Kerala PSC CDPO Syllabus 2026 & Exam Pattern – Download PDF, Topics, Marking Scheme & Module-Wise Tips

The Kerala PSC CDPO Syllabus 2026 and Exam Pattern have been released, providing candidates with a clear way for preparation. The Child Development Project Officer examination will be conducted for 100 marks with a duration of 1 hour 30 minutes, and a negative marking of 1/3 mark for every incorrect answer. The syllabus covers important subjects such as Sociology, Psychology, and Home Science, including topics related to child development, nutrition, social welfare, research methods, personality, learning, and community development. Download the Latest Kerala PSC CDPO Syllabus 2026 PDF & Exam Pattern below!

Kerala PSC CDPO Official Syllabus 2026 PDF Download – Direct Link

The latest Kerala PSC CDPO syllabus 2026 & exam pattern has been released. The syllabus includes important topics from Sociology, Psychology, and Home Science, along with the latest exam pattern, marking scheme, and subject-wise topics. With only a limited number of days remaining before the examination, candidates should begin their preparation as early as possible. As a first step, download the official Kerala PSC CDPO Syllabus 2026 PDF provided below and thoroughly review the topics prescribed for the examination.

Kerala PSC CDPO Exam 2026 – Details & Overview

Kerala PSC CDPO Exam Pattern 2026: Subject-Wise Topics & Marks

• Total Marks: 100 Marks
• Marks for Each Correct Answer: 1 Mark
• Negative Marking: 1/3 Mark Deducted for Each Incorrect Answer
• Medium of Examination: English
• Exam Duration: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

Kerala PSC CDPO Exam Pattern 2026: Subject-Wise Topics

Kerala PSC CDPO Official Syllabus 2026 – Detailed

The Kerala PSC CDPO Official Syllabus 2026 provides a detailed overview of the topics candidates need to prepare for the Child Development Project Officer examination. The syllabus covers key subjects such as Sociology, Psychology, and Home Science, along with the latest exam pattern and marking scheme. Candidates are advised to carefully review the detailed syllabus and focus on all important topics.

Sociology (25 Marks)

Module 1: Origin and Development of Sociology

• Definition of Sociology and Sociological Imagination.
• Major contributions of Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, and George Simmel.
• Expansion of Sociology in the 20th century.
• Structural Functionalism.
• Conflict Perspective.
• Interactionist and Phenomenological Schools of Herbert Blumer, E. Goffman, E. Husserl, and A. Schutz.
• Critical Theory of Habermas.
• Integrative Theories of A. Giddens and Bourdieu.
• Post-modern and Post-structural Theories of M. Foucault and J. Derrida.

Module 2: Sociology in India

• Scope and significance of Sociology in India.
• Indological, Marxian, and Structural Functional perspectives in Indian Sociology.
• Family, Kinship, and Marriage in India.
• Structural and Functional variations.
• Joint-Nuclear debate in Family Studies.
• Nature of Family, Marriage, and Kinship in contemporary India.
• Studies on Caste in India:
  • Louis Dumont
  • Gail Omvedt
  • Subaltern Perspectives of Ambedkar
  • Kancha Ilaiah

Module 3: Globalization and Development

• Historical and social context of globalization.
• Features of globalization.
• Social impact and increasing inequalities.
• Economic development and environmental degradation.
• Depletion of natural resources: water, land, and minerals.
• Development-induced displacement.
• Environmental pollution and waste management.
• Deforestation.
• Global warming.
• Gender issues in development.
• Gender auditing.
• Poverty alleviation programs in India.
• MNREGS.
• Role of women in Panchayati Raj Institutions.
• Kudumbashree – Women Empowerment Program in Kerala.

Module 4: Social Problems

• Violence against women, children, and the elderly.
• Domestic violence.
• Child abuse.
• POCSO Act.
• Malnutrition.
• Problem of dowry.
• Alcoholism.
• Drug addiction.
• Poverty.
• Inequality.
• Unemployment.
• Violence against minorities and backward communities.
• Problems of social exclusion and inclusion.
• Untouchability: historical and social roots.
• Problems of gender and sexual minorities.
• Religious fundamentalism and communalism.

Module 5: Social Research Methods

Types of Research

Different classifications of research based on:

Purpose of Social Research

• Exploratory
• Descriptive
• Explanatory

Methodology

• Quantitative
• Qualitative
• Mixed Methods

Outcome

• Applied
• Basic
• Action
• Participatory

Basic Research Designs in Sociology

• Cross-sectional
• Longitudinal
• Case Study

Types of Data

• Primary Data
• Secondary Data

Basic Steps in Research

Psychology (25 Marks)

1. Introduction to Psychology

• Psychology.
• Approaches to Psychology:
  • Structuralism
  • Behaviourism
  • Gestalt Psychology
  • Biological Approach
  • Psychoanalytic Approach
  • Humanistic Approach
  • Cognitive Approach
• Methods in Psychology:
  • Observation
  • Case Study
  • Survey
  • Experimental Methods

2. Biological Basis of Behaviour

• Brain and Behaviour.
• Neuron:
  • Structure of Neuron
  • Synapse
  • Neurotransmitters
• Central Nervous System (CNS).
• Cerebral Hemisphere.
• Hemispheric Specialization.
• Lobes.
• Forebrain.
• Midbrain.
• Hindbrain.
• Endocrine System.
• Hormones and Behaviour.
• Limbic System:
  • Hippocampus
  • Amygdala
• Evolution.
• Genes and Behaviour.
• Sensory and Motor Processing.
• Localization of Language.
• Localization of Perception.

3. Sensation, Attention, Perception, and Consciousness

• Sensory Thresholds.
• Attention:
  • Types of Attention
  • Models of Attention
• Subliminal Perception.
• Colour Perception.
• Cues.
• Perception of Form, Pattern, or Objects.
• Figure and Ground.
• Contour.
• Perceptual Constancies:
  • Size
  • Shape
  • Orientation
  • Brightness
• Illusions.
• Types of Illusions.
• ESP.
• States of Consciousness.
• Biological Rhythms.
• Dream and Sleep.
• Altered States of Consciousness (ASC).
• Meditation.

4. Psychological Processes

Learning

• Classical Conditioning.
• Operant Conditioning.
• Cognitive Learning.
• Observational Learning.

Memory

• Encoding.
• Storage and Retrieval Processes.
• Sensory Memory.
• Short-term Memory.
• Long-term Memory.
• Chunking.
• Working Memory.
• Semantic Memory.
• Episodic Memory.
• Explicit Memory.
• Implicit Memory.

Forgetting

• Decay.
• Interference.
• Repression.
• Amnesia.
• Mnemonics.

Cognitive Processes

• Images and Concepts.
• Prototypes.
• Language.
• Deductive Reasoning.
• Inductive Reasoning.
• Decision Making.
• Problem Solving.

Motivation

• Need.
• Drive.
• Incentives.
• Biological and Psychological Motives.
• Hierarchy of Needs.
• Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motives.

Intelligence

• Concepts of IQ.
• Emotional Intelligence.

5. Personality and Abnormal Behaviour

• Approaches to Personality.
• Major Ideas of Freud’s Theory.
• Assessment of Personality:
  • Self-report Measures
  • Projective Measures
• DSM Classification.
• ICD Classification.
• Normality and Abnormality.
• Psychological Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence:
  • ADHD
  • Conduct Disorder
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder
• Anxiety Disorders.
• Mood Disorders.
• Schizophrenia.
• Personality Disorders.

6. Social Psychology

• Social Perception.
• Attribution.
• Impression Formation.
• Social Cognition.
• Social Influence.
• Conformity.
• Compliance.
• Obedience.
• Attitudes.
• Attitudes and Behaviour.
• Attitude Formation.
• Attitude Change.
• Prejudice and Discrimination.
• Prosocial Behaviour.

Home Science (25 Marks)

1. Physiology and Microbiology

• Digestive System.
• Cardiovascular System.
• Reproductive System.
• Food Microbiology.
• Food Poisoning.
• Food Spoilage.
• Food-borne Infections:
  • Cholera
  • Dysentery
  • Botulism
  • Salmonellosis
• Viral Infections:
  • AIDS
  • COVID-19
  • Poliomyelitis
• Economic Importance of Mould and Yeast.

2. Child Development and Welfare

• Factors Influencing Prenatal Development:
  • Maternal Nutrition
  • Physical Health of Pregnant Women
  • Mental Health of Pregnant Women
• IUGR.
• Birth Process:
  • Stages of Labour
• Types of Birth:
  • Normal
  • Caesarean
  • Breech
  • Transverse
• Premature and LBW Babies.
• Neonate:
  • Characteristics
  • Abilities
  • Adjustments
• Reflexes.
• APGAR Test.
• Milestones.
• Breastfeeding:
  • Advantages
  • Disadvantages
• Immunization.
• Feeding the Infant.
• WHO Guidelines – Infant and Young Child Feeding.
• Significance of the First 1000 Days of Life.
• MBFHI.
• Play:
  • Types
  • Significance
• Discipline and Guidance.
• Family Norms.
• Family Planning.
• Sex Education.
• STD.
• Children with Special Needs.

3. Human Nutrition and Dietetics

• Balanced Nutrition.
• RDA.
• Fibre.
• Macronutrients and Micronutrients:
  • Role in Human Health
  • Sources
  • Deficiencies
  • Toxicity
• Medical Nutrition Therapy:
  • NCDs
  • Fevers
  • Diarrhoea (ORS)
  • Pregnancy
  • Lactation
  • Preschoolers
  • School-going Children
  • Adolescents
  • Adults
  • Old Age
• Common Nutritional Problems in the Community.
• Important National and International Agencies Involved in Enhancing Population Nutrition.
• Nutritional Assessment of Children and Adults.

4. Extension Education and Communication

• Definition.
• Principles.
• Philosophy.
• Formal and Informal Extension Education.
• Poverty Alleviation Programs of India.
• Program Development:
  • Planning
  • Executing
  • Evaluation
• Communication Methods:
  • Journalism
  • Community Radio
  • Television
• Traditional Media.
• Folk Media.
• Concept of NGO.
• CSR.
• Population:
  • Growth
  • Explosion
• Policies at State and National Level.
• Welfare Programs for the Aged.
• Gender Sensitisation.

5. Basic Food Science

• Food Groups.
• Cereals.
• Pulses.
• Nuts.
• Oilseeds.
• Vegetables.
• Fruits.
• Milk and Milk Products.
• Meat.
• Fish.
• Eggs.
• Poultry.
• Beverages.
• Spices.
• Composition.
• Nutritive Contents.
• Processed Products.
• Selection and Storage.
• Nutrition Labelling.
• FSSAI:
  • Objectives
  • Role
• Food Preservation.
• Food Adulteration.
• Food Additives.

How to Download Kerala PSC CDPO Syllabus 2026 PDF?

Candidates can easily download the Kerala PSC CDPO Syllabus 2026 PDF from the official Kerala PSC website by following the steps given below:

1. Visit the official Kerala PSC website – https://www.keralapsc.gov.in
2. Click on the “Recruitment” section available on the homepage.
3. Select “Examination” and open the “Syllabus” page.
4. Go to the Subject Wise Syllabus section.
5. Search for “Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Syllabus 2026”.
6. Click on the syllabus PDF link.
7. Download the Kerala PSC CDPO Syllabus PDF and save it for future reference.

Candidates are advised to download the official syllabus PDF before starting preparation, as it contains the latest exam pattern, marking scheme, and detailed subject-wise topics prescribed by Kerala PSC.

Last Minute Preparation Tips for Kerala PSC CDPO Exam 2026

• Revise only important topics from the official syllabus.
• Focus on Sociology, Psychology, and Home Science core concepts.
• Read short notes and previously prepared revision materials.
• Revise child development, nutrition, social welfare schemes, and research methods thoroughly.
• Practice previous year Kerala PSC questions and mock tests.
• Avoid starting new topics during the final days.
• Pay special attention to frequently repeated concepts and definitions.
• Improve accuracy as the exam carries 1/3 negative marking for wrong answers.
• Attempt mock tests within the actual exam duration of 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Revise important government schemes related to women and child development.
• Strengthen weak areas without neglecting strong subjects.
• Get adequate sleep before the examination day.
• Carry all required documents to the exam centre.
• Manage time effectively during the exam and avoid spending too much time on a single question.
• Avoid random guessing due to the negative marking system.
• Stay confident and maintain a positive mindset throughout the examination.