KVS Syllabus 2026: Tier 1 and Tier 2 Guide for PRT, TGT, PGT
The KVS Syllabus 2026 has two layers. Tier 1 is a common screening paper for every post, and Tier 2 is a subject test written separately for each post, from PRT and TGT to PGT and Principal. Both follow Recruitment Notification 01/2025, which CBSE conducts on behalf of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS).
KVS publishes a detailed unit-wise syllabus for Tier 2, but for Tier 1 the notification names only the six sections and the expected level for each post. The Tier 1 topic lists below are built from those sections and from the question types used in comparable recruitment papers, so treat them as a working checklist. This page covers both tiers, what changed from the old pattern, where Tier 1 and Tier 2 overlap and how to plan your study.
Table of Contents
KVS Syllabus at a Glance
Key Changes to Know
KVS Tier 1 Syllabus
KVS Tier 2 Syllabus
Overlap Between Tier 1 and Tier 2
Is There a Syllabus for the Interview?
How to Cover the KVS Syllabus
KVS Syllabus at a Glance
Stage | Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tier 1 (OMR) | Reasoning, numeric ability, computer literacy, general knowledge, English, one Modern Indian Language | 100 | 300 | 2 hours |
Tier 2 (OMR + written) | Subject knowledge of the post: 60 objective and 10 descriptive questions | 70 | 100 | 2.5 hours |
Interview | No published syllabus | - | 100 | - |
Tier 1 only shortlists candidates, while final merit uses 85 percent of the Tier 2 score and 15 percent of the interview. That one rule should shape how you divide your study time. For marking and timing details.
Key Changes to Know
Two papers instead of one: The 2022-23 cycle used a single 180-question paper that mixed general sections, pedagogy and the subject. The current cycle splits this into a general Tier 1 and a subject-only Tier 2.
Pedagogy has moved: The detailed "Perspectives on Education and Leadership" block now sits in the Tier 2 syllabus for Principal, Vice-Principal and Assistant Commissioner. The official PGT units contain no separate pedagogy section.
Written answers count: Tier 2 has 10 descriptive questions worth 40 marks, so subject knowledge must be written out, not just recognised in options.
Two languages in Tier 1: Every candidate answers 10 questions in English and 10 in one chosen Modern Indian Language.
Negative marking: 1 mark per wrong answer in Tier 1 and 0.25 marks in the Tier 2 objective part.
Older pages may still show the 180-question syllabus with General Hindi, General English and pedagogy in one paper, or describe the exam as computer-based. Those belong to earlier cycles, so follow the official notification and Tier II syllabus.
KVS Tier 1 Syllabus
The same six sections apply to PRT, TGT, PGT and most other posts. What changes is the depth: questions are set at Senior Secondary level for PRT, Graduation level for TGT and Post Graduation level for PGT, Vice-Principal and Principal.
Section | Topics to cover | Start with |
|---|---|---|
General Reasoning (20 Qs) | Analogies, series, coding-decoding, blood relations, directions, order and ranking, syllogism, puzzles, non-verbal figures and mirror images | Series and coding-decoding |
Numeric Ability (20 Qs) | Number system, simplification, percentage, ratio and proportion, average, profit and loss, interest, time and work, speed and distance, data interpretation | Percentage and ratio, which feed most other topics |
Basic Computer Literacy (20 Qs) | Hardware and software, memory and storage, operating systems, MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint, internet and email, networking basics, cyber safety, shortcuts | MS Office and internet basics |
General Knowledge (20 Qs) | Current affairs, Indian history, geography, polity, economy, everyday science, awards, books and authors, education policies and schemes | Current affairs of the last 12 months |
Language Competency Test: English (10 Qs) | Reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, error spotting, sentence improvement | Comprehension and error spotting |
Language Competency Test: Modern Indian Language (10 Qs) | Comprehension, grammar and vocabulary in the language you chose: Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu or Urdu | Grammar basics of your chosen language |
Reasoning, numeric ability, computer literacy and general knowledge carry 240 of the 300 marks, so these four sections decide whether you clear the 1:10 screening. Questions 1 to 80 are bilingual in English and your chosen language, questions 81 to 90 are in English only, and questions 91 to 100 are only in the language you selected in the form.
KVS Tier 2 Syllabus
Tier 2 is a separate paper for each post. KVS has published the unit-wise list in its official Tier II syllabus PDF. The papers are bilingual in Hindi and English, except language posts, which are set in the language concerned.
PGT syllabus by subject
The PGT units follow the senior secondary curriculum closely, so the Class 11 and 12 NCERT textbooks are the natural base. The main units listed in the official syllabus are summarised below.
Subject | Main units in the official syllabus |
|---|---|
Mathematics | Sets, relations and functions, trigonometry, complex numbers, permutations and combinations, binomial theorem, sequences, straight lines, conic sections, 3D geometry, limits and derivatives, statistics, probability, matrices, determinants, continuity, integrals, differential equations, vectors, linear programming |
Physics | Units and measurement, kinematics, laws of motion, work and energy, rotational motion, gravitation, properties of matter, thermodynamics, kinetic theory, oscillations and waves, electrostatics, magnetism, electromagnetic induction and AC, EM waves, optics, dual nature, atoms and nuclei, semiconductors |
Chemistry | Basic concepts, atomic structure, periodicity, bonding, thermodynamics, equilibrium, redox, organic basics, hydrocarbons, solutions, electrochemistry, kinetics, d and f block, coordination compounds, haloalkanes, alcohols and phenols, carbonyl compounds, amines, biomolecules |
Biology | Diversity of life, plant and animal structure, cell biology, plant physiology, human physiology, reproduction, genetics and molecular basis of inheritance, evolution, human health, biotechnology, ecology and biodiversity |
Computer Science | Computer systems, Python programming, functions and file handling, society, law and ethics, networks, database and SQL, Python-SQL connectivity, Pandas and Matplotlib, emerging trends |
Commerce | Accountancy (basics to partnership, company accounts, financial statement analysis and cash flow) and Business Studies (business organisation, services, trade, management functions, financial management, markets, marketing, consumer protection) |
Economics | Statistics for economics, microeconomics, macroeconomics, money and banking, government budget, balance of payments, Indian economic development since 1947 |
Geography | Physical geography, India's physical environment, hazards and disasters, maps and remote sensing, human geography, India's people, resources and trade |
History | Themes in world history, from early cities to modernisation in East Asia, and themes in Indian history, from the Harappan civilisation to the framing of the Constitution |
English | Reading comprehension, functional and creative writing, grammar and usage, British, American, Indian and world literature, literary criticism and movements |
Hindi | History of Hindi literature from Adikal to the modern period, prose genres, poetics (sahitya shastra), development of the Hindi language, unseen passages, grammar, functional Hindi and creative writing |
Biotechnology | Biochemistry, techniques and instrumentation, cell biology, genetics and molecular biology, protein and gene manipulation, cell culture, immunology, applied biotechnology |
TGT syllabus
TGT papers test the subject of the post at secondary level, but some units go further than the Class 10 textbook. The official TGT Mathematics syllabus is a good example:
Core school units: Real numbers, polynomials, linear equations in two variables, pairs of linear equations, quadratic equations, arithmetic progressions, coordinate geometry and Euclid's geometry.
Beyond Class 10: Matrices taught through vector spaces, linear independence, geometric transformations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and rank.
Number patterns: Triangular and square numbers, palindromic patterns, Kaprekar's constant and the Collatz conjecture.
For TGT English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Science, Social Studies and the other TGT posts, download the official PDF and copy your subject's units into a checklist before you start. Expect a similar mix of school-level content with some deeper units.
PRT syllabus
The PRT Tier 2 paper tests content and skills linked to the primary stage. Check the exact unit list for PRT, PRT (Music) and Special Educator (PRT) in the official Tier II PDF. Until you have it, the NCERT textbooks for Classes 1 to 5 in languages, mathematics and environmental studies are a safe base, since PRT questions centre on what you will teach.
Principal and Vice-Principal syllabus
Part | What it covers |
|---|---|
Perspectives on Education and Leadership | Understanding the learner, teaching-learning theories, competency-based planning and assessment, inclusive education, school leadership, NEP 2020, NCF 2022 and 2023, NIPUN Bharat, RTE Act |
Management, Supervision and Leadership | Management processes, leadership theories, HRD, motivation, communication, school supervision, emotional intelligence |
Administration and Finance | CCS rules, office procedure, school budget, RTI Act, GFR 2017, POSH and POCSO Acts, school safety guidelines, pension and NPS |
Preparing for the descriptive part
Ten descriptive questions carry 40 marks, so each answer is worth about 4 marks. Practise short, structured answers: a definition or statement, the explanation, a worked example or diagram, and a one-line conclusion. For PGT Mathematics or Physics, that means showing derivations step by step; for languages, it means drafting letters, reports or essays to time.
Overlap Between Tier 1 and Tier 2
Area | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | How to plan |
|---|---|---|---|
Language skills | English and one regional language, 20 questions | Core for PGT and TGT English or Hindi | Language candidates can study once for both |
Computer knowledge | 20 questions on basics | Full paper for PGT Computer Science | CS candidates should still revise MS Office and internet basics for Tier 1 |
Mathematics | Numeric ability, 20 questions | Full paper for TGT and PGT Mathematics | Maths candidates need speed practice, not new concepts |
Education policy | Possible GK questions on schemes | Core for Principal and Vice-Principal | Senior post candidates should read NEP 2020 early |
For most subject teachers, the overlap is small. Plan two parallel tracks from the start rather than leaving Tier 1 topics to the end.
Is There a Syllabus for the KVS Interview?
No. KVS does not publish an interview syllabus. The interview carries 100 marks and 15 percent weight in final merit for PRT, TGT, PGT, Librarian and senior posts. Prepare a clear introduction, explain how you would teach one topic from your subject, and be ready for basic questions on NEP 2020, inclusive classrooms and why you want to work in Kendriya Vidyalayas.
How to Cover the KVS Syllabus
Weeks 1 to 6, build the subject base: Go through the official Tier II units for your post with NCERT textbooks. Spend 60 to 90 minutes a day on reasoning and numeric ability in parallel.
Weeks 7 to 10, add Tier 1 sections: Cover computer literacy and both language sections, and start daily current affairs for 30 minutes with monthly notes.
Weeks 11 to 14, test and write: Take sectional tests for Tier 1 and write two descriptive answers a day for Tier 2. Mark every wrong objective answer to see where negative marks come from.
Final phase, full simulations: Attempt full-length Tier 1 and Tier 2 papers under exam timing, analyse them the same day and revise from an error log.
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