The Overseer grade 1 syllabus for the upcoming PSC exams scheduled in June 2026 is now available. This syllabus applies to multiple civil posts, including Overseer, Draftsman, and Training Instructor positions.
Since all these exams share the same question pattern and syllabus, candidates can prepare smartly and target multiple posts at once. Therefore, understanding the complete syllabus becomes the first step toward success.
Overview of Overseer Grade 1 Syllabus Kerala PSC
Before starting preparation, let’s understand the exam structure.
- 📝 Mode: Online / OMR
- 📊 Total Marks: 100
- ⏱️ Duration: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
- 🌐 Medium: English
Moreover, the syllabus mainly focuses on core civil engineering subjects, which are common for all Overseer-level exams.
1. BUILDING MATERIALS (15 Marks)
- Rock, stones, bricks, lime, cement, pozzolanic materials – classification, types, uses
- Clay products – earthenware, stoneware, porcelain, terracotta, glazing, types
- Mortar – preparation, classification, types, uses
- Concrete – preparation, classification, types, uses
- Timber – structure, defects, seasoning, uses
- Admixtures for cement mortar & concrete – classification, types, uses
- Paints, varnishes, metals, plastics – classification, types, uses
2. CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY (15 Marks)
- Components of a building
- Stone masonry, brick masonry, hollow blocks, composite masonry – elements, classification, bonds
- Arches – terms, types, centering
- Lintels – wooden, brick, stone, steel, RCC
- Foundations – shallow & deep, well, pile, special foundations, black cotton soil
- Structures – temporary & permanent, substructure, superstructure, load bearing, framed, cavity wall
- Formwork, scaffolding, shoring, underpinning – purpose & parts
- Partitions – requirements and types
- Damp proofing, anti-termite treatment, weathering course – materials, functions, methods
- Fire-proofing – effects and rules
- Carpentry joints – classification and uses
- Fixtures and fastenings – types and uses
- Doors, windows, ventilators – parts, location, sizes, types
- Floors – types (ground & upper), materials
- Roofs – flat, pitched, truss (king post, queen post, etc.), shell, dome
3. BUILDING DRAWING AND PLANNING (10 Marks)
- Layout of drawing
- Lines, lettering, dimensioning, scales, projections
- BIS code (IS: 962-1989) for drawings
- Principles and objectives of planning
- Orientation, functions, responsibilities
- Building bye-laws as per ISI
- Layout plan, key plan, submission drawing
- Safety provisions, green belt requirements
- Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD):
- OS, hardware, software
- GUI
- Installation methods
- Basic commands
4. RCC AND STEEL STRUCTURES (10 Marks)
- RCC materials, proportions, characteristics
- Concrete mixing, slump test
- Formwork, steel behavior and testing
- Bar bending details (IS code)
- RCC components – columns, beams, slabs (one-way, two-way)
- Retaining walls, framed structures, earthquake safety
- Steel structures – sections, fasteners, joints
- Tension and compression members
- Fabrication and construction details
5. PUBLIC HEALTH AND SANITARY ENGINEERING (5 Marks)
- Terms in PHE
- Systems of sanitation
- House drainage system
- House plumbing and sanitary fittings
- Water purification
- Sewer appurtenances
- Manholes and septic tanks
- Modern plumbing technologies
6. ROADS, RAILWAYS, BRIDGES AND TUNNELS (10 Marks)
- Road alignment principles
- Road classification and construction
- Road components, curves, gradients
- Road drainage
- Bridges – components, classification, IRC loading
- Bridge alignment, caissons, cofferdams
- Culverts – classification
- Tunnels – sizing rules
- Railways:
- Permanent way, gauges
- Rail components, sections, length
- Welding, wear, creep, prevention
- Fixtures, fastenings, joints
- Railway stations and yards
7. IRRIGATION ENGINEERING (10 Marks)
- Hydrology – duty, delta, base period, intensity
- Hydrograph – runoff, peak flow, catchment, CCA
- Crops – Rabi, Kharif
- Headworks – storage and diversion
- Dams, barrages, weirs – types and purposes
- Hydroelectric projects – components
- Canals – classification, distribution
- Cross drainage works – aqueduct, siphon, etc.
8. ESTIMATION AND COSTING (5 Marks)
- Measurement techniques and units
- Importance of estimation
- Approximate and detailed estimates
- Quantity take-off methods
- Rate analysis and specifications
- Labour and materials
- Schedule of rates
- Area calculation – trapezoidal and Simpson’s rule
9. SURVEYING AND LEVELLING (10 Marks)
Surveying
- Instruments and terms
- Classification – plane & geodetic
- Chaining, plane table survey
- Compass survey – bearings, angles
- Local attraction, declination
Levelling
- Principles of levelling
- Dumpy level, auto level
- Levelling staff – types and parts
- Adjustments – temporary & permanent
- Terms – datum, benchmark, parallax
- Reduced levels
- Contouring
10. ENGINEERING MECHANICS (10 Marks)
- Stress, strain, elasticity, Hooke’s law
- Elastic limit, modulus of elasticity
- Types of stress and strain
- Stress-strain curve (mild steel)
- Mechanical properties of materials
- Centroid of plane figures
- Moment of inertia, radius of gyration
- Parallel & perpendicular axis theorem
- Friction – laws, angle of friction, repose
- Force system – resolution, composition
- Resultant of forces (analytical method)
- Moment, torque, Varignon’s theorem
- Equilibrium, Lami’s theorem
Preparation Strategy Based on Overseer Grade 1 Syllabus
Since the syllabus is common for multiple exams:
- Firstly, focus on high-weightage subjects
- Secondly, revise regularly using short notes
- Moreover, solve previous year questions
- Finally, attend mock tests to improve speed
🔗 Useful Links for Preparation
👉 For latest exam updates, read:
https://blog.theamazeacademy.com/latest-civil-psc-notifications-january-updates-you-should-not-miss/
👉 For coaching support, check:
https://blog.theamazeacademy.com/civil-psc-coaching-kollam-exclusive-offline-batch-for-ae-overseer-aspirants/
Additionally, these resources will help you stay updated and improve preparation.
📄 View Original Overseer Grade 1 Syllabus PDF
Click here to view/download the Overseer grade 1 syllabus
Additionally, candidates should always refer to the official syllabus for accuracy before starting preparation.
💡 Final Thoughts
The Overseer grade 1 syllabus gives a clear roadmap for PSC aspirants preparing for June 2026 exams. Since multiple posts share the same syllabus, you can maximize your chances with focused preparation.
Stay consistent, revise smartly, and start early. 🚀
