Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Administrative Service (KAS), which was formed on the lines of the Indian Administrative Service, came into effect from Monday, November 1.

The PSC started handing over the appointment advice memo for the KAS to 105 selected officers from three streams, at the headquarters here.

Those who get appointment orders will have to undergo 18 months of training in top-level planning development centres and management institutes in the country.

The first posting of the KAS is equivalent to the rank of the Under Secretary in the State Secretariat.

The posting under KAS is considered as a feeder category for the IAS. Once proved mettle, the KAS officers can get into the IAS cadre after the completion of 10 years' service.

Every year, one third of the vacant second gazetted posts in various departments are kept apart for postings under KAS.

As many as 35 candidates each from three streams — direct appointments, through transfer of existing officers, and those from the first gazetted post and above — will be considered for appointments to the KAS every year.