Kerala PSC I Grade Overseer Draftsman Civil Recruitment 2026

If you are a serving employee of Kerala's Public Works Department (PWD) and hold a Diploma in Civil Engineering, this is your chance to move up to the I Grade Overseer / I Grade Draftsman (Civil) post. Kerala Public Service Commission (Kerala PSC) has notified this departmental quota recruitment under Category No. 02/2026, with appointments in both the Public Works Department and Irrigation Department.

Key Highlights

• Strictly departmental quota — open only to current PWD employees, not general public
• Candidates working on provisional basis in PWD are NOT eligible to apply
• No upper age limit — senior PWD staff can apply regardless of age
• No application fee for any category
• Reservation rules (SC/ST/OBC quota) do not apply to this departmental selection
• Ranked list remains valid for a minimum of 1 year and up to 3 years

Selection Process

Selection is through a Written/OMR/Online Test followed by Document Verification. After you apply, you will need to confirm your candidature for the written test within a stipulated period — only then will your Admission Ticket be generated. The exam covers 10 civil engineering subjects, each carrying 10 marks, for a total of 100 marks.

Preparation Tips for Kerala PSC I Grade Overseer Draftsman Civil Exam

• Download the official syllabus PDF from keralapsc.gov.in — the exam covers 10 technical subjects of 10 marks each
• Focus on Surveying (two papers), Construction Technology, and Theory of Structures — these are core diploma-level civil engineering topics
• Brush up on Irrigation Engineering and Geotechnical Engineering, which are frequently tested for PWD-related posts in Kerala
• Practice previous year Kerala PSC question papers for Overseer (Civil) and Site Engineer posts — the syllabus is similar
• The exam has 100 questions for 100 marks — manage your time carefully; do not spend too long on any single subject
• No negative marking has been mentioned — attempt all questions confidently

Documents You'll Need

Key documents to keep ready:

• Service Certificate (in original) from your Head of Office / Department — this is mandatory to prove 2 years of PWD service
• Diploma in Civil Engineering certificate (original) or Equivalency Certificate if claiming an equivalent qualification
• Aadhaar Card — must be added as ID proof in your Kerala PSC One Time Registration (OTR) profile
• OTR profile photograph (name and date of photo printed at the bottom, valid for 10 years from upload date)

See the complete document list in the section below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who is eligible to apply for Kerala PSC I Grade Overseer Draftsman Civil 2026?

A. Only serving employees of the Public Works Department (PWD) — specifically Second Grade Overseers/Draftsmen, Third Grade Overseers/Tracers, Clerks, Typists, Typist-Clerks, and Confidential Assistants — who have completed at least 2 years of service in their respective category are eligible. Candidates working on provisional basis are not eligible.

Q. What is the last date to apply for Kerala PSC I Grade Overseer Draftsman Civil 2026?

A. The last date to apply is 1 April 2026 (up to 12:00 midnight). You can apply online through the Kerala PSC One Time Registration portal at keralapsc.gov.in.

Q. What is the exam pattern for Kerala PSC I Grade Overseer Draftsman Civil?

A. The written exam has 10 subjects — including Surveying, Construction Technology, Theory of Structure, Irrigation Engineering, and Environmental Engineering — each carrying 10 marks, for a total of 100 marks. No negative marking has been mentioned in the official notification.

Q. Is there any application fee for Kerala PSC I Grade Overseer Draftsman Civil 2026?

A. No. There is no application fee for this recruitment. All eligible PWD employees can apply free of cost through the Kerala PSC OTR portal.

• Supervise civil engineering construction and maintenance works undertaken by PWD or Irrigation Department
• Prepare and check drawings, plans, and designs for civil works as directed by superior officers
• Measure and record quantities of work done for billing and estimation purposes
• Inspect ongoing construction sites and ensure compliance with technical specifications and safety standards
• Prepare estimates, schedules of rates, and quantity surveys for assigned civil works
• Maintain site records, measurement books, and other official documents as per departmental rules
• Coordinate with contractors, field staff, and other departmental personnel for smooth execution of works