PSC Mastery

The KAS Main Examination

The KAS Main Examination is 300 marks across three descriptive General Studies papers, each worth 100 marks over two hours. The notification carries an option many candidates never learn about: questions are provided in English, but answers can be written either in English or in the official language, Malayalam. Your main exam mark, plus the interview, is what fixes your rank.

Steps

  1. Three papers, 100 marks each

    Paper I, Paper II and Paper III, each General Studies, each two hours. The structure is stated identically in the notification’s scheme of examination and in the separately published main syllabus.

  2. You may answer in Malayalam

    The notification states that questions of the main examination will be provided in English, and answers can be written either in English or in the official language, that is in Malayalam. This is a stated option, not a rumour.

  3. What each paper covers

    Per the published syllabus, Paper I covers Indian and Kerala history, world history and Kerala’s cultural heritage; Paper II covers the Constitution, polity and governance along with science and technology; Paper III covers economy, planning and geography. Each carries a current-issues component tied to its own subject area.

  4. Who sits it

    Only candidates who cleared the preliminary screening and then passed document verification. The list for the main examination is published separately after verification.

  5. There is no language paper here

    The language-proficiency component belongs to the preliminary examination. The main examination is General Studies across all three papers.

  6. What we cannot tell you

    Whether English and Malayalam may be mixed within one answer script is not addressed. The notification says either, or, which reads as a whole-script choice. Treat mixing as unconfirmed rather than allowed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I write the KAS mains in Malayalam?#

Yes. The notification states questions are provided in English and answers can be written either in English or in the official language, Malayalam.

How many marks is the KAS main examination?#

Three hundred — three General Studies papers of 100 marks each, two hours per paper.

Does KAS mains have optional subjects?#

No. All three papers are General Studies. The published syllabus lists no optional-subject stream and no separate essay paper.

Can I mix English and Malayalam in one answer script?#

Not addressed in the notification, which frames it as either one or the other. We will not tell you it is allowed. Ask the Commission if your case depends on it.

Official sources

Steps last verified against official Kerala PSC sources on 25 August 2026.

Where the Commission has not published a rule, this guide says so rather than guessing. Anything marked “not officially published” is exactly that.

This is an independent guide for aspirants, written from the Commission’s own published instructions. Portal screens and rules change — always confirm on keralapsc.gov.in and in your own Thulasi profile before acting. PSC Mastery is not affiliated with the Kerala Public Service Commission.