KPSC Group A Exam – Complete Guide

1. What is KPSC Group A Exam?

• Conducted by Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).
• Recruits candidates for top-level Group A Gazetted posts in Karnataka State Government.
• Considered equivalent to high-ranking civil services at the state level (similar to IAS/IPS but within Karnataka).
• Selection Process: Prelims → Mains → Interview.

2. Posts under KPSC Group A (Job List & Salary)

Common Group A Posts (Gazetted):

• Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)
• Assistant Commissioner (Revenue)
• Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes)
• Assistant Director (various departments)
• Deputy Director (Food & Civil Supplies, Employment, Agriculture, etc.)
• District Backward Classes Welfare Officer
• District Treasury Officer
• Employment Officer
• Senior Assistant Director of Horticulture

Salary Range (Approx.)

💰 In-hand Salary (Approx.): ₹60,000 – ₹1,00,000 + allowances (DA, HRA, TA, etc.)

📈 Promotions:

• Assistant Commissioner → Deputy Commissioner → Divisional Commissioner → IAS (on promotion).
• DSP → SP → DIG → IG → ADGP.

3. Eligibility Criteria

(a) Nationality

• Must be an Indian citizen.

(b) Age Limit (as per KPSC rules)

• General: 21 – 35 years
• OBC (2A, 2B, 3A, 3B): Up to 38 years
• SC/ST/Cat-I: Up to 40 years
• PWD: Up to 45 years

(c) Educational Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree (any stream) from a recognized university.
• Final-year students may apply but must produce proof before Mains.

(d) Number of Attempts

• General: 5
• OBC: 7
• SC/ST: Unlimited (until max. age).

4. Selection Process

The KPSC Group A exam follows 3 stages:

1. Preliminary Exam (Objective)
   • Paper I: General Studies (100 Qs – 200 Marks)
   • Paper II: General Studies + Aptitude (100 Qs – 200 Marks)
   • Duration: 2 hours each
2. Mains Exam (Descriptive)
   • Paper I: Kannada (Qualifying, 150 Marks)
   • Paper II: English (Qualifying, 150 Marks)
   • Paper III: Essay (250 Marks)
   • Paper IV–VII: General Studies I–IV (250 each)
   • Paper VIII–IX: Optional Subject (250 each)
   • Total (Mains): 1750 Marks
3. Interview (Personality Test)
   • 200 Marks

👉 Final Merit = Mains (1750) + Interview (200) = 1950 Marks

5. Exam Pattern Overview

6. Syllabus Highlights

(a) Prelims

• History of India & Karnataka
• Geography of India & Karnataka
• Indian Polity & Constitution
• Indian & Karnataka Economy
• General Science & Tech
• Current Affairs (National, International, Karnataka-specific)
• Aptitude & Mental Ability

(b) Mains

• Essay Writing (social, political, economic topics)
• GS Paper I: History & Geography of India & Karnataka
• GS Paper II: Polity, Constitution, International Relations
• GS Paper III: Economy, Planning, Agriculture, Science & Tech
• GS Paper IV: Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude, Public Administration
• Optional Papers (I & II): Candidate’s chosen subject

7. Application Process

1. Visit kpsc.kar.nic.in.
2. Register with OTR (One-Time Registration).
3. Apply for Group A notification when released.
4. Pay application fee online.

Application Fees

• General: ₹600
• OBC (2A, 2B, 3A, 3B): ₹300
• SC/ST/Cat-I: ₹50

8. Best Books & Study Resources

• NCERT (6–12th) for History, Polity, Geography, Science.
• Karnataka State Board books (must for History, Economy, Polity).
• Polity – M. Laxmikanth & Magme’s Book.
• Economy – Ramesh Singh & Magme’s Book.
• History – Bipin Chandra + Karnataka-specific texts & Magme’s Book.
• Ethics – Lexicon or Subba Rao & Magme’s Book.
• Current Affairs – The Hindu, Prajavani, PIB, Yojana, Kurukshetra & Magme’s 360
• KAS/KPSC Guides – Karnataka GK & Magme’s Guide

9. Quick Facts Table

10. Preparation Strategy

Step 1 – Basics

• Build foundation with NCERTs & Karnataka State Board books.

Step 2 – Current Affairs

• Read The Hindu + Kannada daily (Prajavani/Vijay Karnataka).
• Monthly magazines: Yojana, Kurukshetra.

Step 3 – Practice

• Prelims → Solve 10 years’ PYQs + mocks.
• Mains → Daily answer writing, structured essays.

Step 4 – Optional Subject

• Choose based on graduation & scoring trends.

Step 5 – Interview Prep

• Practice mock interviews, focus on Karnataka issues + personality development.

11. Why Choose KPSC Group A?

• Prestige → Top gazetted posts in Karnataka Government.
• Authority → Direct administrative powers.
• Salary & Perks → ₹60k–₹1L + DA, HRA, TA, pension.
• Career Growth → Promotions up to IAS cadre.
• Social Service → Directly impact development & governance.

✅ In short:

• Posts → Assistant Commissioner, DSP, Deputy Director, etc.
• Salary → ₹60,000 – ₹1,00,000 (in-hand).
• Stages → Prelims (400) + Mains (1750) + Interview (200).
• Best Prep → NCERTs + Karnataka Board books + Current Affairs.