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Kerala PSC conducts Kerala Administrative Services (KAS) Exam for various administrative posts in Kerala Govt. Kerala PSC KAS second notification is expected to be released at the end of the year 2023. This article will take a stroll through the Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) previous mains syllabus and exam pattern of the Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) exam.
What is Kerala Administrative Service?
Before discussing the exam patterns and syllabus let’s make sure that you get a clear idea as to what exactly is Kerala Administrative Service. As people are very well informed on how UPSC conducts the Civil Service examination, KAS is being conducted in the state Kerala in the same lines but conducted by the Kerala Public Service Commission. It came into force in January 2018. It is a very prestigious and dynamic examination of India.
Once the candidate cracks the exam, along with the interview he/she will be entitled to a class 1 service post. The selected candidates will be posted or eligible to get posted to the second grade Gazetted Officer (Junior Time Scale), in various departments like the public administration and finance department of the Kerala Government. Kerala Administrative Service officers will be appointed based on four phases or streams.
- Junior Time Scale
- Senior Time Scale ( Regular Government Employees)
- Selection Grade Scale
- Super Time Grade Scale.
Usually, Kerala Public Service Commission conducts the Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) exam once in a year but in certain situations, taking into account the current scenario and pertaining to the vacancies available they can also conduct the Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) exam once in two years.
Kerala Administrative Service Exam Eligibility Criteria
1: Which Year First Assembly Election was held in Kerala?
The Kerala Administrative Service 2023 recruitment is for candidates from three-sections/ streams.
- Stream 1: Direct Appointment
- Stream 2: Direct recruitment from among full members or approved probationers in any Government Departments.
- Stream 3: Direct Recruitment from among candidates holding Ist Gazetted post.
Age Limit
- Stream 1: 21 years – 32 years. Age relaxations as per government norms are applicable.
- Stream 2: 21 years – 40 years. Age relaxations as per government norms are applicable.
- Stream 3: Must not have completed 50 years of age.
Education Eligibility
- Stream 1: Graduation in any subject (including professional course) from any UGC recognized university.
- Stream 2: Graduation in any subject (including professional course) from any UGC recognized university and, Must be a Full Member or an approved probationer in any Government Department and must not be an Ist Gazetted Officer or above in the Departments in Schedule-I of KAS Rule 2018.
- Stream 3: Graduation in any subject (including professional course) from any UGC recognized university, and Must have satisfactorily completed probation in any Cadre in Government.
Kerala Administrative Service Exam Pattern (Previous)
The Kerala Administrative Service exam will be conducted under three tires. Two written and one interview. The written ones will be of:
KAS Preliminary Examination
The preliminary examination shall be in Objective mode only. Both General Studies question papers would be in English.
| SL NO | Topic | Maximum Marks | Exam Duration | Number of Questions |
| 1 | Paper I General Studies |
100 | 90 minutes | 100 |
| 2 | Paper-II: Part I General Studies | 50 | 90 minutes | 50 |
| 3 | Paper-II: Part II Language Proficiency in Malayalam/ Tamil/ Kannada |
30 | 30 | |
| 4 | Paper-II: Part II Language Proficiency in English |
20 | 20 |
KAS Mains Examination
The Kerala Administrative Service mains examination will be a descriptive type examination containing 3 papers of 100 marks each.
| SL NO | Topic | Maximum Marks | Exam Duration |
| 1 | Paper I | 100 | 02 hours |
| 2 | Paper-II | 100 | 02 hours |
| 3 | Paper III | 100 | 02 hours |
Questions of the Main examination will be provided in English while the candidates can write the answers
either in English or in Malayalam.
KAS Interview
There will be a face to face interview to judge the mental caliber of the candidates. The interview is for 50 marks.
The selected Kerala Administrative Service officers would be on probation for two years. The probationer needs to pass the following tests after he/she gets into service within the predetermined period.
- The Revenue Test
- The Criminal Judicial Test (A candidate who possesses a degree in Law shall not be required to pass the criminal Judicial test).
- Account Test
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Kerala Administrative Service(KAS) Mains Syllabus (Previous)
The KAS mains syllabus is very much similar to that of UPSC with more focus on Kerala. Let’s check the KAS mains syllabus and preliminary exam in detail.
KAS Mains Syllabus: GENERAL STUDIES Paper 01
- Maximum Marks: 100
- Exam Duration: 02 Hours
History (India and Kerala)
Ancient and Medieval Period
- Salient features and major landmarks of ancient and medieval India
- Art, culture, literature, and Architecture
- Major Dynasties, their administrative system, social, religious and economic conditions prominent movements
Modern Period
- Modern Indian History (from the 18th century up to the present) significant events, personalities, and issues
- India – Struggle for independence
- Social and religious reform movements in the 19th and 20th century
- India after Independence, Post independent consolidation and reorganization
- Independent India and her neighbours.
Kerala History (from 18th century)
- Pre-Independence socio-political movements.
- Formation of Kerala State, Political parties, movements, Governments, Landmark legislation, and policies.
History of the World (from mid 18th century)
- Industrial revolution
- World wars
- Redraw of National boundaries
- Colonialization and decolonization,
- Globalization
- Communism, Capitalism, Socialism – their forms and effects in society.
Cultural Heritage of Kerala
- Cultural Heritage of Kerala Art Forms, literature, sculpture, architecture, salient features of society
- Kerala Tribal culture, Pilgrimage, Tourist places, Folk Culture, Cinema, Theatre
- History and revolution of Malayalam language and literature.
KAS Mains Syllabus: GENERAL STUDIES Paper 02
- Maximum Marks: 100
- Exam Duration: 02 Hours
Indian Constitution, Public Administration, Political System, Governance, Social Justice and International Relations
- Indian Constitution and its salient features
- Functions and Responsibilities of the Union and the States, Parliament, and State Legislatures – structure, function, power, and privileges.
- Issues and challenges pertaining to Federal Structure – Devolution of Power and Finances up to local levels and challenges therein
- Constitutional Authorities – Powers, Functions, and Responsibilities
- Panchayati Raj, Public Policy and Governance, Impact of L.P.G on Governance
- Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi-judicial bodies
- Rights Issues (Human rights, Women rights, SC/ST rights, Child rights, etc.), Important Acts
- India’s Foreign Policy, International Organisations, International Treaties, and Forums, their structure and mandate
- Judiciary in India – Structure and functions, important provisions relating to Emergency and Constitutional amendments, Judicial review, Public Interest Litigation, Land Revenue Laws
- Fundamental rights, fundamental duties, and Directive Principles
- Principles of Administrative Law.
Science and Technology
- Science and Technology: Nature and scope of Science and Technology, Relevance of S&T, National policy on S&T and innovations,
- Basics of everyday science, Human body, Public Health and Community Medicine, Food and Nutrition, Health Care.
- Institutes and organizations in India promoting the integration of Science and Technology
and Innovation, their activities, and contributions, Contribution of Prominent Indian Scientists. - ICT: Nature and Scope of ICT, ICT in day to day life, ICT and industry, ICT, and Governance – various Government schemes promoting the use of ICT, e-Governance Programmes and Services, Netiquettes, Cyber Security concerns – National Cyber Crime Policy. MIS. Artificial Intelligence – benefits and impacts, Robotics.
- Technology in Space and Defence: Evolution of Indian Space program, ISRO – it’s activities and achievements, various Satellite Programs – DRDO-vision, mission, and activities.
- Energy requirement and efficiency: India’s existing energy needs and deficit, India’s energy resources and dependence, Renewable and Non-renewable energy resources, Energy Policy of India – Govt. Policies and Programmes, Energy Security and Nuclear Policy of India.
- Environmental Science: Issues and concerns related to the environment, its legal aspects, policies, and treaties for the protection of the environment at the National and the International level, Environment
protection for sustainable development. - Biodiversity – its importance and concerns, Climate change, International initiatives (Policies, Protocols) and India’s commitment, Western Ghats, Features, Characteristics, and issues.
- Forest and wildlife – Legal framework for Forest and Wildlife Conservation in India.
- Environmental Hazards, Pollution, Carbon Emission, Global Warming. National action plans on climate change and Disaster Management.
- Developments in Biotechnology, Green Technology, and Nanotechnology.
Current Issues in given topics
KAS Mains Syllabus: GENERAL STUDIES Paper 03
- Maximum Marks: 100
- Exam Duration: 02 Hours
Economy and Planning
- Indian economy on the eve of independence.
- Indian economy in the post-reform period – new economic reforms
- NITI Aayog
- National Income and Per Capita Income,
- Sectoral Composition (Output and Employment) – Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary.
- Development under different policy regimes (including Five Year Plans) – Goals, Constraints, Institutions, and Policy framework.
- Agriculture Sector, Land Reforms in India, Technological change in Agriculture
- Major Crops and Cropping patterns in various parts of the Country, Irrigation, Pricing of agriculture inputs and outputs, Agricultural Finance Policy and Marketing, Issues in Food Security and Public Distribution System, Green Revolution, Policies for sustainable agriculture and organic farming.
- Industrial Policy, Public Sector Enterprises, and their performance, Growth, and pattern of industrialization, Small-scale sector.
- Productivity in the industrial sector, SEZ and industrialization, foreign investment and competition policy, e-Commerce, Effects of liberalization on the economy.
- Infrastructure in Indian Economy, Meaning and importance of infrastructure.
- Water Supply and Sanitation.
- Energy and Power.
- Science and Technology
- Rural and Urban Infrastructure, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, Telecommunication, Dams, Inland Waterways.
- Social Impact Assessment.
- Trends and Patterns in the structure of the population over time.
- Growth rate, Gender Rural-Urban Migration, Literacy, Regional Structure and trends of Poverty and Inequality, Unemployment – trends.
- Structure and National Rural Employment policies.
- Indicators of development – Physical Quality of Life Index, Human Development Index, Human Poverty Index, Gender Development Index, National Happiness Index.
- Indian Public Finance, Government Budgeting, Indian Tax System, Public Expenditure, Public Debt, Deficit and Subsidies in the Indian Economy.
- Center-state financial relation. Recent fiscal and monetary policy issues and their impact, the structure of Indian Banking and Non-Banking Financial Institutions and reforms.
- GST: Concept and Implications. Stock exchange and share market.
- Trend, Composition, Structure, and direction of India’s Foreign Trade. India’s Balance of payments situation in the post reforms period.
- The economy of Kerala State-an overview, Population, Major agriculture, Industry, Service sector issues. Infrastructure and resources, Major Developmental Projects, Programmes, and Schemes.
- Co-operative Sector. History and relevant policies in traditional industries, IT Sector, Pravasi and Foreign remittance.
Kerala model development
- Land reforms, Social security, devolution of Power
- Decentralized Planning, Housing, Tourism,
- Women Empowerment,
- Social Welfare Schemes,
- Disaster Management.
- Role and Function of Kerala Planning Board,
- Achievements of Kerala in Health and Education Sector: Policies, Programmes, Initiatives, and Impacts.
Geography
- General Geography: Solar system, Motion of Earth, Concept of time, Seasons, Internal structure of the Earth, Major Landforms and their features.
- Atmosphere – Structure and Composition, elements and factors of Climate, Airmasses and Fronts, atmospheric disturbances.
- Oceans: Physical, Chemical, and Biological characteristics, Hydrological Disasters, Marine and Continental Resources
- Physical, Social, Economic Geography of World, India, and Kerala
- Geophysical phenomena like Earthquake, Tsunami, Volcanoes, Cyclone, Flood, Landslides.
Current Issues in Economy and Planning and Geography
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KAS Preliminary Exam Syllabus
General Knowledge and Current Affairs
- Current Events of National and State Importance.
- National Movements with Special Reference to Kerala – Political, Social, Economical and Cultural Movements.
- Physical, Social and Economic Geography of India with importance on Kerala.
- Indian Polity and Governance, Salient features of the Constitution of India, Political System, Panchayat raj System, Public Policy.
- Human Rights, Social Audit, Lokayukta, Ombudsman, Women’s Commission, Child Labour.
- Sustainable Development, Poverty Alleviation, Inclusion, Social Sector Initiatives, Important Government Schemes
- Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, Climatic changes, and Disaster Management.
- Indian Space Programme, Basics of Chemistry, Biology, Physics
- Basic Facts about IT and Cyber Laws
English Language
- Vocabulary and Grammar
- Agreement of Subject and Verb
- Idioms and their meanings
- Phrases
- Error Correction
Reasoning Ability and Mathematics
- Number Systems, Divisibility of Numbers
- HCF, LCM
- Percentages, Averages, Ratios
- Partnerships, Mixtures, and Allegations
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Clocks
- Time and Work, Time and Distance
- Coding and Decoding
- Calendar
- Direction Sense
- Analogy
- Letter Series, Number, Alphanumeric Series, etc
Malayalam
- Grammar
- Spelling Test
- Literature
- Reading Comprehension
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FAQs?
1. What is the KAS Exam?
Ans. KAS or Kerala Administrative Services Exam is conducted for the recruitment of eligible candidates for Group A and B services in Kerala Govt. Candidates aspiring to work as Civil servants in Kerala State are required to take this exam.
2. What is the eligibility for KAS Exams?
Ans. For the KAS exam, the candidates must have passed Graduation in any stream from any recognized University. However, specific qualification is required for some posts. Also, candidates must be in the age group of 21-32 years.
3. What are the posts in KAS Kerala?
Ans. The posts in KAS Exams will be notified in the official notification by Kerala PSC.
4. What is KAS Kerala Salary?
Ans. The Kerala PSC KAS Pay scale is Rs. 40,500 – 89,000/- per month.
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