The Karnataka Public Service Commission will soon release the KPSC KAS exam syllabus for 2025-26 on the official website.
Candidates eyeing this recruitment drive should check the KPSC KAS syllabus PDF to plan their strategy smartly. It will help them understand topics that need to be covered in their preparation.
Typically, the KPSC exam syllabus consists of two parts, i.e. Prelims & Mains. The KAS prelims syllabus PDF comprises two papers, while the KPSC KAS Mains syllabus consists of two qualifying papers, an essay, and 4 GS compulsory papers.
Understanding the KPSC syllabus of both stages is crucial. It helps you focus only on the relevant topics. Continue reading to get complete details of the KPSC KAS exam syllabus for 2025-26 on this page.
KPSC KAS Exam Syllabus 2026
The Karnataka Public Service Commission invites applications for the recruitment of various Gazetted Group A & Group B posts. It includes posts like Assistant Commissioner, Assistant Director Treasury, Commercial Tax Officer, Labor Officer, Assistant Superintendent, etc.
The selection process for this post includes three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test. That’s why it is important to check the KPSC KAS syllabus 2025 PDF before commencing your preparation.
To help, we have shared below the expected KPSC KAS exam syllabus and pattern 2026 based on the previous year’s notification.
KPSC KAS Syllabus 2025-26 Overview
Knowing all the aspects of the KPSC KAS exam syllabus can help you master all the exam-relevant topics. Take a look at the key highlights of the KPSC KAS syllabus 2026 for reference purposes.
| Particulars | Details |
| Conducting Body | Karnataka Public Service Commission |
| Exam Name | KPSC KAS |
| Posts | Assistant Commissioner, Assistant Director Treasury, Commercial Tax Officer, Labor Officer, Assistant Superintendent, etc. |
| Selection Process | Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test |
| Question Type | Prelims: ObjectiveMains: Descriptive |
| Maximum Marks | Prelims: 400Mains: 1250 |
| Negative Marking | Yes for Prelims |
KPSC KAS Exam Syllabus 2026 PDF
You should check the KPSC KAS syllabus PDF download link to identify important topics for the prelims and mains exams. It will save your time and let you focus only on the relevant areas. You can utilise the remaining time to take mocks and revise all the key topics.
This can enhance your chances of success in the KAS exam. Download here the KPSC KAS exam syllabus PDF for free.
KPSC KAS Exam Syllabus 2026 PDF Link
KPSC KAS Exam Pattern 2025-26
The KPSC KAS exam pattern is divided into three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test. The KAS prelims exam consists of two papers of an objective type. On the other hand, the KAS main exam is a descriptive-type test, and all papers are mandatory.
The written exam and personality test marks are released along with the final select list. Take a look at the KPSC KAS exam pattern for all the stages below:
KPSC KAS Prelims Exam Pattern
The KPSC KAS prelims exam pattern is divided into 2 papers. Each paper consists of 100 multiple-choice questions for 200 marks. The test duration for each paper is 2 hours.
The medium of paper shall be Kannada and English. As per the marking scheme, 2 marks shall be awarded for every correct answer and 1/4th (0.25) marks will be deducted for every wrong answer. Check below the KPSC KAS exam pattern 2026 for the prelims exam.
| Paper | Subject | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks |
| Paper 1 | General studies related to National and International importance | 40 | 80 |
| Humanities | 60 | 120 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 | |
| Paper 2 | General studies related to State importance | 40 | 80 |
| General Science & Technology Environment & Ecology | 30 | 60 | |
| General Mental Ability | 30 | 60 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 | |
KPSC KAS Mains Exam Pattern
Candidates who will clear the KAS prelims exam will be shortlisted for the mains examination. The KPSC KAS Mains Exam Pattern includes two qualifying papers, an essay, and 4 GS compulsory papers. It is a descriptive test. The marks secured in qualifying papers shall be of a qualifying nature.
You need to obtain at least 35% marks in each qualifying paper. But the marks secured in these two papers shall not be counted for deciding he merit for selection. All five papers are mandatory. Papers II to V are divided into three sections. Each paper carries 250 marks and a duration of 3 hours.
The medium of paper shall be set both in Kannada and English. Check below the KPSC KAS exam pattern 2026 for the mains exam and personality test.
| Papers | Subject | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| Qualifying Papers | Kannada | 150 | 2 hours |
| English | 150 | 2 hours | |
| Compulsory Papers | Essay | 250 | 3 hours |
| General Studies Paper 1 | 250 | 3 hours | |
| General Studies Paper 2 | 250 | 3 hours | |
| General Studies Paper 3 | 250 | 3 hours | |
| General Studies Paper 4 | 250 | 3 hours | |
| Total marks | 1250 | ||
| Total marks for the Personality Test | 25 | ||
| Overall | 1275 | ||
KPSC KAS Exam Syllabus for 2025-26
The KPSC KAS exam syllabus includes two phases: Prelims & Mains. You should first check the KPSC exam syllabus PDF and jot down all the important topics.
This will help you formulate a clear plan for your preparation. What you need to do is master topics across all the sections to perform well in the exam. Check below the detailed KPSC KAS Syllabus 2026 for both prelims and mains exams.
KPSC KAS Prelims Syllabus 2026
The KPSC KAS prelims syllabus is divided into two papers. Paper 1 is further subdivided into 2 sections, i.e. General Studies and Humanities.
Paper 2 includes 3 sections, namely General Studies, General Science, and General Mental Ability. The level of General Mental Ability questions shall be of 10th standard /SSLC, and the remaining papers’ standard will be of Degree Level.
You should cover the basic and advanced topics of every subject to score high marks in the exam. Check the subject-wise KPSC KAS exam syllabus prelims below.
KPSC KAS Prelims Syllabus for Paper 1
Take a look at the KPSC KAS exam syllabus prelims for Paper 1 below for reference purposes. It covers areas like Current events, History, Geography, Indian polity and economy, etc.
- Current events of National and International importance.
- Humanities
- History of India
- Social, economic, cultural and political aspects
- Indian National Movement with special emphasis on Karnataka
- World Geography and Geography of India with a focus on Karnataka
- Indian polity and economy: the country’s political system, rural development, planning and economic reforms in India
- Sustainable development,
- Poverty alleviation,
- Demographics
- Social sector initiatives, etc
KPSC KAS Prelims Syllabus for Paper 2
We have shared below the KPSC KAS syllabus prelims for Paper 2 to guide candidates in the right direction. It includes topics like Current events, General Science & Technology, General Mental Ability, etc.
- Current events of State importance and important State Government programmes.
- General Science & Technology, Environment & Ecology: Contemporary developments in science and technology and their implications
- General issues on Health, environmental ecology, biodiversity and climate change
- General Mental Ability: Comprehension, Logical reasoning and Analytical ability, Decision making, problem solving, Basic innumeracy (numbers and their relations, order of magnitude, etc) and data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. (class X/SSLC level).
KPSC KAS Mains Syllabus 2026
The KPSC KAS exam Mains syllabus covers various sections: two qualifying papers, an essay, and 4 GS compulsory papers.
The level of the main exam, except for Qualifying papers, shall be Degree level.
The standard of qualifying papers shall be First Language at the SSLC level. Check below the subject-wise KPSC KAS syllabus 2026 for the Mains exam:
KPSC KAS Mains Syllabus for Language Paper
This section covers Kannada and English Language papers. They mainly comprise questions from areas like comprehension, vocabulary, short essays, etc. Below is the KPSC KAS exam syllabus Mains for the Language paper for clarity purposes:
- Comprehension of given passages
- Short Essay
- Precis writing
- Vocabulary
- Usage
- Çommunication Skills
KPSC KAS Mains Syllabus for Essay
This section will consist of two Essays in Kannada/English Language. Essay 1 will be based on International/National Importance, and Essay 2 will be related to State Importance/Local Importance.
KPSC KAS Mains Syllabus for General Studies 1
The KPSC KAS syllabus Mains for General Studies 1 is shared below for reference purposes:
Section I: History and Cultural Heritage ( India & Karnataka)
Unit 1: Cultural Heritage of India
Unit 2: Toward transforming Indian Society: Major schools of thought.
Unit 3: From Kadambas to the Hoysalas.
Unit 4: Vijayanagara Empire and thereafter (1336-1799)
Unit 5: Modern Mysore (1799-1947)
Unit 6: Freedom Movement in Karnataka and Unification (i) (1885-1956).
Section II- Social and Political Perspective
1. Post Independent Karnataka
2. Social Change and Movements
3. Social Change and Modernisation
4. Government and Political System, etc
Section III- Indian Economy- Planning- Rural Development
1. Indian Economy
2. India and International Economic Relations
3. Development patterns
4. Decentralisation, etc
KPSC KAS Mains Syllabus for General Studies 2
The KPSC KAS exam syllabus Mains for General Studies 2 is shared below for reference purposes:
Section I: Physical Features and Natural Resources
Geography of World
Geography of India
Geography of Karnataka
Section II: Overview of Indian Constitution
Nature of the Constitution
Fundamental Rights
Distribution of Legislative powers
Unicameral and Bicameral legislations, etc
Section III- Public Administration and Management – Internatlonal Relations
Private and Public Administration
Structure of Organisation
Organisational Behaviour and Management Concepts
Formal and informal Organisation, etc
KPSC KAS Mains Syllabus for General Studies 3
The KPSC KAS syllabus Mains for General Studies 3 is shared below for reference purposes:
Section-I: Role and Impact of Science and Technology in Development of Indian, Information Technology In Public Domain
1. Basics of Science and Technology
2. SPACE Science and Technology
3. Energy Resources
4. Disasters, Pests and Pollution, etc
Section II: Advancement and Modern Trends in Natural Sciences, Life Sciences, Agricultural Science, Health and Hygiene
1. Natural Science
2. Agriculture Science
3. Horticulture and Sericulture
4. Initiatives in Blotechnology, etc
Section III: Challenges and Issues of Development on Environment & Ecology
1. Environmental Segments
2. Natural Resources
3. Eco System and Biodiversity
4. Environment Pollution and Solid Waste Management, etc
KPSC KAS Mains Syllabus for General Studies 4
The KPSC KAS exam syllabus Mains for General Studies 4 is shared below for reference purposes:
Section I: Ethics (Essence, Ethics in public administration, Accountability and ethical governance, Concept of Public Service, etc.)
Section-II: Integrity (Integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, etc).
Section III: Aptitude (Aptitude and foundational values for civil service, emotional intelligence, etc.)
How to Cover the KPSC KAS Syllabus 2026?
You need to plan a proper strategy to cover the KPSC KAS exam syllabus efficiently. Here is the strategy to perform well in the KPSC KAS 2026 exam:
- Analyse the KPSC KAS exam syllabus carefully. It lets you cover only relevant topics.
- Select the appropriate resources and books to achieve conceptual clarity.
- Take mocks and solve past papers to assess where your preparation stands.
- Revise all the covered chapters regularly to remember them in the long run.
KPSC KAS Exam Syllabus 2025-26 FAQs
Q) What is the KPSC KAS Syllabus 2026?
A) The KPSC KAS exam syllabus covers two phases: Prelims and Mains. Prelims covers objective-type questions while Mains is a descriptive paper. Download the KPSC KAS syllabus 2025 PDF here.
Q) Is there any negative marking in the KPSC KAS Prelims Exam?
Yes. There shall be a negative marking of 1/4th (0.25) marks for every wrong answer in the KPSC KAS Prelims Exam.
