The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), on behalf of the Karnataka State Prisons & Correctional Services Department, has issued official notifications for the recruitment of 869 posts across Residual Parent Cadre (RPC / Non-HK) and Kalyana-Karnataka (KK / HK) regions.
This massive recruitment drive offers vacancies for Jailor, Warder, Second Grade Instructor (Instructor Grade-II), and Warder-cum-Nursing. Male, female, and transgender candidates holding qualifications ranging from SSLC (10th standard) to a Bachelor’s Degree are eligible to apply.
Online registrations opened on 19 September 2026 and will remain active until 15 October 2026 on the official KEA portal. Below is the complete, comprehensive guide covering vacancy distributions, eligibility criteria, physical fitness norms, exam patterns, pay scales, and application steps.
1. Recruitment Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Hiring Department | Karnataka State Prisons and Correctional Services Department |
| Conducting Authority | Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
| Notification Reference | ED/KEA/22/Rect/2026 (RPC) & ED/KEA/23/Rect/2026 (KK) |
| Notification Date | 18 September 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 869 Posts (576 RPC + 293 KK) |
| Post Designations | Jailor, Warder, Instructor Grade-II, Warder-cum-Nursing |
| Job Category | Regular Karnataka State Government Service |
| Mode of Application | Online via KEA Portal |
| Selection Stages | Written Exam (OMR) ➔ Physical Standards (PST) & Endurance (ET) ➔ Medical |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
2. Important Dates & Examination Schedule
Candidates must submit applications and complete fee payments before the specified closing deadlines:
| Event | Official Date / Schedule |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Released | 18 September 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 19 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 15 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Pay Application Fee | 16 October 2026 |
| RPC Written Exam Date | 21 November 2026 (3:00 PM to 4:30 PM) |
| KK Written Exam Date (Warder/Instructor) | 22 November 2026 (Morning: 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM) |
| KK Written Exam Date (Jailor) | 22 November 2026 (Afternoon: 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM) |
3. Total Vacancies & Cadre-Wise Breakdown
The 869 vacancies are divided into two distinct regional cadres: Residual Parent Cadre (RPC – 576 Posts) and Kalyana-Karnataka (KK – 293 Posts) under Article 371(J).
Vacancy Distribution Table
| Post Name | RPC (Non-HK) | KK (Hyderabad-Karnataka) | Total Posts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jailor | — | 05 | 05 |
| Warder (ವೀಕ್ಷಕರು) | 560 | 275 | 835 |
| Instructor Grade-II (ದ್ವಿತೀಯ ದರ್ಜೆ ಬೋಧಕರು) | 16 | 08 | 24 |
| Warder-cum-Nursing | — | 05 | 05 |
| Total Vacancies | 576 | 293 | 869 |
Warder positions comprise over 96% of the recruitment with 835 total seats, making this an exceptional opportunity for SSLC-qualified candidates.
4. Educational Qualifications by Post
Applicants must have acquired the prescribed minimum qualification as of the application closing date:
- Warder (835 Posts):
- Must have passed the SSLC (Class 10) examination from a recognized State/Central Board or possess an equivalent qualification.
- Jailor (05 Posts):
- Must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized University.
- Preference: Candidates with a degree in Sociology, Psychology, Criminology, or Correctional Administration receive recruitment preference.
- Second Grade Instructor / Instructor Grade-II (24 Posts):
- Must have passed SSLC (Class 10) or equivalent, AND
- Hold a Diploma or Certificate in Mechanical, Electrical, Carpentry, Tailoring, Textile, Weaving, or Carpet Making from a government-recognized institution.
- Warder-cum-Nursing (05 Posts):
- Must have passed SSLC (Class 10) or equivalent, AND
- Hold a valid certificate in First Aid.
Kannada Language Requirement: Candidates who have not studied Kannada as a first or second language in SSLC must pass a compulsory Kannada Language Qualifying Examination (150 Marks, minimum 50 marks required).
5. Age Limits & 5-Year One-Time Relaxation
As per Karnataka Government Order No. DPAR 262 SeNeNi 2025 dated 29.01.2026, candidates receive a one-time 5-year upper age relaxation. The calculated age brackets (as of 15 October 2026) are:
- Minimum Age: 20 Years (for all categories)
- Maximum Age Limits (including 5-year relaxation):
- General Merit (GM): 31 Years (26 + 5 Years)
- SC / ST / Category-1 / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B: 33 Years (28 + 5 Years)
- Ex-Servicemen: Service period rendered in armed forces + 3 additional years.
6. Pay Scale & Emoluments
Selected candidates will be appointed on regular state scales with standard allowances:
| Designation | Pay Scale Matrix | Initial Basic Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Jailor | ₹61,300 – ₹1,12,900/- | ₹61,300/- |
| Warder | ₹37,500 – ₹76,100/- | ₹37,500/- |
| Instructor Grade-II | ₹37,500 – ₹76,100/- | ₹37,500/- |
| Warder-cum-Nursing | ₹34,100 – ₹67,600/- | ₹34,100/- |
In addition to basic pay, employees receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), medical coverage, and National Pension System (NPS) benefits.
7. Selection Process
The selection follows a rigorous three-tier evaluation system:
[Written Competitive Exam (OMR)] ➔ [Physical Standards & Endurance (1:5)] ➔ [Medical Exam (1:2)] ➔ [Final Merit List]Stage 1: Competitive Written Exam (Offline OMR)
- Total Questions: 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Total Marks: 100 Marks
- Duration: 90 Minutes (1.5 Hours)
- Subjects: General Knowledge, General Science, Geography, History, Indian Constitution, Indian Freedom Movement, and Mental Ability.
- Marking Scheme:
- +1 Mark for every correct answer.
- -0.25 Marks deducted for every wrong answer.
- OMR 5th Option Rule: A 5th bubble is provided for unattempted questions. If a question is left completely blank without darkening the 5th bubble, 0.25 marks will be deducted.
Stage 2: Physical Standard Test (PST) & Endurance Test (ET)
Candidates are shortlisted in a 1:5 ratio based on their written examination performance.
Physical Standard Test (PST) Standards
| Candidate Category | Minimum Height | Chest / Weight Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Male Candidates & Ex-Servicemen | 168 cm | Chest: 86 cm (fully expanded with min 5 cm expansion) |
| Female & Transgender Candidates | 157 cm | Minimum Weight: 46 kg |
Endurance Test (ET) Events (Must qualify in at least 3 out of 5 items)
| Test Event | Male Criteria | Female & Ex-Servicemen Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Sprint | 100m in 15 seconds | 100m in 18.5 seconds (or 200m in 40s) |
| High Jump | Min 1.20 meters (3 chances) | Min 0.90 meters (3 chances) |
| Long Jump | Min 3.80 meters (3 chances) | Min 2.50 meters (3 chances) |
| Shot Put | 7.26 kg: Min 5.60 meters (3 chances) | 3.63 kg: Min 3.75 meters (3 chances) |
| Distance Run | 800m in 2 minutes 50 seconds | 200m in 40 seconds |
Stage 3: Medical Examination
Shortlisted candidates in a 1:2 ratio undergo a medical evaluation. Standards include distant vision (6/9 or 6/12), near vision (0/6 or 0/8), normal hearing, chest X-ray, and absence of physical conditions like knock knees, flat feet, varicose veins, or speech impediments.
8. Application Fees & Payment Mode
Application fees must be paid online through Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI:
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General Merit (GM), Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B | ₹750/- |
| SC, ST, Category-1, Ex-Servicemen, Transgender | ₹500/- |
Note: Application fees are strictly non-refundable.
9. How to Apply Online for Karnataka Prisons Recruitment 2026
- Step 1: Visit the official KEA website at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
- Step 2: Click on the link for “Prisons Department Recruitment 2026 (PDR RPC / KK)”.
- Step 3: Register your basic details, mobile number, and email ID to generate login credentials.
- Step 4: Fill in personal information, reservation category, education marks, and communication details.
- Step 5: Upload scanned copies of your passport photograph (50KB–200KB) and signature (50KB–70KB).
- Step 6: Pay the required fee through the integrated online payment gateway.
- Step 7: Preview all details, submit the form, and download the confirmation printout for future reference.
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How many total vacancies are available in Karnataka Prisons Department Recruitment 2026?
There are 869 vacancies in total (576 in RPC and 293 in Kalyana-Karnataka cadre).
Q2. What is the minimum qualification for Warder posts?
Candidates must have passed the SSLC (Class 10) examination or an equivalent recognized exam.
Q3. What is the last date to apply online?
The last date for online application submission is 15 October 2026, with fee payment open until 16 October 2026.
Q4. What is the upper age limit after relaxation?
With the one-time 5-year government relaxation, the maximum age limit is 31 years for General Merit and 33 years for SC/ST/OBC candidates.
Q5. Is there negative marking in the written test?
Yes. Each incorrect answer attracts a deduction of 0.25 marks. Unanswered questions without bubbling the 5th OMR option also receive a 0.25 mark penalty.
Q6. What is the starting salary of a Warder?
The basic pay scale for Warders is ₹37,500 – ₹76,100/-, plus standard state allowances.
11. Official Links & Notification Downloads
| Resource | Official Link |
|---|---|
| Official RPC Notification PDF (576 Posts) | Download RPC Notification PDF |
| Official KK Notification PDF (293 Posts) | Download KK Notification PDF |
| KEA Official Recruitment Portal | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
| Karnataka Prisons Department Website | prisons.karnataka.gov.in |
Leave a Comment