, learn 5–10 words every day and read one short passage
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2. Industrial Safety / Security Measures and Pollution Control Measures — 10 Marks (Suggested Topics)
- Industrial safety: Workplace hazards, accident prevention, personal protective equipment, fire safety, first aid, safety signs and safety audits
- Security measures: Basic ideas of site security, access control, and emergency plans in industrial units
- Pollution control: Air, water and soil pollution, noise pollution, causes and effects, pollution control methods, waste management and treatment basics
- Rules and bodies: Basic knowledge of major environment and safety laws and the role of pollution control boards in India
- How to prepare: Read short notes, learn definitions and make a list of common terms and examples
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3. Environmental Issue with Emphasis on Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy — 15 Marks (Suggested Topics)
- Environment basics: Ecosystem, biodiversity, climate change, global warming, ozone depletion, sustainable development
- Environmental issues: Deforestation, waste, water scarcity, air quality and urban pollution
- Energy conservation: Energy efficiency, saving methods in industry, energy audits and labelling
- Renewable energy: Solar, wind, hydro, biomass and geothermal energy, with advantages and limits
- Government initiatives: Major national and state programmes for clean energy and the environment
- How to prepare: Connect each environmental issue with industry and energy use. Note simple facts and examples
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4. Physical Science — 15 Marks (Suggested Topics)
- The commission does not mention the class level or chapter list for Physical Science
- Physics basics: Motion, force, work, energy and power, heat, light, sound, electricity and magnetism
- Chemistry basics: Matter, atoms and molecules, acids, bases and salts, metals and non-metals, chemical reactions, fuels and everyday chemistry
- Applied science: Simple uses of science in daily life and industry
- How to prepare: Revise school-level science (up to Class 10) and practise short objective questions
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5. Elementary Computer Knowledge — 10 Marks (Suggested Topics)
- Basics: Computer parts, input and output devices, memory and storage
- Software: Operating systems, MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint basics, common file types
- Internet: Email, browsers, websites, search and basic online safety
- Networking: LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi basics
- Digital awareness: Cyber safety, digital payments, e-governance basics
- How to prepare: Learn full forms, shortcut keys and basic definitions, and practise 10–15 questions a week
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6. Industrial Scenario and Industrial Potential in West Bengal — 15 Marks (Suggested Topics)
- This is the section closest to the IDO job, so give it good time
- Major industries of West Bengal: Jute, tea, textiles, iron and steel, engineering, leather, food processing, IT and others
- MSME sector: Meaning of micro, small and medium enterprises, role in the state economy, schemes and support systems
- Industrial infrastructure: Industrial parks and estates, ports, roads, rail and power
- Economic geography: Natural resources, districts and industries, agriculture-based industries
- Policies and initiatives: State industrial policies and development programmes. Use official West Bengal Government sources for latest information
- How to prepare: Make a state-wise map of industries, learn key schemes and read current economic news of West Bengal
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7. Mental Ability and Arithmetic — 20 Marks (Suggested Topics)
- Arithmetic: Number system, fractions, percentage, ratio and proportion, average, profit and loss, simple and compound interest, time and work, time and distance, mensuration
- Mental ability / reasoning: Number and letter series, analogy, coding-decoding, direction sense, blood relations, classification, basic logical reasoning, pattern recognition and data interpretation
- How to prepare: Practise 25–30 questions daily with a timer. Learn tables, squares and cubes. Keep a formula notebook
- Because this section has the highest marks (20), steady daily practice here gives the best return
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Understanding Negative Marking — Simple Rules
- Each correct answer gives +1 mark
- Each wrong answer takes away 0.25 mark
- The advertisement does not give extra detail about unattempted questions in the sources we reviewed. Please read the exam instructions on your admit card
- Example: 70 correct and 20 wrong answers → 70 − (20 × 0.25) = 70 − 5 = 65 marks
- Four wrong answers cancel one correct answer. So avoid blind guessing
- A smart method: attempt the questions you know first, then use the elimination method on the doubtful ones. Guess only when you can remove two options
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| Category |
Minimum Aggregate Qualifying Marks (Out of 115) |
| Unreserved (UR) |
40% |
| EWS |
40% |
| Meritorious Sportsperson (MSP) |
40% |
| OBC |
38% |
| SC |
35% |
| ST |
30% |
| PwBD |
30% |
| Note: These percentages apply to the combined written and interview marks (out of 115). They are only minimum qualifying marks, not the final selection cut-off. WBPSC may also fix separate category-wise cut-offs in the written exam to shortlist candidates for the interview, and may relax standards if many reserved posts remain unfilled. |
Interview and Bengali Language Test
- The interview carries 15 marks. There is no separate minimum qualifying mark for the interview
- Final merit is prepared by adding written marks and interview marks, out of 115
- In the interview, you must show that you can read, write and speak Bengali. Candidates whose mother tongue is Nepali have an exemption as per the notice
- The advertisement warns that poor performance in the Bengali test may lead to cancellation of candidature
- Prepare simple Bengali reading and writing practice, and be ready to talk about your education, the MSME sector and West Bengal’s industries
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Eligibility and Dates — Quick Facts (From the Recruitment Notice)
- Qualification: A degree from a recognised university, or a Diploma in Engineering / Technology from a recognised institution
- Age: 18 to 44 years as on 1 January 2024, with relaxation for eligible candidates of West Bengal and PwBD candidates
- Pay: ₹32,100 to ₹82,900 (Level 10, WBS (ROPA) Rules, 2019), plus allowances
- Fee: ₹160 plus service charges, with exemptions for eligible SC/ST candidates of West Bengal and PwBD candidates with 40% or more disability
- Dates: Apply 6–26 November 2026 (3:00 PM). Edit window 27 November to 2 December 2026 (3:00 PM)
- Exam mode: The advertisement mentions marks being captured from scanned OMR sheets, so an OMR-based exam is likely. Some third-party sites say online. Follow the official exam notice
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A 60-Day Study Plan for WBPSC IDO (Adjust When the Exam Date Is Announced)
- Days 1–10: Start Mental Ability and Arithmetic daily (30 questions). Study English grammar. Read basic Physical Science (physics)
- Days 11–20: Continue maths and reasoning. Study Environment and Energy (basic concepts, renewable energy). Revise Physical Science (chemistry)
- Days 21–30: Study Industrial Safety and Pollution Control. Study Elementary Computer Knowledge. Begin West Bengal Industrial Scenario
- Days 31–40: Go deep into West Bengal Industry and the MSME sector. Keep daily practice for maths and English
- Days 41–50: Take sectional tests for all 7 subjects. Note your weak areas and revise them
- Days 51–58: Take 100-question mock tests in 90 minutes. Practise handling the negative marking
- Days 59–60: Light revision of notes, formulas and key facts. Rest well
- Along the way: Practise basic Bengali reading and writing for the interview
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How to Manage Time in the 90-Minute Exam
- You have about 54 seconds per question on average (90 minutes for 100 questions)
- Start with the sections you find easy — often English, Computer and Science — and finish them quickly to save time for maths
- Keep about 25 minutes for Mental Ability and Arithmetic (20 marks)
- Skip a question if it takes more than a minute, and come back later if time remains
- Mark answers carefully, since the exam is OMR-based as per the advertisement. Fill the correct circle fully and do not make stray marks
- In the last 5 minutes, check the OMR sheet for missed questions
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Smart Tips to Score More
- Learn the seven subject headings by heart. They are the official frame of your preparation
- Do not spend too long on one subject. The weightage guides your time: more time for maths, and balanced time for the rest
- Take mock tests that follow the 100-question, 90-minute, 0.25-negative pattern
- Keep short notes for West Bengal industries, schemes and environment facts. These are quick to revise
- Follow current affairs related to West Bengal’s industry, MSME and energy
- Read the official advertisement and exam notices again before the exam
- Avoid unofficial “syllabus PDFs” with extra topics unless they match the official advertisement
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating the suggested topics as the official chapter list
- Ignoring Industrial Scenario of West Bengal, which is directly linked to the job
- Over-guessing and losing marks because of negative marking
- Skipping Bengali preparation for the interview
- Using the wrong age date (it is 1 January 2024, not 2026) or missing the 26 November 3:00 PM deadline
- Depending only on old IDO papers or generic syllabus pages
- Not taking full-length timed mock tests
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Important Warnings
- Use only the official website psc.wb.gov.in for the advertisement, exam dates and admit cards
- Do not trust agents or social media pages that promise a job or “leaked paper”
- Do not share your login details or documents with unknown persons
- Dates and rules can change. Check the WBPSC website regularly
- This article is based on the reference page and the WBPSC IDO recruitment page reviewed on 7 November 2026. The topic lists are preparation suggestions. If any detail differs, the official advertisement is final
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WBPSC IDO Syllabus 2026 — FAQs
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| Is the WBPSC IDO syllabus released? |
Yes. The detailed advertisement No. 15/2024 gives the exam scheme with seven subject headings and their marks. |
| How many subjects are in the WBPSC IDO exam? |
Seven subjects. |
| How many questions and marks are in the written exam? |
100 multiple-choice questions for 100 marks, 1 mark each. |
| What is the exam duration? |
1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes). |
| Is there negative marking? |
Yes, 0.25 mark for each wrong answer. |
| Which subject has the highest marks? |
Mental Ability and Arithmetic, with 20 marks. |
| What are the marks for the interview? |
15 marks. Final merit is out of 115 (100 written + 15 interview). |
| Is there a minimum qualifying mark for the interview? |
No separate minimum mark for the interview. The category-wise minimum percentages apply to the combined written and interview marks. |
| What are the qualifying percentages? |
UR, EWS and MSP 40%, OBC 38%, SC 35%, ST 30% and PwBD 30%. |
| Is Bengali compulsory? |
Yes. You must be able to read, write and speak Bengali, except where the Nepali mother-tongue exemption applies. It is tested in the interview. |
| Does WBPSC give a chapter-wise syllabus? |
No. The advertisement gives subject headings and marks. Chapter-wise topics in guides are preparation suggestions. |
| When is the WBPSC IDO exam? |
The date is not announced yet. Keep checking psc.wb.gov.in. |
important links
|
| Download Detailed Advertisement No. 15/2024 (PDF) |
click here |
| Original Indicative Advertisement (24 December 2024) |
click here |
| Apply Online / Official Website (WBPSC) |
click here |
| firstjob 24 jobs |
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