Kerala PSC Sub Inspector Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility

Stage 1, Degree Level Common Preliminary Examination. 100 marks of OMR in 1 hour 15 minutes, shared with other graduate posts. Scores from different sittings are standardised before the cut-off is drawn.

Stage 2, main exam. 100 marks:

The 45-mark special topic in the main exam:

• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (5), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 (5), Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 (5)
• RTI Act 2005 (3) and IT Act 2000 (3)
• Indian Constitution (7)
• Basics of IT and cyber crime (7): phishing, ransomware, identity theft, online fraud
• Basics of human psychology (10): approaches to behaviour, attention and memory, intelligence, emotion and stress, prejudice and group conflict

Read the main exam syllabus for the section lists. The preliminary follows the Degree Level Common Preliminary syllabus.

Usual age relaxation applies to all three. Serving staff choose either their quota or the open market, not both. Reservation rotation applies only to the open market; the two in-service streams are pure merit.

Education: a degree. SC/ST candidates with only an intermediate pass are considered for the open-market reserved quota when there are not enough graduates.

Vision without glasses: 6/6 and 0.5 Snellen per eye, full field. The medical certificate must be from a Civil Surgeon. Differently abled candidates are not eligible.

1. Degree Level Common Preliminary Examination.
2. Main exam (OMR) for those on the eligibility list.
3. Physical measurement and physical efficiency test.
4. Ranked list, one per stream.

Men clear 5 of 8 one-star events: 100 m in 14 s, high jump 132.2 cm, long jump 457.2 cm, shot put (7.26 kg) 609.6 cm, cricket ball 6096 cm, rope climb 365.8 cm, 8 pull-ups, 1500 m in 5:44. Women clear 5 of 8: 100 m in 17 s, high jump 1.06 m, long jump 3.05 m, shot put (4 kg) 4.88 m, 200 m in 36 s, throw ball 14 m, shuttle race 4 × 25 m in 26 s, 80 skips in a minute.

Sport, military training and NCC count as desirable. NCC A/B/C give 2/3/5 per cent weightage; SPC holders and sportspersons get extra marks.

₹45,600–95,600. Selected candidates first spend a year at the Police Training College and then 10½ months of practical training in a district, on a stipend. Neither period counts towards probation, increments or service. Probation, two years within three, starts when you take independent charge of a station.

Online through One Time Registration, with no fee. Confirmation for the preliminary is compulsory, and only those who confirm get an admission ticket.

The previous round was Cat. Nos. 510–512/2024, notified 30 December 2024. A ranked list lapses one year after it is finalised.

The eligibility list, later short lists and the ranked lists sit under Short Lists and Ranked List. Preliminary marks are shown after standardisation in your profile.

• Almost half the main exam is the special topic. The new criminal codes and the psychology unit are where graduate candidates usually have the least background.
• Women candidates: check the 160 cm height early. There is no relaxation beyond the SC/ST figure.

• Notification, Cat. Nos. 448–450/2025
• Previous notification, 510–512/2024
• Main exam eligibility list, 448/2025
• Main exam syllabus and preliminary syllabus
• June 2026 exam programme
• Kerala PSC notifications, previous question papers

Can women apply for Kerala SI?

Yes, with a minimum height of 160 cm (155 cm for SC/ST).

What is the age limit for the open market?

20 to 31, plus the usual relaxations.

Is there an interview?

The 2025 notification does not prescribe one. Selection is by the two exams and the physical test.

What is the pay?

₹45,600–95,600, after training on a stipend.