Kerala PSC Departmental Test Study Material 2026: Test-wise Notes, Books, Acts & Preparation Guide

Passing the Kerala PSC Departmental Test is compulsory for many state government employees. It decides whether your probation gets declared, whether you get your increment, whether your service gets confirmed, and whether you become eligible for promotion. That is why the right Kerala PSC Departmental Test study material 2026 matters more here than in most other exams.

The Departmental Test is not like the Degree Level or LDC exams. There is no common syllabus. Each test has its own papers, its own books and its own rules about whether you can carry books into the hall. A candidate preparing for the Account Test (Lower) needs very different material from one preparing for the Revenue Test or the Excise Test.

This guide gives you a clear, test-wise study material plan based on the latest Kerala PSC Departmental Test syllabus (July 2026 notification, which follows the new criminal laws: BNS, BNSS and BSA).

DEPARTMENTAL TEST SYLLABUS

Kerala PSC Departmental Test Study Material 2026: Quick Overview

Identify Your Test Before You Collect Study Material – Kerala PSC Departmental Test 2026

The biggest mistake candidates make is collecting material for every test. Start by checking the notification and the Time Table and Syllabus PDF for your test. Then use the matching section below.

The main groups of Departmental Tests are:

1. Account Tests
2. Manual and Office Procedure Tests
3. Divisional Accountants Test (Special Test)
4. KSEB Tests
5. Revenue Test
6. Judicial and law-based tests (Civil, Criminal, Registration, Probation, Excise, Forest, Police and Jail)
7. Panchayat, Municipal and Local Fund Audit tests
8. Other department-specific tests
9. Language tests

DEPARTMENTAL TEST PYQs

Study Material for Account Tests – Kerala PSC Departmental Test 2026

Account Tests are the most commonly attempted Departmental Tests. They are heavily “with books” for most papers, so your preparation is about knowing where to find the answer quickly, and about memorising the “without books” portions.

Account Test (Lower): 4 Papers

What to study:

• Kerala Service Rules (KSR): Qualifications, probation, increment, leave, pension, joining time, transfer, suspension and reinstatement. Make a rule-number index of the rules you use most.
• Kerala Financial Code (KFC): Financial powers, custody of public money, grants, advances, contingent expenditure, losses and write-offs.
• Kerala Budget Manual: Budget preparation, estimates, appropriations and re-appropriation.
• Kerala Account Code Volumes I and II: Account heads, vouchers, bills, drawing and disbursing officer duties.
• Kerala Treasury Code Volumes I and II: Treasury procedures, bills, cheques, deposits and pension payments.
• Introduction to Indian Government Accounts and Audit (5th edition): This is a without books paper. Prepare short notes on the Comptroller and Auditor General, the structure of government accounts, and audit procedures. Skip the excluded chapters (12, 26, 27, 28 and 29).

Account Test (Lower) for KSEB Ministerial and Executive Staff: 3 Papers

1. Kerala Service Rules
2. Kerala Financial Code Volumes I and II and Kerala Budget Manual
3. Elements of Commercial Accounts and Book-keeping, including basic concepts of company accounts (excluding partnership accounts)

For Paper 3, practise journal entries, ledgers, trial balance, final accounts and the basics of company accounts.

Account Test for Executive Officers: 2 Papers

1. Kerala Financial Code Volumes I and II, Kerala Account Code Volume I and Kerala Budget Manual (Chapters I to IV, VI and VII)
2. Kerala Service Rules

Account Test (Higher): 4 Papers

• Part I: Kerala Financial Code Volumes I and II and Kerala Budget Manual (with books)
• Part II:
  1. Introduction to Indian Government Accounts and Audit (without books), The Constitution of India and Kerala Account Code Volume I (with books)
  2. Kerala Treasury Code Volumes I and II and Kerala Account Code Volume II
  3. Kerala Service Rules

For the Constitution of India portion, focus on the Union and State executive, finance provisions, CAG, Public Service Commissions and the Fundamental Rights.

Account Test (Higher) for PWD and KSEB Ltd

• PWD (5 papers): Part I covers the Kerala PWD Account Code, Kerala Account Code Volume III, Kerala Financial Code and Budget Manual. Part II has the same three papers as the Account Test (Higher).
• KSEB Ltd (4 papers): Part I covers the Kerala PWD Account Code, Kerala Financial Code and Budget Manual. Part II covers Indian Government Accounts and Audit with the Constitution of India, and Kerala Service Rules.

Study Material for Manual and Office Procedure Tests – Kerala PSC Departmental Test 2026

Tip for “without books” manual papers: Since you cannot carry the manual, build one-page revision sheets for each chapter: file movement, noting and drafting, tapal handling, registers maintained, time limits for disposal, and record retention periods. Revise these sheets repeatedly instead of reading the whole manual again and again.

Study Material for the Divisional Accountants Test (Special Test) – Kerala PSC Departmental Test 2026

• Paper I: Kerala Public Works Account Code, Kerala Public Works Department Code and Kerala Account Code Volume III.
• Paper II: Account Code Volume I (Central), General Financial Rules Volumes I and II (Central), Compilation of Treasury Rules Volumes I and II (Central), Kerala Financial Code Volumes I and II, Kerala Treasury Code Volumes I and II, Kerala Account Code Volumes I and II, and Kerala Service Rules.
• Viva-voce: Your ability to promptly advise the Executive Officer of the PWD on the accounts and financial arrangements of Divisional and Sub-divisional Officers.

Both written papers are without books, so this test needs the heaviest memory-based preparation. Make rule-wise short notes, practise answering from memory, and for the viva, prepare practical scenarios such as measurement book entries, advances to contractors and recovery of dues.

Study Material for KSEB Departmental Tests – Kerala PSC Departmental Test 2026

Ministerial Staff of KSE Board Ltd: 5 Papers

1. Kerala PWD Code (with books)
2. Kerala PWD Account Code (with books)
3. Electricity Act 2003 (without books); Companies Act 2013 and Rules, Chapters I, II, VI, VII, IX, X, XI, XII and XXIII (with books)
4. Departmental Manual of Office Procedure
5. Goods and Services Tax (with books)

The Executive Staff test has the same papers without the Manual of Office Procedure paper (4 papers).

GST Syllabus (common to KSEB tests)

Study these topics: basic concepts; definitions under the CGST, Kerala SGST, IGST and GST (Compensation to States) Acts; registration procedure; inter-state and intra-state supply; valuation of taxable supplies; incidence of taxation and invoicing; documents and books of accounts; remittance of GST; returns; tax structure and rates; TDS provisions; input tax credit; e-way bill; refund; and penal provisions. Add the Indian Contract Act, 1872, Chapters II, IV and VI (without books).

Study Material for the Revenue Test (4 Papers, All With Books) – Kerala PSC Departmental Test 2026

Since all four papers are “with books”, tab and annotate your bare Acts (only as permitted) and practise searching by section number and by topic.

Study Material for Judicial and Law-based Tests – Kerala PSC Departmental Test 2026

All criminal law papers now follow the new laws: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023. Do not study from old IPC, CrPC or Evidence Act material.

Civil Judicial Test (2 papers, bare Acts only)

• Paper 1: Indian Civil Procedure Code; Kerala Civil Rules of Practice
• Paper 2: Indian Limitation Act; Kerala Civil Courts Act; Kerala Court Fees and Suit Valuation Act; Kerala Stamp Act

Criminal Judicial Test (2 papers, bare Acts only)

• Paper 1: Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023; Criminal Rules of Practice Kerala 1982
• Paper 2: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023

Kerala Registration Test (4 papers)

• Part I: Indian Registration Act, Kerala Registration Rules and Table of Fees; Kerala Registration Manual and Circular Orders (questions are based on the Revised Registration Manual 2021, effective 01-01-2022)
• Part II: Kerala Stamp Act and Rules; Indian Stamp Act for specified documents
• Part III: Transfer of Property Act 1882, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023, Special Marriage Act 1954, Chit Funds Act 1982, Societies Registration Act 1860, Travancore-Cochin Societies Registration Act 1955, Kerala Document Writers’ Licence Rules 1960 and related Acts

Kerala State Probation Test (4 papers)

• Part I: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023; BNSS 2023 (Chapter IX, Sections 125 to 143; Chapter XI, Sections 148 to 151)
• Part II: Probation of Offenders Act 1958 and Kerala Rules 1960; Immoral Traffic Prevention Act 1986; Juvenile Justice Acts and Rules; Principles of the Probation System (UN publication)

Excise Test (3 papers)

• Part A, Paper I: Abkari Acts, Rules and Notifications
• Part A, Paper II: Prohibition Act, Medicinal and Toilet Preparations Act, NDPS Act 1985 and Rules, Spirituous Preparation and Inter-state Trade Control Act
• Part B: BNSS 2023, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 and BNS 2023

Forest Tests

• Executive and Controlling Staff (3 papers): (1) General Law: Kerala Forest Act and Rules, Kerala Land Acquisition Act, Boundary Act, Cattle Trespass Act, BNS 2023 (Chapters 1 to 4, 9, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18) and BNSS 2023 (Chapters 1, 5, 6, 7, 16, 17, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32); (2) Kerala Forest Act and Rules; (3) Kerala Forest Code and Departmental Rules
• Clerical and Protective Staff (2 papers): Kerala Forest Code; Kerala Forest Act and Rules

Police and Jail Tests

• Police Manual Test: Kerala Police Manual (with books)
• Manual of Office Procedure (Police)
• Vigilance Division Ministerial Staff (2 papers): Police Manual; Manual of Office Procedure
• Kerala Jail Officers Test (4 papers): BNS and BNSS 2023, Kerala Prisons and Correctional Services (Management) Act 2010 and Rules 2014, Mental Health Act; Sociology, Penology and Criminology; practical test (drill, lathi, weapon training, revolver firing); First Aid, Personal Hygiene and General Sanitation
• Kerala Jail Subordinate Officers Test (2 papers): Prisons Act and Rules; practical test (drill, lathi, weapon training, rifle firing)

Study Material for Panchayat, Municipal and Local Fund Audit Tests – Kerala PSC Departmental Test 2026

Panchayat Test (4 papers, with books)

1. Kerala Panchayat Raj Act 1994 and Rules
2. Allied Acts and Rules, including Registration of Births and Deaths Act 1969, Hindu Marriage Act 1955, Local Fund Audit Act 1994, Cinema Registration Act 1958, Local Bodies Entertainment Tax Act 1961 and Public Health Acts
3. Acts, Rules, Manuals and Government Orders on accounts, audit, budgeting, store purchase and public works governing PRIs
4. 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, writ jurisdiction, selected BNSS chapters, CPC 1908 sections, RTI Act 2005, Disaster Management, centrally sponsored schemes (NREGS, PMGSY etc.), social security pensions, Persons with Disabilities Act, decentralised planning, good governance, Environmental Protection Act 1986

Kerala Municipal Tests (3 papers) and Municipal Department Test (1 paper)

Kerala Service Rules; Kerala Financial Code, Budget Manual and Account Code; Kerala Municipalities Act and Rules, Municipal Corporation Act 1961, Local Authorities Loans Act, Entertainment Tax Act, Places of Public Resort Act, Public Health Act, Town Planning Act, Cattle Trespass Act, Special Service Rules and Standing Orders.

Local Fund Audit Department Tests

• Higher (3 papers): Constitution of India, Municipal and Panchayat Acts, LFAD Act, Court of Wards Act, Hindu Religious Endowments Acts, University Acts, Housing Board Act and others; Finances of Local Bodies and Principles of Local Fund Audit; Book-keeping and Accountancy
• Lower (2 papers): LFAD Act and Rules, municipal and panchayat enactments; General Knowledge, Precis and Drafting

Study Material for Other Departmental Tests 

Study Material for Language Tests – Kerala PSC Departmental Test 2026

The Malayalam Language Test is mandatory for those who have not studied Malayalam up to Class 10 or at Plus Two or degree level (G.O.(P) No. 10/2022 P&ARD).

With Books vs Without Books: How to Prepare for Each

“With books” papers

• Use only government publications, amendments, and Acts and Rules published by the Government.
• Private commentaries, notes and guides are not allowed unless the time table notification specifically allows them.
• In judicial tests, only bare Acts are allowed.
• Learn the structure of each book (parts, chapters, appendices) so you can reach any provision in seconds.
• Mark and index permitted material neatly. Practise with a timer.

“Without books” papers

• Memorise definitions, time limits, financial powers and rule numbers.
• Make short revision notes and flashcards.
• Attempt a test every week to check recall.

Mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, calculators and smart watches are banned in the exam campus.

Kerala PSC Departmental Test Study Material 2026: Study the New Criminal Laws

BNS, BNSS and BSA have replaced the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act in all Departmental Tests. Whenever a syllabus mentions BNS, BNSS or BSA, study only the 2023 Acts and their section numbers. Candidates for the Excise, Forest, Probation, Jail, Criminal Judicial and Motor Vehicles tests should pay special attention to this.

How to Use the Entri App for Departmental Test Preparation

The Entri app helps you prepare with:

• Structured study material and notes for Kerala PSC exams
• Practice questions and mock tests to check your speed and accuracy
• Previous year question practice. Read our Departmental Test previous question papers blog
• Daily updates on Kerala PSC notifications and exam dates.

The Kerala PSC Departmental Test is test-specific, so your preparation must be too. Identify your test, collect only the permitted government publications, separate “with books” and “without books” papers, and revise the new criminal laws. Combine reading with regular practice and mock tests on the Entri app, and keep checking the Kerala PSC website for new Time Table and Syllabus notifications.