Kerala PSC Overseer Grade 1 Syllabus 2025 & Exam Pattern PDF

The Kerala PSC Overseer Grade 1 Civil Syllabus 2025 and Exam Pattern have been officially released on the Kerala PSC website. The exam is scheduled for 27th June 2025. The updated syllabus, now available in PDF format, provides a detailed overview of the topics to be covered in the exam. In this blog, we’ve updated the latest syllabus and exam pattern to help you prepare efficiently for the exam. Stay tuned for key insights and tips to enhance your preparation!

Kerala PSC Technical Exam Coaching! Prepare now!

Kerala PSC Draftsman/Overseer Gr. 1 Civil Recruitment Notification 2025

Name	Event
Conducted By	Kerala PSC
Name of Organization	PWD/ IRRIGATION DEPARTMENT
Name of Post	Draftsman/Overseer Grade 1 (Civil)
Category Number	To be Notified
Method of Appointment	Direct Recruitment
Scale Of Pay	₹ 37,400-79,000/-
Number of Vacancies	Anticipated Vacancies
Mode of Exam	Offline
Exam Date	27/06/2025
Admit Card	13/06/2025
Official website	www.keralapsc.gov.in

Kerala PSC Overseer Grade 1 Syllabus 2025 PDF

The Kerala PSC Overseer Grade 1 Syllabus 2025 is crucial for exam preparation. It includes topics on general knowledge, technical skills, and relevant subjects. Download the attached PDF for the official syllabus to guide your study and excel in the exam!

Kerala PSC Overseer Grade 1 Exam Pattern 2025

Medium: English
Total Questions: 100
Maximum Marks: 100
Duration: 01 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes)
Question type: Objective — Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) — each question carries 1 mark
Negative marking: 0.33 per wrong answers

S.No	Topic	No. of Questions	Marks
1	Surveying	10	10
2	Building Materials	10	10
3	Building Construction	12	12
4	Mechanics	10	10
5	Mechanics of Solids	10	10
6	Estimation & Valuation	12	12
7	Irrigation Engineering	8	8
8	Geotechnical Engineering	10	10
9	Transportation Engineering	12	12
10	Environmental Engineering	6	6
	Total	100	100

Kerala PSC Overseer Grade 1 Syllabus 2025 – Detailed

SURVEYING

Purpose of surveying – types of survey – Levelling – Principle of levelling – parts and functions of dumpy level and telescopic leveling staff – steps involved in performing the temporary adjustments of leveling instrument – record observations in field book – compute the reduced levels of stations from field book – Classifications of levelling – steps involved in classification of levelling – principle of contouring – contour plans from given field notes.

Theodolite traversing – Principles of theodolite traversing – their parts and function – temporary adjustments and terms – fundamental lines and their relationship – horizontal angle measurement by repetition and reiteration method – steps involved in setting out angles using a theodolite – method of conducting traverse survey in the field using the theodolite – compute the co-ordinates – principle of trigonometry for determining the elevation of stations – vertical angle measurements – principle of trigonometric levelling – compute the elevations using trigonometric levelling.

CURVES – different types – elements of a simple curve – designation of a curve – setting out simple curves by offset method – from long chord, long tangents, chord produced – description of transition curves – requirement of transition curves – length of transition curves for roads – introduction to vertical curves – geometrics of a vertical curve.

Modern surveying equipments – TOTAL STATIONS, GPS AND GIS, Electronic Theodolites – Total stations – component parts – set up – working principles – maintenance of EDM instruments – temporary adjustments – measurement with total station, traverse with total station, survey station description – data gathering components – data processing components – error sources and controlling errors – field coding – field controlling – Modem for data transfer – readings with prism mode and non prism mode.

Remote sensing – Introduction and applications in Civil Engineering. Global positioning system (GPS) – fundamentals, GPS receivers, GPS observations, transformation of GPS results. Geographical information systems (GIS) – map definitions, map projections, data entry, importance, use and application of GIS in Civil Engineering. Introduction to Photogrammetry, aerial, terrestrial, applications of photogrammetry. (Marks – 8)

BUILDING PLANNING AND DRAWING

Building drawing – Conventional signs for construction materials – Building rules and Bye laws – Provision of safety for buildings, plinth area – floor area – carpet area – floor area ratio – coverage of building – height of building – building line – set back line – head room – mezzanine floor – basement floor – detached building – row houses.

Classification of Buildings and Planning requirements of building as per National Building Code / KMBR / KPBR. Plumbing layout showing water supply and sanitary fixtures of a residential building – electrical layout showing electrical fixtures and control points.
(Marks – 5)

Construction Materials

Stone

• Classification:

  • Geological classification

  • Physical and chemical classification

• Characteristics of good building stone
• Varieties of stones: Granite, Trap, Basalt, Sandstone, Laterite
• Values of load-bearing capacity of stones
• Quarrying of stones: Methods – Wedging and Blasting

• • Explosives used

• Dressing of stones

Clay Products

Bricks

• Raw materials used
• Composition of brick earth
• Manufacturing methods (Description only)
• Kiln and clamp burning
• IS specifications of bricks
• Characteristics of good bricks used for building purposes

Tiles

• Types of tiles – Characteristics – Uses
  Floor, Wall and Roofing tiles, Porcelain, Vitrified and Glazed tiles
• Earthenware and Stoneware pipes – Uses and Qualities

Cement

• Composition and compounds present
• Manufacturing methods
• Characteristics of cement
• Types of cement – Properties
• Tests on cement:
  Consistency test, Fineness test, Specific gravity test, Setting time test, Soundness test, and Field tests
• Uses of cement

Aggregates

Sand

• Sources of sand: River sand, Sea sand, and Pit sand
• Limitations of mining of sand from rivers and sea shore
• M-sand and alternatives to natural sand

Coarse Aggregates

• Materials generally used
• Requirements of good coarse aggregates
• Commonly used sizes for different applications
• Grading of coarse and fine aggregates

Mortar

• Preparation of lime and cement mortar
• Proportions of mortar for various items of work
• Tests on cement mortar

Cement Concrete

• Proportioning and ingredients
• PCC and RCC
• Water-cement ratio – Effects on strength and workability
• Characteristics of concrete and reinforcements – Preparation – Workability
• Tests on cement concrete (Laboratory and Field tests):
  Slump test, Compaction factor test
• Qualities of water used for mixing
• Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC):
  Qualities of materials, Types of reinforcement used, Characteristics of reinforcing materials, Preparation of concrete cubes, and Test on cubes
• Chemical admixtures: Plasticizers and Superplasticizers

Timber and Wood Products

• Structural classification: Softwood and Hardwood
• Defects in timber
• Seasoning of timber
• Preservation of timber
• Wood products: Plywood, MDF, HDF, Veneer

Metals

• Ferrous metals: Wrought iron, Cast iron, Mild steel
• Special steels: High carbon steel, High tensile steel, and Stainless steel (Properties and uses only)
• Non-ferrous metals: Aluminum, Copper, Lead, Zinc, and Titanium
• Important alloys – Properties and uses

Construction Technology

Masonry

• Classification of masonry walls: Load-bearing, Non-load-bearing, and Retaining walls
• Types: Stone masonry, Brick masonry, Laterite masonry, Composite masonry
• Stone masonry: Different types, General principles, and Specifications as per relevant codes
• Brick masonry:

  • Different types of bonds for walls, piers, and junctions of walls of equal and unequal thickness – English bond, Flemish (Single and Double Flemish) bond

  • Specifications as per relevant codes

• Hollow block masonry: Types of hollow blocks, Methods of construction, Advantages and disadvantages compared with other types of masonry
• Solid block masonry and Interlocking block masonry
• Partition walls: Types, Materials, Requirements
• Modern methods of construction: Framed, Prefabricated, Earthquake-resistant

Damp Proof Courses (DPC)

Definition of dampness – Causes and effects

Methods of prevention: Surface treatment, Internal waterproofing courses

Prestressed Concrete

• Principle of prestressing
• Types: Internal and External
• Methods: Pre-tensioning and Post-tensioning
• Prestressed slabs and beams

Formwork

• Functions and materials used
• Requirements of good formwork
• Modern trends in materials and technology: Slip forms, PVC forms

Scaffolding, Shoring and Underpinning

• Definition, Purpose, and Function
• Requirements of materials used

Plastering and Pointing

• Materials and proportions
• Functions
• General specifications and types

Building Components

• Different components of a building from foundation to roof and their functions

Foundations

• Functions and Classification: Shallow and Deep foundations
• Types: Spread footing, Raft-mat, Column footing, Pile foundation, and Well foundation

Flooring

• Requirements of a good floor
• Materials used for flooring
• Floor finishes: Mosaic, Marble, Granite, Ceramic tiles, Vitrified tiles, Glass, Wooden, and other modern finishes

Doors and Windows

• Positioning with respect to lighting and ventilation
• Types and sizes as per relevant codes
• Special types of doors: Flush, Revolving, Collapsible, Rolling, and Sliding doors
• Windows: Different types
• Ventilators: Different types
• Fittings for doors and windows

Lintels and Sunshades

• Types of lintels: Wooden, Stone, Brick, RCC, and RSJ lintels
• Sunshades: Canopy and Sun breakers
• Arches: Types and terms used

Vertical Transportation

• Stairs and staircases: Location, Types, Standards as per KBR
• Terminology: Tread, Rise, Going, Riser, Nosing, Width of stair, Headroom, Flight, Landing, Handrails
• Lifts and Escalators: Component parts and requirements as per NBC
• Ramps: Planning and location
• Component parts of staircases and lifts
• Types of staircases

Ceiling

• Materials used for ceiling
• False ceiling

Roof

• Definition and importance with respect to climatic conditions
• Classification: Pitched and Flat
• Types: Couple, Couple closed, and Collar roof
• Trusses for pitched roofs: Wooden and Steel trusses
• Roof coverings: AC sheets, GI corrugated sheets, Aluminum sheets, PVC sheets
• Method of arranging and fixing to battens, rafters, and purlins
• RCC roof slabs: Flat and sloped slabs, Flat slab construction
• Weatherproof course for flat roofs
• Requirements and selection of materials for good floor finish and ceiling

Theory of Structures

• Definition of force – Types of forces
• Moment of force – Types of moments – Principle of moments
• Determination of reactions of simply supported beams and overhanging beams with point loads, uniformly distributed loads, and uniformly varying loads
• Centroid of plane figures: Determination of centroid of rectangle, triangle, circle, semi-circle, and compound areas
• Definition of center of gravity (C.G.) – C.G. of combination of simple solids

Elastic Properties

• Elasticity, Stiffness, Plasticity, Toughness, Brittleness, Ductility, Malleability, and Hardness
• Simple stresses and strains: Types of stresses, Elasticity, Hook’s Law, Young’s Modulus
• Stresses and strains in uniform sections of same and composite materials (steel, aluminum, copper)
• Tensile test on ductile material (mild steel bar): Stress-strain curve – Limit of proportionality, Elastic limit, Yield point, Ultimate stress, Breaking stress, Working stress, and Factor of safety

Beams and Bending

• Classification of beams: Cantilever, Simply supported, Fixed, Overhanging, and Continuous
• Types of loading: Concentrated, Uniformly distributed, Uniformly varying load
• Shear force (S.F.) and Bending moment (B.M.): Definition, Sign conventions
• Calculation of S.F. and B.M. for cantilever, simply supported, and overhanging beams (for point load, UDL, UVL, and combinations)
• Relation between S.F. and B.M., Maximum B.M., and Point of contraflexure

Theory of Pure Torsion

• Assumptions in pure torsion – Derivation of formula – Problems
• Power transmitted by circular shafts – Problems

Thin Cylinders

• Failure of thin cylindrical shells due to internal pressure
• Circumferential and longitudinal stresses
• Changes in dimension and volume due to internal pressure

Theory of Simple Bending

• Explanation of terms: Neutral axis, Moment of resistance, Section modulus
• Assumptions in simple bending – Derivation of equation of simple bending
• Application to simple and compound sections
• Calculation of stress, section modulus, and moment of resistance
• Calculation of shear stress and drawing shear stress distribution diagram for rectangular and I-sections

Quantity Surveying

• Quantity surveyor: Duties and essential requirements
• Estimate – Types: Detailed estimate, Supplementary estimate, Revised estimate, Annual repair and maintenance
• Approximate estimate – Types and problems
• Units of measurements for different items as per standard
• Sundries, Lump sum, Lead and lift, Contingencies, Unforeseen items, Work-charged establishment

Earthwork Computation

• Methods: Trapezoidal, Mid-section, Mean section (Trapezoidal), Prismoidal formula
• Computation of earthwork from longitudinal and cross sections (no transverse slope)
• Capacity of reservoir from contour map

Methods of Taking Out Quantities

• Center line method
• Long wall–short wall method
• Computation of quantities for compound wall, steps, doors, windows, ventilators
• Cost of materials at source and at site – Conveyance charges
• Standard data book – Schedule of rates
• Lump sum items – Extra labour – Contractor’s profit
• Conveyance statement for different materials
• Schedule of rates for labour and materials
• Analysis of rates – Preparation of standard DATA of CPWD with specifications as per CPWD standard
• Rules of measurements and tolerance for wastage
• General rules for taking measurements as per CPWD
• Abstract of estimate – Preparation

Detailed Estimates

• For buildings with:

  • Gabled roof

  • Hipped roof

  • Valley

  • Two-storied buildings (residential and office)

• Abstract of estimate for the same
• Detailed estimate and abstract for Septic tank and soak pit
• Detailed estimate of RCC beam, slab, and column with bar bending schedule
• Detailed estimate of aqueduct
• Detailed specifications for:
  Earthwork excavation, Foundation concrete, Masonry work, DPC, Formwork, RCC, Plastering, Pointing, Flooring, Painting, and Polishing
• IRC specifications for WBM road
• Preparation of plan, estimate, and documents for submission

Valuation

• Definition and Purpose
• Factors governing valuation: Life of structure, Type, Location, Maintenance, Legal control
• Scrap value, Salvage value, Market value, Book value, Sinking fund, Annuity, and Depreciation
• Methods of valuation: Rental method, Direct comparison with cost, Based on profit, Development method, and Depreciation method
• Calculation of depreciation by different methods
• Land valuation – Problems

Irrigation Engineering

Fundamentals of Irrigation and Hydrology

Definition and Scope

• Definition of irrigation – necessity, advantages, and disadvantages.
• Nature and scope of Irrigation Engineering.
• Types of irrigation:

• • Perennial and inundation irrigation

  • Flow and lift irrigation

  • Direct and storage irrigation

Water Requirement of Crops

a) Principal crops:

• Kharif and Rabi crops in India and Kerala
• Dry and wet crops
• Crop period

b) Duty of water:

• Different methods of expressing duty
• Base period
• Relationship between duty and delta
• Factors affecting duty
• Requirements for precise statement of duty
• Duty figures for principal crops
• Simple problems on duty

Hydrology – Runoff and Maximum Flood Discharge

a) Rainfall

• Types of rain gauges
• Factors for selecting suitable site for rain gauge station
• Precautions in setting and maintaining rainfall records
• Rainfall cycle
• Average annual rainfall of an area
• Methods of estimating average rainfall over a catchment:

• • Thiessen’s polygon method

b) Catchment Basin and Runoff

• Catchment area – characteristics: Good, average, bad, free catchment, intercepted catchment
• Runoff – factors affecting runoff: Nature of catchment, runoff coefficient
• Methods of estimating runoff: Empirical formulae

c) River Gauging

• Importance and site selection

• Open gauge well

• Measurement of velocity: Surface floats, velocity rods, and current meter

d) Maximum Flood Discharge

• From rainfall records using Ryve’s and Dicken’s formulae

• H.F.L. marks and gauge readings

Diversion Headworks

a) Classification:

• Storage and diversion headworks – suitability under different conditions
• Suitable site for diversion works
• General layout of diversion works
• Component parts of a weir – brief description

b) Barrage and weirs

c) Head Regulator, Scouring Sluice, Flood Banks, and Protective Works
(Only description)

d) Percolation

• Percolation gradient and uplift pressure
• Effect of percolation on irrigation works
• Exit velocity and scour
• Protective works – solid and loose aprons

Storage Headworks

a) Dams

• Types and selection of site
• Types of survey for site selection
• Factors influencing site selection
• Site investigations
• Terminology: Full reservoir level (FRL), Maximum water level (MWL), Top bund level, Dead storage, Live storage, Freeboard

b) Evaporation

• Evaporation losses in reservoirs (brief description)

c) Rigid and Non-rigid Dams

• Main types: Gravity dams
• Forces acting on a gravity dam
• Failure of gravity dams and remedial measures
• Elementary profile – limiting height of dam – low and high dams
• Freeboard and top width
• Sketch of practical profile of low dam
• Drainage gallery, construction joints and their functions
• Spillways (brief description)

d) Earth Dams

• Situations suitable for earth dams
• Types of earth dams
• Causes of failure and precautions
• Saturation gradient and phreatic line
• Drainage arrangements of an earth dam

e) Tank Sluices and Surplus Works

• Head wall, tower head type, regulating arrangements (brief explanation with diagram)
• Tank surplus works: Necessity, suitable site, flush escapes, and surplus weirs

Irrigation Canals and Soil Erosion

a) Distribution Works

• Canals – classification
• Typical cross-section of canal: In cutting, embankment, partial cutting and embankment
• Berms – standard dimensions
•  Balancing depth of cutting
• Regime channel – necessity
• Types of canal lining and maintenance of canals (brief)

b) Canal Regulation

• Sluice, drops, escapes, and their functions

c) Cross Drainage Works

• Necessity and general description: Aqueducts, super passage, under tunnel, siphon, level crossing, inlet and outlet (brief explanation with diagrams)

d) Soil Erosion

• Causes and effects of soil erosion
• Methods of prevention of soil erosion

8) Geotechnical Engineering

Introduction to Soil Mechanics

• Definition of Soil Engineering – Scope and history of development
• Types of soils: Residual and transported
• Soil as a three-phase system

Soil Properties

• Water content
• Unit weight of soil: Bulk, dry, solids, saturated, submerged
• Specific gravity
• Void ratio, porosity, degree of saturation, percentage air voids, air content, density index
• Functional relationships – estimation and relationship between properties

Determination of Index Properties

• Water content: Oven drying method
• Specific gravity: Pycnometer and specific gravity bottle
• Particle size distribution: Sieve analysis and hydrometer method
• Particle size distribution curve
• Consistency limits: Liquid, plastic, and shrinkage limits
• Plasticity index, consistency index, shrinkage ratio
• Determination of liquid limit, plastic limit, and shrinkage limit
• Field density: Sand replacement method and core cutter method

Classification and Engineering Properties

• Classification of soils (I.S. system)
• Engineering properties: Shear strength, permeability, compressibility – necessity

Soil Water and Permeability

• Classification of soil water: Absorbed water, capillary water
• Stress conditions in soil: Effective and neutral pressures
• Darcy’s Law – discharge and seepage velocity
• Factors affecting permeability
• Determination of coefficient of permeability: Constant head and falling head tests
• Estimation problems

Compaction of Soil

• Definition and objectives
• Standard Proctor test and Modified Proctor test
• Concept of O.M.C. and maximum dry density
• Zero air voids line
• Field compaction methods and factors affecting compaction

Site Investigation and Sub-Soil Exploration

• Objectives and methods: Site reconnaissance, exploration, depth of exploration
• Number and disposition of pits and borings
• General and detailed exploration
• Methods of site exploration:

  • Open excavations

  • Boring methods: Auger, auger & shell, wash boring, percussion boring, rotary boring

• Soil samples and samplers: Disturbed and undisturbed sampling
• Standard Penetration Test (SPT)
• Geophysical methods: Seismic refraction and electrical resistivity methods

Bearing Capacity

• Ultimate, safe bearing capacity, and allowable bearing pressure
• General and local shear failure
• Terzaghi’s theory of bearing capacity
• Effect of water table
• Plate load test and its limitations

Foundation Engineering

• Types of foundations and proportioning of foundations
• Rectangular footing – design using Rankine’s equation

Deep Foundations

• Pile foundation: Necessity, classification (by material, load transfer, installation, displacement)
• Well foundations / caissons: Shapes, component parts, well sinking, tilts and shifts, and measures for rectification

Transportation Engineering

Highway Engineering

• History of road development in India
• Importance of roads and intermodal traffic mix
• Jayakar Committee Report – recommendations and implementation
• Road plans in India – salient features of current plan
• IRC classification of roads and urban road classification
• Major State Highways (SH) and National Highways (NH) in Kerala

Investigation and Planning of Highways

• Detailed Project Report (DPR)
• Types of surveys: Engineering and traffic surveys
• The “Es” in traffic management

Engineering Surveys

• Map study, reconnaissance, preliminary, and final location surveys
• Road alignment: Factors to be considered, socio-economic studies, environmental impact assessment
• Drawings required in a road project

Traffic Engineering

• Traffic volume, intensity, and O-D studies
• Road intersection studies
• Sight distance: Stopping and overtaking
• Road structures: Kerbs, medians/dividers, channelizing islands, pedestrian and loading islands, rotary islands
• Intersections: At-grade and grade-separated (cloverleaf, trumpet junctions)
• Road markings and traffic signals: Purpose, types (mandatory, cautionary, informatory)

Highway Geometrics

• Road structure: Subgrade, sub-base, base, and wearing course
• Highway width: Carriageway, shoulders, formation width, right of way
• Arboriculture
• Cross-section of roads: Level ground, embankment, cutting, partial cutting and filling
• Road slopes: Camber and gradients (ruling, limiting, exceptional)
• Superelevation and road widening on curves
• Horizontal and vertical curves – types
• Road drainage: Surface and sub-surface, catchment and intercepting drains

Road Construction

• Earthwork: Formation width, spoil bank, borrow pits, balancing, compaction of subgrade
• Construction of earthen and WBM roads
• Materials used in WBM road construction
• Bituminous roads: Prime coat, tack coat, premix and penetration macadam, seal coat
• Maintenance: Cutback/emulsion and hot premix macadam
• Flexible and rigid pavements

Railway Engineering

• Importance and classification based on gauge
• Permanent way: Components – formation, ballast (functions and materials), rails, joints, fixtures and fasteners (fish plates, bolts, pandrol clips), sleepers, coning of wheels, adzing of sleepers
• Cross-section of BG single and double line in cutting and embankment

Laying and Maintenance

• Plate laying – definition and methods

Points and Crossings

• Turnouts, diamond crossings – general description and sketches

Station Yards

• Marshalling yard, goods yard, shunting yard, loco yard – brief description

Signalling and Interlocking

• Objectives, types of signals, modern signalling methods, and principles of interlocking

Bridge and Culvert Engineering

• Classification: Based on materials, HFL, deck position, alignment, and IRC standards
• Foundation: Well and pile foundations
• Substructure: Abutment, pier, and wing walls
• Superstructure: Bearings, girders, beams, deck slabs, RCC beam bridges, plate girder bridges, steel truss bridges, arch and bow-string girder bridges
• Parapet/handrail
• Approach roads: Function, types, and alignment
• Bridge alignment: Types, economical span, linear waterway, afflux, vertical clearance, permissible velocities, scour depth, and prevention
• Bridge projects: Surveys, plans, documents, and site selection

Tunnel Engineering

• Necessity and uses of tunnels
• Parts of a tunnel: Audit tunnel, vertical shaft
• Common shapes and tunnel lining
• Typical section of a tunnel

Airport Engineering

• Classification and layout of airports
• Location requirements
• Airport components: Runway, apron, taxiway, terminal building, hangars, cargo, fueling facility, fire-fighting, parking, and circulation areas
• Runway alignment, pattern, and layout
• Runway length and site selection

Environmental Engineering

Water Supply Engineering

• Importance and development of water supply systems
• Need for protected water supply
• Estimating water requirement:

• • Total quantity for a town

  • Per capita demand and factors affecting demand

  • Requirements for domestic, industrial, firefighting, commercial, and public uses

  • Variations in demand – daily, monthly, yearly peaks

  • Population forecasting: Arithmetical, geometrical, and incremental increase methods (problems)

Sources of Water

• Surface sources: Lakes, streams, rivers, reservoirs – yield estimation
• Underground sources: Springs, wells, infiltration wells, and galleries – yield tests

Conveyance of Water

• Types of intakes: Reservoir, river, and canal intakes
• Conveyance systems: Open channels, aqueducts, and pipes
• Pipe materials: CI, steel, concrete, AC, GI, plastic, PVC, HDPE – merits and demerits (brief)
• Pipe joints: Spigot and socket, flange, expansion joints (CI), joints for concrete and AC pipes
• Leak detection, prevention, and rectification
• Pipe corrosion: Causes and prevention

Purification of Water

• Quality and impurities of water – need for laboratory testing
• Sampling and testing: Physical, chemical, and bacteriological (brief)
• Standards of potable water: pH, color, taste, hardness, odor
• Flow diagram of treatment units: For surface and groundwater
• Aeration: Methods of aeration
• Sedimentation: Plain and by coagulation
• Filtration: Slow sand, rapid sand, and pressure filters (construction and operation)
• Disinfection: Necessity and methods – chlorination, pre-chlorination, breakpoint chlorination, super-chlorination
• Removal of taste, color, odor, and hardness
  (No design for treatment units)

Distribution System

• Requirements and systems: Gravity, pumping, and combined
• Methods of supply: Intermittent and continuous – advantages/disadvantages
• Layout types: Dead-end, grid, radial, and ring – merits, demerits, and suitability
• Appurtenances: Sluice valves, check valves (reflux), air valves, drain/blow-off valves, scour valves, fire hydrants, and water meters (brief)
• Water supply in buildings:
• Terms – water main, service pipe, communication pipe, supply pipe, distribution pipe, air gap
• Layout for single and multi-storied buildings (as per IS code)
• Connection from water main to building (brief)

Sanitary Engineering

• Objects and necessity of sewerage works
• Definitions: Sewage, sewerage, sewer, refuse, garbage, sullage, etc.
• Systems of sewage disposal: Conservancy and water carriage systems
• Types of sewerage systems: Separate, combined, partially separate – suitability
• Quantity of sewage: Discharge, DWF, variability, limiting velocities
• Surface drainage requirements and shapes
• Sewer sections: Rectangular, circular, egg-shaped – merits and demerits
• Types of sewers: Stoneware, cast iron, cement concrete, precast, AC pipes

Sewer Appurtenances

• Location, function, and construction of: Manholes, drop manholes, catch basins, flush tanks, inverted siphons (brief)
• Pumping sewage: Necessity, location, and components of pumping station

Sewage Characteristics

• Sampling and strength of sewage
• Characteristics: Physical, chemical, biological
• Tests: Solids, oxygen demand, BOD, COD, pH, chlorides – significance

Sewage Treatment and Disposal

• Preliminary treatment: Screens, skimming tanks, grit chambers
• Primary treatment: Plain sedimentation
• Secondary treatment: Trickling filters, activated sludge process, secondary clarifier, sludge digestion, drying, and disposal
• Miscellaneous treatment: Septic tank, Imhoff tank (design of septic tank from given data)
• Disposal methods: Dilution, land disposal, oxidation ponds, ditches, aerated and anaerobic lagoons (brief)

Building Drainage and Sanitation

• Sanitary fittings: Traps, water closets, flushing cisterns, urinals, inspection chambers, anti-siphonage pipes
• Rural sanitation and sanitary latrines
• Bio-gas plants: Using cow dung, night soil, and agricultural waste – operational details (brief)
• Pollution Control Board: Functions related to monitoring and controlling air and water pollution

How to Download Kerala PSC Overseer Grade 1 Syllabus 2025 PDF

To download the Kerala PSC Overseer Grade 1 Syllabus from the official website, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Official Website: Open your browser and go to the official Kerala PSC website: https://www.keralapsc.gov.in.

2. Navigate to the Homepage: Once the page loads, look for the “Home” section or the homepage.

3. Go to the Downloads Section: On the homepage or the main menu, find and click on the “Downloads” tab.

4. Click on Syllabus: Under the Downloads section, you should see options for various materials. Click on “Syllabus” to access the syllabus page.

5. Select the Appropriate Syllabus: On the syllabus page, find and select the “Overseer Grade 1 Syllabus 2025” or the relevant syllabus link for the exam.

6. Download the PDF: Once the syllabus page opens, look for a download button or a link that will let you download the PDF file. Click on the link, and the PDF file should start downloading to your device.

7. Open and Save: After downloading, you can open the PDF and save it for reference during your preparation.