First Division Assistant (FDA) is a Group C clerical post in Karnataka government offices. KPSC recruits FDAs for state government departments, while the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) recruits them for boards, corporations and other bodies — and the two use slightly different paper structures.
FDA at a glance
| Conducting body | KPSC or KEA, depending on the employer |
|---|---|
| Post group | Group C |
| Qualification | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimum age | 18 years |
| Written exam | 2 papers of 100 marks each |
| Kannada test | 150 marks, qualifying (unless exempt) |
FDA eligibility
Educational qualification
- A Bachelor's degree from a recognised university.
Age limit
- Minimum age: 18 years.
- The usual upper limits under Karnataka recruitment rules are 35 years (General Merit), 38 years (Category 2A/2B/3A/3B) and 40 years (SC/ST/Category-1). Recent 2026 notifications have added a one-time relaxation, so always check the limit printed in the notification you are applying under.
Exemption from the Kannada language test
- Candidates who studied Kannada as a first or second language in SSLC or an equivalent examination.
- Candidates who have already passed the compulsory Kannada language examination conducted by KPSC or KEA.
FDA selection process
- Compulsory Kannada Language Test150 marks, minimum 50 to qualify — only for candidates who are not exempt.
- Competitive written examinationTwo objective papers of 100 marks each.
- Document verificationFollowed by the final merit list.
FDA exam pattern
KPSC pattern (state government departments)
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kannada Language Test | Compulsory Kannada (qualifying) | 150 | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Paper I | General Kannada / General English | 100 | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Paper II | General Knowledge | 100 | 1 hour 30 minutes |
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
KEA pattern (boards & corporations)
| Paper | Subjects | Questions / Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Knowledge | 100 / 100 | 2 hours |
| Paper II | General Kannada, General English and Computer Knowledge | 100 / 100 | 2 hours |
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer, and also for a question left without shading the fifth (“not attempted”) bubble on the OMR sheet.
FDA syllabus
General Knowledge
- Current affairs — national and international
- Indian Constitution
- History of India and Karnataka
- Geography of India and Karnataka
- Indian economy
- General science
- Awards, books and authors
General English
- Spotting errors and sentence improvement
- Synonyms, antonyms and vocabulary
- Idioms and phrases
- Active/passive voice and narration
- Reading comprehension
General Kannada
- Grammar (vyakarana)
- Vocabulary, synonyms and antonyms
- Spelling and usage
- Comprehension
Computer Knowledge (KEA)
- Computer fundamentals
- Operating systems and MS Office
- Internet, email and networks
- Cyber security basics
How to prepare for FDA
- Check which body is recruiting before you prepare — the KEA pattern adds computer knowledge, the KPSC one does not.
- On a KEA OMR sheet, remember to shade the fifth bubble for questions you skip, or you lose 0.25 marks.
- If you are not exempt from the Kannada language test, clear it early — it is qualifying for every Group C recruitment.
Prepare for FDA with Sadhisu
Previous year papers, subject-wise practice tests, daily current affairs and bilingual study notes in Kannada and English.
FDA — frequently asked questions
What is the qualification for Karnataka FDA?
A Bachelor's degree from a recognised university.
Is there negative marking in the FDA exam?
Yes. 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer. In KEA exams, 0.25 marks are also deducted if you leave a question unanswered without shading the fifth bubble.
Who is exempt from the Kannada language test?
Candidates who studied Kannada as a first or second language in SSLC (or equivalent), and those who have already passed the compulsory Kannada exam conducted by KPSC or KEA.
What is the difference between FDA and SDA?
FDA requires a degree; SDA requires PUC. FDA is the senior of the two clerical posts; the written exam structure is similar.