The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru, on behalf of the Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services Department, has opened direct recruitment for 869 base-cadre vacancies under two notifications dated 18 September 2026.
The recruitment covers Jailor, Warder (Vikshakaru), Warder-cum-Nursing and Instructor Grade-II posts. Online applications opened on 19 September 2026 and close on 15 October 2026. The last date for fee payment is 16 October 2026.
Karnataka Prisons Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting department | Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services Department |
| Conducting authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
| RPC notification | ED/KEA/22/Ne.Vi/2026 (RPC) |
| KK notification | ED/KEA/23/Ne.Vi/2026 (KK) |
| Notification date | 18 September 2026 |
| Total vacancies | 869 |
| RPC vacancies | 576 |
| Kalyana Karnataka vacancies | 293 |
| Posts | Jailor, Warder, Warder-cum-Nursing, Instructor Grade-II |
| Application mode | Online through KEA |
| Application start | 19 September 2026 |
| Last date | 15 October 2026 |
| Fee payment last date | 16 October 2026 |
| Written exam | 21 November 2026, 3:00 PM–4:30 PM for the RPC notice |
| Job location | Karnataka |
Vacancy Details
| Cadre | Post | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Rest of State / RPC | Warder | 560 |
| Rest of State / RPC | Instructor Grade-II | 16 |
| Kalyana Karnataka / KK | Jailor | 5 |
| Kalyana Karnataka / KK | Warder | 275 |
| Kalyana Karnataka / KK | Instructor Grade-II | 8 |
| Kalyana Karnataka / KK | Warder-cum-Nursing | 5 |
| Total | 869 |
The cadre totals reconcile as 576 RPC + 293 KK = 869 vacancies. Candidates should apply under the correct cadre and read the matching vacancy annexure before selecting a post/category.
Post-wise Qualification
| Post | Minimum qualification |
|---|---|
| Jailor | Bachelor's Degree or equivalent; preference is reported for relevant subjects such as Sociology, Psychology, Criminology or Correctional Administration |
| Warder | SSLC / Class 10 or equivalent |
| Instructor Grade-II | SSLC / equivalent + Government-recognised trade diploma or certificate in the notified trade areas |
| Warder-cum-Nursing | SSLC / equivalent + prescribed First Aid qualification |
Candidates should use the detailed ED/KEA/22 or ED/KEA/23 notification for the exact post-wise qualification wording applicable to their cadre.
Age Limit
| Category | Age limit |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 20 years |
| General Merit | Up to 31 years |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | Up to 33 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | Relaxation as provided in the detailed notification |
Age is reckoned according to the conditions in the official recruitment notice. Candidates claiming relaxation should keep the required supporting certificate ready.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General Merit / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | ₹750 |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / Third Gender | ₹500 |
The fee must be paid through the KEA application process by 16 October 2026. Candidates in any other concession category should follow the fee rule printed in their cadre notification.
Pay Scale
| Post | Pay scale |
|---|---|
| Jailor | ₹61,300–₹1,12,900 |
| Warder | ₹37,500–₹76,100 |
| Instructor Grade-II | ₹37,500–₹76,100 |
| Warder-cum-Nursing | ₹34,100–₹67,600 |
Because the recruitment contains multiple posts with different pay scales, candidates should check the exact post they select before submitting the application.
Selection Process
The recruitment process includes the following stages:
- Competitive Written Examination
- Physical Standard Test (PST) and Endurance Test for shortlisted candidates
- Original Document Verification
- Medical Examination
The RPC notice schedules the competitive written examination for 21 November 2026 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM. The notified written paper has 100 questions for 100 marks in 90 minutes, with 0.25 negative marking for a wrong answer.
Candidates should check the KEA page for the exact physical standards, endurance events, admit-card instructions and any separate timetable applicable to the KK cadre.
Kannada Language Requirement
Candidates who are required to clear the compulsory Kannada language condition should follow the language-test provisions in the detailed recruitment notice. KEA will publish the applicable schedule and instructions separately where required.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification date | 18 September 2026 |
| Online application starts | 19 September 2026 |
| Last date to submit online application | 15 October 2026 |
| Last date for fee payment | 16 October 2026 |
| RPC written examination | 21 November 2026, 3:00 PM–4:30 PM |
| PST / Endurance Test | To be announced |
| Document verification / medical | To be announced |
How to Apply
- Open the KEA Official Recruitment Portal.
- Choose the appropriate Karnataka Prisons Recruitment 2026 page for RPC or Kalyana Karnataka.
- Read the matching detailed notification and vacancy annexure completely.
- Register with the required personal and contact details.
- Select the correct post and cadre.
- Enter educational, category and other eligibility details carefully.
- Upload the required photograph, signature and supporting documents in the prescribed format.
- Pay the applicable fee by 16 October 2026.
- Submit the online application by 15 October 2026.
- Save the final application confirmation for future reference.
Documents to Keep Ready
- SSLC / Class 10 certificate and marksheet
- Bachelor's Degree documents for Jailor applicants
- Trade diploma/certificate for Instructor Grade-II applicants
- First Aid qualification document for Warder-cum-Nursing applicants
- Category / reservation certificate, where applicable
- Kalyana Karnataka eligibility certificate, where applicable
- Ex-Servicemen documents, where applicable
- Photograph and signature
- Valid mobile number and email ID
- Other certificates requested in the detailed notification
Important Links
| Link | Purpose |
|---|---|
| KEA Official Recruitment Portal | Application and recruitment updates |
| RPC Recruitment Page | Rest-of-State / RPC recruitment |
| KK Recruitment Page | Kalyana Karnataka recruitment |
| RPC Detailed Notification | ED/KEA/22 detailed notice |
| KK Detailed Notification | ED/KEA/23 detailed notice |
| Karnataka Prisons Department | Recruiting department website |
| Department Recruitment PDF | Department recruitment notice |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vacancies are available in Karnataka Prisons Recruitment 2026?
There are 869 vacancies: 576 under the RPC cadre and 293 under the Kalyana Karnataka cadre.
What is the last date to apply?
The online application closes on 15 October 2026. Fee payment can be completed up to 16 October 2026.
What qualification is required?
Eligibility ranges from SSLC / Class 10 for Warder to a Bachelor's Degree for Jailor, with additional notified qualifications for Instructor Grade-II and Warder-cum-Nursing.
What is the age limit?
The minimum age is 20 years. The upper age is 31 years for General Merit and 33 years for the listed reserved categories, with further relaxation where notified.
When is the written examination?
The RPC notification schedules the written examination for 21 November 2026, 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Candidates should monitor the relevant KEA recruitment page for cadre-specific updates.
What is the selection process?
Selection proceeds through a written examination, PST/Endurance Test, document verification and medical examination.