Complete guide covering eligibility, age limit, salary, selection process, prelims, mains, syllabus, books and preparation strategy.
Any Bachelor's Degree
21 to 35 Years
3 Selection Stages
₹52,650 - ₹97,100
Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) is one of the most prestigious state civil service examinations conducted by Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). Successful candidates are appointed to various Group A and Group B Gazetted Officer posts in the Karnataka State Administration.
| Conducting Body | Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) |
| Exam Name | Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) |
| Exam Level | State Civil Service Examination |
| Selection Process | Prelims → Mains → Interview |
| Mode of Exam | Offline |
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| General Merit | 21 Years | 35 Years |
| 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | 21 Years | 38 Years |
| SC / ST / Category-1 | 21 Years | 40 Years |
₹52,650+
DA, HRA, TA & Other Benefits
Promotion to Senior Administrative Posts
The KPSC KAS recruitment process consists of three stages. Candidates must qualify each stage to proceed to the next phase.
Screening test consisting of two objective papers. Marks are not counted for final ranking.
Descriptive examination testing analytical, administrative and writing abilities.
Assessment of leadership qualities, decision-making ability and administrative aptitude.
The Preliminary Examination consists of two objective-type papers. Each paper carries 200 marks.
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Studies & Humanities | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper 2 | Science, Technology, Environment & Aptitude | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
Candidates who qualify the Preliminary Examination are called for the Mains Examination. The Mains Exam is descriptive in nature and plays a crucial role in final ranking.
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Kannada (Qualifying) | 150 |
| Paper B | English (Qualifying) | 150 |
| Paper 1 | Essay | 250 |
| Paper 2 | General Studies I | 250 |
| Paper 3 | General Studies II | 250 |
| Paper 4 | General Studies III | 250 |
| Paper 5 | General Studies IV | 250 |
Education, Health, Women Empowerment, Rural Development.
Growth, Poverty, Inflation, Employment.
Administration, Ethics and Public Policy.
The Personality Test evaluates a candidate's leadership ability, administrative aptitude, communication skills, ethical values, decision-making capabilities and awareness of current affairs.
| Category | Prelims Cutoff |
|---|---|
| General | Varies by Notification |
| OBC | Varies by Notification |
| SC/ST | Varies by Notification |
M. Laxmikanth
Spectrum
NCERT + G.C. Leong
Ramesh Singh
Complete NCERT and Karnataka State Board Basics.
Master Polity, History, Geography and Economy.
Daily Current Affairs + Mock Tests + Answer Writing.
A Bachelor's Degree from a recognized university.
Prelims, Mains and Interview.
Yes, but KAS focuses on Karnataka state administration.