Kerala PSC Overseer & Draftsman Grade I, II, III Civil Examination (PWD, Irrigation & LSGD) 2026: Official Notification, Pattern, Syllabus & Mock Tests
State-wide technical examination conducted by Kerala PSC for diploma engineers and ITI certificate holders to serve as Overseers and Draftsmen across local panchayats, PWD road sections, and irrigation canal networks.
Examination Overview
State-wide technical examination conducted by Kerala PSC for diploma engineers and ITI certificate holders to serve as Overseers and Draftsmen across local panchayats, PWD road sections, and irrigation canal networks.
| Exam Name | Kerala PSC Overseer & Draftsman Grade I, II, III Civil Examination (PWD, Irrigation & LSGD) |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC Kerala) |
| Exam Level | State |
| Frequency | Annual / Biennial |
| Mode of Examination | Computer Based Test (CBT) / Written Examination |
| Language of Exam | English, Hindi & State Regional Languages |
| Official Website | https://www.keralapsc.gov.in ↗ |
Important Dates & Events
Timeline confirmed from official notices issued by Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC Kerala).
| Event / Milestone | Important Date / Status |
|---|---|
| Official KPSC Notification | Published on keralapsc.gov.in |
| OMR Written Examination | Conducted statewide |
| Rank List Publication | Published on KPSC portal |
Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
{"stage1":"Written OMR / Online Examination (100 Questions, 100 Marks, 75 Minutes, 1/3rd Negative Marking). 100% Civil Engineering Technical Content"}
| Examination Parameter | Scheme Details | Remarks / Evaluation |
|---|---|---|
| Question Format | Multiple Choice Questions (Objective MCQs) | 4 or 5 options per question |
| Evaluation Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) / Offline OMR Sheet | Centralized Evaluation System |
| Negative Marking Scheme | Standard 1/3rd or 1/4th negative deduction | Penalized for incorrect responses |
| Language Medium | Bilingual (English & Hindi) + Regional State Languages | Language toggle available in CBT |
| Normalization | Equipercentile or Percentile method across shifts | Multi-shift normalization applied |
Selection Process & Stages
Candidate progression through sequential recruitment tiers:
Preliminary / Tier 1 Examination
Comprehensive objective screening test covering core aptitude, reasoning, general knowledge and language skills.
Mains / Tier 2 / Skill Test
Advanced written assessment or post-specific technical/descriptive examination determining the final merit order.
Document Verification & Medical
Scrutiny of original certificates, category credentials, age proofs and required medical fitness examination.
Eligibility Criteria (Age & Educational Qualification)
{"min_education":"Grade I: Diploma in Civil Engineering (3 years); Grade II/III: ITI / NCVT Draughtsman (Civil) or Diploma in Civil Engineering; Age: 18 to 36 years (relaxations for OBC/SC/ST)","cadre":"Technical sub-ordinate engineering cadre"}
| Parameter | Eligibility Condition | Relaxation Norms |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Criteria | {"min_education":"Grade I: Diploma in Civil Engineering (3 years); Grade II/III: ITI / NCVT Draughtsman (Civil) or Diploma in Civil Engineering; Age: 18 to 36 years (relaxations for OBC/SC/ST)","cadre":"Technical sub-ordinate engineering cadre"} | Recognized Board / University required |
| Age Requirement | As specified in official notification (General Category) | SC/ST: +5 Years | OBC: +3 Years | PwD: +10 Years |
| Citizenship | Citizen of India | Subject of Nepal/Bhutan as per Central/State rules |
| Language Proficiency | Regional / English & Hindi working knowledge | Applicable as per State / National jurisdiction |
Detailed Syllabus by Subject
{"civil_technical":"Building Materials, Construction Technology, Surveying (Chain, Compass, Plane Table, Theodolite, Total Station), Estimation & Costing, RCC Design basics, Hydraulics, Irrigation structures, Road engineering basics, Computer Aided Drafting (AutoCAD basics)"}
📖 General Studies & Current Affairs
- Current National & International Events
- Indian History & Freedom Struggle
- Indian & World Geography
- General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- Indian Polity, Constitution & Governance
- Basic Economic Concepts & Budget Highlights
🔢 Quantitative & Numerical Aptitude
- Simplification, Number System, HCF & LCM
- Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Profit & Loss
- Simple & Compound Interest
- Time, Speed & Distance, Time & Work
- Data Interpretation (Tables, Bar & Pie Charts)
🧩 Reasoning & Mental Ability
- Analogies, Classification & Series Completion
- Coding-Decoding & Blood Relations
- Direction Sense Test & Ranking Order
- Syllogisms, Statements & Assumptions
- Non-Verbal Reasoning & Figure Counting
📝 Language Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension Passages
- Vocabulary, Synonyms & Antonyms
- Grammar, Error Spotting & Sentence Correction
- Cloze Test, Idioms & Phrases
- One Word Substitutions & Spelling Check
Preparation Strategy & Cut-Off Trends
Historical scoring benchmarks and safe score targets for Kerala PSC Overseer & Draftsman Grade I, II, III Civil Examination (PWD, Irrigation & LSGD) based on competitive trends:
| Category | Safe Target Percentage | Preparation Focus | Benchmark Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 75% - 82% | Speed + Negative Control in Reasoning & Quant | 90%+ Accuracy |
| OBC / EWS | 70% - 76% | High Scoring in Current Affairs & Language | 88%+ Accuracy |
| SC / ST | 62% - 70% | Syllabus Coverage & Previous Year Papers | 85%+ Accuracy |
| PwD / Ex-SM | 55% - 65% | Sectional Cut-Off clearance + Accuracy | 82%+ Accuracy |
Official Mock Test Series & CBT Practice
Practice full-length CBT tests matching the exact Overseer / Draftsman Civil pattern with bilingual questions and instant rank analysis.
20 Full-Length Mock Tests Series
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Start Free Starter Mock 1 →2027 Official Practice Series & Question Bank
2027 CYCLE READYTargeted subject-wise and topic-wise practice series for Kerala PSC Overseer & Draftsman Grade I, II, III Civil Examination (PWD, Irrigation & LSGD). Featuring expected question predictions, pattern mastery, and instant step-by-step CBT solutions.
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