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KPSC KAS 2026: Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Study Plan

India · 4 subjects · 38 topics · Updated 2026-04-06

The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) examination is a premier civil service examination conducted for recruitment to various Group A and Group B posts in the Karnataka state government. The KAS examination is considered one of the most competitive state-level civil service exams in India. It recruits candidates for administrative positions such as Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, District Collector, and various other posts in the Karnataka state government. The examination process includes a Preliminary examination, Main examination, and Interview.

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Verified 2026-04-24

Year: 2026
Subjects: 4
Topics: 38

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📋 Exam Pattern

The KPSC KAS Preliminary examination consists of two papers: Paper I (General Studies) with 200 questions carrying 200 marks, and Paper II (General Studies with Karnataka-specific topics) also with 200 questions carrying 200 marks. Both papers are objective (MCQ) type, each of 2 hours duration. The Main examination has six papers: Paper I (Kannada language), Paper II (English language), Paper III (General Studies I - Indian History, Geography, etc.), Paper IV (General Studies II - Indian Polity, Governance, etc.), Paper V (General Studies III - Economy, Science, Technology), and Paper VI (General Studies IV - Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude). Each paper is of 250 marks and 2.5 hours duration. The Interview carries 100 marks.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must be Indian citizens with a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university. The age limit is 21-35 years for general category candidates, with relaxations for SC/ST (up to 45 years), OBC (up to 38 years), and PwD candidates (up to 40 years). Candidates must have knowledge of the Kannada language. Candidates domiciled in Karnataka are given priority in certain categories. Government servants serving under the Karnataka government may also be eligible for appearing in the examination.

Subjects & Topics Covered — 38 topics across 4 subjects

History

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10 topics · Ancient Indian History· Medieval Indian History· Modern Indian History + more

Geography

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10 topics · Physical Geography of India· Rajasthan Geography· Indian Climate and Monsoon + more

Indian Polity

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10 topics · Making of the Constitution· Fundamental Rights and Duties· Directive Principles + more

Karnataka-Specific

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8 topics · Topic 1· Topic 2· Topic 3 + more

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Frequently Asked Questions — KPSC KAS

Everything you need to know about KPSC KAS. Scroll down for the complete study guide.

What is KPSC and how does it work?

KPSC (Karnataka Public Service Commission) conducts the Gazetted Probationers Examination (Group A & B) and the Departmental Examination for recruitment to civil services and administrative posts in the Karnataka state government. The KPSC Gazetted Probationers exam is one of the most competitive state-level exams in Karnataka — covering posts like Deputy Collector, Assistant Commissioner, Tahsildar, and other Group A/B gazetted posts. Karnataka degree holders or Karnataka domicile candidates get preference under the local candidate rules.

What is the KPSC exam pattern?

KPSC Gazetted Probationers (Group A & B) consists of two compulsory papers and one optional paper: Paper 1 — General Studies (200 marks, 2 hours, covering history, geography, economics, Karnataka polity, science, current affairs), Paper 2 — General Kannada (100 marks, 1.5 hours, language comprehension and grammar), and Paper 3 — English (100 marks, 1.5 hours). For Group C posts, KPSC conducts a Computer Based Test (CBT) with objective questions. The Preliminary exam acts as a screening test for the Mains exam. There is negative marking in both stages.

How does KPSC selection and counselling work?

For KPSC Gazetted Probationers, candidates who clear the Preliminary exam appear for Mains, followed by an interview. The final merit list combines Mains marks (typically 75%) and Interview marks (25%). Based on rank and preference, candidates are allocated to departments and districts. The Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) is the flagship service recruited through KPSC. After selection, probationers undergo training at the Karnataka Institute of State. KPSC also recruits for Group C and D posts through separate examination cycles with their own patterns.

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Exam Name	KPSC KAS
Country	🇮🇳 India
Subjects	History, Geography, Indian Polity, Karnataka-Specific
Total Topics	38
Official Source	https://example.com
Last Updated	2026-04-06