Karnataka Public Service Commission Announces Recruitment for 319 Gazetted Probationers in 2026
The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) has unveiled its recruitment notification for the year 2026, aimed at filling 319 positions for Gazetted Probationers. The online application window is open from August 1, 2026 to August 31, 2026. Interested candidates can apply through the official KPSC website at kpsc.kar.nic.in.
This recruitment, under notification No. KPSCKA/EXA1/EXMF/9/2026-EXAM-1/I/251710/2026 dated July 31, 2026, invites applications for 319 Gazetted Probationers positions according to the Karnataka Gazetted Probationers (Appointment via Competitive Examinations) Rules, 1997. The vacancies encompass 5 Group A and 13 Group B roles distributed across various government departments in Karnataka.
Overview of the KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), "Udyoga Soudha", Bengaluru-560 001 |
| Notification No. | KPSCKA/EXA1/EXMF/9/2026-EXAM-1/I/251710/2026 |
| Notification Date | July 31, 2026 |
| Post Category | Gazetted Probationers 2026-27 (Group A and Group B) |
| Total Vacancies | 319 (Group A: 117, Group B: 202) |
| Governing Rules | Karnataka Gazetted Probationers (Appointment via Competitive Examinations) Rules, 1997, as amended |
| Application Mode | Online (One Time Registration/OTR) |
| Official Website | kpsc.kar.nic.in / kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in |
Key Dates for KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026
All applicants should be mindful of the following dates concerning the KPSC Gazetted Probationers online application:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | August 1, 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | August 31, 2026 |
| Tentative Preliminary Examination Date | November 15, 2026 (date subject to change; confirm on the KPSC website) |
The notification further states that details regarding the exact date, time, and venue for the preliminary examination will be provided closer to the exam date on the KPSC website. Information about the Main Examination and Personality Test (interview) will be shared later.
Details on Vacancies for KPSC Gazetted Probationers 2026
A total of 319 positions are available, divided into 117 posts for Group A and 202 posts for Group B across 18 distinct designations. Among these, 22 vacancies (5 in Group A and 17 in Group B) are earmarked for the Hyderabad-Karnataka local cadre in addition to general cadre vacancies. The distribution of vacancies is detailed below:
Group 'A' Posts – 117 Vacancies
| Sl. No. | Post Name | General Cadre Vacancies | Hyderabad-Karnataka Cadre Vacancies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assistant Commissioner (Junior Scale), Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department | 36 | 3 | 39 |
| 2 | Assistant Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, Commercial Tax Department | 50 | Not specified | 50 |
| 3 | Assistant Director, Treasury Department | 2 | Not specified | 2 |
| 4 | Executive Officer / Assistant Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department | 13 | 2 | 15 |
| 5 | Assistant Director Grade-1, Social Welfare Department | 11 | Not specified | 11 |
| Group A Total | - | 112 | 5 | 117 |
Group 'B' Posts – 202 Vacancies
| Sl. No. | Post Name | General Cadre Vacancies | Hyderabad-Karnataka Cadre Vacancies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tahsildar Grade-2, Revenue Department | 18 | 7 | 25 |
| 2 | Commercial Tax Officer, Commercial Tax Department | 74 | Not specified | 74 |
| 3 | Assistant Superintendent, Prisons Department | 5 | 1 | 6 |
| 4 | Assistant Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Co-operation Department | 19 | 2 | 21 |
| 5 | Assistant Director, Department of Agricultural Marketing (Co-operation Department) | 10 | 2 | 12 |
| 6 | Deputy Superintendent of Excise, Finance Department (Excise Department) | 5 | Not specified | 5 |
| 7 | Employment Officer, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Department | 3 | Not specified | 3 |
| 8 | Chief Officer Grade-1, Urban Development Department | 18 | 2 | 20 |
| 9 | Assistant Treasury Officer, Finance Department (Treasury Department) | 12 | Not specified | 12 |
| 10 | Assistant Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 11 | Section Officer, Karnataka Government Secretariat | 5 | Not specified | 5 |
| 12 | Section Officer, Karnataka Public Service Commission | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| 13 | Assistant Director Grade-2, Social Welfare Department | 11 | Not specified | 11 |
| Group B Total | - | 185 | 17 | 202 |
In total, there are 319 vacancies (297 in the general cadre and 22 in the Hyderabad-Karnataka cadre). For detailed category-wise reservation parameters, including General Merit, SC, ST, and others, candidates should refer to Annexure-1 of the official notification.
KPSC Gazetted Probationers Eligibility Criteria
Qualification Requirements
As per Rule 7 of the Karnataka Recruitment Regulations for Gazetted Probationers (Appointment via Competitive Examinations) from 1997, candidates must hold either a Bachelor's Degree or a Master's Degree from a recognized institution in India, or a comparable qualification. Those who are awaiting results for their qualifying examinations can apply for the Preliminary Examination; however, they will need to submit proof of passing the qualifying examination upon applying for the Main Examination.
Age Limit
The age requirements set forth are as follows:
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Minimum age (all candidates) | 21 years |
| Maximum age – General Merit candidates | 40 years |
| Maximum age – Category 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B candidates | 43 years |
| Maximum age – SC / ST / Category-1 candidates | 45 years |
Additionally, candidates across all categories may avail a further one-time relaxation of five years in the maximum age limit per Government Order No. ಸಕಇ 262 ಪಿಆರಇ 2025, dated January 29, 2026. There are also further relaxations for Ex-servicemen and others as specified in the notification.
Application Fees
The application fees for the KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026 depend on the category:
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General Merit and other categories | Rs. 600/- |
| Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B | Rs. 300/- |
| Ex-Military Personnel | Rs. 50/- |
| SC, ST, Category-1, and Persons with Disabilities | Exempted |
Payment can be made online through various methods, and once paid, fees are non-refundable. Applications with incomplete payments will be rejected.
Selection Process Overview
The selection for Gazetted Probationers under this notification will be a two-stage process in line with the rules established in 1997: a Preliminary Examination followed by a Main Examination and a Personality Test for candidates who qualify.
Preliminary Examination
This objective type exam consists of two papers, each worth 200 marks, making a total of 400 marks. It's primarily a screening test; marks from this exam do not contribute to final merit:
| Paper | Subject Area | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies covering National and International significance (History, Geography, Polity, Economy, etc.) | 100 | 200 |
| Paper II | General Studies focusing on State significance, General Science & Technology, Environment & Ecology, and General Mental Ability | 100 | 200 |
Note that there is negative marking of 0.25 marks for incorrect answers. Candidates will be called to the Main Examination in a ratio of 1:15 based on merit and category-wise representation.
Main Examination and Personality Test
The Main Examination is descriptive and consists of five compulsory papers plus two qualifying language papers:
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifying Paper | Kannada | 150 | 2 hours |
| Qualifying Paper | English | 150 | 2 hours |
| Paper 1 | Essay | 250 | 3 hours |
| Paper 2 | General Studies-1 | 250 | 3 hours |
| Paper 3 | General Studies-2 | 250 | 3 hours |
| Paper 4 | General Studies-3 | 250 | 3 hours |
| Paper 5 | General Studies-4 | 250 | 3 hours |
| Total (Written Examination) | - | 1250 | - |
| Personality Test (Interview) | - | 25 | - |
| Grand Total | - | 1275 | - |
While marks in the qualifying papers are not included in the merit, candidates must score at least 35% in each to qualify for the Personality Test. Those who do not meet this threshold will not be evaluated in other exam papers. The Main Examination can be addressed in either Kannada or English. Candidates will be summoned for the Personality Test in a 1:3 ratio against the vacancies, depending on performance in the Main Examination.
For specific roles involving field or law enforcement duties, minimum physical standards are required, which can be found in the detailed notification.
Required Documents for KPSC Gazetted Probationers Application
Applicants must prepare the following documents for completion of the online application and One Time Registration (OTR):
- Bachelor's/Master's Degree certificate or provisional pass certificate
- SSLC/10th standard marks card (for date of birth verification)
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- Non-creamy layer certificate, if applicable for specific categories
- Rural study certificate, if claiming rural benefits
- Photograph and scanned signature for upload
Steps to Apply for KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026
Eligible applicants can follow these steps for online application:
- Visit the official KPSC website: kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in
- Complete the One Time Registration (OTR) for first-time applicants; submitted details cannot be edited later.
- Log in using your Enrollment Number, Mobile Number, or Email ID and OTP.
- Select the "Apply to Post" tab, choose this notification, and review the eligibility criteria.
- Complete the application form using OTR details.
- Click "Pay Now" to complete the fee payment through available methods.
- After successful payment, verify your application status and download the confirmation receipt.
Do not close the browser while the payment is processing. If the payment displays as "Processing" or "Pending," wait until it completes before seeking assistance. If you need to edit your application, you must delete it first and reapply through the OTR profile.
Important Instructions for KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment
- Only applications submitted through the official website will be accepted; others will be void.
- Submission of multiple applications for the same post is not allowed.
- Eligibility criteria are determined based on the application deadline unless specified otherwise.
- Certificates for claiming reservation or age relaxation must be uploaded in the correct format.
- Incorrect information may lead to disqualification, and KPSC will not communicate details via phone or mail.
Important Links for KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment
Candidates with a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree may also explore additional Graduate Government Jobs and Karnataka Government Job opportunities available nationwide. For those seeking Group A and Group B positions in Karnataka, recent Bengaluru Government Job openings across various departments are also available.
KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026 FAQs
What is KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026?
This recruitment initiative by the Karnataka Public Service Commission aims to fill 319 Gazetted Probationers roles across 18 designations in Group A and Group B for the year 2026-27.
How many vacancies are available under KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026?
A total of 319 vacancies have been announced, which include 117 Group A positions and 202 Group B positions, alongside 22 allocated for the Hyderabad-Karnataka local cadre.
What is the last date to apply for KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026?
The cutoff date for online applications is August 31, 2026, with applications opening on August 1, 2026.
What is the qualification required for KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026?
Candidates need to possess either a Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree from a recognized university, or an equivalent qualification, as specified under the Gazetted Probationers Rules, 1997.
What is the age limit for KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026?
The minimum age to apply is 21 years, with upper limits specified as 40 years for General Merit, 43 years for Category 2A/2B/3A/3B, and 45 years for SC/ST/Category-1. A one-time 5-year relaxation adds further flexibility.
What is the application fee for KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026?
The application fee structure includes Rs. 600 for General Merit, Rs. 300 for Category 2A/2B/3A/3B, Rs. 50 for Ex-Military Personnel, and no fee for SC/ST/Category-1/PWD candidates.
How can I apply online for KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026?
Applicants can submit their applications through kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in by completing the One Time Registration (OTR), selecting "Apply to Post," filling out the form, paying the fee, and submitting it before the deadline.
What is the selection process for KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026?
The selection process involves a Preliminary Examination (400 marks), followed by a Main Examination (1250 marks over 5 papers plus 2 qualifying language papers) and a Personality Test (25 marks), totaling 1275 marks.
What is the salary for KPSC Gazetted Probationers posts?
Specific salaries for the 18 posts are governed by respective service rules and are not detailed in this notification.