WBSSC SLST History Complete Guide 2026: Notification, Syllabus, Eligibility, Salary

If you are a History graduate or postgraduate dreaming of a teaching career in a government-aided school in West Bengal, SLST History is the exam that can take you there. Conducted by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC), this exam recruits Assistant Teachers for History at both the Secondary (Classes IX–X) and Higher Secondary (Classes XI–XII) levels. This guide covers everything you need to know about SLST History 2026 — notification, eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, salary, and preparation strategy — in one place.

What is the SLST History Exam?

SLST stands for State Level Selection Test, the primary recruitment exam conducted by WBSSC to appoint Assistant Teachers in government-aided and government-sponsored schools across West Bengal. SLST History is the subject-specific stream of this exam meant for candidates who want to teach History at the secondary or higher secondary level. The exam tests subject knowledge, teaching aptitude, and general awareness through a written test, followed by evaluation of academic qualifications, teaching experience, an interview, and a lecture demonstration. For candidates who want structured, exam-focused preparation, joining a WBSSC SLST History Online Batch can be a smart way to cover the syllabus systematically, practice with mock tests, and get expert guidance without having to attend physical coaching classes.

SLST History 2026 Notification

As of now, WBSSC has not released a fresh notification specifically dated 2026. The most recent completed cycle was the 2nd SLST (Assistant Teacher), which released its official advertisement in mid-2025, with the written exam conducted in September 2025 and counselling/document verification continuing into early 2026. Aspirants preparing for SLST History 2026 should treat this 2nd SLST cycle as the reference framework — pattern, eligibility, fee structure, and syllabus are unlikely to change drastically — while keeping an eye on the official WBSSC website for the next formal notification. Given the scale of pending vacancies and continuing court directives around teacher recruitment in the state, a new cycle is widely expected, though no confirmed date has been announced yet. We recommend bookmarking the official site and checking back regularly, rather than relying on unofficial “notification” claims circulating online.

Exam Summary

• Conducting Body: West Bengal Central School Service Commission (WBSSC)
• Exam Name: State Level Selection Test (SLST)
• Subject: History
• Post: Assistant Teacher
• Levels: Secondary (Classes IX–X) and Higher Secondary (Classes XI–XII)
• Mode: Offline, OMR-based
• Selection Stages: Written Exam, Academic Qualification, Teaching Experience, Oral Interview, Lecture Demonstration
• Total Marks: 100 (Written 60 + Academic 10 + Experience 10 + Interview 10 + Lecture Demo 10)

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Important Dates

Based on the most recent SLST cycle, the typical timeline for SLST History looked like this:

• Application Start: Mid-June
• Application Closing: Mid-to-late July
• Application Correction Window: Early August
• Written Exam: First and second week of September (Secondary and Higher Secondary held on separate dates)
• Answer Key Release: 10–12 days after the exam
• Result Declaration: Late October to November
• Document Verification: November–December
• Interview / Lecture Demonstration: From late November onwards

For SLST History 2026, expect a similar sequence once WBSSC releases the notification — application window of roughly four to five weeks, exam within two to three months of notification, and results within six to eight weeks of the exam.

Know More: Prepare Effectively with SLST History PYQ

Vacancy

SLST History vacancies are announced separately for the Secondary and Higher Secondary levels since they require different qualifications:

• Higher Secondary (Classes XI–XII): Around 2,149 History posts were announced in the most recent cycle, out of a total of roughly 12,445 Higher Secondary vacancies across all subjects.
• Secondary (Classes IX–X): History vacancies are included within the 23,212 total Secondary-level posts, with the subject-wise breakup published in the official notification PDF.

Exact vacancy numbers for SLST History 2026 will only be confirmed once WBSSC releases the new notification, so treat the above as an indicative reference rather than a final figure.

Which Posts Are Included?

• Assistant Teacher, History – Secondary Level (Classes IX–X)
• Assistant Teacher, History – Higher Secondary Level (Classes XI–XII)

Both posts fall under the same broader SLST recruitment drive but have separate eligibility, syllabus, and pay scale. BSSEI provides proper guidance, study materials, smart strategy by expert faculty for both posts.

Eligibility Criteria

For SLST History – Secondary (Classes IX–X):

• Bachelor’s degree in History from a recognised university with at least 50% marks (or equivalent)
• B.Ed. from an NCTE-recognised institution

For SLST History – Higher Secondary (Classes XI–XII):

• Master’s degree in History from a recognised university with at least 50% marks (or equivalent)
• B.Ed. or B.A. Ed/B.Sc. Ed. from an NCTE-recognised institution

Age Limit (as on the cut-off date specified in the notification):

• Minimum: 21 years
• Maximum: 40 years
• SC/ST candidates: 5-year relaxation
• Other reserved categories: relaxation as per state government rules

How Many Attempts Are Allowed in SLST History?

There is no fixed cap on the number of times a candidate can appear for SLST History. As long as you meet the age limit and educational qualifications specified in the notification for that particular cycle, you are free to apply and appear again. The only real constraint is the upper age limit of 40 years (with applicable relaxations), so candidates effectively have multiple attempts across the years they remain eligible.

Application Fee

• General, EWS, OBC candidates: ₹500
• SC, ST, PWD candidates: ₹200

Fees are paid online through debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI, and bank processing charges (if any) are additional. Candidates applying for both Secondary and Higher Secondary posts need to pay the fee separately for each.

Know More: SLST History Complete Syllabus!

Exam Pattern

• Mode: Offline, OMR-based
• Total Questions: 60 MCQs
• Total Marks: 60 (1 mark per question)
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Negative Marking: None
• Sections: General Knowledge & Current Affairs, English, Arithmetic & Mensuration, and Subject-specific paper (History)

Beyond the written exam, the remaining 40 marks are distributed as:

• Academic Qualification: 10 marks
• Teaching Experience: 10 marks
• Oral Interview: 10 marks
• Lecture Demonstration: 10 marks

Syllabus

The SLST History syllabus covers Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History, along with a strong focus on Bengal-specific history. Broadly, it includes:

• Indus Valley Civilization – features and decline
• Vedic Civilization and the Sodasa Mahajanapadas
• Buddhism and Jainism
• Rise and fall of the Maurya Empire, Ashoka’s Dhamma
• Imperial Guptas, Palas and Senas of Bengal
• Establishment of the Delhi Sultanate – Slave dynasty, Khilji and Tughluq rulers
• Vijayanagar Empire
• Mughal Empire – Akbar’s reign, Mansabdari system
• Maratha power, Shivaji, decline of the Mughals
• British expansion, colonial economy
• Revolt of 1857 and its aftermath
• Indian freedom movement, key leaders and events
• Modern Bengal history and socio-political developments

At the Higher Secondary level, expect the syllabus to go deeper, aligned with honours and postgraduate-level History content, including historiography and specialised themes. Always cross-check the exact topic list against the official syllabus PDF once released for each cycle, since minor revisions are possible.

Salary

• Secondary Level (Classes IX–X): Basic pay around ₹33,400, with gross salary of approximately ₹38,760 (Pay Level 11)
• Higher Secondary Level (Classes XI–XII): Basic pay around ₹42,600, with gross salary of approximately ₹50,000 (Pay Level 15)

These figures include Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other applicable benefits as per West Bengal government pay structure norms, and may be revised with future pay commission updates.

Admit Card

The SLST History admit card is released before the written exam and can be downloaded from the candidate login section on the official WBSSC website. To download it, candidates typically need their registration number and password, or application ID and date of birth. It’s a good practice to download and print the admit card as soon as it is released, and to carry a valid photo ID along with it on exam day.

Result

SLST History results are published on the official WBSSC portal in stages:

• Written exam result/scorecard
• Merit list for shortlisting to interview and lecture demonstration
• Final merit list after all selection stages

Candidates log in using their application/roll number and date of birth to check and download their result or scorecard.

Cut Off

The SLST History cut-off is decided category-wise and depends on factors like the number of vacancies, the difficulty level of the paper, and the total number of candidates. Since History has different vacancy counts for Secondary and Higher Secondary levels, the cut-off for each level (and each category within it) tends to differ. Once WBSSC publishes the official cut-off for a given cycle, it’s advisable to compare your score against the previous cycle’s trends to gauge your position.

Preparation Tips

• Start with the syllabus: List out every topic and mark which ones are strong or weak for you.
• Focus on Bengal-centric history: Given that the exam is conducted for West Bengal schools, questions on Bengal’s medieval and modern history (Palas, Senas, colonial Bengal, freedom movement in Bengal) tend to carry good weightage.
• Build a timeline chart: History is easiest to retain when events are placed on a visual timeline rather than memorised as isolated facts.
• Don’t ignore General Knowledge and English: Since 60 marks come from a mixed paper, don’t put all your effort into the subject paper alone.
• Practice with mock tests: Regular full-length mock tests under timed conditions help build speed, since there’s no negative marking and every attempted question counts.
• Revise with short notes: Prepare concise handwritten or digital notes for quick revision closer to the exam.
• Structured coaching can help: If self-study feels overwhelming given the vast syllabus, structured guidance — like BSSEI’s SLST History coaching with subject experts, mock tests, and previous year papers — can help you stay organised and exam-ready.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s:

• Do read the official notification thoroughly before applying
• Do keep scanned copies of all required documents ready in advance
• Do double-check your subject and category details before final submission
• Do revise the syllabus regularly rather than cramming close to the exam
• Do attempt every question in the written exam since there’s no negative marking

Don’ts:

• Don’t wait for the notification to start your SLST History preparation
• Don’t rely on unverified sources for exam dates or syllabus changes
• Don’t skip the General Knowledge and English sections while preparing
• Don’t submit the application form without verifying the category and subject details
• Don’t ignore age and qualification eligibility before applying, since incorrect applications can be rejected

FAQs

Q1. What is SLST History?
SLST History is the subject-specific stream of the WBSSC State Level Selection Test for recruiting Assistant Teachers in History at the Secondary and Higher Secondary levels in West Bengal.

Q2. What is the eligibility for SLST History?
For the secondary level, a Bachelor’s degree in History with B.Ed. is required. For Higher Secondary level, a Master’s degree in History with B.Ed. (or B.A. Ed/B.Sc. Ed.) is required, along with the specified minimum marks.

Q3. What is the age limit for SLST History?
Candidates must be between 21 and 40 years old, with age relaxation applicable for SC/ST and other reserved categories.

Q4. Is there negative marking in the SLST History written exam?
No, there is no negative marking. Each correct answer earns 1 mark.

Q5. What is the application fee for SLST History?
₹500 for General, EWS, and OBC candidates, and ₹200 for SC, ST, and PWD candidates.

Q6. How many times can I attempt SLST History?
There’s no fixed limit on attempts, as long as you meet the age and qualification criteria specified in that year’s notification.

Q7. What is the salary after selection in SLST History?
Approximately ₹38,760 gross for Secondary level and ₹50,000 gross for Higher Secondary level, based on the applicable pay level.

Q8. When will the SLST History 2026 notification be released?
There is no confirmed date yet. Candidates should regularly check the official WBSSC website for the latest notification updates.