Karnataka’s FDA and SDA recruitment is now being run by the Karnataka Examinations Authority, even though many candidates still search for it under KPSC. It covers 5,431 vacancies across FDA, SDA and other notified posts.
The competitive exam has two papers of 100 marks each, plus a separate qualifying Kannada test where it applies. More updates are on our Syllabus page.
Karnataka FDA SDA Syllabus 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Posts | First Division Assistant, Second Division Assistant |
| Vacancies | 5,431, across FDA, SDA and other posts |
| Standard | FDA: Degree. SDA: PUC |
| Cadres | Residual Parent Cadre and Kalyana Karnataka |
| Competitive Marks | 200 |
Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours |
| Paper 2 | General Kannada, General English, Computer Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours |
| Kannada Language Test | Compulsory Kannada, where applicable | 150 | As prescribed |
The Kannada Language Test is qualifying and is not added to the 200 marks. A deduction of 0.25 marks per wrong answer has been reported. Please verify this in your own KEA notification.
Complete Subject-wise Syllabus
Paper 1: General Knowledge
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| Indian History | Ancient, medieval and modern India, freedom struggle, dynasties, reform movements |
| Karnataka History | Dynasties, freedom movement, state unification, reformers, culture |
| Indian Constitution | Preamble, rights and duties, Directive Principles, Parliament, President, Judiciary |
| Karnataka Polity | Governor, Chief Minister, Assembly, Panchayati Raj, local government |
| Indian Geography | Mountains, rivers, climate, soil, resources, agriculture, transport |
| Karnataka Geography | Rivers, dams, forests, minerals, irrigation, parks and sanctuaries |
| Economy | GDP, inflation, banking, taxation, budget, Karnataka’s budget, industries and schemes |
| General Science | Physics, chemistry, biology, human body, nutrition, diseases |
| Environment | Pollution, biodiversity, climate change, ecosystems |
| Current Affairs | National, international and Karnataka events, schemes, awards, sports |
| Mental Ability | Number series, analogy, coding-decoding, directions, arithmetic, logical reasoning |
Paper 2: General Kannada
| Area | Topics |
|---|---|
| Grammar | Basic rules, sandhi, compound words |
| Vocabulary | Word meanings, synonyms, antonyms, idioms, proverbs |
| Usage | Sentence formation and correction, spelling |
| Comprehension | Reading passages and answering questions |
General English and Computer Knowledge are also part of Paper 2. Please see the official notification for their detailed topics, as we are not listing a partial version here.
Important Topics to Prepare
Karnataka appears in several Paper 1 areas: history, polity, geography, economy and current affairs. That makes state-specific reading especially useful. This is our own reading of the syllabus and not official guidance.
How to Download the Official Notification
- Visit cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
- Open the FDA and SDA recruitment notices.
- Download the notification for your post and cadre.
Separate notifications exist for degree-level and PUC-level posts, and for each cadre.
How to Prepare Using the Syllabus
The topics overlap for both posts, but the expected level differs. FDA aspirants should prepare to degree standard and SDA aspirants to PUC standard. Kannada-medium readers may find Paper 2 easier to start with, while others should begin Kannada grammar early.
Important Links
| Link | Open |
|---|---|
| FDA Notification PDF (RPC) | Click Here |
| KEA Official Website | Click Here |
Related: HPRCA Teacher Recruitment 2026 and our Latest Sarkari Naukri page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this exam run by KPSC or KEA?
The current recruitment is being conducted by KEA.
How many marks is the competitive exam?
It carries 200 marks across two papers.
Does the Kannada test add to my total?
No. It is qualifying and is not counted in the 200 marks.
Is there negative marking?
A 0.25 deduction has been reported, and you should verify it in your notification.