Karnataka Prison Department Recruitment 2026: 869 Posts, Apply Online

The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has issued recruitment notifications for the Karnataka State Prison and Correctional Services Department for direct recruitment to various posts. The recruitment covers vacancies in both the Kalyana Karnataka cadre and the remaining cadre.

According to the notification dated 18 September 2026, the Kalyana Karnataka cadre has 293 vacancies for Jailor, Warder (Watchers), Warder-cum-Nursing and Instructor Grade-II posts. A separate notification provides 576 vacancies for Warder (Watchers) and Instructor Grade-II posts in the remaining cadre.

Eligible candidates are required to apply online through the KEA application portal. The recruitment process includes a competitive written examination, followed by physical standards/endurance tests for applicable posts and subsequent medical examination and document verification.

Candidates should carefully check the educational qualification, age limit, physical requirements, examination pattern and category-wise conditions before submitting the application.

Karnataka Prison Department Recruitment 2026 – Overview

The two notifications together cover 869 vacancies. The Kalyana Karnataka notification lists 293 posts, while the remaining-cadre notification lists 576 posts.

Karnataka Prison Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Details

Kalyana Karnataka Cadre – 293 Posts

The Kalyana Karnataka notification contains the following vacancies:

The Kalyana Karnataka notification specifically identifies these four categories and their respective vacancies.

Remaining Cadre – 576 Posts

The separate remaining-cadre notification provides:

Combined Vacancy

Educational Qualification

The educational qualification varies according to the post.

Jailor

Candidates applying for the Jailor post must possess a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent qualification.

Preference is mentioned for candidates having a Bachelor’s Degree in subjects such as:

• Sociology
• Psychology
• Criminology
• Correctional Administration
• Equivalent qualification

The qualification must be possessed within the prescribed deadline.

Warder (Watchers)

Candidates must have passed SSLC or an equivalent examination.

Instructor Grade-II

Candidates must:

1. Have passed SSLC or an equivalent qualification; and
2. Possess a Diploma or Certificate in relevant trades such as:
   • Mechanical
   • Electrical
   • Carpentry
   • Tailoring
   • Textile
   • Weaving
   • Carpet Making
   • Other specified recognised trades.

The qualification must be obtained from an institution recognised by the Government.

Warder-cum-Nursing

Candidates must have:

• Passed SSLC or equivalent examination; and
• Possess a First Aid Certificate.

The notification also states that candidates who are still waiting for the result of the required qualifying examination on the last date of application are not eligible.

Age Limit

As mentioned in the notification, candidates must have completed 20 years of age as on the prescribed last date for receiving applications.

The notification provides a one-time relaxation in the maximum age limit under the relevant Government order.

The notification states that eligible ex-servicemen candidates can receive an additional relaxation of three years along with the period of military service, subject to the applicable rules.

Candidates should check the original notification for category-specific eligibility before applying.

Salary Details

The recruitment offers the following pay scales:

Jailor

₹61,300 – ₹1,12,900

Warder (Watchers) / Instructor Grade-II

₹37,500 – ₹76,100

Warder-cum-Nursing

₹34,100 – ₹67,600

The notification also states that candidates selected through direct recruitment will undergo a two-year probation period and selected candidates are required to undergo nine months of basic training at the training school specified by the department.

Application Fee

The application fee is to be paid online.

Note: Candidates should verify the exact category-wise fee/refund conditions in the notification before making payment.

The notification specifies online fee payment and provides the applicable fee conditions.

Selection Process

The selection process prescribed in the notification broadly includes the following stages:

1. Online Application
2. Competitive Written Examination
3. Physical Standard Test (PST) – applicable posts
4. Endurance Test (ET) – applicable posts
5. Medical Examination
6. Document Verification
7. Final Selection / Appointment

The written examination is conducted by KEA in Offline OMR format.

For applicable posts, candidates qualifying in the competitive examination and qualifying examination are shortlisted for physical tests in the prescribed ratio. Candidates who qualify the physical tests proceed to the subsequent stages.

Written Examination Pattern

The competitive examination is conducted in Offline OMR mode.

For Warder and Instructor Grade-II-related posts, the paper contains 100 questions for 100 marks with a duration of 90 minutes.

The syllabus includes areas such as:

• General Knowledge
• General Science
• Geography
• History
• Indian Constitution
• Indian National Movement
• Mental Ability

For Jailor, the notification prescribes questions at the degree level, while the other specified posts have questions below degree level as prescribed in the notification.

Negative Marking

The notification specifies negative valuation.

There are four answer choices for each question. For every wrong answer, 0.25 marks are deducted.

The OMR sheet also contains a fifth option for questions that the candidate does not want to answer. Candidates are required to follow the instructions concerning the fifth option carefully.

Physical Standard Test

For the applicable prison recruitment posts, candidates have to satisfy the prescribed physical standards.

According to the notification:

Male Candidates

• Minimum Height: 168 cm
• Chest: 86 cm
• Minimum expansion: 5 cm

The notification also contains specific provisions for ex-servicemen and other applicable categories.

Candidates who qualify the Physical Standard Test are required to participate in the Endurance Test.

Endurance Test

The notification specifies different endurance requirements.

For male candidates, the prescribed events include:

• High Jump – minimum 1.20 metres
• Long Jump – minimum 3.80 metres
• Shot Put with 7.26 kg – minimum 5.60 metres

For women, transgender candidates and specified ex-servicemen candidates, separate standards are prescribed, including:

• High Jump – minimum 0.90 metres
• Long Jump – minimum 2.50 metres
• Shot Put with 3.63 kg – minimum 3.75 metres

The notification states that candidates need to qualify in at least three of the five prescribed endurance tests to be considered in the selection process.

Candidates should read the original notification carefully because the physical test conditions and applicable categories are important.

Medical Examination

Candidates qualifying in the prescribed stages will be required to undergo medical examination.

The medical examination includes assessment of physical fitness and eyesight, along with other medical parameters prescribed by the department.

Candidates called for medical examination are required to produce original educational and category-related documents and the required attested copies.

The notification includes specific eyesight standards and lists certain medical conditions that may result in disqualification.

Kannada Language Requirement

The notification contains provisions relating to the Kannada language examination.

Candidates who have studied Kannada as a first or second language at the required level, studied through Kannada medium, or have already passed the prescribed Kannada language examination may be exempted according to the applicable Government orders.

Candidates who are not exempted may have to appear for the prescribed Kannada language examination. The notification states that the Kannada examination is a qualifying requirement.

Important Dates

The notification specifies 21 November 2026 for the competitive examination, with the examination scheduled from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM.

How to Apply Online

Candidates can apply through the official KEA website.

Step 1

Visit the official KEA website.

Step 2

Find the Karnataka Prison and Correctional Services recruitment notification/application link.

Step 3

Read the complete notification and confirm your eligibility.

Step 4

Complete the online application form with accurate personal, educational and category details.

Step 5

Upload the required photograph, signature and other documents in the prescribed format.

Step 6

Check all details carefully before final submission.

Step 7

Pay the applicable application fee online.

Step 8

Submit the application before 15 October 2026.

Step 9

Pay the applicable fee before 16 October 2026.

Step 10

Download and save a copy of the submitted application and payment receipt for future reference.

The notification specifically states that information submitted in the application cannot subsequently be changed or corrected, so candidates should verify the details before final submission.

Documents Required

Candidates should keep the following documents/details ready:

• SSLC / 10th marks card
• Educational qualification certificates
• Degree certificate, where applicable
• Diploma / Trade certificate for Instructor Grade-II
• First Aid Certificate for Warder-cum-Nursing
• Caste certificate, if applicable
• Category certificate
• Ex-servicemen documents, where applicable
• Recent photograph
• Signature
• Valid ID proof
• Other certificates required for reservation or special categories

At the physical examination and medical/document verification stages, candidates may be required to produce original documents along with prescribed copies.

Important Links

The Karnataka Prison and Correctional Services Department recruitment announced through the two notifications dated 18 September 2026 covers a combined 869 vacancies. The Kalyana Karnataka notification contains 293 vacancies, including Jailor, Warder (Watchers), Warder-cum-Nursing and Instructor Grade-II posts, while the remaining-cadre notification contains 576 vacancies for Warder (Watchers) and Instructor Grade-II.

The online application process begins on 19 September 2026, the last date to submit applications is 15 October 2026, and the fee payment deadline is 16 October 2026. The competitive examination is scheduled for 21 November 2026.

Candidates should carefully read the official notification before applying, particularly the post-specific qualification, age requirements, physical standards, endurance test, Kannada language requirements, medical standards and document requirements.

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