KPSC Physical Education Teacher (UPS) Syllabus: Topics, Pattern, Books

The Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) has released the detailed syllabus for the Physical Education Teacher (UPS) (Malayalam Medium) recruitment in the Education Department. This comprehensive syllabus outlines the topics candidates need to master for both Part I (General Knowledge and Current Affairs) and Part II (Physical Education) of the examination. Understanding the syllabus thoroughly is the first step towards effective preparation, helping aspirants strategize their study plan and focus on high-weightage areas.

Syllabus Overview

Detailed Syllabus

Part I: General Knowledge and Current Affairs (20 Marks)

General Knowledge and Current Affairs

• Salient Features of Indian Constitution: Preamble, its significance and place in the interpretation of the Constitution. Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, Relation between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles, Fundamental Duties. Executive, Legislature, Judiciary – Both at Union and State Level. Other Constitutional Authorities. Centre-State Relations – Legislative, Administrative and Financial. Services under the Union and the States. Emergency Provisions. Amendment Provisions of the Constitution. Other Constitution Authorities: Election Commission of India, Human Rights Commission, UPSC, State Public Service Commissions, Information Commission, etc.
• Social Welfare Legislations and Programmes: Right to Information Act, Prevention of atrocities against Women & Children, Food Security Act, Environmental Acts, Social Welfare Programmes like Employment Guarantee Programme, Organ and Blood Donation etc.
• CURRENT AFFAIRS

Renaissance in Kerala and Freedom Movement

• Towards A New Society: Introduction to English education, various missionary organisations and their functioning, founding of educational institutions, factories, printing press – CMS Press etc.
• Efforts To Reform The Society
  • (A) Socio-Religious reform Movements: SNDP Yogam, Nair Service Society, Yogakshema Sabha, Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangham, Vaala Samudaya Parishkarani Sabha, Samathwa Samajam, Islam Dharma Paripalana Sangham, Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha, Sahodara Prasthanam etc.
  • (B) Struggles and Social Revolts: Upper cloth revolts, Channar agitation, Vaikom Sathyagraha, Guruvayoor Sathyagraha, Paliyam Sathyagraha, Kuttamkulam Sathyagraha, Temple Entry Proclamation, Temple Entry Act, Malyalee Memorial, Ezhava Memorial etc.
• Role Of Press In Renaissance: Malayalee, Swadeshabhimani, Vivekodayam, Mithavadi, Swaraj, Malayala Manorama, Bhashaposhini, Mathnubhoomi, Kerala Kaumudi, Samadarsi, Kesari, AI-Ameen, Prabhatham, Yukthivadi, Deepika, Nasrani Deepika, etc.
• Awakening Through Literature: Novel, Drama, Poetry, Purogamana Sahithya Prasthanam, Nataka Prashtanam, Library movement etc.
• Women And Social Change: Parvathi Nenmenimangalam, Arya Pallam, A V Kuttimalu Amma, Lalitha Prabhu, Akkamma Cheriyan, Anna Chandi, Lalithambika Antharjanam and others.
• Leaders Of Renaissance: Thycaud Ayya Vaikundar, Sree Narayana Guru, Ayyan Kali, Chattampi Swamikal, Brahmananda Sivayogi, Vagbhadananda, Poikayil Yohannan (Kumara Guru) Dr Palpu, Palakkunnath Abraham Malpan, Mampuram Thangal, Sahodaran Ayyappan, Pandit K P Karuppan, Pampadi John Joseph, Mannathu Padmanabhan, V T Bhattathirippad, Vakkom Abdul Khadar Maulavi, Makthi Thangal, Blessed Elias Kuriakose Chaavra, Barrister G P Pillai, TK Madhavan, Moorkoth Kumaran, C. Krishnan, K P Kesava Menon, Dr. Ayyathan Gopalan, C V Kunjuraman, Kuroor Neelakantan Namboothiripad, Velukkutty Arayan, K P Vellon, P K Chathan Master, K Kelappan, P. Krishna Pillai, A K Gopalan, T R Krishnaswami Iyer, C Kesavan, Swami Ananda Theerthan, M C Joseph, Kuttippuzha Krishnapillai, Nidheerikkal Manikathanar and others.
• Literary Figures: Kodungallur Kunhikkuttan Thampuran, KeralaVarma Valiyakoyi Thampuran, Kandathil Varghese Mappila, Kumaran Asan, Vallathol Narayana Menon, Ulloor S Parameswara Iyer, G Sankara Kurup, Changampuzha Krishna Pillai, Chandu Menon, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, Kesav Dev, Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, Ponkunnam Varky, S K Pottakkad and others.

Part II: Physical Education (80 Marks)

• I. History of Physical Education, Sports Development, and Teaching in India
  • Definition, necessity, importance of Physical Education in Modern Society. Contributions of India, Sparta, Athens, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Great Britain to Physical Education.
  • Promotion and structure of major sports competitions: Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, National and International Organizations.
  • Various schemes implemented for the promotion and expansion of physical education and various games.
  • National Discipline Scheme, National Fitness Corps, National Physical Efficiency Drive, NSNIS, All India Council of Sports, State Council of Sports, Sports Authority of India.
  • Physical Education Teaching: Teacher training institutions and various curricula, general education teaching and curricula, functions and responsibilities of teachers in schools.
  • Developmental stages of children, and sports psychology in various developmental stages: Characteristics of children’s developmental stages during primary and secondary education. Physical, physiological, motor, emotional, intellectual, and psychological characteristics. Curricula and physical education programs for children with mental and physical disabilities.
• II. Sports Psychology
  • Definition of sports psychology, nature and role of child psychology in sports.
  • Importance of attitude, ability, individual difference in sports achievements.
  • Basic qualities for sports learning proficiency – readiness, consent, determination, interest, enthusiasm, adventurousness.
  • Importance of group in physical education, group and group leadership, group and leadership roles, leadership styles and leadership training.
  • Role of motivation and encouragement in sports learning and competitions. Problems arising from stimulus in victory and defeat in sports competitions.
• III. Anatomy and First Aid for injuries in Sports and Physical Activities
  • Anatomy: Need and importance of anatomy in physical education. Definition of body cells and connective tissues. Various connective tissues and their functions. Knowledge of circulatory, digestive, excretory, reproductive, endocrine, nervous, skeletal, and muscular systems.
  • Skeletal System: Bone, bone structure, various types of bones and their functions.
  • Joints: Definition, structure, various types of joints, their functions. Various types of joint movements and their terminology, joints and their planes and axes.
  • Muscular System: Structure and nature of muscles. Structural differentiation of muscles and their significance. Functions of muscles.
  • First Aid: Important principles to follow when giving first aid. Knowledge of cardiac arrest, choking, artificial respiration, cuts, bruises, fractures, bandaging, fire accidents, sprains. How to treat cuts, bruises, and sprains that occur during sports and physical activities. Principles to follow when using heat, cold, ultraviolet rays, etc.
• IV. Organization and Administration of Physical Education and Sports
  • Meaning, nature, scope, and philosophy of organization and administration of physical education and sports.
  • Importance of physical education and sports in general education. Various schemes and objectives. Shortcomings and suggestions for current implementation for the promotion of competitions.
  • Special games and physical education for boys and girls in schools. Qualifications, training, and teaching load of physical education teachers.
  • Necessity, importance, procurement, care, and maintenance of sports equipment. Description of quality sports equipment. Immediate design and utilization of sports equipment in its absence. Repair of damaged sports equipment and disposal of unusable ones.
  • Construction of standard playgrounds, their planning and maintenance. Construction and maintenance of indoor facilities and swimming pools. Methods of conducting and managing physical education classes.
• V. Sports Series and Competitions, Physical Education Teaching and various Physical Training Methods
  • Sports Series and Competitions: Types of competition series: Knockout/Elimination, League/Round Robin, Combination, Consolation and Challenge competitions, school-level competitions and inter-school competitions. Necessity and importance of various testing methods and evaluation, and methods of determining various testing methods.
  • Physical Education Teaching and various Physical Training Methods:
    • Teaching: Teaching principles required in physical activities and games. Physical education teaching methods – calisthenics, gymnastics, minor games, major games, rhythmic.
    • Lesson Planning: Physical education lesson planning, different parts of a lesson – introductory, main part (a) skill development (b) group activity, concluding part.
    • Coaching Teaching: Warm-up exercises preceding physical activities – general, specific, and main. Specific operational methods and tactics (Techniques and Tactics) of games. Cool-down exercises to bring the body back to normal, concluding part.
    • Sports Training: Important duties and characteristics in sports training. Special sports talent, selection and training of specially talented children to achieve high sports standards. Special qualities and conditions required for selecting children capable of achieving high standards in sports competitions. Characteristics of basic sports training, general exercise, specific exercise, and competition-specific exercise. Training volume and its principles. Characteristics of physical training for children – various exercises, training volume, intensive training, training period, continuous training methods and their arrangement.
    • Sports Training Methods: Fartlek, Interval Training, Circuit Training, Station Training, Technical and Tactical Training. Specific problems encountered during competitions – diet plans and opponent characteristics.
• VI. Supervision and Official Control Responsibilities of Games
  • Main principles of game control responsibilities. Knowledge and interpretation of rules. Duties and powers to be followed before, during, and after competitions.
  • Responsibilities to be enforced on coaches, players, and spectators during competitions. Knowledge required for designing playgrounds suitable for competitions, legal arrangement of competitions, and conducting competitions.

Note: 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, as stated in the official notification.

Exam Pattern

The KPSC Physical Education Teacher (UPS) exam will consist of 100 marks, divided into two main parts:

Note: Further details regarding the number of questions, duration, and negative marking (if any) are not explicitly mentioned in this syllabus document. Candidates should refer to the full official notification or exam instructions for such details.

Recommended Books

Based on this comprehensive syllabus, 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 KPSC syllabus. For Malayalam sections, local publications are often most helpful.

Preparation Strategy

Structured Study Plan (3-4 Months)

• Month 1: Foundation Building (Part I & Basic Part II)
  • Dedicate 60% time to Part I (GK, Constitution, Kerala Renaissance, Current Affairs). Focus on understanding concepts and memorizing facts.
  • Spend 40% time on foundational topics of Physical Education (History, basic concepts of Sports Psychology & Anatomy).
  • Make crisp notes for quick revision.
• Month 2: Deep Dive into Part II & Practice
  • Shift focus to 70% Part II topics (Sports Psychology, Anatomy, First Aid, Organization, Administration).
  • Practice objective questions from previous year papers for both sections.
  • Identify weak areas and dedicate extra time to them.
• Month 3: Advanced Topics, Revision & Mock Tests
  • Cover remaining Part II topics (Coaching, Training Methods, Supervision).
  • Intensive revision of all subjects using your notes.
  • Start taking full-length mock tests to improve speed and accuracy. Analyze performance to refine strategy.
• Month 4 (Optional/Buffer): Refinement & Current Affairs Update
  • Focus purely on revision and mock tests.
  • Regularly update Current Affairs knowledge until the exam date.
  • Practice time management under exam conditions.

Daily Study Routine

Aim for 6-8 hours of dedicated study daily, incorporating short breaks. Alternate between Part I and Part II topics to maintain interest. Utilize morning hours for complex or memory-intensive subjects when your mind is fresh. Regular short quizzes and self-assessment can be highly beneficial.

Important Topics

Based on the syllabus structure, certain areas tend to be high-weightage in KPSC exams:

• Part I (General Knowledge & Current Affairs):
  • Indian Constitution: Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Preamble, Emergency Provisions, Constitutional Bodies.
  • Kerala Renaissance: Prominent leaders (Sree Narayana Guru, Chattampi Swamikal, Ayyankali), socio-religious reform movements, struggles (Vaikom Satyagraha, Guruvayoor Satyagraha), and literary figures.
  • Current Affairs: Recent awards, sports events, government schemes (especially related to social welfare), national/international news.
  • Social Welfare Legislations: Key provisions of RTI, Food Security Act, Women & Children related acts.
• Part II (Physical Education):
  • History and Foundations: Contributions of various countries to PE, national sports organizations (SAI, NSNIS).
  • Sports Psychology: Motivation, attitude, individual differences, group dynamics in sports.
  • Anatomy & Physiology: Skeletal, Muscular, Circulatory, Nervous systems (basic knowledge), types of joints and movements.
  • First Aid: Principles of first aid, managing common sports injuries (sprains, fractures, cuts).
  • Organization & Administration: Principles of sports management, planning, maintenance of facilities, role of PE teachers.
  • Training Methods: Fartlek, Interval, Circuit training, and their applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is there negative marking in the KPSC Physical Education Teacher (UPS) exam?

A1: The syllabus document does not explicitly mention details about negative marking. Candidates should refer to the official notification or the exam instructions on the admit card for precise information regarding the marking scheme.

Q2: What is the minimum qualifying mark for this exam?

A2: The minimum qualifying marks are typically decided by KPSC and may vary based on factors like the number of candidates, difficulty of the paper, and category. These details are usually released along with the result notification or prior to the exam.

Q3: Can I prepare for this exam in English?

A3: The syllabus specifies ‘Malayalam Medium’ for the post. While you can use English resources for general knowledge and physical education concepts, the exam questions are expected to be in Malayalam, and a strong command of Malayalam is essential, especially for the Kerala Renaissance and local content.

Q4: How important are Current Affairs for this exam?

A4: Current Affairs are a significant component of Part I, carrying 20 marks along with General Knowledge and Kerala Renaissance. Regular reading of newspapers and current affairs magazines is highly recommended to score well in this section.

Q5: What kind of questions can I expect from the Physical Education section?

A5: The Physical Education section covers a wide range of topics from history, psychology, anatomy, first aid, organization, and training methods. Questions can be conceptual, factual, or application-based, testing your comprehensive understanding of the subject.

Q6: Where can I find previous year’s question papers for KPSC Physical Education Teacher exams?

A6: Previous year’s question papers are invaluable for understanding the exam pattern and question types. You can usually find them on the official KPSC website under the ‘Previous Question Papers’ section or through various coaching institutes and online platforms that specialize in KPSC exams.

Q7: Should I focus more on Part I or Part II?

A7: While Part II (Physical Education) carries 80 marks, making it the major portion, Part I (General Knowledge and Current Affairs) with 20 marks is equally crucial for boosting your overall score. A balanced preparation strategy, giving due importance to both sections, is recommended for success.

Q8: Are there any specific books for Kerala Renaissance in English?

A8: While many resources for Kerala Renaissance are in Malayalam, there are some English books and online materials that cover the topic for PSC exams. However, for thorough preparation, especially for nuanced historical events and figures, Malayalam resources might offer more depth and specific details relevant to KPSC’s questioning style.