The West Bengal Police Sub-Inspector (WBP SI) exam is one of the most sought-after recruitment examinations in the state for candidates aspiring to serve in the police department. Every year, thousands of applicants appear for this exam, making the competition highly intense. One of the most effective ways to prepare for it is by practicing with WBP SI previous year question papers.
In this article, you’ll find detailed information on the WBP SI question paper pattern, syllabus, and importance of solving past papers, along with links to download the previous year’s question papers in PDF format.
Table of Contents
Overview of the WBP SI Exam
The West Bengal Police Recruitment Board (WBPRB) conducts the WBP SI exam to recruit Sub-Inspectors (Unarmed and Armed Branch). The exam is open to both male and female candidates who meet the eligibility criteria.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | West Bengal Police Sub-Inspector (WBP SI) Exam |
| Conducting Body | West Bengal Police Recruitment Board (WBPRB) |
| Post Name | Sub-Inspector (Unarmed/Armed Branch) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (OMR-based) |
| Selection Process | Preliminary Exam, Physical Test (PMT & PET), Final Combined Competitive Exam, and Personality Test |
| Official Website | wbpolice.gov.in |
Why WBP SI Question Papers Are Important
Solving previous year question papers gives candidates a clear idea of what to expect in the exam. Here’s why they’re essential for your preparation:
- Understand the Exam Pattern:
Each section’s weightage and types of questions can be better understood by reviewing past papers. - Identify Important Topics:
You’ll notice that some topics appear repeatedly in the papers — these should be your focus areas. - Time Management Practice:
Practicing with real question papers helps improve speed and accuracy under exam conditions. - Self-Assessment Tool:
Attempting previous year papers allows you to measure your preparation level and identify weaknesses. - Familiarity with Difficulty Level:
You can gauge how tough the actual exam is likely to be and prepare accordingly.
WBP SI Exam Pattern
Before diving into question papers, it’s important to understand the exam pattern for the WBP SI selection process.
1. Preliminary Exam
The Preliminary Examination is the first stage of selection and serves as a screening test.
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies | 50 | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Logical & Analytical Reasoning | 25 | |
| Arithmetic | 25 | |
| Total | 100 Marks | 90 Minutes |
- All questions are multiple choice (MCQs).
- There is negative marking: ¼ mark deducted for each wrong answer.
- The exam is available in Bengali and English.
2. Physical Measurement Test (PMT)
Candidates who qualify in the preliminary exam are called for the PMT to verify their physical measurements.
| Parameter | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 167 cm | 160 cm |
| Chest | 79–84 cm | N/A |
| Weight | Proportionate | Proportionate |
3. Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
| Gender | Test | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 800 meters run | 3 minutes |
| Female | 400 meters run | 2 minutes |
4. Final Combined Competitive Exam
This is a three-paper exam, each paper carrying 100 marks.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies & Arithmetic | 100 | 2 hours |
| Paper II | English | 100 | 1 hour |
| Paper III | Bengali / Hindi / Urdu / Nepali | 100 | 1 hour |
5. Personality Test
Candidates who qualify in the Final Exam are called for a Personality Test worth 30 marks.
WBP SI Question Paper Pattern (Prelims + Mains)
The question paper pattern is designed to test analytical, reasoning, and general awareness skills.
Preliminary Exam Question Paper Pattern
| Section | Number of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies | 50 | 50 |
| Logical & Analytical Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| Arithmetic | 25 | 25 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Final Combined Competitive Exam (Mains) Question Paper Pattern
Paper I – General Studies & Arithmetic
- Type: Descriptive and Objective
- Focus: Indian Constitution, History, Geography, Arithmetic, and Reasoning.
Paper II – English
- Essay or Letter Writing
- Precis Writing
- Translation from Bengali/Hindi/Nepali/Urdu to English.
Paper III – Bengali / Hindi / Urdu / Nepali
- Translation, Comprehension, and Short Essay Writing.
Download WBP SI Previous Year Question Papers (PDF)
Practicing with real question papers from previous years is the key to success. Below is a list of downloadable WBP SI question papers for both Prelims and Mains.
Download Section
You can add download links to specific pages here:
| Year | Exam Stage | Download Link |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Preliminary Exam | Soon |
| 2023 | Preliminary Exam | Soon |
| 2022 | Mains Exam | Soon |
| 2021 | Preliminary Exam | Soon |
| 2020 | Mains Exam | Soon |
| 2019 | Preliminary Exam | Soon |
Subject-Wise Analysis of WBP SI Question Paper
Let’s look at the common pattern observed in recent years for each subject:
1. General Studies
This section tests awareness of current and static topics.
Common Topics:
- Indian History & Geography
- Polity & Constitution
- Current Affairs (Last 6 months)
- Environmental Issues
- General Science
Tip: Focus on questions from Indian Independence Movement, state-level current events, and economic policies.
2. Logical & Analytical Reasoning
Common Topics:
- Series & Sequences
- Coding-Decoding
- Syllogisms
- Blood Relations
- Direction Sense Test
- Puzzles
Tip: Practice at least 20 reasoning questions daily. Previous papers help you identify recurring question types.
3. Arithmetic
Common Topics:
- Simplification
- Ratio & Proportion
- Percentage
- Profit & Loss
- Time & Work
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Data Interpretation
Tip: Arithmetic questions are moderate but time-consuming. Accuracy and speed both matter.
4. English (Mains Paper II)
Question Types:
- Essay (on social issues or police administration)
- Precis writing
- Translation
Tip: Read editorials and practice essay writing regularly. Focus on grammar and structure.
5. Regional Language Paper (Mains Paper III)
Candidates can choose from Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, or Nepali.
Question Types:
- Translation from English to chosen language
- Comprehension
- Short essay
Tip: Stay consistent with language grammar and vocabulary; practice from past papers.
Difficulty Level of WBP SI Question Papers (Year-Wise Trend)
| Year | Difficulty Level | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Moderate to Difficult | Focus on Current Affairs |
| 2023 | Moderate | Analytical questions increased |
| 2022 | Moderate | Balanced difficulty |
| 2021 | Moderate | More reasoning-based |
| 2020 | Easy to Moderate | Arithmetic simpler than before |
How to Use WBP SI Question Papers Effectively
- Start Early: Don’t wait until the last month start solving one paper every week.
- Simulate Exam Conditions: Attempt each paper within the actual exam duration.
- Analyze Mistakes: Keep track of questions you get wrong and revise that topic.
- Mix Old & New Papers: Combine older sets with recent ones for better coverage.
- Use Timer Apps: Train your mind to perform under pressure.
- Join Study Groups: Discuss solutions and tricky questions with peers online.
Tips to Crack WBP SI Exam Using Previous Papers
- Focus on Weak Areas: Identify sections where you consistently score low.
- Revise GK Daily: Current Affairs can make or break your score.
- Solve Mock Tests: Combine past papers with online test series.
- Check Answer Keys: WBPRB releases official answer keys for cross-checking.
- Track Your Progress: Maintain a notebook to record your accuracy rate and time taken.
Recommended Books for WBP SI Preparation
| Subject | Book Name | Author / Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies | Lucent’s General Knowledge | Dr. Binay Karna |
| Arithmetic | Quantitative Aptitude | R.S. Aggarwal |
| Reasoning | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
| English | Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi |
| Bengali Language | Bengali Grammar & Composition | Local Publishers |
| Current Affairs | Pratiyogita Darpan / Newspaper Reading | – |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Where can I download WBP SI previous year question papers?
You can download them from the official WB Police website or from the links provided above in this article.
Q2. Is there negative marking in WBP SI exams?
Yes, ¼ mark is deducted for each incorrect answer in the preliminary examination.
Q3. What is the best way to prepare for WBP SI exams?
Start with the syllabus, solve previous year question papers, and take weekly mock tests to measure improvement.
Q4. Are the question papers available in Bengali?
Yes, the WBP SI question papers are available in both Bengali and English languages.
Q5. How many papers are there in the Final Combined Competitive Exam?
There are three papers: General Studies & Arithmetic, English, and a regional language paper (Bengali/Hindi/Urdu/Nepali)
Final Words
Practicing WBP SI question papers is not just about revising old questions it’s about understanding the pattern, improving time management, and building exam confidence.
The more papers you solve, the better your chances of cracking the WBP SI exam. Combine previous year papers with mock tests, maintain consistency, and keep revising key topics regularly.
If you’re serious about becoming a Sub-Inspector in West Bengal Police, make sure you integrate question paper practice as a daily habit.
Good luck with your preparation!