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🏛️ State PSCKerala Government✅ KAS 2025 Cycle Complete — Rank Lists Out

Kerala PSC KAS 2026 – Complete Preparation Guide

The Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) is conducted by the Kerala Public Service Commission (Kerala PSC) to recruit Group I state officers for posts such as Deputy Collector, DSP and Revenue Divisional Officer. KAS is notified in three streams — Stream 1 is open to any graduate (age 21–32), Streams 2 and 3 are for serving government employees. Selection is 3-stage: Prelims (200 marks, screening only) → Mains (300 marks) → Interview (50 marks), with the rank list built on 350 merit marks. Starting scale ₹77,200 – ₹1,40,500/month + DA, HRA & allowances.

KAS 2025 Vacancies
31
across 3 streams
Rank Lists
30 Jan 2026
(Published ✅)
Min. Qualification
Any Graduate
Any discipline
Starting Scale
₹77,200+/month
basic pay + DA/HRA
💡 Status Update — 26 August 2026

The KAS 2025 cycle is finished. 31 vacancies were notified on 7 March 2025 (Cat. 001–003/2025); Prelims were held on 14 June 2025, Mains on 17–18 October 2025 and interviews in January 2026. Kerala PSC published the final rank lists for all three streams with effect from 30 January 2026. No KAS notification for a 2026 cycle has been released. KAS is not an annual exam — watch the Notifications page on keralapsc.gov.in and keep your Thulasi (OTR) profile current so you can apply the moment it appears.

1Overview – What is Kerala PSC KAS 2026?

The Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) is governed by the Kerala Administrative Service Special Rules, 2018 and was set up as a dedicated state administrative service — Kerala's own equivalent of the IAS. The exam is conducted by Kerala Public Service Commission (Kerala PSC) and is among the toughest and most prestigious state-level exams in India.

KAS selects officers for 12+ Group I posts including Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Revenue Divisional Officer, and several allied services. Selected KAS officers have a defined path to senior district administration roles and, through seniority/empanelment, potential promotion to the IAS cadre.

The selection process has three stages: Preliminary Exam (objective, 2 papers × 100 = 200 marks), Main Exam (descriptive, 3 papers × 100 = 300 marks), and Personality Test / Interview (50 marks). Prelims marks are not carried forward — the rank list is built on Mains + Interview = 350 marks. Kerala domicile / nativity is required for reserved category benefits. Application is through the Thulasi portal using One Time Registration (OTR).

🏛️ Conducting Body
Kerala Public Service Commission (Kerala PSC)
📋 Exam Name
Kerala Administrative Service (KAS)
🎯 Post Level
Group I (Class I) – State Service
🪪 Nationality
Indian Citizen + Kerala Nativity (for reservation)
🎓 Qualification
Bachelor's Degree (any discipline)
📋 Age Limit
Stream 1: 21–32 yrs · Stream 2: 21–40 · Stream 3: max 50
📍 Posting
Throughout Kerala
🌐 Official Website
keralapsc.gov.in
💰 Pay Scale
₹77,200 – ₹1,40,500/month (Junior Time Scale) + DA/HRA

2KAS Important Dates 2026

EventDate / Status
1st KAS Cycle – Notification (Cat. 186–188/2019)1 November 2019
1st KAS Cycle – Preliminary Examination22 February 2020
1st KAS Cycle – Preliminary Result26 August 2020
1st KAS Cycle – Final Rank Lists Published2021
1st KAS Cycle – Advice / Appointment22 February 2022
🆕 KAS 2025 – Notification (Gazette 07/03/2025, Cat. 001–003/2025)7 March 2025
KAS 2025 – Online Application Last Date9 April 2025
KAS 2025 – Preliminary Exam (all 3 streams)14 June 2025
KAS 2025 – Provisional Eligibility List7 August 2025
KAS 2025 – Mains (Descriptive) Examination17–18 October 2025
KAS 2025 – Short List for InterviewDecember 2025
KAS 2025 – Interview / Personality TestJanuary 2026
✅ KAS 2025 – Final Rank Lists Published (3 streams)w.e.f. 30 January 2026
Next KAS Cycle – Notification⚠️ TBN ⚠️ (not announced as of 26 Aug 2026)
Next KAS Cycle – Prelims / Mains / Interview⚠️ TBN ⚠️
⚠️ TBN = To Be Notified. The KAS 2025 cycle is complete — rank lists for all three streams came into force on 30 January 2026. No KAS notification for a 2026 cycle has been released as of 26 August 2026, and Kerala PSC has not announced a date. KAS is not held every year. Monitor keralapsc.gov.in → Notifications for official updates.

3The Three KAS Streams — Which One Can You Apply For?

This is the most misunderstood thing about KAS. Kerala PSC does not issue one KAS notification — it issues three separate categories within the same recruitment, each with its own vacancies, eligibility, age limit and final rank list. All three streams sit the same Preliminary and Main examination papers. If you are not already a Kerala Government employee, Stream 1 is the only stream open to you.

StreamWho can applyAge limit2025 vacancies
Stream 1
Cat. 001/2025
Open / direct recruitment from the general public — any graduate may apply.21–32 years (born 02.01.1993 – 01.01.2004)11
Stream 2
Cat. 002/2025
Serving Kerala Government employees who are full members or approved probationers and are NOT First Gazetted officers or above in Schedule I departments (KAS Special Rules, 2018).21–40 years (born 02.01.1985 – 01.01.2004)10
Stream 3
Cat. 003/2025
Serving officers holding a First Gazetted post or above in Schedule I departments, and equivalent posts in the listed common categories.Must not have completed 50 years as on 01.01.202510
📌 Stream definitions follow Schedule I of the Kerala Administrative Service Special Rules, 2018. The vacancy counts shown are from the 2025 notification (31 in total) and are re-fixed for every cycle.

4Eligibility Criteria

🪪

Nationality & Domicile

  • Must be a citizen of India
  • Kerala nativity / domicile required for reserved category benefits (OBC, SC, ST age relaxations and reservation)
  • General category candidates without Kerala domicile can apply but must meet unreserved eligibility norms
🎓

Educational Qualification

  • Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognised university
  • No minimum percentage required — passing marks are sufficient
  • Final year students who complete their degree before the prescribed date may be eligible — check each notification
📋

Age Limit (General)

  • Stream 1 (open): 21–32 years
  • Stream 2 (govt employees): 21–40 years
  • Stream 3 (gazetted officers): must not have completed 50 years
  • SC / ST: +5 years
  • OBC (SEBC): +3 years (not +5)
  • Differently abled: up to +15 years (vision / hearing / speech), up to +10 years (orthopaedic)
  • Ex-Servicemen: service period + unemployment period, max +5 years
  • All relaxations are subject to an overall maximum age cap of 50 years. Exact birth-date ranges are fixed by each notification.
📝

Other Requirements

  • One Time Registration (OTR) on the Thulasi portal is mandatory before applying
  • No criminal convictions or pending cases under prescribed laws
  • Physical and medical fitness as per post-specific standards
  • Malayalam language proficiency is beneficial for Mains (Paper V) and Interview
  • No service limit — fresh graduates and serving employees both eligible

💡 Quick Eligibility Check: Use the TaiyarHo Eligibility Checker to instantly verify if you meet the basic age and qualification criteria for Kerala PSC KAS and other government exams.

5KAS Vacancies History

Recruitment CycleApprox. VacanciesPrelimsMains
KAS 2025 – Stream 1 (Cat. 001/2025)1114 Jun 202517–18 Oct 2025
KAS 2025 – Stream 2 (Cat. 002/2025)1014 Jun 202517–18 Oct 2025
KAS 2025 – Stream 3 (Cat. 003/2025)1014 Jun 202517–18 Oct 2025
KAS 2025 – TOTAL31CompletedCompleted
Next KAS cycleTBN ⚠️TBN ⚠️TBN ⚠️

KAS is relatively new — only 2 cycles have been conducted so far (2021 and 2025). The 2025 cycle was notified for 31 vacancies. Vacancy counts vary per cycle depending on service-wise requirements. The exact post-wise distribution is published with each official notification.

6KAS Exam Pattern 2026

Stage 1 – Preliminary Examination (Objective)

Qualifying stage | Negative marking: –⅓ (0.33) mark deducted per wrong answer | Duration: 90 minutes per paper | 2 papers | Total: 200 marks

SectionQuestionsMarks
Paper I – General Studies (History, Polity, Geography, Economy, Science)100100
Paper II – General Studies, Language Proficiency (Malayalam/Tamil/Kannada) & English100100
Total200200

Stage 2 – Main Examination (Descriptive)

Merit stage | 3 papers (descriptive) | Total: 300 marks

PaperSubjectMarksDuration
Paper IGeneral Studies I – History, Geography, Polity, Economy & Science1002 Hrs
Paper IIGeneral Studies II – Kerala Renaissance, Culture, Economy & Current Affairs1002 Hrs
Paper IIIGeneral English & Language Proficiency (Malayalam/Tamil/Kannada)1002 Hrs
InterviewPersonality Test / Viva Voce50
Grand Total (Mains + Interview)350

Stage 3 – Personality Test / Interview

Total Marks
50 marks
Assessed By
Kerala PSC Board Panel
Focus Areas
Administrative aptitude, situational responses, Kerala current affairs, district knowledge
📌 Merit marks: Mains 300 marks + Interview 50 marks = 350 marks total. Prelims marks are qualifying only and not counted in the final merit list.

7Detailed KAS Syllabus 2026

🏛️ History, Art & Culture (Prelims + Mains Paper I)
  • Indian History — Ancient, Medieval, Modern periods with freedom movement focus
  • Kerala History: Ancient kingdoms (Cheras, Ay dynasty), medieval period (Zamorin, Travancore, Cochin)
  • Kerala Renaissance: Sree Narayana Guru, Ayyankali, Chattampi Swamikal, Vaikunda Swamikal
  • Social reform movements: SNDP Yogam, NSS, caste-based reform movements in Kerala
  • Post-independence Kerala: Responsible Government 1947, State formation 1956, key milestones
  • Kerala Art & Culture: Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam (UNESCO), Theyyam, Ottamthullal
  • Kerala Literature: Major poets, novels — Kumaran Asan, Vallathol, Ulloor, G. Sankara Kurup
  • Kerala Temples, Monuments: Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thrissur Pooram, snake boat races
🌍 Geography, Environment & Natural Resources (Prelims + Mains Paper I)
  • Physical Geography of India: Climate zones, soil types, river systems, Western Ghats
  • Kerala Geography: Physiographic divisions — Highland, Midland, Lowland (Kuttanad)
  • Kerala Rivers: Periyar, Bharathapuzha, Pamba, Chaliyar, Kabani, Kallada
  • Western Ghats ecology: Biodiversity hotspot, Silent Valley, Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
  • Kerala Backwaters, Wetlands: Vembanad Lake, Ashtamudi, Ramsar sites
  • Natural disasters in Kerala: Floods (2018, 2019), landslides — management & policy response
  • Kerala Wildlife: Elephant reserves, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Parambikulam, Wayanad Sanctuary
  • Climate change & Kerala: Sea level rise, coastal erosion, monsoon pattern changes
🏛️ Indian & Kerala Polity & Administration (Mains Paper I & III)
  • Indian Constitution: Preamble, Fundamental Rights, DPSPs, Fundamental Duties, Amendments
  • Parliament: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Legislative process, Money Bills, Constitutional Bodies
  • Executive: President, PM, Union Cabinet — roles & constitutional provisions
  • Judiciary: Supreme Court, High Courts, Judicial Review, Public Interest Litigation (PIL)
  • Kerala Legislature: Unicameral Assembly, Speaker, CM, Cabinet, Legislative Council (abolished)
  • Kerala Panchayati Raj: Three-tier system, powers under Kerala Panchayat Raj Act 1994
  • Kerala Municipalities: Urban Local Bodies, Corporation elections, ward sabhas
  • Revenue Administration in Kerala: Land Reforms Act 1963, Land Tribunal, Survey & Resurvey
  • District Administration: Collector's role, Revenue Division, Taluks, Villages
  • Right to Information Act: Kerala SIC, transparency in public administration
💰 Economy & Development (Mains Paper I & III)
  • Indian Economy: National Income, GDP, Fiscal Policy, Monetary Policy (RBI)
  • Planning in India: NITI Aayog, SDGs, Budget components
  • Kerala Economy: High HDI model — health, education, welfare spending
  • Kerala's sectors: IT/ITES (Technopark, Infopark, Cyberpark), Fisheries, Tourism, Remittances
  • Kerala Budget highlights: Social sector expenditure, KIIFB infrastructure funding
  • Agriculture in Kerala: Spices, rubber, coconut, paddy (Kuttanad) — major challenges
  • Government welfare schemes: PM Kisan, MGNREGS, PMAY; Kerala Karshaka Kshemasena
  • KUDUMBASHREE Mission: Women self-help groups, poverty alleviation, microfinance in Kerala
  • Kerala Infrastructure: NH development, Smart City projects, Vizhinjam Port, K-Rail (SilverLine)
  • NRI remittances: Kerala's dependence on Gulf remittances, economic impact, COVID disruption
🔬 Science, Technology, Environment & Current Affairs (Mains Paper II)
  • Basic Physics, Chemistry, Biology — Class 10–12 NCERT level
  • Space & Defence: ISRO missions (Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan), DRDO, recent achievements
  • IT & Digital India: Aadhaar, Digital India, e-Governance, UMANG, DigiLocker
  • Health: National Health Mission, Ayushman Bharat, Kerala's health model
  • Kerala IT Policy: IT Mission, startup ecosystem, emerging technologies
  • Environment: Paris Agreement, COP summits, National Action Plan on Climate Change
  • Nuclear energy: KKNPP, India's nuclear doctrine, BARC
  • Current Affairs: Last 18–24 months — national, international + Kerala-specific events
  • Awards, appointments, important days, summits, books & authors
✍️ General English & Language Proficiency (Mains Paper III)
  • English Comprehension: Reading passages (social, cultural, administrative themes)
  • English Essay: Minimum 1,000–1,200 words on current affairs / governance topics
  • English Précis Writing: Condensing a passage to 1/3rd its original length
  • Letter/Application Writing: Official, semi-official formats
  • English Grammar: Tenses, active-passive, direct-indirect, error spotting, vocabulary
  • Malayalam Comprehension: Reading passages and summary
  • Malayalam Essay: Essays on Kerala society, culture, governance
  • Malayalam Letter Writing: Official & personal formats
  • Malayalam Grammar: Sandhi, Samasam, Vibhakti, sentence structures
  • Translation: Malayalam to English and English to Malayalam

8Services & Posts Recruited through KAS

State ServicePost(s) Allotted
Kerala Administrative ServiceDeputy Collector / District Officer
Kerala Police ServiceDeputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)
Kerala Commercial Tax ServiceDeputy Commercial Tax Officer
Kerala Treasury ServiceDeputy Director of Treasuries
Kerala Land Revenue ServiceRevenue Divisional Officer (RDO)
Kerala Industries ServiceAssistant Director (Industries)
Kerala Fisheries ServiceAssistant Director (Fisheries)
Kerala Registration ServiceDistrict Registrar
Kerala Civil Supplies ServiceDistrict Supply Officer
Kerala Minor Irrigation ServiceAssistant Engineer / Executive (Grade I)
Kerala Tourism ServiceAssistant Director (Tourism)
Kerala Cooperative ServiceDeputy Registrar (Cooperatives)

Post allotment depends on rank, vacancy availability, and candidate preference. The most sought-after posts are Deputy Collector (Kerala Administrative Service) and DSP (Kerala Police Service). Exact post-wise vacancies are listed in the official notification.

9Marks, Merit & Cut-offs

StageStructureMarksCounts towards rank?
Preliminary Examination2 objective papers × 100 marks200 marksScreening only — marks are NOT added to the final rank
Main (Descriptive) Examination3 descriptive papers × 100 marks (2 hours each)300 marksCounts towards the final rank list
Interview / Personality TestSingle board interview50 marksCounts towards the final rank list
FINAL MERITMains + Interview only350 marksThe rank list is prepared on this total
⚠️ On cut-offs: Kerala PSC has held only two full KAS cycles so far, and it does not publish KAS cut-offs as a simple category-wise table. There is therefore no reliable historical cut-off series for this exam. We deliberately do not print estimated cut-off numbers here — figures circulating elsewhere are projections, not official data. The authoritative documents are the short lists and rank lists on keralapsc.gov.in → Results. Candidates may also apply for a copy of their answer-script image and tabulation sheet within 15 days of a rank list being uploaded, on payment of the prescribed fee.

10Salary Structure & Career Growth

ComponentAmount / RateNotes
KAS Officer (Junior Time Scale) Trainee — joining scale₹77,200 – ₹1,40,500/monthThis is the scale printed on the official Kerala PSC notification, short list and rank list for Cat. 001–003/2025.
Dearness Allowance (Kerala State)35% of basic payRaised from 25% to 35% by G.O.(P) No. 27/2026/FIN dated 20 February 2026. Kerala State DA is set by the State Government and is separate from the Central Government DA rate.
House Rent AllowanceAs per Kerala Government slabsVaries with city class and basic pay, under Kerala Government pay orders.
Other allowancesTA, medical and post-specific allowancesAs admissible under Kerala Government rules for the post finally allotted.
💰 Starting basic pay for KAS Officer (Junior Time Scale): ₹77,200/month, rising to ₹1,40,500 within the same scale. This is the figure printed on the official Kerala PSC notification, short list and rank list for Cat. 001–003/2025. Kerala State DA (35% of basic since G.O.(P) No. 27/2026/FIN dated 20 February 2026), HRA, TA and other admissible allowances are paid on top.

⚠️ About the “12th Pay Revision”: Kerala announced a 12th Pay Revision Commission in the 2026–27 State Budget and it is being reconstituted. No revised KAS pay scale has been implemented, so ₹77,200 remains the current starting basic. Treat any “2026 revised” KAS salary quoted elsewhere as unconfirmed. Kerala State DA is set by the State Government and is not the same as the Central Government DA rate.

Career Progression Path

KAS Officer (Junior Time Scale) Trainee
Training gradeFirst 18 months
₹77,200 – ₹1,40,500
KAS Officer – Junior Time Scale (on probation)
Group I / Class I2 years on duty within 3 years
₹77,200 – ₹1,40,500
Deputy Collector / DSP / Revenue Divisional Officer
Group I – SeniorOn confirmation & posting
As per the post allotted
Additional District Collector / Deputy Secretary
Senior Time ScaleBy promotion & seniority
As per Kerala Govt scales
District Collector / Joint Secretary
Selection GradeBy promotion & seniority
As per Kerala Govt scales
IAS (State Civil Service promotion quota)
All-India ServiceSubject to UPSC selection & seniority
Central IAS pay matrix

11How to Apply for KAS 2026

1
Complete One Time Registration (OTR)

Visit thulasi.psc.kerala.gov.in and register with your basic personal, communication, and educational details. OTR is mandatory for all Kerala PSC exams. Keep your mobile number and email ID active — all future communications are sent here.

2
Watch for Official Notification

Monitor keralapsc.gov.in and the official Kerala PSC mobile app for the KAS 2025/2026 notification. The notification will mention post-wise vacancies, eligibility criteria, important dates, and exam cities.

3
Submit Online Application via Thulasi Portal

Log in to your OTR account at thulasi.psc.kerala.gov.in. Select "Apply Now" for the KAS notification. Verify your details, upload photograph and signature as per the specifications, and submit. Note down your application number.

4
Application Fee – No Fee Applicable

Kerala PSC charges NO application fee for any category — General, OBC (SEBC), SC, ST, or PwD candidates all apply free of charge. This is Kerala PSC's standard policy for all exams including KAS. Simply proceed to the next step after filling the form.

5
Give Online Confirmation & Download Admit Card

Before downloading the hall ticket, candidates MUST give Online Confirmation through their Thulasi (OTR) profile. Only candidates who complete this confirmation step will receive the Preliminary Exam admit card. The admit card is then available on the Thulasi portal 10–15 days before the exam. Download and print two copies. Carry a government photo ID (Aadhaar, Voter ID, or PAN) along with the admit card.

1212-Month KAS Study Plan

Month 1–2Kerala History, Renaissance & Culture

The Kerala PSC KAS is a state-centric exam — Kerala-specific content forms nearly 40% of both Prelims and Mains. Begin with Kerala Renaissance (Sree Narayana Guru, Ayyankali, Chattampi Swamikal), ancient & medieval Kerala history, and the social reform movements. Simultaneously study Kerala Art & Culture: Kathakali, Theyyam, Koodiyattam, literature (Kumaran Asan, Vallathol). These facts are directly tested in Prelims — one topic, one question.

Month 3–4Kerala Geography, Environment & Indian Polity

Map every river, wildlife sanctuary, backwater system, and physiographic zone of Kerala. The Western Ghats ecology, flood management (2018 lessons), and Kuttanad wetlands are recurring Mains topics. Simultaneously, complete M. Laxmikanth's Indian Polity — cover Constitution, Parliament, Executive, and Kerala-specific governance structures (Panchayat Raj Act 1994, District Administration). This forms the base for both Prelims and Mains Paper I.

Month 5–6Indian & Kerala Economy + Science & Technology

Study Kerala's unique economic model: KUDUMBASHREE, Kerala's HDI success, KIIFB, IT Parks (Technopark, Infopark), Gulf remittances impact, fisheries, and agriculture. For Indian Economy, use Ramesh Singh's textbook. Science & Technology (NCERT Class 10–12) can be covered in 3–4 weeks. Start reading one English or Malayalam newspaper daily for current affairs — build a running notes file specifically for Kerala developments.

Month 7–8Mains Writing Practice + Language Papers

Begin structured Mains answer writing for Papers I–III. KAS Mains rewards analytical, well-structured answers — not just fact-dumping. Practise one full essay per week in both English and Malayalam. For Paper III (General English & Language Proficiency), practise comprehension, précis and letter writing weekly. Those 100 marks are highly scoring for candidates who practise consistently from early on.

Month 9–10Full Mocks + Current Affairs Intensive

Take weekly full Prelims mocks and analyse every error. For Mains, do full paper simulations in 3-hour timed sessions. Current affairs for last 18–24 months needs thorough coverage — maintain a subject-wise consolidation (Kerala events, national policy, international developments). Focus especially on Kerala government schemes, budget announcements, and appointments — these appear consistently in both stages.

Month 11–12Revision, Essay & Interview Preparation

Use your short notes for rapid revision of all topics. Take 3–4 Prelims mocks per week in the final month. For Interview: prepare your biodata (hometown, college, hobbies) thoroughly — Kerala PSC Boards ask about your district's geography, history, administration, and development issues. Prepare for situational administrative questions: "What will you do as Deputy Collector if…?" Practise mock interviews with peers or a mentor.

Advertisement

13Best Books for KAS 2026

BookAuthorSubjectFind Book
Kerala PSC Degree Level GK (Malayalam/English)Mathrubhumi / Mangalam PublicationsKerala GK – Prelims
Indian PolityM. LaxmikanthPolityFind on Amazon
Indian EconomyRamesh SinghEconomyFind on Amazon
Certificate Physical & Human GeographyG.C. LeongGeographyFind on Amazon
NCERT History (Class 6–12)NCERTHistory
Kerala: Land, People & EconomyP.R. Gopinathan Nair / State PIBKerala Economy & Society
General Science (Class 9–12)NCERTScience & Technology
Objective General EnglishS.P. Bakshi (Arihant)English (Mains Paper III)Find on Amazon
KAS Previous Year Papers (Prelims & Mains)Poorna / Brain Tree PublicationsPractice Papers
Current Affairs Monthly (Kerala Focus)Yojna / Pratiyogita Darpan + Kerala PIBCurrent Affairs

Book links open a search on Amazon.in so you can find the title quickly. These are plain links — TaiyarHo.in does not earn any commission from purchases, and we are not paid to recommend any book.

14Free Resources for KAS Preparation

15Expert Tips for KAS 2026

🌴

Kerala Renaissance is the unique differentiator of KAS. Questions on Sree Narayana Guru, Ayyankali, Chattampi Swamikal, the Vaikom Satyagraha, and social reform movements appear directly in Prelims and as Mains essay topics. Do not skip this — aspirants from other state PSC backgrounds consistently underestimate this section.

📋

KAS Mains is 300 marks across 3 descriptive papers, plus a 50-mark Interview — 350 merit marks in total. Prelims marks are NOT added to this. Each Mains paper runs 2 hours, so practise structured answers of 200–250 words in 8–10 minutes; speed and structure both matter under time pressure.

🌊

Kerala Geography is non-negotiable. Map every river (Periyar, Pamba, Bharathapuzha), wildlife sanctuary, wetland (Vembanad, Ashtamudi), and district. The 2018 and 2019 Kerala floods, landslide management, and Western Ghats ecology are major Mains topics that also appear as current affairs questions. Make a Kerala geography map-sheet and revise it weekly.

✍️

Mains Paper III (General English & Language Proficiency) carries a full 100 of the 350 merit marks and is among the most scoring papers — yet most candidates under-prepare for it. Practise one essay and one précis every week from Month 1. Mains answers may be written in English, Malayalam, Tamil or Kannada.

🎯

KAS Prelims is 2 objective papers of 100 marks each (200 total) and carries negative marking — the exact deduction per wrong answer is stated in each notification, so read it before the exam and never guess blindly. Remember that Prelims is purely a screening stage: it decides who sits the Mains, but its marks are not added to your final rank.

📰

Kerala current affairs for the last 18–24 months is tested directly. Read The Hindu and Mathrubhumi daily, or use their digital summaries. Keep a running Kerala-specific events note: government schemes, budget announcements, appointments, sports achievements, cultural events. A 30-minute daily reading habit from Month 1 beats last-minute cramming completely.

🤝

The Personality Test carries 50 marks and focuses on administrative aptitude, situational responses, and knowledge of your home district. Kerala PSC Boards frequently ask: "What are the key development challenges in your district?", "How would you handle a flood relief operation as Deputy Collector?" Prepare district-specific knowledge and 4–5 governance scenario responses.

⏱️

KAS is a long cycle exam — from notification to final appointment typically takes 18–24 months. Use waiting periods between stages to prepare simultaneously for UPSC Prelims (65% syllabus overlap) or other Kerala PSC Group I exams. Never stop study between Prelims results and Mains announcement — use that window for Mains deep-dive preparation.

16FAQs – Kerala PSC KAS 2026

Has the Kerala PSC KAS 2026 notification been released?
No. As of 26 August 2026, Kerala PSC has NOT released a KAS notification for the 2026 cycle. The most recent KAS recruitment was notified on 7 March 2025 through the Extraordinary Gazette dated 07/03/2025 (Category Numbers 001/2025, 002/2025 and 003/2025), and that cycle is now fully complete — its final rank lists came into force on 30 January 2026. KAS is not an annual exam; it is notified only when the Government sanctions vacancies, so the gap between cycles has been several years. No date has been announced for the next cycle. Watch the Notifications page on keralapsc.gov.in and your Thulasi profile, and treat any “expected date” you see elsewhere as speculation.
What happened in the KAS 2025 cycle — is it over?
Yes, the KAS 2025 cycle is complete. Kerala PSC notified 31 vacancies on 7 March 2025 across three streams (Stream 1: 11, Stream 2: 10, Stream 3: 10). Applications closed on 9 April 2025. The Preliminary Examination was held on 14 June 2025 for all three streams, the Main (descriptive) Examination on 17 and 18 October 2025, and interviews in January 2026. Kerala PSC published the final rank lists for all three streams with effect from 30 January 2026 — Ranked List No. 71/2026/SS VII (Stream 1), 72/2026/SS IV (Stream 2) and 73/2026/SS VI (Stream 3). A Kerala PSC rank list is normally valid for one year from the date it comes into force, unless extended.
What are the three KAS streams and which one should I apply for?
KAS is notified as three separate categories in the same recruitment. Stream 1 is the open stream — any graduate from the general public may apply, with an age limit of 21–32 years. Stream 2 is reserved for serving Kerala Government employees who are full members or approved probationers and who are NOT First Gazetted officers or above in the Schedule I departments, with an age limit of 21–40 years. Stream 3 is for serving officers already holding a First Gazetted post or above in Schedule I departments and equivalent common-category posts, with an upper age limit of 50 years. If you are not already a Kerala Government employee, Stream 1 is the only stream open to you. Each stream has its own vacancies, its own short list and its own rank list, though all three sit the same Prelims and Mains papers.
What is the KAS exam pattern and how is the final rank calculated?
KAS has three stages. (1) Preliminary Examination: 2 objective papers of 100 marks each (200 marks total). Paper I is General Studies; Paper II covers General Studies together with Language Proficiency (Malayalam/Tamil/Kannada) and English. Negative marking applies — the exact deduction per wrong answer is specified in each notification. Prelims is a screening stage only. (2) Main Examination: 3 descriptive papers of 100 marks each (300 marks), 2 hours per paper. (3) Interview / Personality Test: 50 marks. Crucially, Prelims marks are NOT carried forward. The final rank list is prepared on Mains (300) plus Interview (50) = 350 marks only. Question papers are set in English with Malayalam translation, and Tamil and Kannada translations for linguistic minorities; answers may be written in English, Malayalam, Tamil or Kannada.
What is the age limit for Kerala PSC KAS?
The age limit depends on the stream. For the 2025 notification: Stream 1 was 21–32 years (candidates born between 02.01.1993 and 01.01.2004); Stream 2 was 21–40 years (born between 02.01.1985 and 01.01.2004); and Stream 3 candidates must not have completed 50 years as on 01.01.2025. Upper-age relaxations apply, subject to an overall maximum age cap of 50 years: SC/ST candidates get 5 years (this also covers SC candidates who converted to another religion); OBC (SEBC) candidates get 3 years — note this is 3, not 5; candidates with vision, hearing or speech disabilities get up to 15 years, and orthopaedically differently-abled candidates up to 10 years; Ex-Servicemen get relaxation equal to their period of defence service plus unemployment period, up to a maximum of 5 years. Exact birth-date ranges are recalculated for every notification, so always check the current one.
Is there an application fee for Kerala PSC KAS?
No. Kerala PSC does not charge an application fee for KAS, for any category. General, OBC (SEBC), SC, ST and differently-abled candidates all apply free of charge. You do need a completed One Time Registration (OTR) profile on the Thulasi portal at thulasi.psc.kerala.gov.in before you can apply, and you must give Online Confirmation through that profile before the admit card is issued — candidates who skip the confirmation step do not receive a hall ticket.
What is One Time Registration (OTR) for Kerala PSC?
OTR (One Time Registration) is the mandatory single registration used for every Kerala PSC exam, including KAS. You register once at thulasi.psc.kerala.gov.in with your personal, educational and communication details, then apply for individual notifications using that profile. Your OTR profile must be accurate and up to date before you apply for KAS — wrong or incomplete details can lead to rejection at the verification stage. OTR registration itself is free.
What posts are recruited through Kerala PSC KAS?
KAS recruits officers into the Kerala Administrative Service, from which they are allotted to Group I state service posts. Commonly cited destinations include Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Revenue Divisional Officer, Deputy Commercial Tax Officer, Deputy Director of Treasuries, Assistant Director in departments such as Industries, Fisheries and Tourism, District Registrar and District Supply Officer. Selected candidates are first appointed as KAS Officer (Junior Time Scale) Trainee and undergo about 18 months of training, followed by a probation of 2 years on duty within a continuous period of 3 years. The actual posts and their distribution depend on the vacancies reported in each cycle.
What is the salary of a KAS officer in Kerala?
The Kerala PSC notification, short list and rank list for the 2025 cycle all state the scale for KAS Officer (Junior Time Scale) Trainee as ₹77,200 – ₹1,40,500 per month. On top of basic pay, officers receive Dearness Allowance — Kerala State DA was raised from 25% to 35% by G.O.(P) No. 27/2026/FIN dated 20 February 2026 — plus House Rent Allowance, Travelling Allowance and other allowances admissible under Kerala Government rules. Note that Kerala State DA is decided by the State Government and is completely separate from the Central Government DA rate. Kerala announced a 12th Pay Revision Commission in the 2026–27 State Budget, but no revised KAS pay scale has been implemented, so ₹77,200 remains the current starting basic pay. Be cautious of sites quoting a “2026 revised” KAS scale — no such revision has taken effect.

🔄 Last Updated: 26 August 2026

Every figure on this page was re-checked against the official Kerala PSC gazette notification, short lists and rank lists on keralapsc.gov.in on 26 August 2026. TaiyarHo is an independent, free study resource and is not affiliated with Kerala PSC or any government body. Recruitment rules, vacancies and dates change without notice, and items marked TBN ⚠️ are genuinely unannounced — we do not publish guessed dates. Always confirm against the official notification before applying or paying any fee.Verify on keralapsc.gov.in

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