Kerala PSC Civil Excise Officer (Trainee) Exam 2025 (Category No. 743/2024) — Cut Off & Key Details

Exam Snapshot

The Civil Excise Officer (Trainee) examination under Category No. 743/2024 was conducted by the Kerala Public Service Commission on May 17, 2025 as a direct recruitment test for multiple districts across Kerala. The OMR-based written test was typically 100 marks with a duration of 1.5 hours, covering standard PSC topics such as General Knowledge, Kerala History, Constitution & Governance, Mental Ability, Language proficiency, etc.

Selection Structure

Candidates had to go through the following stages:

1. OMR Written Test (primary screening on 17/05/2025)

2. Endurance / Physical Efficiency Test (shortlisted candidates)

3. Physical Measurement & Medical Examination

4. Final Provisional Allotment for those qualifying all stages

District-Wise Recruitment

Each district (e.g., Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Kasaragod, Kozhikode, Idukki, Wayanad, etc.) had its own shortlist and timeline for endurance tests based on the written exam performance. Shortlist notifications were formally published by district offices of Kerala PSC in mid-2025.

Cut Off Insights (Category 743/2024)

Kerala PSC does not officially publish cut-off marks for most recruitments, but shortlists and result analysis from the various district lists — and unofficial sources — offer a reasonable benchmark:

Reported/Estimated Cut-Off Levels

• Thiruvananthapuram: ~59.67 marks (reported via unofficial PSC discussion channels)

• Palakkad District: ~58.67 marks (as seen in result summaries/videos)

• Idukki District: ~52.67 marks (recorded from short-list data summaries)

These examples show that cut-off marks varied by district, influenced by the number of candidates, difficulty level, and available vacancies in each region. A range of roughly 50–60+ marks appears typical for the main written test to make the shortlist for endurance/physical efficiency stages for this recruitment cycle.

Upcoming Recruitment: Category No. 564/2025 – What Aspirants Should Know

Key Dates & Details

• Notification Date: December 15, 2025

• Application Deadline: January 14, 2026

• Expected Exam Window: May – July 2026

• Selection Process:

  1. Written Test

  2. Physical Efficiency Test (PET)

  3. Medical Examination

Factors That Influence Kerala PSC CEO Cut-Off

1. Number of Vacancies notified under Category 564/2025

2. Difficulty level of the written examination

3. Number of candidates appearing

4. Reservation norms and category-wise competition

5. Performance in PET & Medical Test (qualifying but crucial for final rank)

Strategic Advice for 2026 Aspirants

• Target Score: Aim for 80+ marks in the written exam to stay safely above the cut-off.Prepare to target higher than the last cycle’s approximate cut-offs — generally aiming for 60+ marks or above to stay competitive, given that applicant volume and difficulty might change.

• PET Preparation: Begin physical training early—many candidates lose selection at this stage

• Focus both on written exam proficiency and physical preparedness since the selection is multi-stage.

• Revision Focus: Kerala-based GK, Constitution, and PSC-standard Malayalam questions

• Mock Tests: Practice previous year question papers, especially 2025 (Code 53-2025 M)

• Cut-offs can differ by district and category, so understanding trends from the 2025 lists helps set practical preparation targets.

Conclusion

The May 17, 2025 Kerala PSC Civil Excise Officer exam provides a strong benchmark for predicting cut-offs for the upcoming Category No. 564/2025 recruitment. With rising competition and consistent exam standards, aspirants must prepare with a cut-off-oriented strategy, balancing written exam excellence with physical fitness.

Candidates who plan smartly and aim above the projected cut-off will significantly improve their chances of securing a place in the Kerala Excise Department.