Thinking of applying for Karnataka FDA or SDA? With 5,431 vacancies across these and other notified posts, many students are. If you have been searching for “KPSC FDA”, please note that this recruitment is now being run by KEA.
Let us understand the exam in simple words. See more on our Syllabus page.
FDA or SDA: What Is the Difference?
| Point | FDA | SDA |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | First Division Assistant | Second Division Assistant |
| Exam Level | Degree | PUC |
| Syllabus Areas | Mostly common | Mostly common |
The subjects are nearly the same, but FDA questions are at a higher level.
How the Exam Works
| Paper | What It Tests | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours |
| Paper 2 | Kannada, English, Computers | 100 | 2 hours |
| Kannada Test | Compulsory Kannada, where it applies | 150 | As prescribed |
What Is the Kannada Test?
It is a separate test that you only need to pass, where it applies to you. Its 150 marks are not added to your 200. So it will not raise your rank, but failing it can still cause you a problem.
About Negative Marking
A cut of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer has been reported. Please confirm it in your own notification before you plan your guessing.
Paper 1: What to Study
| Area | Focus On |
|---|---|
| History | India’s past, freedom struggle, Karnataka’s dynasties and unification |
| Polity | Constitution, Parliament, Karnataka government, Panchayati Raj |
| Geography | India and Karnataka: rivers, dams, climate, agriculture |
| Economy | Banking, budget, inflation, Karnataka’s schemes |
| Science | Physics, chemistry, biology, human body |
| Environment | Pollution, climate change, biodiversity |
| Current Affairs | Karnataka and national news, awards, sports |
| Mental Ability | Series, coding, directions, arithmetic |
Paper 2: General Kannada
| Area | Focus On |
|---|---|
| Grammar | Rules, sandhi, compound words |
| Words | Meanings, synonyms, antonyms, idioms, proverbs |
| Writing | Correct sentences and spelling |
| Reading | Passages and questions |
English and Computer Knowledge are also in this paper. Please check your notification for the detailed topics.
What Should You Study First?
These are our suggestions, not official advice.
| If You Are | Start With |
|---|---|
| Comfortable in Kannada | Paper 1 and Karnataka topics |
| Weak in Kannada | Kannada grammar, from day one |
| From a non-arts background | History and polity |
| Short on time | Karnataka topics, as they appear across many areas |
Please notice how often Karnataka appears in Paper 1. It shows up in history, polity, geography, economy and current affairs. So one good Karnataka book can help you in many places.
Tips for Beginners
Read one newspaper daily, and write down Karnataka news in a small notebook. Solve old papers on a 2-hour timer, since sitting for that long is itself a skill. Most of all, do not ignore Kannada until the end, because language improves slowly.
How to Get the Official Notification
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
| 2 | Look for FDA and SDA notices |
| 3 | Pick the one for your post and cadre |
Separate notices exist for degree-level and PUC-level posts.
Important Links
| Link | Open |
|---|---|
| FDA Notice PDF (RPC) | Click Here |
| KEA Website | Click Here |
You may also like: HPRCA Recruitment 2026 and our Latest Jobs page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I passed PUC. Which post can I target?
SDA is the PUC-level post. FDA is at degree level.
Do my Kannada test marks count?
No. You only need to qualify, where it applies.
Why do people still say KPSC?
It is a commonly searched name, though KEA is running this recruitment.
Is the syllabus different for FDA and SDA?
It is largely common, but the difficulty level differs.