Kerala Administrative Service (KAS)

How to prepare for KAS?

KAS Syllabus

Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) notified the syllabus of the Kerala Administrative Service Exam (KAS Exam). The exam pattern and syllabus are similar to that of IAS/IPS Exam (UPSC Civil Services Exam). However, there are notable changes too.

Kerala Administrative Services Exam Syllabus

The Kerala Administrative Service Exam will be conducted in 3-phases.

  • Phase 1: Preliminary Exam (objective and OMR based).
  • Phase 2: Main Exam (subjective written exam).
  • Phase 3: Interview (face-to-face interview).

PSC has released the KAS syllabus for both Prelims as well as Mains stage. There is much overlap as well. Start preparing as per the below syllabus notified by Kerala PSC.

KAS Prelims

There are 2 papers in KAS Prelims.

  1. General Studies Paper 1
  2. General Studies Paper 2

General Studies Paper 1 and General Studies Paper 2 will be out of 100 marks each. The time duration for each paper is 90 minutes. The marks obtained in the preliminary examination by the candidate will not be considered for the final ranking, but just for qualification into the Main Exam.

1. KAS Prelims General Studies Paper 1

This paper includes topics like (1) History (India and Kerala), (2) History of the world (from the mid-18th century), (3) Cultural Heritage of Kerala, (4) Indian Constitution, Public Administration, Political System, Governance, Social Justice and International Relations (5) Reasoning, Mental Ability & Simple Arithmetic, and (6) Geography

(1) History (India and Kerala)

Ancient and Medieval Period:-

  • Salient features and major landmarks of ancient and medieval India
  • Art, culture, literature and Architecture
  • Major Dynasties, their administrative system, social, religious and economic conditions prominent movements

Modern Period:-

  • Modern Indian History (from the 18th century up to the present) significant events, personalities and issues
  • India – Struggle for independence
  • Social and religious reform movements in the 19th and 20th century
  • India after Independence, Post independent consolidation and reorganisation
  • Independent India and her neighbours.

Kerala History (from 18th century):-

  • Pre-Independence socio-political movements. Formation of Kerala State, Political parties, movements, Governments, Landmark legislation and policies.

(2) History of the World (from mid 18thcentury)

  • Industrial revolution
  • World wars
  • Redraw of National boundaries
  • Colonialisation and decolonisation
  • Globalisation
  • Communism, Capitalism, Socialism – their forms and effects in society.

(3) Cultural Heritage of Kerala:

  • Cultural Heritage of Kerala Art Forms, literature, sculpture, architecture, salient features of society
  • Kerala Tribal culture, Pilgrimage, Tourist places, Folk Culture, Cinema, Theatre
  • History and revolution of Malayalam language and literature.

(4) Indian Constitution, Public Administration, Political System, Governance, Social Justice and International Relations

  • Indian Constitution and its salient features
  • Functions and Responsibilities of the Union and the States, Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, function, power and privileges.
  • Issues and challenges pertaining to Federal Structure – Devolution of Power and Finances up to local levels and challenges therein
  • Constitutional Authorities – Powers, Functions and Responsibilities
  • Panchayati Raj, Public Policy and Governance, Impact of L.P.G on Governance
  • Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi-judicial bodies
  • Rights Issues (Human rights, Women rights, SC/ST rights, Child rights, etc.) Important Acts
  • India’s Foreign Policy, International Organisations, International Treaties and Forums, their structure and mandate
  • Judiciary in India – Structure and functions, important provisions relating to Emergency and Constitutional amendments, Judicial review, Public Interest Litigation, Land Revenue Laws
  • Fundamental rights, fundamental duties and Directive Principles
  • Principles of Administrative Law.

(5) Reasoning, Mental Ability & Simple Arithmetic

  • Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability, Number series, Coding-Decoding, problems related to Relations, Shapes and their subsections, Venn Diagram, problems based on Clock, Calendar and Age, Simple Arithmetic.

(6) Geography

  • General Geography: Solar system, Motion of Earth, Concept of time, Seasons, Internal structure of the Earth, Major Landforms and their features. Atmosphere – Structure and Composition, elements and factors of Climate, Airmasses and Fronts, atmospheric disturbances. Oceans: Physical, Chemical and Biological characteristics, Hydrological Disasters, Marine and Continental Resources
  • Physical, Social, Economic Geography of World, India and Kerala
  • Geophysical phenomena like Earthquake, Tsunami, Volcanoes, Cyclone, Flood, Landslides.

2. KAS Prelims General Studies Paper 2

(1) Economy and Planning

  • Indian economy on the eve of independence. Indian economy in the post-reform period – new economic reforms, NITI Aayog, National Income and Per Capita Income, Sectoral Composition (Output and Employment) – Primary, Secondary and Tertiary. Development under different policy regimes (including Five Year Plans) – Goals, Constraints, Institutions and Policy framework.
  • Agriculture Sector, Land Reforms in India, Technological change in Agriculture – Major Crops and Cropping patterns in various parts of the Country, Irrigation, Pricing of agriculture inputs and outputs, Agricultural Finance Policy and Marketing, Issues in Food Security and Public Distribution System, Green Revolution, Policies for sustainable agriculture and organic farming.
  • Industrial Policy, Public Sector Enterprises and their performance, Growth and pattern of industrialization, Small-scale sector, Productivity in the industrial sector, SEZ and industrialization, foreign investment and competition policy, e-Commerce, Effects of liberalisation on the economy.
  • Infrastructure in Indian Economy, Meaning and importance of infrastructure – Water Supply and Sanitation- Energy and Power – Science and Technology – Rural and Urban Infrastructure, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, Telecommunication, Dams, Inland Waterways. Social Impact Assessment.
  • Trends and Patterns in the structure of the population over time – Growth rate, Gender Rural-Urban Migration, Literacy, Regional Structure and trends of Poverty and Inequality, Unemployment – trends, Structure and National Rural Employment policies. Indicators of development – Physical Quality of Life Index, Human Development Index, Human Poverty Index, Gender Development Index, National Happiness Index.
  • Indian Public Finance, Government Budgeting, Indian Tax System, Public Expenditure, Public Debt, Deficit and Subsidies in the Indian Economy. Centre-State financial relation. Recent fiscal and monetary policy issues and their impact, the structure of Indian Banking and NonBanking Financial Institutions and reforms, GST: Concept and Implications. Stock exchange and share market.
  • Trend, Composition, Structure and direction of India’s Foreign Trade. India’s Balance of payments situation in the post reforms period.
  • The economy of Kerala State-an overview, Population, Major agriculture, Industry, Service sector issues. Infrastructure and resources, Major Developmental Projects, Programmes and Schemes. Co-operative Sector. History and relevant policies in traditional industries, IT Sector, Pravasi and Foreign remittance.
  • Kerala model development – (Land reforms, Social security, devolution of Power, Decentralised Planning, Housing, Tourism, Women Empowerment, Social Welfare Schemes, Disaster Management. Role and Function of Kerala Planning Board, Achievements of Kerala in Health and Education Sector: Policies, Programmes, Initiatives and Impacts.

(2) Science and Technology

  • Science and Technology: Nature and scope of Science and Technology, Relevance of S&T, National policy on S&T and innovations, Basics of everyday science, Human body, Public Health and Community Medicine, Food and Nutrition, Health Care. Institutes and Organization in India promoting the integration of S&T and Innovation, their activities and contributions, Contribution of Prominent Indian Scientists.
  • ICT: Nature and Scope of ICT, ICT in day to day life, ICT and industry, ICT and Governance – various Government schemes promoting the use of ICT, e-Governance Programmes and Services, Netiquettes, Cyber Security concerns – National Cyber Crime Policy. MIS. Artificial Intelligence – benefits and impacts, Robotics.
  • Technology in Space and Defence: Evolution of Indian Space Programme, ISRO – it’s activities and achievements, various Satellite Programmes – DRDO-vision, mission and activities.
  • Energy requirement and efficiency: India’s existing energy needs and deficit, India’s energy resources and dependence, Renewable and Non-renewable energy resources, Energy Policy of India – Govt.Policies and Programmes, Energy Security and Nuclear Policy of India.
  • Environmental Science: Issues and concerns related to the environment, its legal aspects, policies and treaties for the protection of the environment at the National and the International level, Environment protection for sustainable development. Biodiversity – its importance and concerns, Climate change, International initiatives (Policies, Protocols) and India’s commitment, Western Ghats, Features, Characteristics and issues. Forest and wildlife – Legal framework for Forest and Wildlife Conservation in India. Environmental Hazards, Pollution, Carbon Emission, Global Warming. National action plans on climate change and Disaster Management. Developments in Biotechnology, Green Technology and Nanotechnology.

(3) Current Events

(4) Language Proficiency – English

  • Tenses
  • Synonyms
  • Phrasal Verbs
  • Antonyms
  • Error Correction
  • Adjectives
  • Adverbs
  • Reported Speech
  • Active Voice
  • Passive Voice
  • Auxiliary Verb
  • Question Tag
  • Degrees of Comparison
  • Punctuation
  • Idioms and Phrases
  • Simple Compound Complex Sentences
  • Connectives
  • Prepositional Verbs
  • Prepositions
  • Concord
  • Pronouns – 9 types
  • Word Order and Sentence Order.

(5a) Language Proficiency – Malayalam

  • പദശുദ്ധി
  • വാക്യശുദ്ധി
  • പരിഭാഷ
  • ഒറ്റപദം
  • പരയായം
  • വിപരീത പദം
  • ൈശൈലിക്ള്‍ പഴഞ്ചൊല്ഞ്ചാല്ലുക്ള്‍
  • സമാനപദം
  • േചേര്‍ത്തൊല്ത്തെഴുതുക്
  • സ്ത്രീലിംഗം പുല്ലിംഗം
  • വചേനം
  • പിരിൊല്ച്ചെഴുതല്‍
  • ഘടക് പദം (വാക്യം േചേര്‍ത്തൊല്ത്തെഴുതുക്)
  • ഭരണഭാഷയുമായി ബന്ധപ്പൊല്പ്പെട്ട് ഒരു ഖണ്ഡിക് നല്കി അതിൊല്ന ആധാരമാക്കി േചോദയങ്ങള്‍
  • ഔദ്യേദയാഗിക് ഭാഷാ പദാവലി, വിപുലനം, സംഗ്രഹം.

OR (5b) Language Proficiency – Kannada

1) Word Purity / Correct Word 2) Correct Sentence 3) Translation 4) One Word / Single Word / One Word Substitution 5) Synonyms 6) Antonyms 7) Idioms and Proverbs 8) Equivalent Word 9) Join the Word 10) Feminine Gender, Masculine Gender 11) Number 12) Sort and Write 13) Add Phrases 14) Comprehension

OR (5c) Language Proficiency – Tamil

1) Correct Word 2) Correct Structure of Sentence 3) Translation 4) Single Word 5) Synonyms 6) Antonyms / Opposite 7) Phrases and Proverbs 8) Equal Word 9) Join the Word 10) Gender Classification – Feminine, Masculine 11) Singular, Plural 12) Separate 13) Add Phrases 14) Comprehension

KAS Mains

There are 3 papers in KAS Main Exam.

  1. Paper 1
  2. Paper 2
  3. Paper 3

Paper 1, Paper 2, and Paper 3 will be out of 100 marks. The time duration for each paper is 120 minutes. Questions of the Main examination will be provided in English. Answers can be written either in English or in the official language ie. in Malayalam.

1. KAS Mains General Studies Paper 1

Maximum Marks:100
Duration:2 Hours

(1) History (India and Kerala)

1) Ancient and Medieval Period:-

  • Salient features and major landmarks of ancient and medieval India
  • Art, culture, literature and Architecture
  • Major Dynasties, their administrative system, social, religious and economic conditions prominent movements

2) Modern Period:-

  • Modern Indian History (from the 18th century up to the present) significant events, personalities and issues
  • India – Struggle for independence
  • Social and religious reform movements in the 19th and 20th century
  • India after Independence, Post independent consolidation and reorganisation (v) Independent India and her neighbours.

3) Kerala History (from 18th century):-

  • Pre-Independence socio-political movements. Formation of Kerala State, Political parties, movements, Governments, Landmark legislation and policies.

(2) History of the World (from mid 18th century)

  • Industrial revolution
  • World wars
  • Redraw of National boundaries
  • Colonialisation and decolonisation
  • Globalisation
  • Communism, Capitalism, Socialism – their forms and effects in society.

(3) Cultural Heritage of Kerala:

  • Cultural Heritage of Kerala Art Forms, literature, sculpture, architecture, salient features of society
  • Kerala Tribal culture, Pilgrimage, Tourist places, Folk Culture, Cinema, Theatre
  • History and revolution of Malayalam language and literature.

2. KAS Mains General Studies Paper 2

Maximum Marks:100
Duration:2 Hours

(1) Indian Constitution, Public Administration, Political System, Governance, Social Justice and International Relations

  • Indian Constitution and its salient features
  • Functions and Responsibilities of the Union and the States, Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, function, power and privileges. Issues and challenges pertaining to Federal Structure – Devolution of Power and Finances up to local levels and challenges therein
  • Constitutional Authorities – Powers, Functions and Responsibilities
  • Panchayati Raj, Public Policy and Governance, Impact of L.P.G on Governance
  • Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi-judicial bodies
  • Rights Issues (Human rights, Women rights, SC/ST rights, Child rights, etc.), Important Acts
  • India’s Foreign Policy, International Organisations, International Treaties and Forums, their structure and mandate.
  • Judiciary in India – Structure and functions, important provisions relating to Emergency and Constitutional amendments, Judicial review, Public Interest Litigation, Land Revenue Laws
  • Fundamental rights, fundamental duties and Directive Principles
  • Principles of Administrative Law.

(2) Science and Technology

  • Science and Technology: Nature and scope of Science and Technology, Relevance of S&T, National policy on S&T and innovations, Basics of everyday science, Human body, Public Health and Community Medicine, Food and Nutrition, Health Care. Institutes and Organization in India promoting the integration of S&T and Innovation, their activities and contributions, Contribution of Prominent Indian Scientists.
  • ICT: Nature and Scope of ICT, ICT in day to day life, ICT and industry, ICT and Governance – various Government schemes promoting use of ICT, e-Governance Programmes and Services, Netiquettes, Cyber Security concerns – National Cyber Crime Policy. MIS. Artificial Intelligence – benefits and impacts, Robotics.
  • Technology in Space and Defence: Evolution of Indian Space Programme, ISRO – it’s activities and achievements, various Satellite Programmes – DRDO-vision, mission and activities.
  • Energy requirement and efficiency: India’s existing energy needs and deficit, India’s energy resources and dependence, Renewable and Non-renewable energy resources, Energy Policy of India – Govt.Policies and Programmes, Energy Security and Nuclear Policy of
    India.
  • Environmental Science: Issues and concerns related to the environment, its legal aspects, policies and treaties for the protection of the environment at the National and the International level, Environment protection for sustainable development. Biodiversity – its importance and concerns, Climate change, International initiatives (Policies, Protocols) and India’s commitment, Western Ghats, Features, Characteristics and issues. Forest and wildlife – Legal framework for Forest and Wildlife Conservation in India. Environmental  Hazards, Pollution, Carbon Emission, Global Warming. National action plans on climate change and Disaster Management. Developments in Biotechnology, Green Technology and Nanotechnology.

(3) Current Issues in given topics

3. KAS Mains General Studies Paper 3

This paper covers (1) Economy and Planning (2)  Geography (3) Current Issues in Economy and Planning & Geography. Maximum Marks:100. Duration: 2 Hours.

(1) Economy and Planning

  • Indian economy on the eve of independence. Indian economy in the post-reform period – new economic reforms, NITI Aayog, National Income and Per Capita Income, Sectoral Composition (Output and Employment) – Primary, Secondary and Tertiary. Development under different policy regimes (including Five Year Plans) – Goals, Constraints, Institutions and Policy framework.
  • Agriculture Sector, Land Reforms in India, Technological change in Agriculture – Major Crops and Cropping patterns in various parts of the Country, Irrigation, Pricing of agriculture inputs and outputs, Agricultural Finance Policy and Marketing, Issues in Food Security and Public Distribution System, Green Revolution, Policies for sustainable agriculture and organic farming.
  • Industrial Policy, Public Sector Enterprises and their performance, Growth and pattern of industrialization, Small-scale sector, Productivity in the industrial sector, SEZ and industrialization, foreign investment and competition policy, e-Commerce, Effects of liberalisation on the economy.
  • Infrastructure in Indian Economy, Meaning and importance of infrastructure – Water Supply and Sanitation- Energy and Power – Science and Technology – Rural and Urban Infrastructure, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, Telecommunication, Dams, Inland Waterways. Social Impact Assessment.
  • Trends and Patterns in the structure of the population over time – Growth rate, Gender Rural-Urban Migration, Literacy, Regional Structure and trends of Poverty and Inequality, Unemployment – trends, Structure and National Rural Employment policies. Indicators of development – Physical Quality of Life Index, Human Development Index, Human Poverty Index, Gender Development Index, National Happiness Index.
  • Indian Public Finance, Government Budgeting, Indian Tax System, Public Expenditure, Public Debt, Deficit and Subsidies in the Indian
    Economy. Centre-State financial relation. Recent fiscal and monetary policy issues and their impact, the structure of Indian Banking and Non-Banking Financial Institutions and reforms, GST: Concept and Implications. Stock exchange and share market.
  • Trend, Composition, Structure and direction of India’s Foreign Trade. India’s Balance of payments situation in post reforms period.
  • The economy of Kerala State-an overview, Population, Major agriculture, Industry, Service sector issues. Infrastructure and resources, Major Developmental Projects, Programmes and Schemes. Co-operative Sector. History and relevant policies in traditional industries, IT Sector, Pravasi and Foreign remittance.
  • Kerala model development – (Land reforms, Social security, devolution of Power, Decentralised Planning, Housing, Tourism, Women Empowerment, Social Welfare Schemes, Disaster Management. Role and Function of Kerala Planning Board, Achievements of Kerala in Health and Education Sector: Policies, Programmes, Initiatives and Impacts.

(2) Geography

  • General Geography: Solar system, Motion of Earth, Concept of time, Seasons, Internal structure of the Earth, Major Landforms and their features. Atmosphere – Structure and Composition, elements and factors of Climate, Airmasses and Fronts, atmospheric disturbances. Oceans: Physical, Chemical and Biological characteristics, Hydrological Disasters, Marine and Continental Resources
  • Physical, Social, Economic Geography of World, India and Kerala
  • Geophysical phenomena like Earthquake, Tsunami, Volcanoes, Cyclone, Flood, Landslides.

(3) Current Issues in Economy and Planning & Geography

KAS Interview

A face to face interview to judge the mental calibre of the candidate. Questions will on matters of general interest. The interview will be out of 50 marks.

Note: You may also keep a note on the UPSC Civil Services Exam syllabus.

A KAS Probationer may need to pass the following tests once he gets into service

A probationer may within the prescribed period of probation, pass the following Tests if he has not already passed the tests.

  1. The Revenue Test
  2. The Criminal Judicial Test (A candidate who possesses a degree in Law shall not be required to pass the criminal Judicial test).
  3. Account Test (Lower)
  4. Survey Test (Higher)

How is KAS different from other Kerala PSC exams?

Kerala PSC exam questions in general (with exception of Deputy Collector exam), are factual. But KAS is going to be different. KAS exam will test your analytical abilities along with your factual memory.

Practising mock questions of UPSC Civil Services Exam Prelims and Mains will be the easiest way to get familiarised with the analytical questions.

How should you prepare for KAS?

It is important to start early, as the syllabus is vast. Well begun is half done.

Get the essential books. Take mock exams.

Use the resources provided on this website. All the best!