The post of Inspecting Assistant under the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) is a prestigious Group C position typically associated with departments like the Legal Metrology Department or other regulatory authorities.The post, which falls under the Legal Metrology Department, attracted a large number of applicants due to its stable pay scale and government service benefits. This guide will help you understand all aspects of the exam and post so you can prepare confidently.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Educational Qualification

• Minimum: Pass in Plus Two or equivalent qualification.
  
  

• Preference may be given to candidates with technical qualifications depending on the department.
  
  

2. Age Limit

• Usually: 18 – 36 years
  
  

• Age relaxation is applicable for OBC, SC/ST, and other categories as per Kerala PSC norms.
  
  

3. Other Requirements

• Good physical condition and ability to conduct field inspections may be necessary.
  
  

• Must be a permanent resident of Kerala and fluent in Malayalam.

The most recent Kerala PSC notification for the post of Inspecting Assistant (Legal Metrology Department) was published under Category No. 274/2020. The notification was released in the gazette dated November 30, 2022, and the last date to apply was January 4, 2023.The written examination for this notification was conducted in June 2021.

Following the exam, the rank list was officially published in May 2025, and will remain in effect for three years, or until the next list is published, whichever comes earlier. Based on this timeline, the next notification for the Inspecting Assistant post can be expected around late 2027 or early 2028, depending on the number of vacancies reported and the validity of the current list.

Exam details

tThis post has two phases .Here is the complete details

Preliminary Examination (12th Level Common Test)

The Kerala PSC Preliminary Examination for the Inspecting Assistant post under Category No. 274/2020 was conducted as part of the 12th Level Common Preliminary Test. The notification was issued under Examination List No. 62/2021 on December 9, 2021, and was uploaded to the official Kerala PSC website on December 10, 2021.

This stage was a common objective-type (OMR-based) test for several plus-two qualification posts. The exam had a total of 100 marks and a duration of 1 hour 15 minutes. The question paper included:

• Parts I, II, III, V, VI: Malayalam/Tamil/Kannada
  
  

• Part IV: English
  
  

The syllabus was based on the plus-two level curriculum, focusing on general knowledge, basic arithmetic, English and regional languages, in line with the official PSC syllabus.

📚 Main Examination (Post-Specific Test)

The Main Examination for the Inspecting Assistant (Legal Metrology) was held on February 26, 2022, and was exclusively for candidates who qualified in the preliminary exam for Category No. 274/2020.

This was also an OMR-based objective test, carrying 100 marks with a time duration of 1 hour 15 minutes. The format remained consistent with the preliminary test and covered:

• Parts I, II, III, V, VI – Malayalam / Tamil / Kannada
  
  

• Part IV – English
  
  

However, unlike the preliminary, the main exam also included role-specific content, focusing on topics related to Legal Metrology, including inspection processes and enforcement protocols.

The rank list for the Kerala PSC Inspecting Assistant post under Category Number 274/2020 was officially published on June 30, 2023. This list was prepared based on the written examination and subsequent procedures conducted as part of the selection process. The rank list includes candidates selected on the basis of merit and reservation norms, and it will remain valid for three years from the date of publication, or until a new list is published, whichever is earlier. In that case, the validity of the rank list will expire by the end of 2026. Therefore, we can expect its notification soon.

There were 8 vacancies when the notification came out. But according to the rank list, 41 advices have now been completed.

Job Role of Inspecting Assistant

The Inspecting Assistant typically works under the Legal Metrology Department or other regulatory wings of the Kerala Government. The primary responsibility is to assist in enforcing legal standards related to weights and measures used in trade and commerce.

Key duties include:

• Conducting field inspections of shops, factories, petrol pumps, markets, etc., to ensure compliance with the Legal Metrology Act.
  
  

• Verifying and calibrating weighing instruments and measuring devices to check their accuracy.
  
  

• Identifying violations of legal standards and assisting in the filing of reports or taking legal action.
  
  

• Preparing detailed inspection reports and maintaining records of inspections.
  
  

• Assisting senior officers (such as Inspectors or Assistant Controllers) during raids or legal proceedings.
  
  

This is a field-level enforcement job that requires physical activity, attention to detail, and public dealing.

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💰 Salary of Inspecting Assistant

As per the last notification pay scale, the salary for Inspecting Assistant is in the range of:

₹19000 – ₹43,600 (Pay Scale)

This is the salary scale as per the notification issued in 2020. The salary scale to come will be as per the revised salary scale.

Other allowances:

• Dearness Allowance (DA)
  
  

• House Rent Allowance (HRA)
  
  

• Travel Allowance (TA)
  
  

• Medical Benefits
  
  

• Pension and other retirement benefits
  
  

With allowances, the initial in-hand salary may range between ₹35,000 to ₹40,000 per month, depending on posting location and eligibility for various allowances.

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📈 Promotion & Career Growth

Career advancement for an Inspecting Assistant depends on departmental seniority, service record, and departmental exams (if applicable). The general promotional hierarchy is as follows:

1. Inspecting Assistant
   
   

2. Inspector of Legal Metrology
   
   

3. Assistant Controller
   
   

4. Deputy Controller
   
   

5. Joint Controller
   
   

6. Controller (Top Post in Department)
   
   

Promotions may take several years due to limited higher-level vacancies, but time-bound promotions and pay revisions ensure career and financial growth. Those with good performance and service seniority have a stable and rewarding career path within the department.

tages of Selection for Kerala PSC Inspecting Assistant

The selection process for the Inspecting Assistant post under Kerala PSC typically follows a structured multi-stage procedure. Here are the key stages:

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1️⃣ Notification & Application

• Kerala PSC releases the official notification on its website and Thulasi portal.
  
  

• Candidates must apply online through the Thulasi portal: https://thulasi.psc.kerala.gov.in
  
  

• Ensure eligibility and submit all required details before the deadline.
  
  

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2️⃣ Written Examination (OMR/Online)

• Mode: Offline (OMR) or Online
  
  

• Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
  
  

• Total Marks: 100
  
  

• Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
  
  

Syllabus includes:

• Quantitative Aptitude
  
  

• Mental Ability & Reasoning
  
  

• General Knowledge & Current Affairs
  
  

• General Science
  
  

• English and Malayalam Language
  
  

• Legal Metrology (if mentioned)
  
  

Candidates must secure marks above the cutoff to be shortlisted.

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3️⃣ Shortlisting for Document Verification

• Based on exam performance and cutoff marks, Kerala PSC prepares a shortlist of eligible candidates.
  
  

• Only those who qualify in the written exam will be called for the next stage.
  
  

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4️⃣ Document Verification

• Shortlisted candidates must present original documents to verify:
  
  

  • Age
    
    

  • Educational Qualification (Plus Two certificate or equivalent)
    
    

  • Caste/Community Certificate (if applicable)
    
    

  • ID Proof (Aadhar, Voter ID, etc.)
    
    

  • Other documents as specified in the notification
    
    

Failure to produce valid documents may lead to disqualification.

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5️⃣ Rank List Preparation

• Kerala PSC publishes a final rank list based on:
  
  

  • Marks in the written exam
    
    

  • Reservation rules
    
    

  • Validity of submitted documents
    
    

Candidates included in the main list will be considered for appointment. Those in the supplementary list may be considered if vacancies remain.

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Optional (if specified): Medical Fitness Test or Physical Test

• For certain enforcement-oriented departments, a medical or physical test may be required to confirm physical fitness.
  
  

• This is not always applicable but may be mentioned in the notification if relevant.