Kerala Administrative Service - KAS Exam - Eligibility, Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Study tips
Here is everything you want to know about Kerala Administrative Service-KAS examination conducted by Kerala PSC. Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) is the civil service of Kerala. The officers for this post will be recruited by Kerala Public Service Commission through KAS examination. Like Indian Administrative Services, KAS is also very dynamic and powerful post. KAS in Kerala government has already commenced. This is the latest news (April 2023) for the upcoming KAS examination.
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| KAS Latest News April 2023 |
As per the latest news clippings on the month of April 2023, 54 vacancies have been reported for KAS based on the proceedings of Administrative Tribunal. Government of Kerala has informed the court that there are 54 vacancies in KAS at present. The General Administration department, Government of Kerala has informed that there is no plan to stop Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) examination. This information is a huge relief for the KAS aspirants. Stay tuned to this blog for more news updates and KAS exam notifications.
KAS came in to force from 1st January 2018 and the first exam notification for the same was published on 1st November 2019. (Useful link >> KAS Notification 01-11-2019 published by Kerala PSC). The Kerala Civil Service Executive Special Rules has been published under notification Government orders. - G.O.(P) No. 12-2017-P&ARD. As per the notification, extra ordinary gazette date 01.11.2019 & last date 04.12.2019, applications were invited in Kerala Administrative Service department under category number 186/2019 for stream 1, 187/2019 for stream 2 and 188/2019 for stream 3 for the post of KAS Officer (Junior Time Scale) trainee. KAS Preliminary exam 2020 was conducted on 22.02.2020. Kerala PSC had conducted KAS descriptive exam (KAS Mains) for those who qualified prelims. The final result for Stream 1, Stream 2 and Stream 3 were also published in 2021.
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The scheme of the examination are as follows:
Preliminary Examination: (Syllabus>>)
Mains Examination (Syllabus>>)
Presently, there are two ways a Kerala state government employee could be conferred IAS. Either he/she should be recruited after passing Deputy Collector examination or the person should be working with the revenue department in a clerical post for many years. However, both these cadres will take a considerable amount of time, smart work and luck (sometimes) to get a conferred IAS.
Preliminary Examination: (Syllabus>>)
- 2 papers having a total of 200 marks combined.
- Each paper is having a maximum mark of 100.
- Duration of each paper of exam is 1 Hour 30 Minutes.
- Medium of question will be in English except for regional language (Malayalam/Tamil/Kannada) testing questions.
- First paper (Part I) of the preliminary exam is General Studies Paper I (100 marks).
- Second paper (Part II) is General Studies Paper II & Language Proficiency which includes 50 marks GK Questions based on the syllabus, 30 marks for testing regional language (Malayalam/Tamil/Kannada), 20 marks for testing proficiency in English language.
- The exam is OMR type objective examination.
- Both Part I and Part II examinations was conducted on the same day.
- Date of exam was 22.02.2020 for all 3 streams.
- Candidates were required to submit their confirmation for writing this examination through one time registration profile on dates between 06/12/2019 to 25/12/2019.
- Candidates who successfully submitted their confirmation on or before 25/12/2019 were able to download the Admission Tickets through their One Time Registration Profile in the website www.keralapsc.gov.in from 07/02/2020.
- Qualification for the exam is degree level.
- This was just a qualifying paper and these marks are not counted for final selection.
- Aspirants qualifying prelims will be able to write mains exam.
KAS Prelims Question Paper - Paper 1 - Alpha Code A - Click here>>
KAS Prelims Question Paper - Paper 2 - Alpha Code A - Click here>>
KAS Prelims Final Answer Key by Kerala PSC - Paper 2 - Alpha Code A - Click here>>
- 3 papers having a total of 300 marks combined.
- Each paper will be having 100 marks.
- Each paper will be of duration 2 hours.
- The examination will be conducted in 2 days.
- Month of exam is tentatively decided as July 2020.
- Aspirants qualifying mains will be able to attend the interview/personality test.
KAS Mains Question Paper - Alpha Code
Interview (which is already over)
- The interview will be of 50 marks.
The rank is decided out of 350 marks including marks of mains examination and interview. For more details, please download the KAS Notification.
KAS Syllabus, Exam Pattern & Selection Process
Syllabus for Kerala Administrative Service preliminary exam are available in this link (KAS Prelims Syllabus). The government of Kerala has accepted the amendments in syllabus and pattern of examination. The syllabus, exam pattern and selection process of the exam was decided by the academic council of Kerala PSC. This syllabus has been published along with KAS exam notification on 01.11.2019. The abstract of the Kerala Administrative Examination syllabus are as follows.
General Studies I
A. History (India & Kerala)
- Ancient & Medieval Period
- Modern Period
- Kerala History (from 18th century)
B. History of the world (from mid 18th century)
C. Cultural Heritage of Kerala
D. Indian Constitution, Public Administration, Political System, Governance, Social Justice and International Relations.
E. Reasoning, Mental Ability & Simple Arithmetic
F. Geography
General Studies II
A. Economy and Planning
B. Science and Technology.
C. Current Events
D. Language Proficiency - English
E. Language Proficiency - (Malayalam/Kannada/Tamil)
The primary aim behind the concept of KAS is to indulge young and dynamic youngsters to be part of Kerala administration and decision-making so as to bring quality and efficiency to the service. Moreover, the recruitment of KAS officers will also fill the vacant posts and will be an efficient substitute for IAS officers.
Once you pass KAS examination, you will be posted as a Gazetted II officer (Junior Time Scale) in various departments of the Kerala government including public administration and finance department. There are 4 categories of KAS officers as mentioned in the synopsis given below. However, the freshers will join the service on the Junior Time Scale. Details of different categories of KAS officers and the qualifications required are mentioned in this article in subsequent sections.
Presently, there are two ways a Kerala state government employee could be conferred IAS. Either he/she should be recruited after passing Deputy Collector examination or the person should be working with the revenue department in a clerical post for many years. However, both these cadres will take a considerable amount of time, smart work and luck (sometimes) to get a conferred IAS.
Incidentally, the introduction of KAS will act as a fast feeder category to Indian Administrative Service in minimum possible time. Moreover, KAS has the capability to recruit roughly 3000 officers in various departments for a span of 10 years. The A-Z details of the much awaited KAS exam are as follows.
- KAS exam notification 01-11-2019.
- Syllabus of KAS preliminary examination 2020.
- KAS recruitment 2019-20 by Kerala PSC.
- Date of application for KAS exam 2019-20 - last date to apply was 04.12.2019
- Date of Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) Preliminary exam 2020 - 22.02.2020 (Saturday)
- KAS study materials - short notes (online study materials)
- How to prepare for KAS exam?
- KAS exam syllabus - Prelims and Mains
- Study tips to clear KAS exam.
- Kerala Civil Service Executive Special Rules
- KAS latest news
- Eligibility criteria for KAS exam - Educational qualification, age limit etc.
- KAS Online Application Form 2019-20 - Last date for submission is 04.12.2019.
- KAS exam pattern - Prelims, Mains & Interview
- The medium of language in KAS exam.
- Date of Issue of KAS Admit Card 2020
- Date of declaration of KAS results
- KAS - Mock tests - question papers, answer keys & expected cutoff marks.
- Latest Kerala PSC notifications about KAS
- List of Services in KAS
- Salary of a KAS officer
- The number of attempts permitted for KAS exam.
- Books for KAS exam
- Kerala Administrative Service Exam Rank File & Study Materials
- KAS toppers and success stories
- KAS coaching institutes in Kerala
- KAS Kerala online coaching
Eligibility Criteria - Method of Appointment & Qualification
There are 4 streams of appointment in Kerala Administrative service. This include
1. Junior Time Scale
2. Senior Time Scale .
3. Selection Grade Scale
4. Super Time Grade Scale
An officer joining the KAS shall start their career in the Junior Time Scale in the state service. The posts in the KAS shall be distributed between the above-mentioned time scales in 6:5:4:3 ratio. The number of posts at each level shall be determined by rounding off to the next lowest whole number. The employees in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) will not be treated in the category of Government employees and they have to apply in the stream 1 direct recruitment category.
Age Limit
For Direct Recruitment of KAS Officer (Junior Time Scale) Steam 1 - Must not have completed 32 years of age on 1st January of the year in which application for appointment is invited. Age relaxation for reservations will be applicable. As per the latest notification, candidates who have born in between 02.01.1987 and 01.01.1998 (both dates are included) are eligible to apply for this post.
Lower Age Limit: 21 yearsAge Relaxation: 3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST
For Direct Recruitment (From permanent employees. Employees on probation in any Government departments (PSU employees not included)) Stream 2 - Must not have completed 40 years of age on 1st January of the year in which application of appointment is invited. Age relaxation for reservations will be applicable. As per the latest notification, candidates who have born in between 02.01.1979 and 01.01.1998 (both dates are included) are eligible to apply for this post.
Lower Age Limit: 21 years
Age Relaxation: 3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST
By transfer appointment from candidates holding 1st gazetted posts in Government departments and equivalent posts in common categories must not have completed 50 years of age limit as on 1st January of the year in which application for appointment is invited.
For more details of age relaxations of differently abled candidates and ex-servicemen & general conditions regarding age relaxations, please refer page 2 of KAS notification 2019.
For more details of age relaxations of differently abled candidates and ex-servicemen & general conditions regarding age relaxations, please refer page 2 of KAS notification 2019.
Educational Qualification (Common for all category)
Must have obtained a Bachelor Degree (including professional course) in any subject from a University recognized by a University established by Government of Kerala or UGC or awarded by National Institutes established by the Government of India. Read more>>
Appointing Authority
The government of Kerala is the appointing authority.
List of services in KAS
Salary of KAS Officer
The government of Kerala is the appointing authority.
List of services in KAS
According to the Kerala Civil Service Executive Special Rules, KAS officers will be posted in 29 departments of Government of Kerala including Kerala Secretariat public administration & finance. Some of the important departments where KAS officers are posted are as follows; These are also the departments in Schedule-I of KAS Special Rule 2018.
- Administrative Secretariat
- Finance Secretariat
- Civil Supplies
- Commercial Taxes
- Commissionerate of Entrance Examinations
- Co-operative department
- Culture
- Industries and Commerce
- Labour
- State Lotteries
- National Employment Service
- National Savings
- Kerala State Audit
- Land Revenue
- Panchayats
- Registrations
- Sainik Welfare
- Social Justice
- State Insurance
- Stationery
- Kerala State land use board
- Rural development
- Scheduled Caste development
- Scheduled Tribe development
- Survey and land records
- Treasuries
- General Education
- Tourism
- Urban Affairs
- Common Categories (Administrative Officer, Administrative Assistant, Account Officer, Financial Assistant and posts earmarked for transfer appointment through KPSC in the cadre of Financial Assistant and listed in Schedule II of these rules)
Salary of KAS Officer
Pay scale of a KAS officer will be the highest scale of pay available for the post under a department they are getting selected. For example, if a Junior Time Scale officer is posted as Revenue Divisional officer in the Revenue Department, he will be getting the highest pay scale available for that post. (Read more>>)
KAS Results 2021
For getting the results of the first ever KAS examination, pls click on the link below.
1. Stream 1 - Rank 1 - Malini S - Marks (198.25/350)
2. Stream 2 - Rank 1 - Akhila Chacko - Marks (180.75/350)
3. Stream 3 - Rank 1 - Anoop Kumar V - Marks (151.25/350)
Why KAS?
KAS will introduce a special cadre for direct recruitment in some of the important Gazette II departments including Secretariat. 8 years of service in such cadres will be eligible for the post of IAS. Presently, the highest cadre in which Kerala PSC recruits is Deputy Collector and that was the means for conferring IAS indirectly. But the number of aspirants who promotes to IAS from Deputy Collector in Kerala is very less. This vacancy cannot be filled by all India quota also. Due to these reasons, almost 70 cadres are vacant in Kerala. This situation forces the civil servants in the service to handle more than one department and creates some inefficiency in the department. The introduction of KAS will be a solution to this problem. However, there were some issues by Secretariat employees for introducing KAS in departments in Secretariat and these are getting resolved nowadays.
Another advantage of KAS is, it will bring gazetted employees in Kerala Secretariat and the gazetted officers outside Secretariat under a common platform and will introduce a civil service which gives experiences inside and outside secretariat and will channel a stream of youngsters who are capable of changing the preface of Kerala government. This will mark an end to the heap of not processed files inside secretariat and common man will get his rights in a fast and efficient manner. KAS will build a cadre of public servants as a second line of managerial talent for Government for effective implementation of Government policies and programs
KAS can also be a dream comes true for most of the talented youths of Kerala. It can generate employment for a commendable number of dynamic youngsters who can bring changes to drive present administration to the top gear. It can bring talented and committed officers in Government Service and prepare them for senior level administrative and managerial positions in public service. Hardly 10 to 15 IAS aspirants of the state were getting qualified in the all India Civil Services examination. In this scenario, KAS can bring more aspirants to administrative services and offer them the dream job they cherish. There are likely to be 300 vacancies for KAS post in a year which is a commendable figure.
Why KAS is better than Deputy Collector post?
It is mainly because of the authority and power of the post. KAS will be more powerful post than deputy collector and is going to be the highest cadre one can be recruited in Kerala through Kerala PSC. Moreover, for KAS, the posting can be (possibility only) permanently in secretariat (Thiruvananthapuram) but for deputy collector, posting can be anywhere in Kerala. Also, KAS will be having a better chance and less time for conferring IAS compared to deputy collector. Moreover, a number of officers who were being promoted to IAS from Deputy Collector post is very less in Kerala. In this regard, KAS will become a fast feeder category to IAS through appointment by promotion from SCS (State Civil Service) officers and appointment by selection from Non-SCS officers superseding the existing rules in this regard.
KAS will introduce a special cadre for direct recruitment in some of the important Gazette II departments including Secretariat. 8 years of service in such cadres will be eligible for the post of IAS. Presently, the highest cadre in which Kerala PSC recruits is Deputy Collector and that was the means for conferring IAS indirectly. But the number of aspirants who promotes to IAS from Deputy Collector in Kerala is very less. This vacancy cannot be filled by all India quota also. Due to these reasons, almost 70 cadres are vacant in Kerala. This situation forces the civil servants in the service to handle more than one department and creates some inefficiency in the department. The introduction of KAS will be a solution to this problem. However, there were some issues by Secretariat employees for introducing KAS in departments in Secretariat and these are getting resolved nowadays.Another advantage of KAS is, it will bring gazetted employees in Kerala Secretariat and the gazetted officers outside Secretariat under a common platform and will introduce a civil service which gives experiences inside and outside secretariat and will channel a stream of youngsters who are capable of changing the preface of Kerala government. This will mark an end to the heap of not processed files inside secretariat and common man will get his rights in a fast and efficient manner. KAS will build a cadre of public servants as a second line of managerial talent for Government for effective implementation of Government policies and programs
KAS can also be a dream comes true for most of the talented youths of Kerala. It can generate employment for a commendable number of dynamic youngsters who can bring changes to drive present administration to the top gear. It can bring talented and committed officers in Government Service and prepare them for senior level administrative and managerial positions in public service. Hardly 10 to 15 IAS aspirants of the state were getting qualified in the all India Civil Services examination. In this scenario, KAS can bring more aspirants to administrative services and offer them the dream job they cherish. There are likely to be 300 vacancies for KAS post in a year which is a commendable figure.
Why KAS is better than Deputy Collector post?
It is mainly because of the authority and power of the post. KAS will be more powerful post than deputy collector and is going to be the highest cadre one can be recruited in Kerala through Kerala PSC. Moreover, for KAS, the posting can be (possibility only) permanently in secretariat (Thiruvananthapuram) but for deputy collector, posting can be anywhere in Kerala. Also, KAS will be having a better chance and less time for conferring IAS compared to deputy collector. Moreover, a number of officers who were being promoted to IAS from Deputy Collector post is very less in Kerala. In this regard, KAS will become a fast feeder category to IAS through appointment by promotion from SCS (State Civil Service) officers and appointment by selection from Non-SCS officers superseding the existing rules in this regard.
Why KAS is better than IAS? - Please follow the link - https://kastutor.blogspot.com/2022/02/comparisonofKASwith%20IAS.html
Friends, just hold on!
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