KPSC (Karnataka Public Service Commission)
KPSC KAS Exam Pattern 2027 — Complete Question Paper Structure
Understand the marking scheme, section weights, question distribution and time strategy for Karnataka Public Service Commission (KAS)
Exam Pattern at a Glance
Exam Mode
Offline (OMR)
Language
English, Hindi & Regional
Negative Marking
-0.66
Sections
4
Section-wise Pattern
| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks per Q | Total Marks | Time (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies | 37 | +2 | 74 | 30 min |
| Kannada Language | 37 | +2 | 74 | 30 min |
| English Language | 37 | +2 | 74 | 30 min |
| Karnataka GK | 39 | +2 | 78 | 30 min |
| Total | 150 | — | 200 | 120 min |
Time is indicative. Candidates can attempt sections in any order in CBT mode.
Marking Scheme
Correct Answer
+2
marks
Wrong Answer
-0.66
marks
Unattempted
0
marks
Marking Scheme
+2 for correct, -0.66 for incorrect
Example Calculation:
If you attempt 90 questions, get 68 correct and 22 wrong:
Score = 68 × 2 − 22 × 0.66 = 121.48 marks
Skip questions you're unsure about — negative marking can reduce your score significantly.
Time Management Strategy
You have approximately 48.0 seconds per question on average.
| Phase | Time Budget | Target Questions |
|---|---|---|
| First pass (attempt easy Qs) | 72 min | 105 Qs |
| Second pass (attempt medium) | 36 min | 30 Qs |
| Review & guess | 12 min | Remaining |
Year-wise Pattern Changes
| Year | Questions | Duration | Key Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 150 | 120 min | Current pattern |
| 2024 | 150 | 120 min | No major change |
| 2023 | 150 | 120 min | Section added |
Pattern history is approximate. Always check official notification.
Difficulty Distribution
Approximate question count: ~30 Easy | ~60 Medium | ~60 Hard
Based on difficulty level: hard. Actual distribution may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
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