March 26, 20268 min read

Kerala Government Jobs 2026: Kerala PSC — Last Grade Servant, LDC, KAS and All Vacancies

Complete guide to Kerala PSC government jobs — Last Grade Servant, Lower Division Clerk, Kerala Administrative Service, Thulasi registration, exam pattern, salary, age limits, and how to apply through keralapsc.gov.in.

Kerala PSC Kerala government jobs Last Grade Servant LDC Kerala KAS exam Thulasi registration Kerala PSC 2026 keralapsc.gov.in
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Kerala PSC is one of the most active Public Service Commissions in India — routinely releasing 100+ notifications every year across dozens of departments. Whether you're a 10th pass candidate looking at Last Grade Servant posts or a graduate targeting the Kerala Administrative Service, there's a structured pathway for almost every qualification level. Here's what you need to know about Kerala government jobs in 2026.

What is Kerala PSC?

Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) is the constitutional body responsible for recruiting candidates to government departments, public sector undertakings, and autonomous bodies in Kerala. It was established under Article 315 of the Indian Constitution.

What makes Kerala PSC distinctive:

  • Volume: 100+ separate notifications per year — far more than most state PSCs
  • One-Time Registration (OTR): The Thulasi portal lets you register once and apply to any number of posts without re-entering details
  • Ranked List System: Selected candidates are placed on a ranked list valid for 3 years; vacancies are filled from this list as they arise
  • Exam language: Most exams are conducted in Malayalam (with English option for some higher posts)
  • Transparency: Exam dates, answer keys, and ranked lists are published openly on keralapsc.gov.in

Last Grade Servant / Attender (Largest Volume)

DetailInformation
Qualification10th pass (SSLC)
Age Limit18–36 (General), 18–41 (OBC), 18–43 (SC/ST)
Pay LevelLevel 1
Basic Pay₹18,000 – ₹22,000 starting
RoleOffice support staff in government departments
Last Grade Servant (LGS) is the single most applied-for post in Kerala PSC history. Vacancies often run into thousands per cycle, and the exam is a straightforward OMR-based test covering General Knowledge, Current Affairs, and basic aptitude. For 10th pass candidates, this is the most reliable government job pathway in Kerala.

Lower Division Clerk (LDC)

DetailInformation
Qualification12th pass (Plus Two)
Age Limit18–36 (General), relaxation for reserved categories
Pay LevelLevel 2–3
Basic Pay₹22,000 – ₹28,000 starting
RoleClerical and data entry work in departments
LDC is the next step up from LGS. The exam tests General Knowledge, English, Malayalam, Maths, and Mental Ability. Typing skill in Malayalam is required before appointment. Competition is intense — a typical LDC notification draws lakhs of applications.

Kerala Administrative Service (KAS)

DetailInformation
QualificationGraduation (any discipline)
Age Limit21–36 (General), relaxation for OBC/SC/ST
Pay LevelLevel 10+ (varies by post)
Exam PatternPrelims → Mains → Interview
PostsDeputy Collector, DSP, District Registrar, BDO, Municipal Secretary
KAS is Kerala's equivalent of the IAS at the state level. Launched as a dedicated exam (previously, state service officers were recruited through different exams), KAS follows the three-stage pattern similar to UPSC. The Prelims has two papers (General Studies + CSAT), Mains has written papers including an optional subject, and the Interview carries 50 marks.

Other Important Posts Through Kerala PSC

PostQualificationPay Level
Police Constable12th pass + physical standardsLevel 3
Fireman10th/12th pass + physical testLevel 2–3
High School TeacherGraduation in subject + B.Ed + KTETLevel 7–8
UP School TeacherGraduation + D.El.Ed + KTETLevel 6–7
LP School TeacherPlus Two + TTC + KTETLevel 5–6
Village Extension OfficerGraduationLevel 5
Secretariat AssistantGraduationLevel 5–6
Assistant Surgeon (Medical)MBBSLevel 11
Kerala PSC also recruits police constables, forest guards, excise inspectors, and various technical posts. Teaching jobs go through Kerala PSC with KTET (Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test) as a prerequisite.

Thulasi — One-Time Registration Portal

Kerala PSC uses a unique system called Thulasi (the One-Time Registration portal). Here's how it works:

  1. Register once at thulasi.keralapsc.gov.in with your personal details, education, community certificate, and photo
  2. Get a profile ID — this is your permanent Kerala PSC identity
  3. Apply to any notification directly from your Thulasi profile — no need to fill forms repeatedly
  4. Update your profile as you gain new qualifications — the system matches you to eligible posts
The OTR profile is valid for 5 years and can be renewed. This system saves enormous time since Kerala PSC releases notifications frequently.

Exam Pattern Overview

Kerala PSC exams vary by post, but here's the general structure:

For LGS and similar 10th-level posts

  • Type: OMR-based (offline) or CBT
  • Questions: 100 objective questions
  • Duration: 75 minutes
  • Subjects: General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Regional Knowledge, Basic Maths

For LDC and similar 12th-level posts

  • Type: OMR or CBT
  • Questions: 100 objective questions
  • Duration: 75 minutes
  • Subjects: GK, English, Malayalam, Maths, Mental Ability

For KAS and degree-level posts

  • Prelims: 2 papers (GS + CSAT), objective type
  • Mains: Descriptive papers including compulsory Malayalam/English, GS papers, and optional subject
  • Interview: 50 marks
Important: There is no negative marking in most Kerala PSC exams (unlike UPSC or SSC). This is a significant advantage — you should attempt every question.

The Ranked List System

Kerala PSC's ranked list system is different from how most other recruitment bodies work:

  • After the exam (and interview, where applicable), candidates are placed on a ranked list based on merit and reservation
  • This ranked list is valid for 3 years (sometimes extended)
  • As vacancies arise in government departments during those 3 years, candidates are called from the list in rank order
  • One exam can lead to multiple appointment opportunities over 3 years
  • If your rank is low, you might still get appointed if enough vacancies open during the list's validity
This means even if you don't top the exam, patience can pay off. Many candidates receive appointment calls 1–2 years after the exam.

Age Limits and Relaxation

CategoryUpper Age Limit (for most posts)
General36 years
OBC39 years (3 years relaxation)
SC/ST41–43 years (5–7 years relaxation)
PH (Persons with Disability)Additional 10 years over category limit
Ex-ServicemenAdditional 3 years
Kerala has relatively generous age limits compared to many other states. The upper age of 36 for general category is higher than the 30–32 limit common in central services.

Salary and Benefits

Kerala government salaries follow the state pay revision commission recommendations. Here's a practical comparison:

PostMonthly In-Hand (approx)Grade Pay Equivalent
Last Grade Servant₹22,000 – ₹28,000Level 1
LDC₹28,000 – ₹35,000Level 2–3
Police Constable₹30,000 – ₹38,000Level 3
Secretariat Assistant₹35,000 – ₹45,000Level 5–6
KAS Officer (entry)₹55,000 – ₹75,000Level 10
High School Teacher₹50,000 – ₹70,000Level 7–8
Additional benefits include DA, HRA (varies by city classification), medical reimbursement, festival allowance, and pension (Kerala still has a contributory pension scheme for new recruits).

How to Prepare

Let's be practical about preparation:

  • For LGS/LDC: Focus on Kerala-specific GK (geography, history, culture, current affairs of Kerala), basic Maths, and Malayalam/English. Previous year question papers are the single best resource — Kerala PSC repeats patterns heavily.
  • For KAS: Treat it like a mini-UPSC but with Kerala focus. Read Mathrubhumi/Manorama for current affairs. Optional subject choice matters — pick what you've studied in graduation.
  • For Police/Physical posts: Physical fitness standards are strictly enforced. Start training early.
Track all Kerala PSC notifications at SarkariNaukriHub — new notifications appear almost weekly given Kerala PSC's volume.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Malayalam knowledge mandatory for Kerala PSC exams? For most posts, yes. LGS and LDC exams include Malayalam sections, and answer keys are often in Malayalam. For KAS, there's a compulsory Malayalam paper in Mains. Some higher technical posts may have English-only options, but this is the exception. Can candidates from other states apply for Kerala PSC? There is no domicile requirement for most Kerala PSC posts — any Indian citizen can apply. However, the Malayalam language requirement in exams acts as a practical barrier for non-Malayalam speakers. Some posts may have specific Kerala residency conditions. How many times can I appear for Kerala PSC exams? There is no limit on attempts. You can keep applying as long as you meet the age criteria for the specific post. Given the ranked list system, many candidates appear for multiple posts simultaneously. What is the difference between Kerala PSC and KPSC? They are the same body. Kerala PSC and KPSC (Kerala Public Service Commission) are used interchangeably. The official website is keralapsc.gov.in.
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