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 1Paper 2
100 objective type questions – 2 marks each100 objective type questions – 2 marks each
0.25 marks Negative Marking0.25 marks Negative Marking
2-hour exam duration2-hour exam duration
SyllabusSyllabus
General Studies (National and International Importance) – 40 questionsGeneral Studies (State Importance) – 40 questions
Humanities – 60 questionsGeneral 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

Syllabus

  • Comprehension – 25 marks
  • Precis – 25 marks
  • Usage- 25 marks
  • Vocabulary – 25 marks
  • Short Essay – 25 marks
  • Communication Skills – 25 marks

Syllabus

  • Comprehension – 25 marks
  • Precis – 25 marks
  • Usage- 25 marks
  • Vocabulary – 25 marks
  • Short Essay – 25 marks
  • Communication Skills – 25 marks
Qualifying PapersDurationMarks
English2 hours150 (35%qualifying criteria)
Kannada2 hours150 (35%qualifying criteria)

KAS Main Exam Pattern​ (KPSC )

General Studies PapersDurationMarks
Paper 1 – Essay3 hours250
Paper 2 – General Studies I3 hours250
Paper 3 – General Studies II3 hours250
Paper 4 – General Studies III3 hours250
Paper 5 – General Studies IV3 hours250

The commission has removed the following optional subjects in the upcoming KAS exams

  1. Agriculture, Agri Marketing, Sericulture and Cooperation
  2. Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Sciences and Fisheries
  3. Anthropology
  4. Botany
  5. Chemistry
  6. Civil Engineering
  7. Commerce and Accountancy
  8. Economics
  9. Electrical Engineering
  10. Geography
  11. Geology
  12. History
  13. Law
  14. Management
  15. Mathematics
  16. Mechanical Engineering
  17. Philosophy
  18. Physics
  19. Political Science and International Relations
  20. Psychology
  21. Public Administration
  22. Sociology
  23. Statistics
  24. Zoology
  25. Rural Development and Cooperation
  26. Literature of any one of the following languages:
    1. English
    2. Hindi
    3. Kannada
    4. 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.