KPSC Binder Grade II Syllabus 2024: Topics, Pattern & Marks

The Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) has released the detailed syllabus for the upcoming examination for the posts of Binder Grade II and Preservation Supervisor in the State Archives Department. Candidates aspiring for these roles under Category Nos: 751/2024, 189/2025, and 516/2025 can now refer to this comprehensive syllabus to streamline their preparation. The examination will cover General Knowledge and a specialized section on Book Binding, totaling 100 marks.

Syllabus Overview

Detailed Syllabus

The examination is divided into two main parts: General Knowledge and Book Binding. A detailed breakdown of topics for each section is provided below:

Part I: General Knowledge (20 Marks)

i. History (2 Marks)

• Kerala: Arrival of Europeans, European contributions, History of Travancore from Marthanda Varma to Sree Chithira Thirunal, Social and Religious Reform Movements, National Movements in Kerala, Literary Sources of History, Aikya Kerala Movement, Socio-political history of Kerala after 1956.
• India: Political history of British rule, First War of Independence, Formation of Indian National Congress, Swadeshi Movement, Social Reform Movements, Newspapers, Literature and Art during the Freedom Struggle, Indian Freedom Movement and Mahatma Gandhi, Post-independence era, Reorganization of States, Progress in Science and Technology, Foreign Policy.
• World: Great Revolution in England, American War of Independence, French Revolution, Russian Revolution, Chinese Revolution, Post World War II Political History, United Nations, Other International Organizations.

ii. Geography (2 Marks)

• Basic Principles of Geography: Earth’s structure, atmosphere, rocks, geosphere, atmospheric pressure and winds, temperature, seasons, global problems, global warming, various types of pollution, maps, topographic maps, symbols, remote sensing, Geographical Information System (GIS), oceans, ocean movements, continents, countries of the world and their peculiarities.
• India: Physiography, states and their peculiarities, northern mountain region, rivers, northern plains, peninsular plateau, coastal region, climate, natural vegetation, agriculture, minerals and energy resources, road, water, rail, air transport systems.
• Kerala: Physiography, districts, rivers, climate, natural vegetation, wildlife, agriculture and research institutions, minerals, industries, transport systems (road, water, rail, air).

iii. Economics (2 Marks)

• India: Economic scenario, Five-Year Plans, Planning Commission, NITI Aayog, New Economic Reforms, Financial Institutions, Agricultural crops, Minerals, Green Revolution.

iv. Indian Constitution (2 Marks)

• Formation of the Constitution, Preamble, Citizenship, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Fundamental Duties, Components of Government, Important Constitutional Amendments (42, 44, 52, 73, 74, 86, 91), Panchayati Raj, Constitutional Institutions and their responsibilities, Union List, State List, Concurrent List.

v. Kerala – Governance and Administrative Systems (2 Marks)

• Kerala State Civil Service, Constitutional Institutions, Various Commissions, Socio-economic and commercial planning, Disaster Management Authority, Wetland Conservation, Employment and Job Schemes, National Rural Employment Programs, Land Reforms, Protection of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, Social Welfare, Social Security.

vi. Biology and Public Health (2 Marks)

• General knowledge about the human body.
• Vitamins and Minerals, and their deficiency diseases.
• Infectious diseases and pathogens.
• Health and Welfare activities in Kerala.
• Lifestyle diseases.
• Basic health knowledge.
• Environment and Environmental issues.

vii. Physics (2 Marks)

• Branches of Physics, Matter – Unit, measurements and scales.
• Motion – Newton’s laws of motion, Third law of motion, Momentum, Projectile motion, applications of Third law of motion, ISRO’s achievements in space.
• Light – Lenses, Mirrors, Mathematical problems using r=2f, various phenomena of light, Rainbow, various colors of objects, Electromagnetic Spectrum – IR Rays, UV Rays, X-Rays, Photoelectric effect.
• Sound – Various types of waves, Speed of light in different mediums, Resonance, Reverberation.
• Force – Various types of forces, Friction – uses and disadvantages of friction, Fluid pressure, Buoyancy, Archimedes’ Principle, Pascal’s Law, Density, Relative Density, Adhesion, Cohesion, Capillary action, Viscosity, Surface tension.
• Gravity – Centripetal force, Centrifugal force, Satellites, Escape velocity, Mass and Weight, Value of ‘g’, Value of ‘g’ at different places on Earth.
• Heat – Temperature, various types of thermometers, Humidity – Relative humidity.
• Work – Energy – Power – Mathematical problems, Levers, various types of levers.

viii. Chemistry (2 Marks)

• Atom – Molecule – Various states of matter – Transformation, Gas laws – Aqua Regia.
• Elements – Periodic Table – Metals and Non-metals – Chemical and Physical changes – Chemical reactions – Solutions, Mixtures, Compounds.
• Metals – Non-metals – Alloys – Acids and Alkalis – pH value – Alkaloids.

ix. Art, Sports, Literature, Culture (2 Marks)

• Art: Major visual and audio arts of Kerala, their origin, spread, training, famous places, famous institutions, famous personalities, famous artists, famous writers.
• Sports: Major athletes who have left their mark in sports from Kerala, India, and the world, their sports, their achievements, awards received.
• Major Awards – Award winners – Knowledge of the field for which each award is given.
• Major Trophies – Related competitions/sports.
• Major Sports Events – Number of players participating.
• Important terms related to sports.
• Olympics: Basic information, Major venues/countries, Famous achievements/athletes of India in Olympics, Winter Olympics, Para Olympics.
• Asian Games, Afro-Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, SAF Games: Venues, Countries, Notable performance of India, Other facts.
• National Games.
• Game types – Competitions – Athletes, Achievements.
• National sports / entertainments of each country.
• Literature: Major Malayalam literary movements – First works, Authors, Major works of each movement and their authors, Writers – Pen names, Pseudonyms, Characters – Works, Famous lines – Works – Authors.
• Malayalam Journalism: Beginning, Pioneers, Periodicals.
• Major Awards / Honors – Award-winning writers – Works.
• Malayalam Jnanpith winners – Related facts.
• Malayalam Cinema: Origin, Growth, Milestones, Major contributors, Malayalam Cinema and National Awards.
• Culture: Major festivals in Kerala, Places related to festivals, Famous festivals.
• Cultural Centers in Kerala, Places of Worship, Cultural leaders, their contributions.

x. Computer – Basic Information (2 Marks)

• 1. Hardware:
  • Input Devices (Names and uses)
  • Output Devices (Names and uses/features)
  • Memory devices – Primary and Secondary (Examples, Features)
• 2. Software:
  • Classification – System software and Application software
  • Operating System – Functions and examples
  • Popular Application software packages – Word processors, Spreadsheets, Database packages, Presentation, Image editors (Uses, features and fundamental concepts of each)
• 3. Computer Networks:
  • Types of networks – LAN, WAN, MAN (Features and application area)
  • Network Devices – Media, Switch, Hub, Router, Bridge, Gateway (Uses of each)
• 4. Internet:
  • Services – WWW, E-mail, Search engines (Examples and purposes)
  • Social Media (Examples and features)
  • Web Designing – Browser, HTML (Basics only)
  • E-governance
• 5. Cyber Crimes and Cyber Laws:
  • Types of crimes (Awareness level)
  • IT Act and Other laws (Awareness level)

Part II: Book Binding (80 Marks)

UNIT I – Introduction to Binding

• Binding – Definition, Introduction, History, Classification, Style.
• Forwarding – Letterpress, Stationery.
• Various types of papers and their measurements, GSM, GSM calculation.
• Binding materials calculation, tools and equipment required for binding.
• Various types of binding – Account book binding, Mechanical binding, Re-binding, Loose-leaf binding, Case binding.

UNIT II – Sewing and Binding Operations

• Various types of sewing.
• Preparing books for covering after sewing.
• Forwarding operations – Folding, Gathering, Collating, Block binding, Wire stitching.
• Finishing operations, Finishing tools, Materials.
• Preparation of various glues, Lamination, Foiling, Edge decoration.
• Covering materials, Finishing equipment, Varnishing.

UNIT III – Advanced Bindery Operations

• Various types of binding machines and their operations.
• Cutting machine – Programmable cutting machine.
• Folding machine, Bundling machine, Gathering machine, Wire stitching machine.
• Perfect binding machine, Case making machine, Floben machine.
• Packaging definition – Packaging materials.

UNIT IV – Packaging

• Various operations of packaging.
• Packaging materials – Paper, Board, Glass, Metals, Plastics, Wood, Textiles.
• Plastic-based packaging materials, Flexible packaging, Rigid packaging, Specialty packaging – Study.
• Plastic corrugated boxes, Packaging test – Packaging rules and regulations.
• Rigid boxes, Carton making, Study of carton boxes.
• Converting process – Carton manufacturing operations.
• Carton designing sequence – Basic principles, Cutting, Making, Creasing, Gluing.

NOTE: It may be noted that apart from the topics detailed above, questions from other topics prescribed for the educational qualification of the post may also appear in the question paper. There is no undertaking that all the topics above may be covered in the question paper.

Exam Pattern

Recommended Books

The official notification does not mention specific recommended books. Candidates are advised to refer to standard textbooks and study materials covering General Knowledge and specialized topics in Book Binding.

Preparation Tips

Specific preparation tips are not provided in the official notification. However, candidates should focus on thoroughly understanding each topic mentioned in the syllabus, particularly for the Book Binding section, which carries significant weightage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the KPSC Binder Grade II / Preservation Supervisor syllabus?

The KPSC Binder Grade II / Preservation Supervisor syllabus covers two main parts: General Knowledge (20 marks) and Book Binding (80 marks). Detailed topics for each section are provided in the official notification.

Q2: What are the main subjects in the General Knowledge section?

The General Knowledge section includes History, Geography, Economics, Indian Constitution, Kerala Governance & Administration, Biology & Public Health, Physics, Chemistry, Art, Sports, Literature, Culture, and Computer – Basic Information.

Q3: How many marks are allocated to the Book Binding section?

The Book Binding section carries 80 marks, making it the most significant part of the examination.

Q4: Where can I download the KPSC Binder Grade II syllabus?

The detailed syllabus is available on the official website of the Kerala Public Service Commission (keralapsc.gov.in).

Q5: Are there any specific books recommended for preparation?

The official notification does not specify any recommended books. Candidates should use standard study materials for GK and specialized books for Book Binding topics.

Q6: Will all topics mentioned in the syllabus be covered in the exam?

The notification states that while these topics are detailed, questions from other topics prescribed for the educational qualification may also appear, and there is no undertaking that all listed topics will be covered.

Q7: What are the Category Numbers for this recruitment?

The Category Numbers for these posts are 751/2024, 189/2025, and 516/2025.

Q8: Which department are these posts for?

These posts are for the State Archives Department.