About KPSC
What is KPSC – KAS?
From ancient times, societies have been built upon three critical structures: Social, Political, and Economic. The evolution and stability of a society depends on its knowledge of the geography of its region and neighborhood, history of the past, spirit of inquiry among the people, and their ability to invent and innovate. A society’s response to natural and anthropogenic disasters, its inherent ability to protect itself from external attacks, and its skill in identifying internal troublemakers determine its survival and prowess. Above all, the ethical fundamentals, value orientation, attitudes, and morals of the governing class shape and determine the character of the society.
KPSC (Karnataka Public Service Commission) is a constitutional body that conducts the Karnataka Administrative Services (KAS) exam annually according to a schedule it prescribes. For any aspiring civil servant in Karnataka, it is crucial to understand the stages and patterns of the KAS exam.
Pursuing a career that offers stability, challenging and diverse tasks, remunerative incentives, and the opportunity to serve the state from top positions is a dream for many young Kannadigas. The KAS offers a unique career that encompasses all these elements. The dynamic nature of the exam and the service one becomes part of after successfully passing it makes it an inimitable choice.
The Karnataka Public Service Commission is the primary recruiting body of the state. It is constitutionally empowered to ensure that Karnataka gets the most deserving individuals to serve in various capacities. Hence, it has aptly designed the syllabus for the KAS exam, keeping in mind all the essential elements that contribute to a well-rounded and effective civil service.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nationality: Indian
- Age Limit: Typically 21 to 35 years (with age relaxation for reserved categories)
- Age Relaxation:
- 5years of relaxation for the Candidates belonging to SC/ST/ CAT-1 Category.
- 3 years of relaxation for the Candidates belonging to OBC Category.
- 10 years of relaxation for Physically Handicapped/ Widow Candidates.
Educational Qualification
- Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized board or university in order to apply for the exam.
- Students who are in the final year of their bachelor’s degree can also apply for the exam.
- Students who are in the final year of the degree, however, have to submit proof of passing the examination to sit for the KPSC KAS Mains exam.
KPSC 2024 Number of Attempts
| Category | Number Of Attempts |
|---|---|
|
General Category |
5 Attempts |
|
SC/ ST/ CAT-1 |
No Limit |
|
OBC |
7 Attempts |
Exam Stages
The KAS exam is conducted in three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
- Preliminary Exam
- Main Exam
- Interview
1. KPSC - KAS Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
KAS Prelims Exam Overview:
- Number of Papers: 2 (Paper 1 and Paper 2)
- Question Type: 100 Objective-Type Questions in each paper, each carrying 2 marks
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer
- Duration: 2 hours per paper
Paper 1 Syllabus: General Studies (National and International Importance)
1. Current Affairs:
- National and international issues of significance.
- Events related to government policies, societal issues, and significant happenings worldwide.
2. Humanities (60 Questions):
- Indian History: Emphasis on cultural, social, political, and economic aspects of Indian history with a special focus on Karnataka’s history.
- Indian National Movement: Key events, contributions, and impacts of the freedom struggle, with a focus on Karnataka’s involvement.
- Indian and World Geography: Physical, economic, and social geography, emphasizing Karnataka’s geography and its specific features.
- Polity and Indian Economy:
- Indian political system and constitution.
- Economic reforms, rural development, poverty alleviation, and social sector initiatives.
3. General Studies (National and International Importance) (40 Questions):
- Broad topics on national and international current affairs.
- Important government policies and international relations.
Paper 2 Syllabus: State Importance and General Aptitude
1. General Studies (State Importance) (40 Questions):
- Key current events and issues specific to Karnataka.
- State government schemes, regional developments, and social initiatives impacting Karnataka.
2. General Science, Technology, Environment, and Ecology (30 Questions):
- Basic understanding of general science and technology as expected from a well-educated person.
- Contemporary issues in biodiversity, climate change, and health that do not require specialization.
3. General Mental Ability (30 Questions):
- Basic Numeracy: 10th standard (SSLC) level arithmetic, number systems, fractions, percentages, ratios, etc.
- Data Interpretation: Charts, tables, graphs, and data sufficiency.
- Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability: Problem-solving skills, comprehension, and decision-making abilities.
Additional Key Points:
- The Mental Ability section will have questions at the SSLC level, while other sections are based on degree-level standards.
- Exam Strategy: Candidates should focus on Karnataka-centric topics for state-specific questions and regularly review current affairs, especially Karnataka’s governmental schemes and policy changes.
2. KPSC - KAS Mains Examination (Mains)
Structure
The Main Exam consists of written descriptive type papers.
Compulsory Papers
1. Paper-I: Kannada
- Total Marks: 150
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Syllabus:
- Comprehension
- Usage and Vocabulary
- Short Essay
- Translation from English to Kannada and vice versa
2. Paper-II: English
- Total Marks: 150
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Syllabus:
- Comprehension
- Usage and vocabulary
- Short Essay
- Translation from Kannada to English and vice versa
General Studies Papers
1. Paper-I: Essay
- Total Marks: 250
- Duration: 3 Hours
2. Paper-II: General Studies-I
- Total Marks: 250
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Syllabus:
- Historical Heritage and Culture
- Geographical Features and Natural Resources
- Indian Society and Dynamics
- Polity and Constitution
- Public Administration and Management
3. Paper-III: General Studies-II
- Total Marks: 250
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Syllabus:
- Current Events
- International Relations
- Developments in the field of Science and Technology
- Data Interpretation
- General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change
4. Paper-IV: General Studies-III
- Total Marks: 250
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Syllabus:
- Indian Economy
- Rural and Urban Development
- Social Justice
- Government Schemes and Programs
- Disaster Management
5. Paper-V: General Studies-IV
- Total Marks: 250
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Syllabus:
- Ethics and Human Interface
- Attitude
- Emotional Intelligence
- Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers
- Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration
- Probity in Governance
- Case Studies
Key Points
- The marks obtained in the Main Exam are considered for the final ranking.
- Each paper must be completed within the specified time limit of 3 hours.
3. KPSC - KAS Interview/Personality Test
- Total Marks: 25
- The interview assesses the candidate’s overall personality, including their intellectual capabilities, social traits, interest in current affairs, and suitability for a career in public service.
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