State PSC · Updated Oct 2026
Kerala PSC KAS (Kerala Administrative Service) (Kerala): syllabus, topic-wise weightage and study plan
Every topic of the Kerala PSC KAS (Kerala Administrative Service) (Kerala) syllabus with its weightage and a first-pass study time, so preparation follows where the marks are.
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Exam pattern at a glance
- Prelims: Papers
- 2
- Prelims: Questions
- about 100 per paper (1 mark each)
- Prelims: Marks
- 100 per paper (200 total)
- Prelims: Marking
- objective; Kerala PSC norm is 1/3 negative marking per wrong answer (re-check notification)
- Prelims: Duration
- 1 hour 30 minutes per paper
- Prelims: Paper2 parts General studies 2
- 50
- Prelims: Paper2 parts Language malayalam tamil or kannada
- 30
- Prelims: Paper2 parts English
- 20
- Prelims: Qualifying papers
- none; Prelims is screening only
- Prelims: Medium
- English with Malayalam/Tamil/Kannada translation; language parts in that language
- Prelims: Typical exam month
- 2025 cycle: 14 Jun 2025 (notification Mar 2025)
- Mains: Papers
- 3 descriptive General Studies papers (question-cum-answer booklet)
- Mains: Merit papers Gs1
- 100
- Mains: Merit papers Gs2
- 100
- Mains: Merit papers Gs3
- 100
- Mains: Qualifying papers
- none
- Mains: Written total
- 300
- Mains: Interview marks
- 45
- Mains: Grand total
- 345
- Mains: Duration
- 2 hours per paper
- Mains: Marking
- descriptive
- Mains: Medium
- answers in English or Malayalam/Tamil/Kannada
- Mains: Typical exam month
- 2025 cycle: 17-18 Oct 2025 (about 4 months after Prelims)
Check the latest notification before the exam. Official syllabus ↗
Chapter-wise weightage and study hours
Weightage is the chapter's share of past-paper questions, normalised within its subject; hours are a first pass without revision.
No reliable weightage exists for this exam's topics yet, so weights follow the official syllabus structure. Treat them as a planning aid.
Paper II part marks (50/30/20) are OFFICIAL (KAS notification 01-03/2025, para 12(a)). Paper I sections A-F and the split of Paper II Part 1 have no official marks: our estimates (*). Language part: candidates pick Malayalam, Tamil or Kannada. KAS has had only two cycles (2019-20 and 2025); no next notification seen as of Oct 2026.
Paper marks OFFICIAL (KAS notification 01-03/2025, para 12(a) and 12(c)); the 2025 notification reprints the 2020 Mains syllabus unchanged. No section marks are published, so each paper's 100 marks are split equally across its syllabus items (*). No optional subjects and no language paper in Mains; language is tested only in Prelims.
* Estimated weight: no reliable past-paper figure exists for this chapter, so the number is our estimate from the paper structure.
Prelims: Paper I: History of India, Kerala and the World; Kerala Heritage 123 h
| # | Chapter / topic | Weightage (% of subject) | Study hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ancient and medieval India: landmarks, art, culture, dynasties* | 18% | 25 |
| 2 | Modern India, freedom struggle, reform movements, post-independence* High | 22% | 30 |
| 3 | Kerala history from the 18th century: movements, formation of Kerala, landmark laws* | 16% | 20 |
| 4 | World history from mid-18th century: industrial revolution, world wars, decolonisation, ideologies* | 18% | 20 |
| 5 | Kerala cultural heritage: art forms, literature, architecture* | 11% | 12 |
| 6 | Kerala tribal and folk culture, pilgrimage, tourism, cinema, theatre* | 8.9% | 8 |
| 7 | Malayalam language and literature* | 6.7% | 8 |
| Total | 123 |
Prelims: Paper I: Constitution, Public Administration, Governance and International Relations 58 h
| # | Chapter / topic | Weightage (% of subject) | Study hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Constitution and salient features* | 10% | 8 |
| 2 | Union and States, legislatures, federal issues, devolution* | 10% | 8 |
| 3 | Constitutional authorities* | 10% | 5 |
| 4 | Panchayati Raj, public policy, LPG and governance* | 10% | 6 |
| 5 | Statutory, regulatory and quasi-judicial bodies* | 10% | 4 |
| 6 | Rights issues and important Acts* | 10% | 5 |
| 7 | Foreign policy, international organisations and treaties* | 10% | 6 |
| 8 | Judiciary, emergency, amendments, PIL, land revenue laws* | 10% | 6 |
| 9 | Fundamental Rights, Duties and DPSP* | 10% | 6 |
| 10 | Principles of administrative law* | 10% | 4 |
| Total | 58 |
Prelims: Paper I: Reasoning, Mental Ability and Simple Arithmetic 32 h
| # | Chapter / topic | Weightage (% of subject) | Study hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Logical reasoning, number series, coding-decoding* | 40% | 12 |
| 2 | Relations, shapes, Venn diagrams, clock, calendar, age* | 27% | 8 |
| 3 | Simple arithmetic* | 33% | 12 |
| Total | 32 |
Prelims: Paper I: Geography 39 h
| # | Chapter / topic | Weightage (% of subject) | Study hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General geography: earth, atmosphere, oceans* | 40% | 15 |
| 2 | Physical, social and economic geography of world, India and Kerala* | 40% | 18 |
| 3 | Geophysical phenomena: earthquakes, tsunami, cyclones, floods, landslides* | 20% | 6 |
| Total | 39 |
Prelims: Paper II Part 1: Economy, Science and Technology, Current Events 135 h
| # | Chapter / topic | Weightage (% of subject) | Study hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian economy: planning, sectors, NITI Aayog, reforms* | 6.0% | 10 |
| 2 | Agriculture, land reforms, food security; industry and infrastructure* | 8.0% | 12 |
| 3 | Population, poverty, unemployment, development indices* | 6.0% | 8 |
| 4 | Public finance, banking, GST, foreign trade, balance of payments* | 10% | 14 |
| 5 | Kerala economy: agriculture, industry, IT, cooperatives, Pravasi remittances* | 12% | 14 |
| 6 | Kerala model of development, land reforms, decentralised planning, health and education* | 8.0% | 12 |
| 7 | S&T: everyday science, public health, nutrition, institutions* | 8.0% | 10 |
| 8 | ICT, AI, robotics, cyber security; space and defence* | 8.0% | 10 |
| 9 | Energy, environment, Western Ghats, climate change, biotech, nanotech* High | 14% | 15 |
| 10 | Current events* High | 20% | 30 |
| Total | 135 |
Prelims: Paper II Part 2: Language Proficiency - Malayalam / Tamil / Kannada 34 h
| # | Chapter / topic | Weightage (% of subject) | Study hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Word and sentence correctness, grammar (gender, number, sandhi)* | 33% | 12 |
| 2 | Translation* | 17% | 6 |
| 3 | Vocabulary: one-word, synonyms, antonyms, idioms and proverbs* | 33% | 10 |
| 4 | Official-language vocabulary and comprehension* | 17% | 6 |
| Total | 34 |
Prelims: Paper II Part 3: Language Proficiency - English 20 h
| # | Chapter / topic | Weightage (% of subject) | Study hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grammar: tenses, voice, reported speech, concord, prepositions, question tags* | 60% | 12 |
| 2 | Vocabulary: synonyms, antonyms, idioms, phrasal verbs* | 40% | 8 |
| Total | 20 |
Mains: Paper I: General Studies I (History of India, Kerala and World; Kerala Cultural Heritage) 113 h
| # | Chapter / topic | Weightage (% of subject) | Study hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ancient and medieval India* | 14% | 20 |
| 2 | Modern India: freedom struggle, reform movements, post-independence, neighbours* | 14% | 25 |
| 3 | Kerala history from the 18th century: movements, state formation, legislation* | 14% | 20 |
| 4 | World history from mid-18th century* | 14% | 18 |
| 5 | Kerala cultural heritage: art forms, literature, sculpture, architecture* | 14% | 12 |
| 6 | Kerala tribal and folk culture, pilgrimage, tourism, cinema, theatre* | 14% | 8 |
| 7 | History and evolution of Malayalam language and literature* | 14% | 10 |
| Total | 113 |
Mains: Paper II: General Studies II (Constitution, Governance, IR; Science and Technology) 96 h
| # | Chapter / topic | Weightage (% of subject) | Study hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Constitution and salient features* | 6.2% | 6 |
| 2 | Union and States, legislatures, federalism, devolution to local level* | 6.2% | 8 |
| 3 | Constitutional authorities* | 6.2% | 4 |
| 4 | Panchayati Raj, public policy, LPG and governance* | 6.2% | 6 |
| 5 | Statutory, regulatory and quasi-judicial bodies* | 6.2% | 4 |
| 6 | Rights issues and important Acts* | 6.2% | 5 |
| 7 | Foreign policy, international organisations and treaties* | 6.2% | 6 |
| 8 | Judiciary, emergency, amendments, PIL, land revenue laws* | 6.2% | 6 |
| 9 | Fundamental Rights, Duties and DPSP* | 6.2% | 5 |
| 10 | Principles of administrative law* | 6.2% | 4 |
| 11 | S&T: everyday science, human body, public health, nutrition, institutions* | 6.2% | 8 |
| 12 | ICT, e-governance, cyber security, AI, robotics* | 6.2% | 6 |
| 13 | Space and defence technology* | 6.2% | 5 |
| 14 | Energy needs, resources, energy security and nuclear policy* | 6.2% | 5 |
| 15 | Environment, Western Ghats, climate change, disaster management, biotech, nanotech* | 6.2% | 8 |
| 16 | Current issues on these topics* | 6.2% | 10 |
| Total | 96 |
Mains: Paper III: General Studies III (Economy and Planning incl. Kerala; Geography) 95 h
| # | Chapter / topic | Weightage (% of subject) | Study hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian economy: pre-independence to post-reform, NITI Aayog, national income, plans* | 7.7% | 8 |
| 2 | Agriculture, land reforms, irrigation, food security, PDS* | 7.7% | 8 |
| 3 | Industrial policy, PSUs, SEZs, small-scale sector, liberalisation* | 7.7% | 6 |
| 4 | Infrastructure and social impact assessment* | 7.7% | 6 |
| 5 | Population, poverty, inequality, unemployment, development indices* | 7.7% | 6 |
| 6 | Public finance, budgeting, taxes, banking, GST, stock markets* | 7.7% | 8 |
| 7 | Foreign trade and balance of payments* | 7.7% | 5 |
| 8 | Kerala economy: agriculture, industry, services, cooperatives, IT, Pravasi remittances* | 7.7% | 10 |
| 9 | Kerala model of development, decentralised planning, Kerala Planning Board, health and education* | 7.7% | 10 |
| 10 | General geography: earth, atmosphere, oceans* | 7.7% | 6 |
| 11 | Physical, social and economic geography of world, India and Kerala* | 7.7% | 8 |
| 12 | Geophysical phenomena and hazards* | 7.7% | 4 |
| 13 | Current issues in economy, planning and geography* | 7.7% | 10 |
| Total | 95 |
A sample first week
A first week at 6 hours a day, built from the weightage above: each subject gets sessions in proportion to its marks, starting with its heaviest chapters, mixed so no day is one subject only. Your real plan in the app fits your own hours and exam date.
| Day | Session 1 (2 h) | Session 2 (2 h) | Session 3 (2 h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Prelims: Paper I: History of India, Kerala and the World; Kerala HeritageModern India, freedom struggle, reform movements, post-independence | Prelims: Paper I: Constitution, Public Administration, Governance and International RelationsStatutory, regulatory and quasi-judicial bodies | Prelims: Paper I: Reasoning, Mental Ability and Simple ArithmeticLogical reasoning, number series, coding-decoding |
| Tue | Prelims: Paper I: GeographyGeneral geography: earth, atmosphere, oceans | Prelims: Paper II Part 1: Economy, Science and Technology, Current EventsCurrent events | Prelims: Paper II Part 2: Language Proficiency - Malayalam / Tamil / KannadaVocabulary: one-word, synonyms, antonyms, idioms and proverbs |
| Wed | Prelims: Paper II Part 3: Language Proficiency - EnglishGrammar: tenses, voice, reported speech, concord, prepositions, question tags | Mains: Paper I: General Studies IKerala tribal and folk culture, pilgrimage, tourism, cinema, theatre | Mains: Paper II: General Studies IIConstitutional authorities |
| Thu | Mains: Paper III: General Studies IIIGeophysical phenomena and hazards | Prelims: Paper I: History of India, Kerala and the World; Kerala HeritageModern India, freedom struggle, reform movements, post-independence (contd.) | Prelims: Paper II Part 1: Economy, Science and Technology, Current EventsCurrent events (contd.) |
| Fri | Mains: Paper I: General Studies IKerala tribal and folk culture, pilgrimage, tourism, cinema, theatre (contd.) | Mains: Paper II: General Studies IIConstitutional authorities (contd.) | Mains: Paper III: General Studies IIIGeophysical phenomena and hazards (contd.) |
| Sat | Mains: Paper I: General Studies IKerala tribal and folk culture, pilgrimage, tourism, cinema, theatre (contd.) | Mains: Paper II: General Studies IIStatutory, regulatory and quasi-judicial bodies | Mains: Paper III: General Studies IIIForeign trade and balance of payments |
| Sun | Revise this week's chapters, take one timed mock or sectional test, and log the score. | ||
How Daily Tayyari plans your day
Pick your exam and date
Choose the exam (and GATE paper or UPSC optional) and your exam date. The full official syllabus loads with every chapter listed above.
Tell it your daily hours
Say how many hours you can study on weekdays and weekends. The plan only ever fills that time.
Get today's tasks
Each morning you see a short list of tasks: new chapters weighted by marks, plus practice and revision, sized to fit your day.
Spaced revision, automatically
Finished chapters come back after 1, 3, 7, 15, 30 and 60 days, and sooner if a chapter felt hard.
Green, yellow, red status
See whether you are on track, slightly behind or behind, and when the syllabus will be finished at your real pace.
Mock test tracking
Log scores from any test series. Chapters that went badly are marked weak and revised sooner.
Frequently asked questions
Which chapters carry the most weight in Kerala PSC?
Going by our compiled weightage, the heaviest chapters are Modern India, freedom struggle, reform movements, post-independence, Current events, Word and sentence correctness, grammar (gender, number, sandhi), Vocabulary: one-word, synonyms, antonyms, idioms and proverbs, Ancient and medieval India. They are worth starting early, but past papers vary from year to year, so plan to cover the whole syllabus.
Is this Kerala PSC weightage official?
No. Kerala Public Service Commission (Kerala PSC) publishes the syllabus, not chapter weightage. These numbers come from analyses of previous years' papers, so treat them as a guide to priority, not a promise of what will be asked.
How many hours does the Kerala PSC syllabus take?
Our first-pass estimate adds up to about 740 hours of study, before revision and mock tests. At 6 hours a day, 6 days a week, that is roughly 4.8 months. Daily Tayyari replaces these defaults with your actual pace after the first week or two.
Is Daily Tayyari free, and does it work in Hindi?
Yes. It is free with no ads and no payment; you sign in with Google only so your plan is saved. You can switch between Hindi and English at any time, and chapter names are shown in both.