Kerala PSC Tradesman (Computer Hardware Maintenance) – Technical Education Syllabus
ട്രേഡ്സ്മാൻ (കമ്പ്യൂട്ടർ ഹാർഡ്‌വെയർ മെയിന്റനൻസ്) – സാങ്കേതിക വിദ്യാഭ്യാസ വകുപ്പ് – സിലബസ്
Technical posts and departmental tests · Category No. 884/2025
The full syllabus, organised section by section with the marks for each part: 10 sections and 44 topics, 100 marks in all. Tick topics off as you study and practise each part with the mock tests.
Objective-type OMR/online test for 100 marks. Questions are in English and the test lasts 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Sections
- 10
- Topics
- 44
- Total marks
- 100
Exam pattern & marks · പരീക്ഷാ ഘടന
1
Module 1 – Basic Electronicsബേസിക് ഇലക്ട്രോണിക്സ്
12 marks- Electricity basics: voltage, current, resistance, power, energy, Ohm's law, Kirchhoff's laws
- Resistors: types, colour codes, power ratings, series and parallel combinations, applications
- Capacitors: principle, dielectrics, types, series and parallel circuits
- Inductors and transformers: inductance, mutual inductance, magnetic cores, inductive reactance, transformer action, turns ratio, impedance matching
- Semiconductors: intrinsic and extrinsic, p-type and n-type doping, majority and minority carriers, PN junction formation
- PN junction diode: forward and reverse bias, barrier potential, breakdown mechanisms, applications, special diodes
- Power semiconductors: SCR (structure, triggering methods, latching and holding current, phase control), DIAC (construction, bidirectional switching, triggering), TRIAC (operation, power control)
- Transistors: NPN and PNP, biasing, BJT as switch and amplifier, FET, JFET, MOSFET, applications
- Power supplies and regulation: Zener regulators, current limiting, thermal protection, fixed and adjustable 3-pin IC regulators, power fluctuation hazards, protection devices, linear and switched-mode power supplies
- Digital electronics: number systems, logic gates
2
Module 2 – Computer Fundamentalsകമ്പ്യൂട്ടർ അടിസ്ഥാനങ്ങൾ
8 marks- Digital computers: characteristics, generations, classification, applications
- Hardware and software concepts: functional blocks, internal architecture, instruction cycle
- Motherboard: components, cabinet and motherboard form factors, expansion slots, bus architecture, add-on cards
- Chipset architecture, processor families, socket types
- Memory: memory hierarchy, memory units, primary memory, RAM, ROM, cache memory
3
Module 3 – Advanced Hardware & Storageഅഡ്വാൻസ്ഡ് ഹാർഡ്‌വെയറും സ്റ്റോറേജും
10 marks- CPU technology: internal organisation, modern architectures, multicore processing, thermal cooling, overclocking
- Magnetic storage: hard disk drive internal architecture, controller electronics
- Solid-state devices, storage interfaces, optical storage
- RAID concepts and levels, network-attached storage (NAS)
4
Module 4 – Operating Systems and Deploymentഓപ്പറേറ്റിംഗ് സിസ്റ്റവും ഡിപ്ലോയ്‌മെന്റും
10 marks- Software classification: system, application and utility software, high-level and low-level languages
- OS setup and recovery: functions of OS, open-source and proprietary software, DOS, GUI environments, deployment methods, recovery partitions, system images, backup and restore, registry basics
- Linux: features, structure, file system and process architecture, basic commands
- Partition schemes: Master Boot Record, partition tables, primary, extended and logical partitions
- Boot management: boot loaders, Windows Boot Manager, alternative boot managers, multi-boot configuration
5
Module 5 – System Utilities & Maintenanceസിസ്റ്റം യൂട്ടിലിറ്റികളും പരിപാലനവും
10 marks- System files and commands: Windows Explorer, file system properties, 32-bit and 64-bit, critical System32 files, command line, PowerShell basics, Task Manager, services, process priorities, Event Viewer, System Monitor, Safe Mode
- User account security: account types, User Account Control, access levels, permissions, group policies, time-based permission expiry
- Malware and maintenance: antivirus configuration and updates, port blocking, hosts file editing, junk file cleanup, defragmentation, software licensing compliance
6
Module 6 – Office Applicationsഓഫീസ് ആപ്ലിക്കേഷനുകൾ
10 marks- Word processing: document creation, editing, formatting, page setup, mail merge
- Spreadsheets: creation, formulas, charts, sorting and filtering
- Presentations: slide creation, themes, formatting, animation, multimedia integration
7
Module 7 – I/O Devices & Maintenanceഇൻപുട്ട്/ഔട്ട്പുട്ട് ഉപകരണങ്ങളും പരിപാലനവും
10 marks- Input/output devices: keyboards, mice, audio and visual input, biometric and commercial peripherals, display technologies, video interfaces, audio I/O
- Printers (impact and non-impact), scanners, multi-function devices, other devices, peripheral bus standards
- Installation, configuration, driver deployment, diagnostics, maintenance and repair
8
Module 8 – Networking Fundamentalsനെറ്റ്‌വർക്കിംഗ് അടിസ്ഥാനങ്ങൾ
10 marks- Architectures and topologies: peer-to-peer, client-server, network topologies, LAN, MAN, PAN, WAN, IEEE standards, wireless networking
- Transmission media and standards: twisted-pair, coaxial and fibre-optic cables, RJ-45, RJ-11 and BNC connectors, CAT6 wiring, simplex, half-duplex, full-duplex
- Reference models: OSI layers, TCP/IP suite
- Network hardware: hubs, switches, routers, gateways, repeaters, transceivers, wireless access points, firewalls
- IP addressing and services: IPv4, IPv6, subnetting, TCP/IP utilities
9
Module 9 – Application Protocols and Server Administrationആപ്ലിക്കേഷൻ പ്രോട്ടോക്കോളുകളും സെർവർ അഡ്മിനിസ്ട്രേഷനും
10 marks- Application protocols: DHCP, DNS, FTP, Telnet, SSH, HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP
- Virtual LAN concepts, packet simulators
- Server systems: server hardware, Windows and Linux server deployment, network management utilities, remote administration
10
Module 10 – Network Security, Cloud Computing & IT Lawനെറ്റ്‌വർക്ക് സുരക്ഷ, ക്ലൗഡ് കമ്പ്യൂട്ടിംഗ്, ഐടി നിയമം
10 marks- Network security: security concepts, types of attacks, identification and prevention, cyber threats, data breaches, safe browsing, e-mail security, cryptography and authentication
- Virtualisation and cloud: server virtualisation, VM requirements, cloud infrastructure, cloud models, public cloud services
- IT law: IT Act, cybercrime provisions, digital signatures, legal framework of e-governance, data privacy regulations
- Questions may also come from other topics prescribed for the qualification of the post.
Practise this syllabus
Mock tests for the Kerala PSC Tradesman (Computer Hardware Maintenance) – Technical Education are coming soon. Sign in to track your syllabus progress meanwhile.
This syllabus follows the one published by the Kerala Public Service Commission. Always confirm the latest syllabus and exam details in the official notification on keralapsc.gov.in.