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Gazetted Probationer (KAS) 2026 Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026

Last updated: 5 June 2026

KPSC KAS has three stages. Prelims comprises two objective papers (400 marks total) used only for screening — marks are not counted in final merit. Mains has two qualifying language papers (Kannada & English) and five merit papers (Essay + GS I–IV, 1250 marks). Personality Test carries 25 marks. Grand total for merit = 1275 marks.

Board

KPSC

Vacancies

430

Qualification

Graduation (any discipline)

Exam Pattern

  • Prelims Paper I: General Studies (National/International, 40 Q) + Humanities (60 Q) = 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours
  • Prelims Paper II: General Studies (State, 40 Q) + General Science/Tech/Environment/Ecology (30 Q) + General Mental Ability (30 Q) = 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours
  • Negative marking: 0.25 marks (one-fourth) deducted per wrong answer in both prelims papers
  • Question papers set in Kannada and English; Mental Ability at SSLC (10th) standard, remaining at degree level
  • Prelims is screening only — marks not added to final merit
  • Mains Kannada & English: qualifying at 35% (52.5/150); marks not counted for ranking
  • Mains merit papers: descriptive, 3 hours each, answer in Kannada or English (except qualifying language papers)
  • Optional subject papers have been removed from KAS Mains syllabus
  • Final merit = Mains merit papers (1250) + Personality Test (25) = 1275 marks
Paper / Subject Questions Marks
Paper I — GS (National/International) 40 80
Paper I — Humanities 60 120
Paper I Total 100 200
Paper II — GS (State Importance) 40 80
Paper II — Science/Tech/Environment/Ecology 30 60
Paper II — General Mental Ability (SSLC level) 30 60
Paper II Total 100 200
Prelims Grand Total 200 400

Mains Exam Pattern

Paper Subject Format Marks
Qualifying Kannada Language (SSLC standard) Descriptive (Qualifying, 35%) 150
Qualifying English Language (SSLC standard) Descriptive (Qualifying, 35%) 150
Paper I Essay — 2 essays (national/international + state/local) Descriptive (Scoring) 250
Paper II GS I — History & Cultural Heritage, Social/Political Perspective, Indian Economy & Rural Dev Descriptive (Scoring) 250
Paper III GS II — Physical Features & Natural Resources, Constitution, Public Admin & IR Descriptive (Scoring) 250
Paper IV GS III — Science & Tech, Life/Agri/Health Sciences, Ecology & Environment Descriptive (Scoring) 250
Paper V GS IV — Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude (with case studies) Descriptive (Scoring) 250
Personality Test Interview Oral 25

Syllabus — Subject-wise Topics

Prelims Paper I — General Studies & Humanities (200 Marks)

  • Current Affairs — national and international importance
  • Indian History — cultural, social, political & economic aspects; special emphasis on Karnataka; Indian National Movement
  • Indian & World Geography — physical, social, economic; focus on Karnataka
  • Indian Polity & Economy — political system, economic reforms, rural development, poverty alleviation, social sector initiatives
  • Humanities — broad degree-level topics across history, culture, society and governance

Prelims Paper II — State GS, Science & Mental Ability (200 Marks)

  • General Studies (State Importance) — Karnataka history, geography, economy, governance & current affairs
  • General Science & Technology — broad understanding; contemporary developments & implications
  • Environment & Ecology — biodiversity, climate change, ecology, health (no subject specialisation required)
  • General Mental Ability (SSLC level) — basic numeracy, data interpretation, logical reasoning, analytical ability, comprehension

Mains Qualifying — Kannada & English (150 Marks Each)

  • Comprehension — 25 marks · Précis — 25 marks · Usage — 25 marks
  • Vocabulary — 25 marks · Short Essay — 25 marks · Communication Skills — 25 marks
  • Minimum 35% (52.5 marks) required in each — failure disqualifies from merit evaluation and interview
  • Standard: First Language Kannada / English at SSLC level

Mains Paper I — Essay (250 Marks)

  • Two essays of 125 marks each — write in Kannada or English
  • First essay: national or international issues
  • Second essay: state or local (Karnataka) issues
  • Practice structured essay writing on governance, development, environment and social issues

Mains Paper II — General Studies I (250 Marks)

  • Cultural Heritage & History of Karnataka and India — Kadambas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara, Modern Mysore, freedom movement, unification
  • Social & Political Perspective — social change, decentralisation, rural development, political system
  • Indian Economy — planning goals, rural development, data collection, analysis & interpretation; India & international economic relations

Mains Paper III — General Studies II (250 Marks)

  • Physical Features & Natural Resources — lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere; Karnataka physiographic divisions, urbanisation
  • Indian Constitution — nature, fundamental rights, distribution of legislative powers, amendments, welfare machinery
  • Public Administration & Management — union/state services, organisational behaviour, administrative reforms; UN & specialised agencies

Mains Paper IV — General Studies III (250 Marks)

  • Science & Technology — space tech, energy resources, IT in public domain, rural upliftment through S&T
  • Life Sciences, Agriculture, Health — sericulture, horticulture, biotechnology, animal husbandry, hygiene & health
  • Ecology & Environment — biodiversity, solid waste management, pollution, state-community-civil society interface

Mains Paper V — General Studies IV (250 Marks)

  • Ethics — determinants, essence, consequences; ethics in public administration
  • Integrity — accountability, ethical governance, RTI, public service concept, human values, impartiality
  • Aptitude — foundational values for civil service, emotional intelligence, contribution of social thinkers; case studies

Selection Process

  1. Preliminary Examination — Paper I & Paper II (100 MCQs each, 200 marks each, 400 marks total); screening only
  2. Main Examination — Qualifying: Kannada (150 marks) + English (150 marks), minimum 35% (52.5 marks) each
  3. Main Examination — Merit: Essay (250 marks) + General Studies I–IV (250 marks each) = 1250 marks
  4. Personality Test (Interview) — 25 marks; assesses mental capability, judgment, integrity & public service aptitude
  5. Document Verification & Medical Examination

Preparation Tips

  • KAS syllabus overlaps heavily with UPSC — use standard NCERT/reference books but add Karnataka-specific topics (history, geography, economy, schemes).
  • Prelims Paper II has 40 Karnataka GS questions — prepare Kadambas–Hoysalas, Vijayanagara, Mysore rulers, unification movement and state current affairs.
  • Mental Ability is SSLC level — practice data interpretation, logical reasoning and basic numeracy from previous KPSC prelims papers.
  • Mains requires answer writing — join a test series for 250-mark GS papers; optional papers are no longer part of the exam.
  • Qualifying Kannada & English at 35% is mandatory — do not neglect language papers even though they are not counted in merit.
  • GS IV ethics paper includes case studies — prepare frameworks for integrity, RTI, accountability and public service dilemmas.

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