Govt of Karnataka • SSLR Department

Land Surveyor (Bhoomapaka) Guide

Complete exam syllabus, technical mathematics, surveying topics, eligibility rules, and selection procedure for Karnataka Survey, Settlement and Land Records (SSLR / KEA) recruitment.

Exam Pattern Technical Syllabus

Recruitment Highlights

Designation
Land Surveyor (ಭೂಮಾಪಕರು)
Department
Survey & Land Records (SSLR)
Exam Mode
Written Competitive Exam (OMR)
Pay Matrix
₹23,500 - ₹47,650 (Group C)
Qualification

PUC (Science/Maths) / Diploma / BE / ITI

Age Limit

18 - 35 Years (GM)

Selection Basis

Written Merit (Paper 1 + 2)

Core Focus

Geometry, Algebra & Surveying

Role of a Land Surveyor (Bhoomapaka)

The Department of Survey, Settlement and Land Records (SSLR) functions under the Revenue Department of Karnataka. Land Surveyors (Bhoomapakas) are responsible for cadastral surveys, land demarcation, boundary dispute resolution, podi bifurcation, digitization of village maps, and maintaining geospatial land data integrated with the Bhoomi & Mojini portals.

Recruitment is conducted through a competitive written examination consisting of a General Studies Paper (Paper 1) and a high-weightage technical Mathematics, Physics, and Surveying Paper (Paper 2).

Educational Qualification

Candidate must possess any ONE of the following recognized qualifications:

  • PUC / 10+2 (Science Stream): Passed with minimum 60% marks in Mathematics subject (55% for SC/ST/Cat-1).
  • ITI Certificate: ITI in Surveying / Draughtsman (Civil) with minimum 60% marks from a recognized institute.
  • Diploma in Engineering: 3-Year Diploma in Civil Engineering with minimum 60% aggregate marks.
  • Engineering Degree: B.E. / B.Tech in Civil Engineering or Land Surveying & Geomatics from an AICTE recognized university.

Age Limit Criteria

Category Minimum Age Maximum Age
General Merit (GM) 18 Years 35 Years
Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B 18 Years 38 Years
SC / ST / Category-1 18 Years 40 Years
Ex-Servicemen / PwD 18 Years As per Govt Relaxation Rules

Land Surveyor Exam Pattern

The recruitment is structured with an initial qualifying Kannada language paper followed by two core objective competitive papers:

Exam Stage Subject / Content Questions Marks Duration Marking Scheme
Kannada Language Test Mandatory Qualifying Test (SSLC Standard) 150 Qs 150 Marks 2 Hours Qualifying (Min 50 Marks)
Paper I: General Paper General Knowledge, Current Affairs & GK 100 Qs 100 Marks 2 Hours 0.25 Negative Marking
Paper II: Specific Paper Technical Maths, Geometry, Physics & Survey 100 Qs 100 Marks 2 Hours 0.25 Negative Marking

Detailed Subject-Wise Syllabus

Paper I (100 Marks)

General Studies & Aptitude

100 MCQs • 2 Hours

Indian Constitution & Polity

  • • Preamble, Fundamental Rights & Duties
  • • Directive Principles of State Policy
  • • Union & State Executive, Parliament, Judiciary
  • • 73rd & 74th Amendments & Local Administration

Indian & Karnataka Geography

  • • Physiography, Rivers, Climate & Soil Profiles
  • • Karnataka Agro-Climatic Zones & Forests
  • • Land Utilization & Irrigation Projects
  • • Minerals, Industrial Belts & Infrastructure

Indian History & Culture

  • • Ancient, Medieval & Modern Indian History
  • • Indian National Freedom Movement
  • • Karnataka History (Kadambas, Vijayanagara, Wodeyars)
  • • Integration of Karnataka & Heritage

General Science & Ecology

  • • Fundamentals of Everyday Physics & Chemistry
  • • Life Sciences, Diseases & Human Physiology
  • • Environmental Pollution, Ecology & Climate Change
  • • Developments in Science & Technology (ISRO/DRDO)

Current Affairs & Economy

  • • National & International Events (Past 12 Months)
  • • Union & State Budgets, Government Schemes
  • • Economic Surveys, Banking & Rural Development
  • • Awards, Sports, Authors & Important Dates

Mental Ability & Reasoning

  • • Number Series, Coding-Decoding, Analogies
  • • Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Venn Diagrams
  • • Data Interpretation & Logical Sequences
  • • Spatial Visualization & Pattern Recognition
Paper II (100 Marks)

Specific Technical Paper (Mathematics, Physics & Surveying)

100 MCQs • 2 Hours

Arithmetic & Algebra

  • • Number Systems, HCF, LCM, Squares, Cubes & Roots
  • • Ratio, Proportion, Percentages & Profit-Loss
  • • Linear Equations in 1 and 2 Variables & Graphs
  • • Quadratic Equations, Factorization & Binomials
  • • Matrices, Determinants, Permutations & Combinations

Geometry & Mensuration

  • • Triangles: Congruence, Similarity, Centroid, Incentre
  • • Quadrilaterals, Parallelograms, Rhombus & Trapezium
  • • Circles, Tangents, Cyclic Quadrilaterals & Chords
  • • Area Calculations & Midpoint Theorem
  • • Surface Areas & Volumes of Cylinders, Cones, Spheres

Coordinate Geometry & Trigonometry

  • • Cartesian Coordinates, Distance Formula & Section Formula
  • • Slope of Lines, Equations of Straight Lines
  • • Trigonometric Ratios, Identities & Standard Angles
  • • Heights and Distances & Bearing Measurements

Applied Physics

  • • Kinematics & Dynamics: Speed, Velocity, Acceleration, Newton's Laws
  • • Optics: Reflection, Refraction, Lenses, Prisms, Telescopes
  • • Gravitation & Magnetism: Earth's Magnetic Field, Declination
  • • Heat & Thermodynamics: Temperature Scales, Expansion of Solids

Surveying Principles & Instruments

  • • Chain Surveying, Compass Surveying & Traversing
  • • Plane Table Surveying & Leveling (Contouring)
  • • Theodolite Surveying & Triangulation
  • • Total Station Surveying (EDM & Angle Measurement)
  • • Errors in Surveying & Correction Formulations

Modern Geomatics & Land Records

  • • GPS / DGPS (Global Positioning Systems) & NavIC
  • • GIS (Geographic Information System) & Spatial Layers
  • • Remote Sensing & Aerial Photogrammetry (Drone Surveys)
  • • Karnataka Land Records & Cadastral Mapping (Mojini/Bhoomi)

Recommended Books & Study Resources

Class 9th & 10th Maths

Karnataka State Board (DSERT) & NCERT Mathematics Textbooks.

Surveying Volumes I & II

Dr. B.C. Punmia or S.K. Duggal for Survey Principles & Instruments.

Physics & Mechanics

NCERT Class 10/11 Physics basics (Optics, Mechanics & Magnetism).

General Studies

Karnataka GK by Dr. K.M. Suresh & Lucent General Knowledge.

Strategic Preparation Roadmap

PHASE 1

Master Geometry & Theorems

Paper 2 is heavily weighted towards Geometry and Trigonometry. Solve all proofs, similarity theorems, circle properties, and cyclic quadrilateral riders from DSERT textbooks.

PHASE 2

Learn Modern Survey Tech

Study the core operational fundamentals of Total Station, GPS/GNSS, GIS mapping layers, and cadastral survey terminology used in Karnataka's Mojini application.

PHASE 3

Mock Tests & PYQ Solving

Solve past Karnataka Land Surveyor question papers (2016, 2019, 2021) and practice timed calculation tests to minimize negative marking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Arts or Commerce students apply for the Land Surveyor post?

No. Candidates must possess PUC in Science (with Mathematics), ITI Draughtsman Civil, 3-Year Civil Diploma, or B.E. in Civil Engineering.

Is there negative marking in the Land Surveyor exam?

Yes, 0.25 (1/4th) marks will be deducted for every incorrect response in both Paper 1 and Paper 2.

What is the qualifying criteria for the Kannada Language Test?

Candidates who have not studied Kannada as 1st/2nd/3rd language in SSLC must secure a minimum of 50 marks out of 150 marks in the qualifying Kannada examination.

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