Post: Sales Assistant Gr II - KSCCF Ltd / Junior Assistant / Cashier - KSEB / Kerala Ceramics / Excise Circle Inspector - Excise

Paper Code: 161/2016

Date of Test: 26th November 2016

Year Category: 2016

Exam Overview:

The Kerala Public Service Commission (Kerala PSC) conducted the examination for multiple posts, including Sales Assistant Gr II - Kerala State Co-operative Coir Marketing Federation (KSCCF) Ltd, Junior Assistant, Cashier - Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), Kerala Ceramics, and Excise Circle Inspector - Excise Department. This exam aimed to assess the candidates' knowledge of general administration, finance management, sales and marketing, and excise laws.

Exam Pattern:

The exam was conducted in a Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) format, with questions on general knowledge, basic mathematics, administrative processes, finance, and specific knowledge related to the posts.

• Total Questions: 100
• Time Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes)
• Maximum Marks: 100
• Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Syllabus Coverage:

The syllabus for this exam varied according to the posts, but the common subjects covered included general knowledge, arithmetic and reasoning, and basic administrative knowledge. Specific posts also included subject-specific topics such as sales and marketing, finance management, and excise regulations.

1. Sales Assistant Gr II / Junior Assistant / Cashier - KSEB / Kerala Ceramics:

• General Administrative Knowledge: Basic principles of office management, file handling, and administrative practices.
• Accounting and Finance: Basic accounting principles, cash management, and handling financial transactions.
• Sales and Marketing: Understanding of sales strategies, customer interaction, and product promotion in a sales environment.
• KSEB and Kerala Ceramics Knowledge: Basic functions, services, and operations of Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and Kerala Ceramics.

1. Excise Circle Inspector - Excise Department:

• Excise Laws and Regulations: Knowledge of Kerala Excise Act, control over the sale of alcoholic beverages, and related regulations.
• Public Administration: General knowledge of administrative structures and policies in government departments, especially related to excise.
• Inspection and Compliance: Roles and responsibilities of an excise inspector, including monitoring compliance with excise laws and conducting inspections.

1. General Knowledge (Common for All Posts):

• Kerala’s History and Culture: Knowledge of Kerala’s history, culture, and general heritage.
• Current Affairs: Awareness of recent events and developments, both in Kerala and nationally.
• General Science and Technology: Basic scientific principles and technological advancements relevant to administration and governance.

1. General English and Arithmetic:

• Basic English grammar, comprehension, and sentence formation.
• Arithmetic questions on percentages, time and work, simple interest, and averages.

Key Skills Assessed:

• Administrative Skills: Understanding office procedures, file management, and office operations.
• Financial Management: Basic principles of accounting and handling financial transactions, especially relevant for cashier and assistant roles.
• Excise Knowledge: Knowledge of excise regulations, including duties of excise inspectors and laws controlling the sale of alcoholic beverages.
• Sales and Customer Interaction: Skills related to sales, marketing, and customer service, particularly in the context of sales assistants.
• General Knowledge and English Proficiency: Awareness of current affairs, Kerala’s socio-political environment, and general English language skills.

Sample Question Topics:

• Sales Assistant Gr II / Junior Assistant / Cashier - KSEB / Kerala Ceramics:
• What is the main function of the Kerala State Co-operative Coir Marketing Federation (KSCCF)?
• Which of the following accounting terms refers to the record of all financial transactions?
• Which one of the following is a basic function of Kerala Ceramics?
• Excise Circle Inspector - Excise Department:
• Under the Kerala Excise Act, which of the following is prohibited for sale without a license?
• The role of an Excise Circle Inspector primarily involves:
• In which situation is excise duty applicable according to the Kerala Excise laws?
• General Knowledge:
• Who was the first Chief Minister of Kerala?
• The Nobel Prize for Peace 2016 was awarded to:
• The famous Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is located in which district of Kerala?
• General English:
• Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "She __ (is / are) very talented."
• Find the synonym of the word “distribute”.
• Arithmetic:
• If a cashier receives Rs. 1000 from a customer and gives Rs. 250 back as change, how much was the original cost of the item purchased?
• A shop offers a 10% discount on an item priced Rs. 500. What is the selling price after the discount?

Preparation Tips for Candidates:

• Study Administrative Processes: Understand the basics of office management, financial transactions, and general administrative duties.
• Review Excise Laws: Candidates applying for the Excise Circle Inspector role should thoroughly study the Kerala Excise Act and the duties of an excise inspector.
• Improve Sales and Marketing Knowledge: If applying for Sales Assistant positions, focus on customer service, sales strategies, and the workings of the co-operative system.
• Enhance English and Arithmetic Skills: Practice general English comprehension and arithmetic to manage simple math-related questions and language tasks effectively.

Download the Question Paper:

You can download the Kerala PSC Sales Assistant Gr II - KSCCF Ltd / Junior Assistant / Cashier - KSEB / Kerala Ceramics / Excise Circle Inspector - Excise (Paper Code: 161/2016) question paper from the following link: