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Kerala PSC Departmental Test Syllabus 2026 is out! The Kerala Public Service Commission conducts Departmental Tests for state government employees who must pass them for probation declaration, increment, confirmation or promotion. Every notification comes with the syllabus (Annexures A to E), and for special tests KPSC releases a separate Time Table & Syllabus PDF.
This blog covers the exam pattern, marking scheme, the paper-wise syllabus of the major tests, and the latest Time Table & Syllabus PDFs. The syllabus is based on the July 2026 Departmental Test notification (DEI(1)1449431/2026/EW), which follows the new criminal laws (BNS, BNSS and BSA).
Kerala PSC Departmental Test Syllabus 2026 – Download PDF
Download the Kerala PSC Departmental Test 2026 subject-wise syllabus PDF to check the topics, exam pattern, and preparation requirements for your test.
| Post Name | Date | |
|---|---|---|
| Time Table & Syllabus – Departmental Test (Special Test) – I Grade Draftsman / Head Draftsman in Survey & Land Records (April 2025) | 17-09-2026 | |
| Departmental Test – Time Table & Syllabus – September 2025 – Kerala Criminal Judicial Test (Special Test) | 20-05-2026 | |
| Eligibility Test – Time Table & Syllabus – Lab Assistant Test (Online Exam: 03-06-2026) | 06-05-2026 | |
| Time Table – Departmental Test (Special Test) Viva Voce for Divisional Accountants in Kerala General Service and Kerala Water Authority – August 2025 | 02-05-2026 | |
| Revised Department Test Notification – Divisional Accountants – Kerala General Service and Kerala Water Authority | 17-03-2026 | |
| Departmental Test – Time Table & Syllabus – Special Test – Divisional Accountant | 04-03-2026 | |
| Departmental Test – Syllabus – Language Test for Junior Members of IAS/IPS/IFS – October 2025 (Special Test) | 10-02-2026 | |
| Department Test – Syllabus – IAS, IPS, IFS – October 2025 | 31-01-2026 | |
| Special Test – Divisional Accountant Time Table & Syllabus | 01-11-2025 | |
| Departmental Eligibility Test – Time Table & Syllabus for Laboratory Assistant – KHSE | 01-11-2025 | |
| Departmental Test (Special Test) – Syllabus – Language Test for Junior Members of IAS/IPS/IFS – Viva Voce, July 2024 | 03-02-2025 | |
| Department Test – Syllabus – IAS, IPS, IFS – July 2024 | 21-01-2025 | |
| Departmental Test (Special Test) – Syllabus – Language Test & Viva Voce for Junior Members of IAS/IPS/IFS – January 2024 | 20-06-2024 | |
| Department Test – Syllabus – IAS, IPS, IFS – January 2024 | 29-05-2024 | |
| Departmental Test – Eligibility Test – Kerala Khadi and Village Industries Development Board – Peon / Watchman to LD Typist | 05-03-2024 | |
| Departmental Test – Eligibility Test – Laboratory Attender’s Test – KHSE | 05-03-2024 |
Kerala PSC Departmental Test Exam Pattern 2026
1: Which Year First Assembly Election was held in Kerala?
- Most online/OMR tests: 1.5 hours
- Account Test (Lower) KSR, Account Test (Higher) KSR, Account Test for Executive Officers Paper II (KSR) and Excise Test (Part A & B): 2 hours
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Online or OMR (objective type). Language tests are descriptive. Practical and viva voce where specified. |
| Maximum marks | 100 per paper |
| Minimum pass mark | 40% in each paper |
| Marks per correct answer | 1 |
| Negative marking | 1/3 mark deducted for each wrong answer |
| Language | English questions carry a Malayalam translation |
| Alpha code | Applicable to online/OMR tests |
| Part passing | All tests can be passed in parts, and you may apply for individual papers |
| Books | “With books” or “Without books” as specified for each paper |
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Join Now!Kerala PSC Departmental Test Syllabus 2026: Manual and Office Procedure Tests
| Test | Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Secretariat Manual Test (1 paper) | Kerala Secretariat Office Manual |
| District Office Manual Test (1 paper) | The District Office Manual |
| Manual of Office Procedure Test (1 paper) | Manual of Office Procedure for offices other than Secretariat (without books) |
| Test for Staff of Kerala PSC | Kerala PSC Office Manual |
| KSRTC Manual Test | KSRTC Manual |
| PWD Manual Test | Kerala PWD Manual and amendments (with books) |
Kerala PSC Departmental Test 2026 – Subject-wise Detailed Syllabus
The Kerala PSC Departmental Test 2026 Detailed Syllabus PDF covers subject-wise topics for various departmental tests, including Account Test, Revenue Test, Judicial Test, Panchayat Test, Divisional Accountant Test, and IAS/IPS/IFS Language Tests. Check the syllabus for your exam.
Account Tests – Kerala PSC Departmental Test Syllabus 2026
Account Test (Lower): 4 Papers
- Kerala Service Rules (with books)
- Kerala Financial Code Volumes I and II and Kerala Budget Manual (with books)
- Kerala Account Code Volume I (with books) and Introduction to Indian Government Accounts and Audit, 5th edition, except Chapters 12, 26, 27, 28 and 29 (without books)
- Kerala Treasury Code Volumes I and II and Kerala Account Code Volume II (with books)
Account Test (Lower) for KSEB Ministerial and Executive Staff: 3 Papers
- Kerala Service Rules
- Kerala Financial Code Volumes I and II and Kerala Budget Manual
- Elements of Commercial Accounts and Book-keeping, including basic concepts of company accounts (excluding partnership accounts)
Account Test for Executive Officers: 2 Papers
- Kerala Financial Code Volumes I and II, Kerala Account Code Volume I and Kerala Budget Manual (Chapters I to IV, VI and VII)
- 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:
- Introduction to Indian Government Accounts and Audit (without books), The Constitution of India and Kerala Account Code Volume I (with books)
- Kerala Treasury Code Volumes I and II and Kerala Account Code Volume II
- Kerala Service Rules
Account Test (Higher) for PWD: 5 Papers
- Part I: Kerala PWD Account Code and Kerala Account Code Volume III; Kerala Financial Code and Budget Manual
- Part II: Same three papers as Account Test (Higher)
Account Test (Higher) for KSEB Ltd: 4 Papers
- Part I: Kerala PWD Account Code; Kerala Financial Code and Budget Manual
- Part II: Indian Government Accounts and Audit with the Constitution of India; Kerala Service Rules
Divisional Accountants Test (Special Test) – Kerala PSC Departmental Test Syllabus 2026
| Paper | Subject | Time | Marks | Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Public Works Accounts and Procedure (without books) | 2 hrs | 100 | 40% |
| II | Accounts and Financial Rules (without books) | 2 hrs | 100 | 40% |
| III | Viva-voce | n/a | 150 | 40% |
- Paper I: Kerala Public Works Account Code, Kerala Public Works Department Code, 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, Kerala Service Rules.
- Viva-voce: The candidate’s ability to promptly advise the Executive Officer of the PWD on accounts and financial arrangements of Divisional and Sub-divisional Officers.
KSEB Tests – Kerala PSC Departmental Test Syllabus 2026
Departmental Test for Ministerial Staff of KSE Board Ltd: 5 Papers
- Kerala PWD Code (with books)
- Kerala PWD Account Code (with books)
- Electricity Act 2003 (without books); Companies Act 2013 and Rules, Chapters I, II, VI, VII, IX, X, XI, XII and XXIII (with books)
- Departmental Manual of Office Procedure
- Goods and Services Tax (with books)
Departmental Test for Executive Staff of KSE Board Ltd: 4 Papers
Same as above, without the Manual of Office Procedure paper.
GST Syllabus (common to KSEB tests)
Basic concepts; definitions under the CGST, Kerala SGST, IGST and GST (Compensation to States) Acts; registration procedure; inter-state and intra-state supply and nature of GST; 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; penal provisions. Indian Contract Act, 1872, Chapters II, IV and VI (without books).
Kerala PSC Departmental Test Syllabus 2026 for Revenue Test (4 Papers, all with books)
| Paper | Syllabus Highlights |
|---|---|
| I | Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013, Kerala Land Relinquishment Act 1958, Kerala Survey and Boundaries Act 1961, Kerala Escheats and Forfeitures Act 1968, Kerala Treasure Troves Act 1968, Requisitioning and Acquisition of Property Act 1981, Kerala Road Fund Act 2001, Kerala Land Utilisation Order 1967, Kerala Protection of Paddy Land and Wet Land Act 2008, National Highways Act 1956 |
| II | Kerala Government Land Assignment Act 1960, ST Land Transfer and Restoration Acts, Kerala Land Conservancy Act 1957, Kerala Land Development Act 1964, Kerala Highway Protection Act 1999, Kerala Protection of River Banks and Regulation of Removal of Sand Act 2001, Kerala Private Forest (Vesting and Assignment) Act 1971, Malabar Land Registration Act 1895, Forest Rights Act 2006 and related Acts |
| III | Kerala Land Reforms Act 1963, Kerala Land Tax Act 1961, Kerala Revenue Recovery Act 1964, Kerala Public Accountants Act 1963, Transfer of Registry Rules 1966, Kerala Plantation Tax Act 1960, Kerala Building Tax Act 1975, Kerala Building (Leases and Rent Control) Act 1965, Kerala Stamp Act 1959 |
| IV | Land Revenue Manual Volume VI |
Kerala PSC Departmental Test Syllabus for Judicial and Law-based Tests
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
- Forest Test (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
- Forest Test (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)
Kerala PSC Departmental Test Syllabus 2026 for Local Body and Panchayat Tests
Panchayat Test (4 papers, with books)
- Kerala Panchayat Raj Act 1994 and Rules
- 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
- Acts, Rules, Manuals and Government Orders on accounts, audit, budgeting, store purchase and public works governing PRIs
- 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
Kerala PSC Departmental Test Syllabus 2026: Other Departmental Tests
| Test | Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Kerala Co-operative Test (2 papers) | Elements of Banking; Principles of Co-operation, Co-operative Societies Act and Rules |
| Canal Rules Test | Canal Rules and Regulations, Travancore and Cochin |
| Agricultural Income-tax and Sales-tax Test (3 papers) | KGST Act, CST Act, GST; Agricultural Income-tax Act; Book-keeping and Accountancy |
| Labour Department Test (3 parts) | Plantation Labour Act, Minimum Wages Act, Industrial Disputes Act, Trade Union Act, Maternity Benefit Act, Payment of Bonus Act, Contract Labour Act, Payment of Gratuity Act, Equal Remuneration Act, Headload Workers Act and related labour laws |
| Employment Exchange Procedure (2 papers) | National Employment Service Manual Vol. I and II |
| Motor Vehicles Tests | Motor Vehicles Act 1988, Central and Kerala MV Rules 1989, Kerala MV Taxation Act 1976; BNSS 2023 chapters and Kerala Manual of Office Procedure for MV Inspectors |
| Legal Metrology Test | Legal Metrology Act 2009 and the 2011 Rules, Kerala Legal Metrology (Enforcement) Rules 2012 |
| Assistant Electrical Inspectors (2 papers) | Electricity Act 2003, CEA Safety Regulations 2010, Energy Conservation Act 2001; Kerala Electricity Duty Act, Cinemas Regulation Act, Kerala Electricity Supply Code 2014, Lift and Escalators Act 2013 |
| Kerala Port Department Test | Port Department Manual, Indian Ports Act 1908, Merchant Shipping Act 1958, Inland Vessels Act, maritime conventions and related rules |
| Kerala State Housing Board Act and Rules | Housing Board Act 1971, Establishment Regulations 1977, Allotment Regulations |
| Kerala Head Load Workers Rules | Headload Workers Act 1978, Schemes of 1983, 1995 and 1999, Rules 1981 and the Welfare Board Staff Rules 2002 |
| SC Development Department Test | Handbook of the SC Development (Harijan Welfare) Department |
| Kerala Education Act and Rules Test | Kerala Education Act and Rules |
| Animal Husbandry Department Test | Animal Husbandry Department Manual |
Kerala PSC Departmental Test Syllabus 2026: Language Tests
| Test | Pattern |
|---|---|
| Second Class Language Test in Malayalam | Part A written: translating a Tamil/Kannada prose passage (Class VII level) into Malayalam, 100 marks, 45 minutes, minimum 35% (separate minimum 30%). Part B viva voce: conversing with accuracy and fluency in Malayalam, 100 marks, 15 minutes. Aggregate pass: 70 out of 200. Apply separately for Part A and Part B. |
| Minority Language Test (Tamil/Kannada) | One paper, 100 marks, 2 hours, minimum 40%. Two questions: translation from English to Tamil/Kannada and from Tamil/Kannada to English. |
| Malayalam Language Test | Descriptive, 100 marks, 2 hours, minimum 40%. Vocabulary, spelling, sentence structure, comprehension passage, precis writing, paragraph or essay writing, outline story writing. Mandatory for those who haven’t studied Malayalam up to Class 10 or at Plus Two/degree level (G.O.(P) No. 10/2022 P&ARD). |
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Join Now!Kerala PSC Departmental Test Syllabus for Visually Impaired Candidates (Viva Voce)
For in-service employees with 40% or more visual disability, KPSC conducts a viva voce for each test in the syllabus.
- The syllabus is the same as the written test (Annexure A for Visually Challenged).
- Maximum marks: 100 per viva voce; minimum pass: 40.
- For Account Test (Lower) and (Higher), there is one viva voce at the Lower or Higher level, one for the obligatory papers, and another for without-book papers such as MOP, DOM and Secretariat Office Manual.
- Apply for all papers of a test. Partial applications are rejected.
- Tamil and Kannada linguistic minority candidates may answer in Tamil or Kannada for the Land Revenue Manual Vol. VI, Kerala Registration and Canal Rules tests. Indicate this in the online application.
Kerala PSC Departmental Test 2026 – With Books Rules
- Only government publications and amendments, and Acts and Rules published by the Government, may be used.
- Private publications such as commentary books, notes and guides are not allowed unless the time table notification specifically allows them.
- Judicial tests: only bare Acts are allowed.
- Papers not marked “with books” must be written without books.
- Mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, calculators and smart watches are banned in the exam campus.
Kerala PSC Departmental Test 2026 Preparation Tips
- Know which papers are “with books”. For those, practise finding provisions quickly. For “without books” papers such as MOP, Secretariat Manual and Indian Government Accounts and Audit, memorise key points.
- Use only permitted books. Government publications and updated amendments only. Private guides will invalidate your result.
- Revise the new laws. BNS, BNSS and BSA replace the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act in all tests.
- Watch negative marking. Each wrong answer costs 1/3 mark, so avoid blind guesses.
- Practise previous questions from earlier sessions, and track the Time Table & Syllabus PDF for each exam.
- Practise time management. One paper is 1.5 to 2 hours, so pace yourself.
The Kerala PSC Departmental Test syllabus is test-specific, so first identify the test your department or post requires, then study the matching papers and books. Download the latest Time Table & Syllabus PDF, learn the pattern (marks, duration, negative marking and with/without books) and revise the new criminal law provisions. Keep checking www.keralapsc.gov.in for new notifications.
