The First Division Assistant (FDA) is a government post in the state. The responsibilities of a FDA may vary depending on the department they are assigned to, but in general, they are responsible for administrative work such as maintaining records, handling correspondence, preparing reports, and supporting senior officials.

• Recruiting agency: Karnataka Public Service Commission(KPSC)

To apply for the FDA position in Karnataka, you need to meet the eligibility criteria set by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). Generally, the candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university and should have studied Kannada as one of the subjects in their higher education.

Three stages for applying to the post:

• Stage 1- profile creation/updating
• Stage 2- application submission
• Stage 3- fees payment

“The candidates who apply for the competitive examinations shall clearly indicate in their application forms the services or posts for which they wish to be considered for appointment in the order of preference. If the candidate does not prefer any service or post he may be considered for remaining unpreferred vacant post or service”

The general qualifying conditions:

• Citizenship: The candidate should be a citizen of India.
• Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university /equivalent qualification
• Age Limit: The candidate must be between 18 and 35 years of age. Age relaxation is provided for candidates belonging to reserved categories as per the government norms.
• Language Proficiency: The candidate should have proficiency in Kannada language, as it is the primary language used in the state of Karnataka.

The recruitment process for the FDA position

• It usually involves a written examination.
  • Paper -1: compulsory Kannada
• The compulsory Kannada paper is a qualifying paper, which means candidates need to secure a minimum qualifying mark to be considered for the selection process. The paper consists of objective-type multiple choice questions (MCQs) and is conducted for 150 marks with a time duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• The syllabus for the Kannada language paper includes topics such as
  • Grammar, comprehension, vocabulary, translation from English to Kannada, and vice versa, Usage of words, essay, antonyms, synonyms etc.
• The paper is aimed at assessing the candidate’s proficiency in the Kannada language, which is a must-have skill for government jobs in Karnataka.
• It is important to note that candidates who are native speakers of Kannada or have studied Kannada as a language subject in their academics are exempted from the compulsory Kannada paper. However, such candidates need to produce relevant documents to prove their eligibility for exemption.

NOTE: the candidate who has taken Kannada as third language in SSLC or passed any equivalent Kannada exams is not exempted from taking compulsory Kannada paper

Syllabus: grammar, word usage, essay, translation

The other two written papers of the examination are, namely,-

• Paper-2: General English or General Kannada
• Paper-3: General Knowledge

• The maximum marks for each paper will be 100. The questions in both the papers will be “Objective Multiple Choice Type”. The duration for each paper will be 1½ hours.
• The paper on General English or General Kannada is intended to test candidate’s knowledge of English/Kannada grammar, vocabulary, spelling, synonyms, antonyms, his power to understand and comprehend English/Kannada language and his ability to discriminate between correct and  incorrect usage, etc.,
• The candidates may select either the paper on General English or the paper on General Kannada.
• The syllabus of general knowledge paper is as follows:
  • Constitution of India
  • India and Karnataka History and Culture
  • Geography of India and Karnataka
  • Economics of India and Karnataka
  • Current Events
  • Everyday science and such matters of everyday observation as may be expected of an educated person

Books to refer: GK books like Lucent GK book, manorama etc., newspapers and current affair magazine (preferably Mahithi Monthly of Namma KPSC Academy), polity book by Lakshmikanth, Karnataka history and modern Indian history (available in Namma KPSC Academy)

• Wren & Martin- English for Competitive Examinations
• Kannada grammar book

Pay scale of FDA in Karnataka:

• It varies depending on the department and level of the post. The FDA is a Group C level post, and the pay scale for the post ranges from Rs. 27,650 to Rs. 52,650 per month.
• In addition to the basic pay, FDA is eligible for various allowances such as dearness allowance, house rent allowance, medical allowance, and travel allowance. The exact amount of these allowances may vary depending on the department and location of the posting.

Preparation tips for FDA

Preparing for the First Division Assistant (FDA) exam in Karnataka requires a good understanding of the exam pattern and syllabus, along with dedicated and consistent effort. Here are some preparation tips that can help you ace the FDA exam:

• Understand the exam pattern and syllabus: This will help you to plan your preparation and focus on the important topics. Make sure you are aware of the duration of the exam, the number of questions, and the marking scheme.
• Develop a study plan: Prepare a study plan that covers all the topics in the syllabus and allocate sufficient time for each topic. Make sure to include regular revision and practice tests in your study plan.
• Refer to study materials: Study materials such as textbooks, previous year question papers, and online resources can be very helpful in preparing for the exam. Make sure to refer to reliable sources for your study materials.
• Practice mock tests: Practicing mock tests can help you to get familiar with the exam pattern and improve your time management skills. It can also help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses and focus on improving them.
• Improve your language skills: Since the FDA exam includes questions related to language skills, it is important to improve your language skills. Reading newspapers, books, and magazines can help you to improve your vocabulary and grammar.
• Stay updated with current affairs: Current affairs are an important part of the FDA exam. Make sure to stay updated with the latest news and events by reading newspapers, watching news channels, and following online news sources.
• Take care of your health: Taking care of your health is crucial during the preparation phase. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy food, and exercise regularly to keep your mind and body in good shape.

By following these tips, you can prepare well for the FDA exam and increase your chances of success.