KAS Syllabus - (Prelims, Mains)
You can find latest KAS Syllabus for Gazetted Probationers Exam conducted by Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).
The Karnataka Public Service Commission recruits for several Group A and Group B posts via the Gazetted Probationers Exam (GPE). For a career in the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS), the KPSC GPE is the entry point. With an exemplary performance record, the KAS officers can also be promoted to IAS officers.
The KPSC sets the KAS syllabus for the Gazetted Probationers exam. This KPSC syllabus is common for posts of Assistant Commissioner, Dy. Superintendent of Police, Assistant Labour Commissioner, Tehsildar etc. More posts
KPSC KAS exam is conducted in three stages
Stage 1: Preliminary Exam – 2 papers – objective type (MCQs)
Stage 2: Mains – 7 papers – essay/descriptive type (Earlier there were 2 optional papers which are have been scrapped now.)
Stage 3: Interview
KPSC KAS Prelims Syllabus
The Gazetted Probationers (Preliminary) Exam filters candidates for the Mains exam. As per the Karnataka Recruitment of Gazetted Probationers (Appointment by Competitive Examination), the KAS Prelims exam consists of two papers.
Stage 1 : KAS Main Exam Pattern (KPSC)
Paper 1
- National and International Importance
- The Hindu, PIB, and Yojana Magazine.
- Broad understanding of Cultural, Social, Political and Economic aspects.
- Special Emphasis on Karnataka State.
- Focus on the Indian National Movement.
- Indian and World Geography
- Economic Reforms
- Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation.
- Social Sector initiatives etc.
- Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation.
Parper 2
- Daily current affairs
- Important State Government schemes.
- Broad understanding as may be expected of a well-educated person
- Contemporary issues/developments and implications
- Broad understanding of general issues on biodiversity, climate change, ecology, health that do not require a subject specialisation
- Basic numeracy
- Data interpretation (data sufficiency, charts, tables, graphs etc.)
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Comprehension
KAS Prelims Exam Pattern (KPSC )
Paper 1 | Paper 2 |
100 objective type questions – 2 marks each | 100 objective type questions – 2 marks each |
0.25 marks Negative Marking | 0.25 marks Negative Marking |
2-hour exam duration | 2-hour exam duration |
Syllabus | Syllabus |
General Studies (National and International Importance) – 40 questions | General Studies (State Importance) – 40 questions |
Humanities – 60 questions | General Science and Tech. Environment and Ecology – 30 questions |
General Mental Ability – 30 questions |
- Both papers in Prelims consist of 100 questions each.
- Each question is for 2 marks and negative marking of 0.25 marks for an incorrect answer.
- The General Mental Ability questions will be of 10th standard level.
Stage 2 : KAS Main Exam Pattern (KPSC)
Qualifying Papers
Qualifying Papers | Duration | Marks |
English | 2 hours | 150 (35%qualifying criteria) |
Kannada | 2 hours | 150 (35%qualifying criteria) |
KAS Main Exam Pattern (KPSC )
General Studies Papers | Duration | Marks |
Paper 1 – Essay | 3 hours | 250 |
Paper 2 – General Studies I | 3 hours | 250 |
Paper 3 – General Studies II | 3 hours | 250 |
Paper 4 – General Studies III | 3 hours | 250 |
Paper 5 – General Studies IV | 3 hours | 250 |
Maximum Marks – 250
Exam Duration – 3 hours
Syllabus
(Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)
- Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
- Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present significant events, personalities, issues.
- The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors or contributions from different parts of the country.
- Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
- History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc. – their forms and effect on the society.
- Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
- Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
- Effects of globalization on Indian society.
- Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
- Salient features of world’s physical geography.
- Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
- Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location – changes in critical geographical features (including waterbodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
Maximum Marks – 250
Exam Duration – 3 hours
Syllabus
(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)
- Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
- Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
- Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
- Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
- Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
- Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
- Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
- Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
- Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
- Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector or Services relating to
- Health, Education, Human Resources.
- Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
- Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
- Role of civil services in a democracy.
- India and its neighborhood- relations.
- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
- Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
Maximum Marks – 250
Exam Duration – 3 hours
Syllabus
(Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)
- Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
- Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
- Government Budgeting.
- Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
- Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
- Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
Land reforms in India. - Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc.
- Investment models.
- Science and Technology – developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
- Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. - Disaster and disaster management.
- Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
- Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
- Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security, money-laundering and its prevention.
- Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
- Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
Maximum Marks – 250
Exam Duration – 3 hours
Syllabus
(Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude)
- Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
- Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
- Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service , integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weakersections.
- Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
- Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
- Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
- Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
- Case Studies on above issues.
The commission has removed the following optional subjects in the upcoming KAS exams
- Agriculture, Agri Marketing, Sericulture and Cooperation
- Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Sciences and Fisheries
- Anthropology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Commerce and Accountancy
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Geography
- Geology
- History
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science and International Relations
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Zoology
- Rural Development and Cooperation
- Literature of any one of the following languages:
- English
- Hindi
- Kannada
- Urdu
Note: All the above optional subjects stand invalid now as optional papers have been omitted from the KAS Exam.
Stage 3 : Personality Test
The candidates who score above the cutoff in the KAS Mains will be shortlisted for the interview with the KPSC board. After clearing the first two stages of the KPSC KAS Exam Selection Process- the Prelims and the Mains, the successful candidates have to appear for an Interview. The interview round is of 200 marks. The candidate is keenly assessed for their personality traits, tact, wit, knowledge, the balance of judgment, and leadership qualities. The candidate is judged on other aspects too. The members of the KPSC sit in the interview panel and shortlist the candidates. The final marks awarded to the candidates are an average of the marks by the interview panel members. The shortlisted candidates are then called for document verification.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number of attempts a candidate can take for the KPSC KAS Recruitment examination?
Details of the number of times a candidate can attempt the KPSC KAS Recruitment examination is provided below:
General Category- 5 attempts
Scheduled Caste (SC)- No limit
Scheduled Tribes (ST)- No limit
CAT-1- No Limit
Other Backward Classes (OBC)- 7 attempts
Is there any negative marking in the KPSC KAS recruitment exam?
Yes, negative marking is applicable. A negative marking of 0.25 mark is done for every incorrect answer or multiple answers to one question in the KPSC KAS Preliminary examination. There is no negative marking in the KPSC KAS Mains examination.
Is syllabus of UPSC and KPSC same?
The exam syllabus of the KPSC KAS is quite similar to UPSC syllabus, except the state-specific topics.
Which KPSC book is best for KAS preparation?
Candidates should read state board school textbooks to form the base for the examination. Later, they can refer to one reference book each for the subjects mentioned in the KPSC syllabus.