KPSC Range Forest Officer Syllabus 2026: Topics, Pattern & Books

The Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) has released the detailed syllabus for the Range Forest Officer examination under the Kerala Forest & Wildlife Department. Aspiring candidates preparing for this competitive examination should thoroughly review the syllabus to strategize their study plan effectively. The exam comprises two papers: Paper I (General Knowledge & Current Affairs) and Paper II (English), each carrying 100 marks and a duration of 120 minutes.

Syllabus Overview

Detailed Syllabus

Paper I: General Knowledge & Current Affairs (100 Marks – 120 Min)

This paper covers a wide range of subjects, focusing on both static general knowledge and dynamic current affairs, with a specific emphasis on Kerala-related topics.

i) HISTORY (16 Marks)

• KERALA: Arrival of Europeans-Contributions of Europeans- History of Travancore from Marthanda Varma to Sree Chithirathirunnal- Social and Religious Reform movement- National movement in Kerala- Literary Sources of Kerala History- United Kerala Movement- Political and Social History of Kerala after 1956.
• INDIA: Political History- Establishment of the British- First War of Independence – Formation of INC- Swadeshi Movement- Social Reform movement- Newspapers – Literature and Arts during the freedom struggle – Independence Movement & Mahatma Gandhi – India’s independent – Post independent period – State reorganization – Development in Science, Education, and Technology – Foreign policy.
• WORLD: Great Revolution in England- American War of Independence – French Revolution- Russian Revolution – Chinese Revolution- Political History after Second World War- UNO and other International Organizations.

ii) GEOGRAPHY (16 Marks)

• Basics of Geography: Earth Structure – Atmosphere, Rocks, Landforms, Pressure Belt and Winds, Temperature and Seasons, Global Issues- Global Warming- Various forms of Pollution, Maps- Topographic Maps and Signs, Remote Sensing – Geographic Information System, Oceans and its various movements – Continents, – Nations and their specific features.
• INDIA: Physiography- States and its features, Northern Mountain Region, Rivers, Northern Great Plain, Peninsular Plateau, Coastal Plain, Climate – Natural Vegetation – Agriculture – Minerals and Industries- Energy Sources, Transport system – Road- Water- Railways- Air.
• Kerala: Physiography- Districts and its features – Rivers- Climate – Natural Vegetation – Wild life – Agriculture and research centers – Minerals and Industries – Energy Sources – Transport system – Road – Water- Railway- Air.

iii) ECONOMICS (16 Marks)

• India: Economy, Five Year Plans, New Economic Reforms, Planning Commission and Niti Aayog, Financial Institutions, Agriculture – Major Crops, Green Revolution, Minerals. Direct and indirect taxes in India, GST in India-rationale and structure of GST, benefits of GST.

iv) INDIAN CONSTITUTION (16 Marks)

• Constituent Assembly-Preamble-Citizenship- Fundamental Rights, Writs -Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari and Quo warranto. Directive Principles of State Policy- Fundamental Duties- Structure of Governments- Union Executive, Parliament and Judiciary- State Executive, Legislature and Judiciary- Local Self Government Institutions (LSGIs)- Important Constitutional Amendments (42, 44, 52, 73, 74, 86, 91, 97, 101, 102, 103, 104)- Constitutional Authorities and their functions – Comptroller and Auditor General, Attorney General, Advocate General, Election Commission of India, State Election Commission, Union Public Service Commission, State Public Service Commission- Finance Commission- State Finance Commission- GST Council- Distribution of legislative powers- Union List- State List- Concurrent List- Services under the Union and the States- Tribunals-National Commission for Scheduled Castes- National Commission for Scheduled Tribes- National Commission for Backward Classes- Official Language-Regional Languages-Language of the Supreme Court, High Courts, etc-Special directives relating to languages.

v) Arts, Sports, Literature and Culture (16 Marks)

Arts

1. Important Audio Visual Art Forms of Kerala- Famous Places, Institutions, Personalities, Artistes and Writers related to origin, development, extension, and practice of these Art Forms.

Sports

1. Famous Sports personalities of Kerala, India and World – their Sports Events, achievements and awards.
2. Important Awards – Corresponding Fields, Winners.
3. Famous Trophies – Related Events and Sports Items.
4. Number of Players in Important Sports Items.
5. Important Terms associated with various Sports and Games.
6. Olympics – Basic Facts, Venues / Countries, Famous Performances and Personalities- India in Olympics-Winter Olympics & Para Olympics.
7. Asian Games, Afro-Asian Games, CommonWealth Games, SAF Games – Venues, Countries, Performance of India, other facts.
8. National Games.
9. Games – Events, Players, Achievements.
10. National Sports / Games, Events of various Countries.

Literature

1. Malayalam – Important Literary Movements – Icons and their first works.
2. Main works of Literature related to each movement and their authors.
3. Writers – Pen name and Nick name.
4. Famous Works and Characters.
5. Famous Quotes – Books and Authors.
6. Beginning of Journalism in Kerala – Pioneers, Journals and Publications.
7. Famous Awards/ Honours – Writers and their works.
8. Malayalam Writers who won the Jnanpith Award and related facts.
9. Malayalam Cinema – Origin, Development, Milestones, Pioneers, National Awards.

Culture

1. Kerala – Important Celebrations -Places associated with such Celebrations, Important Festivals.
2. Kerala – Cultural Centres, Worship Places, Cultural Leaders and their Contributions.

vi) Science and Technology, Current affairs (20 Marks)

1. Science and Technology: Nature and scope of Science and Technology, Relevance of S&T, National policy on S&T and innovations, Basics of everyday science, Human body, Public Health and Community Medicine, Food and Nutrition, Health Care. Institutes and Organization in India promoting integration of S&T and Innovation, their activities and contributions, Contribution of Prominent Indian Scientists.
2. ICT: Nature and Scope of ICT, ICT in day today life, ICT and industry, ICT and Governance – various Government schemes promoting use of ICT, e-Governance Programmes and Services, Netiquettes, Cyber Security concerns National Cyber Crime Policy. MIS. Artificial Intelligence – benefits and impacts, Robotics.
3. Technology in Space and Defence: Evolution of Indian Space Programme, ISRO – it’s activities and achievements, various Satellite Programmes – DRDO-vision, mission and activities.
4. Energy requirement and efficiency: India’s existing energy needs and deficit, India’s energy resources and dependence, Renewable and Non-renewable energy resources, Energy Policy of India – Govt. Policies and Programmes, Energy Security and Nuclear Policy of India.
5. Environmental Science: Issues and concerns related to environment, its legal aspects, policies and treaties for the protection of environment at the National and the International level, Environment protection for sustainable development. Biodiversity – its importance and concerns, Climate change, International initiatives (Policies, Protocols) and India’s commitment, Western Ghats, Features, Characteristics and issues. Forest and wildlife – Legal framework for Forest and Wildlife Conservation in India. Environmental Hazards, Pollution, Carbon Emission, Global Warming. National action plans on climate change and Disaster Management. Developments in Biotechnology, Green Technology and Nano-technology.

Paper II: ENGLISH (100 Marks – 120 Minutes)

This paper assesses candidates’ proficiency in English language skills, focusing on comprehension and writing abilities.

• Comprehension of given passages
• Precise Writing
• Essays

Exam Pattern

The KPSC Range Forest Officer examination consists of two papers, each with a specific weightage and duration:

Note: The notification states that questions from other topics prescribed for the educational qualification of the post may also appear, and there is no undertaking that all topics detailed above will be covered.

Recommended Books

Based on the detailed syllabus for the KPSC Range Forest Officer exam, here are highly recommended books to aid your preparation:

Note: These are standard recommended books for competitive exams. Always cross-reference with the specific topics mentioned in the official syllabus.

Preparation Strategy

Structured Study Plan

• Phase 1 (Foundation – 2 Months): Focus on understanding core concepts for each subject in Paper I. Make concise notes. For English, practice basic grammar and start reading comprehension.
• Phase 2 (Practice & Application – 1.5 Months): Solve topic-wise MCQs for Paper I. Practice essay writing and precis writing for Paper II regularly. Identify weak areas and dedicate extra time to them.
• Phase 3 (Revision & Mock Tests – 15-30 Days): Revise all notes thoroughly. Take full-length mock tests for both papers under timed conditions. Analyze performance, identify mistakes, and refine your strategy.

Daily Study Routine

Aim for 6-8 hours of dedicated study daily. Allocate time for each subject, focusing on high-weightage topics. Start your day with challenging subjects (e.g., Indian Constitution, Science & Technology). Dedicate specific slots for current affairs and English practice.

Key Tips

• Current Affairs: Read daily newspapers, follow monthly current affairs magazines, and KPSC-specific current affairs compilations. Pay special attention to Kerala-specific news.
• Kerala Focus: Given the exam is for KPSC, a strong emphasis on Kerala’s history, geography, economy, culture, and current affairs is crucial.
• English Practice: Regular practice of comprehension, precis, and essay writing is key. Read editorials to improve vocabulary and analytical skills.
• Note-Making: Create your own short notes for quick revision, especially for factual subjects.
• Mock Tests: Take as many mock tests as possible to improve speed, accuracy, and time management.

Important Topics

Based on the marks distribution and the general trend of KPSC exams, candidates should give special attention to the following areas:

• Science and Technology, Current Affairs: This section carries the highest weightage (20 marks) in Paper I. Focus on recent developments, government policies, and environmental issues.
• History (Kerala & India): A significant portion (16 marks) is dedicated to history, particularly Kerala’s social reform movements and national movement.
• Indian Constitution: Understanding fundamental rights, duties, constitutional amendments, and the structure of government is critical (16 marks).
• Arts, Sports, Literature & Culture (Kerala focus): This section (16 marks) requires detailed knowledge of Kerala’s cultural heritage, literary figures, and sports achievements.
• English: While all three components (Comprehension, Precis, Essays) are important, consistent practice is key to scoring well in Paper II.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is there negative marking in the KPSC Range Forest Officer exam?

The PDF syllabus does not explicitly mention negative marking. Candidates should refer to the complete official notification for the Range Forest Officer examination or the general instructions provided by KPSC for details on the marking scheme, including negative marking if any.

Q2: What is the total duration for the KPSC Range Forest Officer exam?

The exam consists of two papers, Paper I and Paper II. Each paper has a duration of 120 minutes (2 hours). So, the total examination time would be 4 hours, split into two sessions.

Q3: Are there separate qualifying marks for each paper?

The syllabus PDF does not specify separate qualifying marks for each paper. Typically, KPSC outlines the overall qualifying criteria in the detailed recruitment notification. Candidates should check the official notification for minimum qualifying marks or cut-off criteria.

Q4: How important is Kerala-specific knowledge for this exam?

Given that the exam is conducted by KPSC for a post in Kerala, Kerala-specific history, geography, economy, arts, literature, culture, and current affairs are highly important. The syllabus clearly dedicates significant portions to these topics within Paper I.

Q5: What kind of essays are expected in Paper II English?

Essays in KPSC exams generally cover a range of topics, including social issues, environmental concerns, current affairs, economic developments, and abstract themes. Candidates should practice writing well-structured essays with clear arguments, good vocabulary, and grammatical accuracy.

Q6: Will the questions be in both Malayalam and English?

While Paper II is specifically English, Paper I (General Knowledge & Current Affairs) questions are typically provided in both Malayalam and English for KPSC exams, unless specified otherwise. Candidates should confirm the medium of examination from the detailed recruitment notification.

Q7: When will the exam date be announced?

The syllabus PDF does not contain information about the exam date. KPSC will announce the exam schedule separately on its official website. Candidates are advised to regularly check keralapsc.gov.in for updates.

Q8: What is the recommended approach for current affairs preparation?

For current affairs, it’s recommended to read at least one national newspaper daily, follow a good monthly current affairs magazine, and specifically focus on state-level news and government schemes related to Kerala. Make short notes of important events, awards, appointments, and environmental news.