Syllabus for the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) exam
Achievers Team
Syllabus for the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) exam
The syllabus for the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) exam is vast and comprehensive, covering a wide range of subjects designed to test a candidate’s knowledge, analytical ability, and general aptitude. The KAS exam consists of three stages: Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Personality Test (Interview). Each stage has its specific syllabus, which we will explore in detail below.
KAS Preliminary Exam Syllabus:
The Preliminary Exam is an objective-type test consisting of two papers. The Prelims is primarily a screening test, and its marks are not counted in the final selection process. However, it is crucial to clear this stage to proceed to the Main Exam.
Paper 1: General Studies
- Current Affairs:
- National and International importance
- State, National, and International organizations and institutions
- Indian History and National Movement:
- Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian history
- Significant historical events and the role of Karnataka in the Indian freedom struggle
- Indian and World Geography:
- Physical, Social, and Economic Geography of India and the World
- Geographical features of Karnataka
- Indian Polity and Governance:
- Indian Constitution
- Political system
- Panchayati Raj and Public Policy
- Rights issues
- Economic and Social Development:
- Sustainable Development
- Poverty and Inclusion
- Demographics and Social Sector Initiatives
- Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change
- General Science & Technology:
- Developments in science and technology
- Biotechnology
- Space and IT advancements
- Karnataka-specific scientific developments
Paper 2: General Aptitude
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal Skills and Communication Skills
- Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
- Decision Making and Problem Solving
- General Mental Ability
- Basic Numeracy:
- Numbers and their relations
- Orders of magnitude
- Data interpretation
- Graphs, tables, charts
- English Language Comprehension:
- Basic English comprehension skills
KAS Main Exam Syllabus:
The Main Exam is descriptive in nature, and the marks obtained in this stage are crucial for determining the final merit. The syllabus for the Main Exam is more detailed and comprehensive. It consists of 9 papers, out of which two are qualifying in nature, and seven are counted for merit.
Qualifying Papers:
1. Kannada (Qualifying Paper):
o Comprehension
o Usage of words
o Vocabulary
o Translation from English to Kannada
o Essay writing in Kannada
o Grammar and usage of the Kannada language
2. English (Qualifying Paper):
o Comprehension
o Vocabulary
o Précis writing
o Usage of words
o Essay writing
o Grammar
Papers Counted for Merit:
1. Paper 1: Essay
o Candidates will be required to write two essays on topics related to the following:
§ Current events and socio-political issues
§ National and international concerns
§ Topics of historical and cultural significance
§ Developmental and economic topics
§ Environmental and technological advancements
o Essays are aimed at testing the ability to express ideas concisely, coherently, and effectively.
2. Paper 2: General Studies 1
o Indian History and Culture:
§ Prehistoric period to the Modern age
§ Karnataka’s contribution to Indian culture and freedom struggle
o Modern Indian History:
§ Significant events, personalities, and issues from the middle of the 18th century
o World History:
§ Events from the 18th century, including Industrial Revolution, World Wars, redrawing of national boundaries, colonization, and decolonization
o Geography of India and Karnataka:
§ Physical geography of India and Karnataka
§ Distribution of natural resources
§ Economic geography and the geography of Karnataka
o Indian Society:
§ Diversity in Indian society
§ Role of women and women’s issues
§ Poverty, urbanization, and social empowerment
3. Paper 3: General Studies 2
o Indian Constitution and Polity:
§ Features, amendments, and evolution of the Indian Constitution
§ Functions and responsibilities of Union and State Governments
§ Separation of powers, Parliament, and the Judiciary
§ Government policies and intervention for development
o Governance:
§ Public administration
§ Role of civil services in a democracy
§ Issues related to transparency and accountability in governance
o Social Justice and Welfare Schemes:
§ Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population
§ Mechanisms for the protection of vulnerable groups
o International Relations:
§ India and its neighbors
§ Bilateral and multilateral agreements involving India
§ International institutions and their roles
o Current Affairs related to polity and governance
4. Paper 4: General Studies 3
o Indian Economy:
§ Indian economy post-independence
§ Planning, resource mobilization, growth, development, and employment
§ Inclusive growth and issues related to it
§ Government budgeting and reforms
§ Public distribution systems
§ Subsidies and their implications
o Agriculture and Rural Development:
§ Farm subsidies, minimum support prices, agricultural marketing
§ Food security and public distribution systems
o Science and Technology:
§ Developments in science and technology, IT, space
§ Biotechnology and issues related to intellectual property rights
o Environmental Issues:
§ Conservation, environmental pollution, and degradation
§ Climate change and biodiversity conservation
o Disaster Management
o Internal Security:
§ Challenges to internal security through communication networks, terrorism, and cyber-security
5. Paper 5: General Studies 4
o Ethics and Integrity:
§ Ethics and human interface
§ Attitude, aptitude, emotional intelligence, and their significance
§ Foundational values of civil services
o Public and Civil Service Values:
§ Probity in governance
§ Issues of corruption
§ Case studies on ethics in public administration
o Ethical Concerns in Governance and Accountability
§ Strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance
§ Conflict of interest and transparency
o Philosophers and Thinkers:
§ Contributions of great philosophers, social reformers, and administrators
6. Paper 6: Optional Subject – Paper 1
o Candidates must select one optional subject from the prescribed list.
o The subject will have two papers, each carrying 250 marks.
7. Paper 7: Optional Subject – Paper 2
o The second paper of the optional subject will focus on more advanced topics related to the chosen field.
List of Optional Subjects:
- Agriculture
- Anthropology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Commerce and Accountancy
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Geography
- Geology
- History
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Science
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science & International Relations
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Zoology
Personality Test (Interview):
The Personality Test is the final stage of the KAS selection process. The interview panel will assess the following areas:
- General Awareness: Current affairs, issues of national and international importance.
- Decision-making skills: Administrative capabilities, problem-solving abilities.
- Personality traits: Leadership, communication skills, emotional intelligence.
- Ethics and integrity: Moral and ethical values in governance.
The interview carries 200 marks and is aimed at testing the candidate's overall suitability for a career in civil services.
Summary of KAS Exam Syllabus:
- Preliminary Exam: Focuses on general studies and aptitude (two objective papers).
- Main Exam: In-depth knowledge of general studies, ethics, optional subjects, and essay writing (9 papers in total).
- Personality Test: Focuses on assessing a candidate's personality, problem-solving ability, and suitability for public service.
The KAS syllabus is vast, and candidates must prepare comprehensively, keeping in mind the different aspects of the exam, such as current affairs, detailed knowledge of subjects, and strong analytical skills.
