For KPSC/KAS
How to start preparation for KPSC/KAS Gazetted Probationers Examination?
Hello Aspirants!!
Karnataka Administrative Service – Gazetted Probationers Exam (Group A & B)
Source basis: KPSC Notification + Official Syllabus + Previous Year Papers.
Below is a KPSC/KAS preparation strategy based on official sources, official exam notifications, and practices followed by Karnataka Administrative Service toppers.
This follows information from KPSC official notifications, syllabus documents, and exam patterns published on the official portal (kpsc.kar.nic.in).
✅ KPSC / KAS Preparation Strategy (As per Official Pattern & Syllabus)
Karnataka Administrative Service – Gazetted Probationers Exam (Group A & B)
Source basis: KPSC Notification + Official Syllabus + Previous Year Papers
📌 1. Understand the Official Exam Structure
A. Prelims (Objective Type – Screening)
Two papers:
- Paper-1: General Studies
- Paper-2: Aptitude Test
➡️ Both are 200 marks, 2-hour duration.
➡️ Paper-2 is qualifying (like UPSC CSAT), but KPSC sometimes considers Paper-2 marks, depending on notification—so preparation must be serious.
B. Mains (Descriptive)
7 Papers (all descriptive):
- Kannada (Qualifying)
- English (Qualifying)
- Essay (2 essays, 125 × 2)
- GS-1
- GS-2
- GS-3
- GS-4 (Ethics)
➡️ Marks in qualifying papers don’t count for ranking.
➡️ Essay + GS papers are crucial for final rank.
C. Interview / Personality Test
200 marks
Focus:
- Knowledge
- Communication
- State-specific issues
- Problem-solving
- Decision-making
📌 2. Start with the Official Syllabus (Not coaching-made notes)
Download from official source (KPSC notification).
Focus Areas from Syllabus:
GS-1
- History & Culture of India & Karnataka
- Indian Society
- Polity basics
- Geography (Physical + Karnataka)
- Static subjects
GS-2
- Indian Constitution
- Governance
- Social Justice
- International Relations
- Karnataka-specific schemes
GS-3
- Economy
- Planning
- Agriculture & Rural Development
- Disaster Management
- Science & Tech
- Environment
GS-4
- Ethics
- Integrity & Aptitude
- Case studies
Essay
KPSC themes usually include:
- Development & society
- Administration & ethics
- Karnataka issues (water, agriculture, etc.)
📌 3. Booklist Based on Official Syllabus
For Prelims + Mains Common
- NCERTs (6–12) – History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment
- Karnataka State Board (Class 5–10) for State Geography, Economy, Culture
- KPSC Syllabus-wise Topic Notes (not random coaching notes)
- IGNOU summaries (if needed)
Standard Books
- Polity: Laxmikanth
- Economy: Ramesh Singh / NCERT 11–12
- History: Spectrum Modern India + NCERT
- Geography: GC Leong + NCERT
- Environment: Shankar IAS (selected chapters)
- Ethics: Lexicon + Case studies practice
Karnataka-Specific Sources
These are extremely important for KAS:
- Karnataka Economic Survey
- Karnataka Budget
- Karnataka Gazetteer
- Yojana (Kannada edition)
- Devaraju’s Karnataka History
- Books on Karnataka Movements & Freedom Struggles
📌 4. Preparation Strategy (Phase-wise)
⭐ Phase 1: Foundation (2–3 months)
- Read NCERTs + Karnataka State Board textbooks
- Understand fundamental concepts
- Daily targets: 3 hrs GS + 1 hr Newspaper
Officially relevant newspapers:
- The Hindu
- Prajavani / Vijayavani (for state issues)
⭐ Phase 2: Prelims Focus (3 months)
- Solve previous KPSC prelims papers (officially available)
- Weekly mock tests
- Cover factual topics:
- Karnataka schemes
- Art and culture
- State geography
- Polity articles
- Economy basics
- Prepare CSAT thoroughly—KPSC sometimes makes it tough
⭐ Phase 3: Mains Foundation (2–3 months)
Start writing answers:
- 3 answers daily
- Weekly full-length KPSC GS mock
- Ethics case studies practice
- Read Karnataka-specific topics from:
- Gazetteers
- Govt website updates
- Economic survey (state & central)
⭐ Phase 4: Mains Intensive (2 months)
- Revise all GS papers 4–5 times
- Write full-length Mains papers
- Prepare 30–40 best case studies for Ethics
- Prepare essay frameworks based on Karnataka themes
⭐ Phase 5: Personality Test (Interview)
Focus on:
- Your DAF
- Karnataka current affairs
- Govt schemes
- Decision making
- Civil service attitude
📌 5. Official Sources – What to Read Regularly
📘 KPSC Official Website
- Notifications
- Syllabus
- Previous papers
📗 Karnataka Government Sources
- Karnataka Budget
- Karnataka Economic Survey
- Karnataka Govt Schemes (various department portals)
- Karnataka MGNREGA portal
- Karnataka Forest Dept
- Planning Dept publications
📘 Central Government Sources
- PIB
- India Year Book
- Yojana / Kurukshetra
📌 6. Daily Study Schedule (KAS-Specific)
⏱️ 5–6 hours minimum
Morning (2 hrs): Static subject
Afternoon (2 hrs): Karnataka-specific topics
Evening (1 hr): Current affairs
Night (1 hr): Prelims practice or Mains writing
📌 7. KAS Answer Writing Format (Official Style)
For 10-marker:
- Definition
- 2–3 subheadings
- Karnataka example
- Government scheme
- Recent news reference
For 15-marker:
- Intro (definition + context)
- 4–5 subheadings
- Karnataka case study
- Data from Economic Survey / Budget
- Diagram or map (optional)
- Conclusion with way forward
📌 8. Karnataka Examples (Must Use)
- KRS Dam
- Upper Krishna Project
- Mekedatu Dispute
- Panchayat Raj reforms in Karnataka
- SHG movement (Stree Shakti)
- Startups in Bengaluru
- Karnataka as IT hub
- Social justice issues in Karnataka
📌 9. Most Important Karnataka Topics for KAS
- Karnataka economy (agriculture, industries, services)
- Women & child issues in Karnataka
- Social movements (Navodaya, Vokkaliga movement)
- River disputes (Cauvery, Mahadayi, Krishna)
- Forest & wildlife in Karnataka
- Tribal policies
- Urban issues (Bengaluru water, traffic)
- State budget schemes
📌 10. Mock Test Strategy
- Write 10–12 mock prelims tests
- Write 4–6 full GS mock papers
- Write 4 essays before the exam
- Analyze mistakes – improve topic coverage