Asparents preparing for the KPSC KAS 2025 exam, should understand syllabus and exam pattern before preparing. The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) conducts the Karnataka Administrative Services (KAS) exam for recruitment of officers for various state government posts. In this article, we’ll see down the Prelims and Mains syllabus, exam pattern, and preparation tips to help you stay ahead.
Key Highlights 📌
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization Name | Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) |
| Exam Name | Karnataka Administrative Services (KAS) |
| Exam Levels | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| Prelims Papers | 2 (General Studies & CSAT) |
| Mains Papers | 7 (Essay, GS, Optional Subjects) |
| Total Marks | Prelims (400), Mains (1750) |
| Negative Marking | Yes (0.25 marks deduction) |
| Selection Process | Prelims → Mains → Interview |
| Official Website | kpsc.kar.nic.in |
Now, let’s dive deeper into the KPSC KAS syllabus 2025 for both Prelims and Mains.
Exam Pattern 📝
Before seeing into the syllabus, it’s important to understand the exam structure. The KPSC KAS exam is conducted in following three stages:
1. KPSC KAS Prelims Exam Pattern
The Preliminary exam is just a screening test—marks aren’t counted in the final merit.
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Studies | 120 | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper 2 | CSAT (Qualifying) | 120 | 200 | 2 Hours |
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
- CSAT Paper 2 is qualifying (minimum 35% required).
2. KPSC KAS Mains Exam Pattern
Only those who clear Prelims can appear for Mains. It consists of 7 papers:
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Essay | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 2 | General Studies 1 | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 3 | General Studies 2 | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 4 | General Studies 3 | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 5 | General Studies 4 | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 6 | Optional Subject 1 | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper 7 | Optional Subject 2 | 250 | 3 Hours |
- Total Marks: 1750
- Interview: 200 marks
Now, let’s explore the detailed syllabus for both stages.
Prelims Syllabus 📚
Paper 1: General Studies
This paper tests your knowledge of current affairs, history, geography, and more.
| Topic | Key Areas |
|---|---|
| History | Ancient, Medieval, Modern India, Karnataka History |
| Geography | Indian & World Geography, Karnataka Geography |
| Polity | Constitution, Panchayati Raj, Political System |
| Economy | Budget, Five-Year Plans, Karnataka Economy |
| Science & Tech | Space Tech, IT, Biotechnology |
| Environment | Climate Change, Biodiversity, Wildlife |
| Current Affairs | National & International Events |
Paper 2: CSAT (Qualifying)
This paper checks analytical and reasoning skills.
| Topic | Key Areas |
|---|---|
| Comprehension | Reading & Interpretation |
| Logical Reasoning | Puzzles, Syllogism, Analogy |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Basic Maths, Data Interpretation |
| Decision Making | Problem-Solving Skills |
Mains Syllabus 📖
The Mains exam is descriptive and tests in-depth knowledge. following is in details:
Paper 1: Essay
- You’ll write two essays (Kannada & English) on current issues, social topics, or governance.
Paper 2: General Studies 1
| Topic | Key Areas |
|---|---|
| History | Freedom Struggle, World History |
| Culture | Indian Heritage, Art Forms |
| Society | Demographics, Urbanization |
Paper 3: General Studies 2
| Topic | Key Areas |
|---|---|
| Polity | Constitution, Judiciary, Federalism |
| Governance | Policies, E-Governance |
| International Relations | India’s Foreign Policy |
Paper 4: General Studies 3
| Topic | Key Areas |
|---|---|
| Economy | Agriculture, Industry, Budget |
| Science & Tech | Space, IT, Nuclear Tech |
| Environment | Conservation, Pollution |
Paper 5: General Studies 4 (Ethics)
- Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude – Case studies on moral dilemmas.
Papers 6 & 7: Optional Subjects
You can choose two optional subjects from the list below:
| Optional Subjects |
|---|
| Agriculture |
| Public Administration |
| Political Science |
| Sociology |
| Kannada Literature |
Best Books for Preparation 📚
Here are some recommended books to cover the syllabus:
| Subject | Book Title | Author |
|---|---|---|
| History | India’s Struggle for Independence | Bipan Chandra |
| Polity | Indian Polity | Laxmikant |
| Geography | Certificate Physical & Human Geography | Goh Cheng Leong |
| Economy | Indian Economy | Ramesh Singh |
| Science & Tech | Science & Technology | TMH |
Preparation Tips 🎯
- Understand the Syllabus First – Stick to KPSC’s official syllabus.
- Focus on Current Affairs – Read newspapers daily.
- Practice Previous Papers – Helps with time management.
- Revise Regularly – Notes are key for last-minute prep.
- Mock Tests – Improve speed and accuracy.
Final Thoughts
The KPSC KAS 2025 exam is challenging, but with the right strategy, you can crack it. Focus on the syllabus, exam pattern, and smart preparation to maximize your score.
For more updates, keep checking the official website – kpsc.kar.nic.in.
Good luck with your preparation! 🚀