Before starting any examination, it is very important to understand the structure of the examination and its requirements. KAS is a state-wide competitive examination conducted by the Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC).

 

KAS (Kerala Administrative Service) is the civil service examination of Kerala. Most of the aspirants have started preparation for the preliminary examination as that is the primary stage qualifier.

 

The Kerala Public Service Commission is recruiting STREAM-1, STREAM-2, and STREAM-3 trainees through the Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) for the role of KAS Officer (Junior Time Scale).

 

Any Indian who graduated and the age (with upper age relaxation for some sections) between 21 and 35 is eligible for attending this highly competitive examination.

 

However, career experts suggest that, along with the prelims, the aspirants should start training for the mains as well. For securing top positions in the rank list, high scores in the main are important. When preparing for the rank list, the scores of the preliminary examination would not be taken into account.

 

The Syllabus is set by the PSC in such a way that the Mains exam would be a cakewalk for him/her if an aspirant prepares for the Preliminary Test with intellectual clarification and focuses on key issues along with studying the details needed for the Prelims.

 

The Vedhik IAS Academy focuses on delivering quality training for the aspirants who are looking for a bright career in the Kerala Administrative Services. Mains may not be easy as you think, even if you have cleared the prelims.

 

Vedhik IAS Academy is delivering online crash courses for strict training under the guidance of Dr. Alexander Jacob (IPS), former Director-General of Police, Kerala.

 

You may also like to read:

 

  • Complete Guide to UPSC Preparation
  • How to Prepare for IAS Effectively
  • How to Crack IAS in First Attempt

Let’s know more about the Trainer

 

One of the most efficient police officers in the Indian Police Service, Dr. Alexander Jacob was honoured by the President Scout award in 1972.

 

The other achievements include;

 

  • Best Probationer Award in 1983 from IPS Academy, Hyderabad.
  • Most Outstanding Young Person of Kerala by the Junior Chamber, Jaycees in 1989.
  • Most Outstanding Young Person of India was awarded by the Indian Junior Chamber Jaycees in 1990.

 

He was awarded the President’s Police Medal for exemplar service by the Honourable President of India on Republic day 2004.

 

His experience, dedication, and cunning attitudes of different circumstances made him achieve all these honours. As a mentor, he is always an asset and inspiration to the Vedhik IAS academy and our aspirants.

 

With the richness in knowledge and intense professional experience, he is the person who is absolutely apt for guiding the courses for the candidates.

 

Here is a guide on “how to start planning for the Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) Review” as we await the publication of the Kerala PSC notification for Gazetted Probationers. It is necessary to understand the nature of the test and the criteria before we proceed with the preparation portion.

 

All the knowledge discussed here must be kept in mind by candidates who plan to appear for the KAS examination.

First of all, let us look into the details of the KAS examination.

 

There are 4 streams of appointments in the Kerala Administrative service.

 

This include

 

1. Junior Time Scale

2. Senior Time Scale

3. Selection Grade Scale

4. Super Time Grade Scale

 

Age Limit:

 

For Direct Recruitment of KAS Officer (Junior Time Scale) Stream 1, the candidate must not have completed 32 years of age on 1st January of the year in which the application for appointment is invited. Age relaxation for reservations will be applicable.

Lower age limit: 21 years

Age Relaxation: 3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST

For Direct Stream II, the candidate must not complete an age limit of 40 years on 1st January of the year in which an appointment application is invited. Age relaxation for reservations will be applicable.

Educational Qualification (Common for all categories):

A Bachelor’s degree in any subject from a Govt. Recognized university.

 

Exam Scheme

 

The selection for KAS involves three stages

1. Preliminary Exam (Objective Type)

2. Main Exam (Description)

3. Interview

 

General Knowledge · Indian History
· Indian Geography
· Indian Economy
· The Constitution & Polity
· Everyday Science – Chemistry, Physics, Biology & Environment
· Computer & Cyber Law
· Facts about India
· Facts about Kerala
· Kerala History
· Kerala Economy
· Kerala Geography
· Kerala Renaissance
· Social Welfare Programmes
· Current Affairs
Mental Ability 1. Arithmetic
2. Test of Reasoning
3. General English
Malayalam (Regional Language) The below syllabus is the probable one, PSC is about to finalize it, more topics may be included in the current syllabus.

 

KAS Main Exam

 

KAS Main Exam will be descriptive in nature. There will be multiple papers for KAS. It is unlikely to have optional papers like the UPSC Civil Service Exam. The subjects expected in the Main Exam.

 

General Knowledge Descriptive
Current Affairs Descriptive
General Essay English
General Essay Malayalam

 

Report Writing, Precise, Translation etc. can also be expected.

 

KAS Interview

 

The final hurdle for KAS success is the Interview or Personality Test. The candidate’s aptitude for government service and his overall personality will be assessed.

The following points will be focused.

  • Candidates Power of Judgment
  • Independent Thinking Power
  • His Analytical Skill
  • Resourcefulness
  • Positive Thinking
  • Troubleshooting Skill

 

The interview will have a 20% weighting compared to the Main Exam mark.

 

The above-mentioned details are the basic structure of the KAS examination with all three stages. As we are focusing on the mains, let us look deep into it.

 

SL. No. SUBJECT PAPER DURATION MARKS
1. General Studies Paper-1 2 Hours 100
2. General Studies Paper-2 2 Hours 100
3. General Studies Paper 3 2 Hours 100

 

GENERAL STUDIES PAPER -I

 

Maximum Marks: 100

Duration: 2 Hours

(A) History (India and Kerala)

1) Ancient and Medieval Period:-

i. Salient features and major landmarks of ancient and medieval India

ii. Art, culture, literature and Architecture

iii. Major Dynasties, their administrative system, social, religious and economic conditions and prominent movements

2) Modern Period:-

i. Modern Indian History (from the 18th century up to the present) significant events, personalities and issues

ii. India – Struggle for independence

iii. Social and religious reform movements in the 19th and 20th century

iv. India after Independence, Post independent consolidation and reorganisation

v. Independent India and her neighbours.

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

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

(B) History of the World (from mid-18th century)

1. Industrial revolution

2. World wars

3. Redrawal of National boundaries

4. Colonisation and decolonisation,

5. Globalisation

6. Communism, Capitalism, Socialism – their forms and effects in society.

(C) Cultural Heritage of Kerala:

1. Cultural Heritage of Kerala Art Forms, literature, sculpture, architecture, salient features of society

2. Kerala Tribal culture, Pilgrimage, Tourist places, Folk Culture, Cinema, Theatre

3. History and evolution of the Malayalam language and literature.

 

GENERAL STUDIES PAPER -II

 

Maximum Marks: 100

Duration: 2 Hours

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

 

1. Indian Constitution and its salient features

2. 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

3. Constitutional Authorities – Powers, Functions and Responsibilities

4. Panchayati Raj, Public Policy and Governance, Impact of L.P.G on Governance

5. Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi-judicial bodies

6. Rights Issues (Human rights, Women’s rights, SC/ST rights, Child rights, etc.), Important Acts

7. India’s Foreign Policy, International Organisations, International Treaties and Forums, their structure and mandate

8. Judiciary in India – Structure and functions, important provisions relating to Emergency and Constitutional amendments, Judicial review, Public Interest Litigation, Land Revenue Laws

9. Fundamental rights, fundamental duties and Directive Principles

10. Principles of Administrative Law.

 

(B) Science and Technology

 

1. 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 Organizations in India promoting the integration of S&T and Innovation, their activities and contributions, Contribution of Prominent Indian Scientists.

2. 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.

3. Technology in Space and Defence: Evolution of the Indian Space Programme, ISRO – it’s activities and achievements, various Satellite Programmes – DRDO- vision, mission and activities.

4. 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.

5. 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.

 

(C) Current Issues in given topics

 

GENERAL STUDIES PAPER -III

 

Maximum Marks: 100

Duration: 2 Hours

(A) Economy and Planning

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Infrastructure in the 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.

5. 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.

6. 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, structure of Indian Banking and Non-Banking Financial Institutions and reforms, GST: Concept and Implications. Stock exchange and share market.

7. Trend, Composition, Structure and direction of India’s Foreign Trade. India’s Balance of payments situation in the post reforms period.

8. 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.

9. 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.

(B) Geography

1. 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, Air masses and Fronts, atmospheric disturbances. Oceans: Physical, Chemical and Biological characteristics, Hydrological Disasters, Marine and Continental Resources

2. Physical, Social, Economic Geography of the World, India and Kerala

3. Geophysical phenomena like Earthquake, Tsunami, Volcanoes, Cyclone, Flood, Landslides.

(C) Current Issues in Economy and Planning; Geography