Table of Contents
The Kerala PSC Departmental Test is one of the few exams where the books themselves are the syllabus. Every paper is based on a named Code, Manual or Act. So when candidates search for the “best books” for the Departmental Test, the real question is: which prescribed book, which edition, and am I allowed to carry it into the hall? This guide gives you a test-wise list of the books for Kerala PSC Departmental Test 2026, explains the with-books and without-books rules, and shows how to choose the right edition.
Rules You Must Know Before Buying Any Book – Kerala PSC Departmental Test 2026
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Permitted books in with-books papers | Only government publications and amendments, and Acts and Rules published by the Government |
| Private publications | Commentaries, notes and guides are not allowed unless the time table notification specifically allows them |
| Judicial tests | Only bare Acts are allowed |
| Without-books papers | No book may be used. You must prepare from memory |
| Banned items in the exam campus | Mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, calculators and smart watches |
| New criminal laws | BNS 2023, BNSS 2023 and BSA 2023 replace the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act in the syllabus |
Always confirm the books rule for your own test in the latest Time Table and Syllabus PDF from www.keralapsc.gov.in.
How to Choose the Right Book and Edition –Kerala PSC Departmental Test 2026
1: Which Year First Assembly Election was held in Kerala?
- Take the title from the syllabus. Use the exact name given in the Time Table and Syllabus PDF, for example Kerala Service Rules, Kerala Financial Code Volumes I and II or Kerala Treasury Code Volumes I and II.
- Prefer the government-published edition. This is the safest choice for with-books papers.
- Buy the latest edition and collect all amendments. A Code with missing amendments can give you the wrong answer.
- Check the volume. Many Codes have separate volumes (I and II, or I, II and III). Papers name the volumes, so buy exactly those.
- Check for excluded chapters. Some syllabi exclude chapters (for example Account Test (Lower) Paper 3 excludes Chapters 12, 26, 27, 28 and 29 of Introduction to Indian Government Accounts and Audit, 5th edition).
- Use the books you will carry into the hall for your practice too. That way you learn their layout.
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Join Now!Best Books for Account Tests – KPSC Departmental Test 2026
Account Test (Lower)
| Paper | Book | Books allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kerala Service Rules | With books |
| 2 | Kerala Financial Code Volumes I and II; Kerala Budget Manual | With books |
| 3 | Kerala Account Code Volume I (with books); Introduction to Indian Government Accounts and Audit, 5th edition, except Chapters 12, 26, 27, 28 and 29 (without books) | Mixed |
| 4 | Kerala Treasury Code Volumes I and II; Kerala Account Code Volume II | With books |
Account Test (Lower) for KSEB Ministerial and Executive Staff
- Kerala Service Rules
- Kerala Financial Code Volumes I and II and Kerala Budget Manual
- A textbook covering Elements of Commercial Accounts and Book-keeping, including basic concepts of company accounts (excluding partnership accounts)
Account Test for Executive Officers
- 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)
- Kerala Financial Code Volumes I and II and Kerala Budget Manual
- 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 and KSEB Ltd
- Kerala PWD Account Code and Kerala Account Code Volume III (PWD)
- Kerala Financial Code and Budget Manual
- The three Part II books of the Account Test (Higher)
Best Books for Manual and Office Procedure Tests – KPSC Departmental Test 2026
| Test | Book | Books allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| Secretariat Manual Test | Kerala Secretariat Office Manual | As specified in the notification |
| District Office Manual Test | The District Office Manual | As specified in the notification |
| Manual of Office Procedure Test | Manual of Office Procedure for offices other than Secretariat | Without books |
| Test for Staff of Kerala PSC | Kerala PSC Office Manual | As specified in the notification |
| KSRTC Manual Test | KSRTC Manual | As specified in the notification |
| PWD Manual Test | Kerala PWD Manual and amendments | With books |
Best Books for the Divisional Accountants Test (Special Test) – KPSC Departmental Test 2026
Both written papers are without books.
- 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: Practical knowledge of PWD accounts and financial arrangements
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സർക്കാർ ജോലി എന്ന സ്വപ്നം ഇനി സ്വപ്നം മാത്രമല്ല! Join Entri's Kerala PSC Coaching Programs
Join Now!Best Books for KSEB Departmental Tests – Kerala PSC Departmental Test 2026
- 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 (ministerial staff only)
- Goods and Services Tax: CGST, Kerala SGST, IGST and GST (Compensation to States) Acts and rules (with books), plus Indian Contract Act 1872, Chapters II, IV and VI (without books)
Best Books for the Revenue Test (All With Books) – PSC Departmental Test 2026
- 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
- Kerala Government Land Assignment Act 1960, Kerala Land Conservancy Act 1957, Kerala Land Development Act 1964
- Kerala Land Reforms Act 1963, Kerala Land Tax Act 1961, Kerala Revenue Recovery Act 1964, Kerala Stamp Act 1959
- Land Revenue Manual Volume VI
The full list of Acts for each of the four papers is in our syllabus blog.
Best Books for Judicial and Law-based Tests – PSC Departmental Test 2026
For judicial tests, only bare Acts are allowed.
| Test | Books and Acts |
|---|---|
| Civil Judicial Test | Indian Civil Procedure Code; Kerala Civil Rules of Practice; Indian Limitation Act; Kerala Civil Courts Act; Kerala Court Fees and Suit Valuation Act; Kerala Stamp Act |
| Criminal Judicial Test | Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023; Criminal Rules of Practice Kerala 1982; Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 |
| Kerala Registration Test | Indian Registration Act, Kerala Registration Rules, Registration Manual and Circular Orders (Revised Registration Manual 2021); Kerala Stamp Act and Rules; Transfer of Property Act 1882; Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 and other listed Acts |
| Kerala State Probation Test | BNS 2023; BNSS 2023 (specified chapters); 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 | Abkari Acts and Rules; Prohibition Act; Medicinal and Toilet Preparations Act; NDPS Act 1985 and Rules; BNSS 2023, BSA 2023 and BNS 2023 |
| Forest Tests | Kerala Forest Act and Rules; Kerala Forest Code and Departmental Rules; Kerala Land Acquisition Act; BNS and BNSS (specified chapters) |
| Police and Jail Tests | Kerala Police Manual; Manual of Office Procedure; Kerala Prisons and Correctional Services (Management) Act 2010 and Rules 2014; Prisons Act and Rules |
Best Books for Panchayat, Municipal and Local Fund Audit Tests – PSC Departmental Test 2026
- Panchayat Test: Kerala Panchayat Raj Act 1994 and Rules; allied Acts such as the Registration of Births and Deaths Act 1969 and Local Fund Audit Act 1994; Acts, Rules and Government Orders on accounts, audit and public works for PRIs; the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments; RTI Act 2005 and other listed laws
- Kerala Municipal Tests: Kerala Service Rules; Kerala Financial Code, Budget Manual and Account Code; Kerala Municipalities Act and Rules; Municipal Corporation Act 1961 and other listed Acts
- Local Fund Audit Tests: Constitution of India; Municipal and Panchayat Acts; LFAD Act; Finances of Local Bodies and Principles of Local Fund Audit; Book-keeping and Accountancy
Best Books for Other Kerala PSC Departmental Tests 2026
| Test | Prescribed book |
|---|---|
| Kerala Co-operative Test | Elements of Banking; Co-operative Societies Act and Rules |
| Canal Rules Test | Canal Rules and Regulations, Travancore and Cochin |
| Agricultural Income-tax and Sales-tax Test | KGST Act, CST Act, GST; Agricultural Income-tax Act; Book-keeping and Accountancy |
| Labour Department Test | Plantation Labour Act, Minimum Wages Act, Industrial Disputes Act and other listed labour laws |
| Employment Exchange Procedure | 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 |
| Legal Metrology Test | Legal Metrology Act 2009 and 2011 Rules; Kerala Legal Metrology (Enforcement) Rules 2012 |
| Assistant Electrical Inspectors | Electricity Act 2003; CEA Safety Regulations 2010; Energy Conservation Act 2001; Kerala Electricity Supply Code 2014 |
| Kerala Port Department Test | Port Department Manual; Indian Ports Act 1908; Merchant Shipping Act 1958 |
| Housing Board Test | Housing Board Act 1971; Establishment Regulations 1977; Allotment Regulations |
| Head Load Workers Rules | Headload Workers Act 1978; Schemes of 1983, 1995 and 1999; Rules 1981 |
| SC Development Department Test | Handbook of the SC Development Department |
| Kerala Education Act and Rules Test | Kerala Education Act and Rules |
| Animal Husbandry Department Test | Animal Husbandry Department Manual |
Books for Language Tests – Kerala PSC Departmental Test 2026
Language tests do not depend on a single prescribed Code. Prepare with:
- Malayalam Language Test: Malayalam grammar and usage material, past comprehension and precis passages
- Second Class Language Test in Malayalam: Class VII level Tamil or Kannada prose passages for translation practice, and spoken Malayalam practice for the viva
- Minority Language Test (Tamil/Kannada): English to Tamil/Kannada and Tamil/Kannada to English translation practice
With-Books and Without-Books: Which Books to Annotate, Which to Memorize
| Paper type | What to do with the book |
|---|---|
| With books | Carry the permitted edition. Learn the layout and practise finding provisions fast |
| Without books | Do not rely on the book in the hall. Make one-page notes and memorise key points |
| Bare Acts only (judicial) | Carry only bare Acts. Do not carry commentaries |
Follow the markings and annotation rules given in your notification and hall ticket. If in doubt, ask the Kerala PSC office before the exam, and do not carry anything you are unsure about.
Common Mistakes While Buying Books – Kerala PSC Departmental Test 2026
- Buying an old edition without amendments.
- Buying only one volume when the syllabus names two or three.
- Using IPC, CrPC or Evidence Act books for papers that now follow BNS, BNSS and BSA.
- Carrying private guides into a with-books paper.
- Ignoring the excluded chapters list.
- Not checking whether a paper is with books or without books.
Use the Entri App Along with Your Books
Books give you the rules; practice gives you speed. Use the Entri app for practice questions, mock tests and updates on Kerala PSC Departmental Test notifications.
