1. The Kerala PSC System and the LDC/LGS Exam
The Kerala Public Service Commission (Kerala PSC) recruits candidates for most state government posts. Two of its biggest exams are for Lower Division Clerk (LDC) and Last Grade Servant (LGS), which need only a 10th (SSLC) pass. A note on the name: from 25 August 2026 the state's official name is Keralam. Exam papers may use either name, and the Commission and many bodies still use 'Kerala' in their titles, so learn both.
Kerala PSC and One Time Registration
- Kerala PSC has its head office at Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram. Its official website is keralapsc.gov.in.
- Every candidate must first create a One Time Registration (OTR) profile on the PSC's online portal, called Thulasi.
- After registering once, you apply for each post from your profile using the post's category number given in the notification.
- For most exams you must send a 'confirmation' through your profile within the given time. If you do not confirm, you may not get an admission ticket.
- Admission tickets, answer keys, shortlists and rank lists are published through the website and your profile.
Preliminary and main exams
- When many posts have the same basic qualification, the PSC has held common preliminary exams (for example 10th level, plus-two level and degree level). Candidates who reach the cut-off then write a main exam for their post.
- For LDC and Last Grade posts, the PSC withdrew the preliminary stage in late 2023 (reported November 2023). These posts now have one single written exam, and the rank list is based on it.
- The 2024 LDC exams were held district-wise under this single-exam pattern. Watch keralapsc.gov.in for the next notification.
- Rules can change for each cycle, so always read the notification for your post before you start.
Exam pattern for LDC (2024 cycle)
- One objective OMR paper: 100 questions, 100 marks, 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes).
- Each correct answer gets 1 mark. Each wrong answer loses one-third (1/3, about 0.33) of a mark. Mark only one bubble per question; multiple or altered marks are not accepted.
- Marks split: General Knowledge 50, Current Affairs 20, Simple Arithmetic, Mental Ability and Observation Skills 10, General English 10, Regional Language (Malayalam, or Tamil/Kannada for linguistic minorities) 10.
- Inside General Knowledge, Kerala topics are tested directly: history and renaissance, geography, Kerala administration, art, culture, literature and sports.
- Questions for 10th-level exams like LDC are usually given in Malayalam (Tamil and Kannada versions for linguistic minority candidates). The English part is in English.
- LGS also has a single objective OMR exam, but its syllabus and marks split differ from LDC. Check the official LGS syllabus for the exact split.
Rules in the exam hall
- Use only a blue or black ball-point pen to darken the OMR bubbles.
- Darken the bubble for your question booklet code (A, B, C or D) correctly. A missing or wrong booklet code can make your answer sheet invalid.
- Reach the centre well before the time shown on your admission ticket. Carry the admission ticket and an original identity document.
- Do not fold, wet or tamper with the barcode on the OMR sheet. Do rough work only on the space given in the question booklet.
Quick facts
- Official website
- keralapsc.gov.in; OTR portal: Thulasi
- LDC / LGS paper
- 100 questions, 100 marks, 75 minutes, OMR
- Negative marking
- 1/3 mark (about 0.33) per wrong answer
- LDC marks split
- GK 50, Current Affairs 20, Arithmetic & Mental Ability 10, English 10, Malayalam 10
- Prelims for LDC/LGS
- Withdrawn in late 2023; one single exam
- Qualification
- SSLC (10th) pass for LDC and LGS
- Official name of the state
- Keralam, from 25 August 2026
💡 Write the LDC split '50-20-10-10-10' on the first page of your notebook. Spend your study time in the same ratio.
📝 5-question quiz on this lesson: enrol free to take it and track your score.
