Karnataka Prison Department Recruitment 2026 is now open, and it is one of the biggest 10th-pass state government openings of the year. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has announced 869 vacancies for Jailor, Warder (Vikshakaru), Instructor Grade-II and Warder cum Nursing. The recruitment is on behalf of the Karnataka Prisons and Reforms Services Department.
Here is the number that matters: about 96% of the vacancies (835 of 869) are for Warder. You only need an SSLC (10th standard) pass to apply for that post. Applications opened on 19 September 2026 and close on 15 October 2026 at the official KEA portal.
Track every open notification & never miss a deadline
This guide goes beyond the notification. We cover the difference between the two cadres, a realistic salary estimate, how many candidates will reach the physical test, and a prep plan for the exam and the fitness stage. Read it before you pay the fee.
📌 Also Read: Latest Government Job Notifications 2026 – All Sarkari Naukri in One Place
Table of Contents
Karnataka Prison Department Recruitment 2026 – Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
| Recruiting Department | Karnataka Prisons and Reforms Services Department |
| Notification Numbers | ED/KEA/22/Ne.Vi/2026(R.P.C.) and ED/KEA/23/Ne.Vi/2026(K.K.), both dated 18 September 2026 |
| Post Names | Jailor, Warder (Vikshakaru), Warder cum Nursing, Instructor Grade-II |
| Total Vacancies | 869 (576 General cadre + 293 Kalyana Karnataka cadre) |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Last Date to Apply | 15 October 2026 |
| Written Exam Date | 21 November 2026 |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 18 September 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 19 September 2026 |
| Online Application Ends | 15 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 16 October 2026 |
| Written Exam (OMR) | 21 November 2026, 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM |
| Kannada Language Test (if applicable) | [To be announced] |
| Physical Standard Test & Endurance Test | [To be announced – with admit card] |
⚠️ Don’t wait for the last week. Government portals slow down near deadlines. The form cannot be edited after submission, so apply early and check every entry twice.
Vacancy Details
The 869 posts are split across two separate notifications. Each has its own application link.
General (Rest of State) Cadre – RPC
| Post | Pay Scale (₹) | Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Warder (Vikshakaru) | 37,500 – 76,100 | 560 |
| Instructor Grade-II | 37,500 – 76,100 | 16 |
| Total | 576 |
Kalyana Karnataka Cadre – KK
| Post | Pay Scale (₹) | Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Jailor | 61,300 – 1,12,900 | 5 |
| Warder (Vikshakaru) | 37,500 – 76,100 | 275 |
| Instructor Grade-II | 37,500 – 76,100 | 8 |
| Warder cum Nursing | 34,100 – 67,600 | 5 |
| Total | 293 |
💡 Pro Tip: Jailor and Warder cum Nursing appear only in the KK notification. If you want those posts, the KK cadre is your only route.
Which Cadre Should You Apply For?
This is the question most aspirants get wrong. The two notifications are separate recruitments. Kalyana Karnataka (the former Hyderabad-Karnataka region) has its own cadre under the Karnataka Public Employment (Hyderabad-Karnataka Region) Reservation Order, 2013.
- Not sure about domicile rules? Read the KK notification’s reservation clauses before applying.
- Want a Jailor post? Only the KK notification has it.
- Want to apply to both? Check the official notification first. Whether you may apply to both cadres is not stated in the summary we reviewed. [Check official notification]
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
| Post | What You Need |
|---|---|
| Jailor (KK only) | Bachelor’s degree. A degree in Sociology, Psychology, Criminology or Correctional Administration gets preference. |
| Warder (Vikshakaru) | SSLC (10th) pass or equivalent |
| Instructor Grade-II | SSLC pass, plus a diploma or certificate in a trade such as mechanical, electrical, carpentry, tailoring, textile, weaving or carpet-making from a recognised institution |
| Warder cum Nursing (KK only) | SSLC pass, plus a First Aid certificate |
✅ You must hold the qualification, with the result declared, on the closing date of 15 October 2026. Final-year students awaiting results cannot apply.
⚠️ A higher qualification does not replace the specific one asked for. An Instructor applicant still needs the trade certificate, however many degrees they hold.
Kannada Language Requirement
If you studied Kannada as a first or second language in SSLC, or studied in Kannada medium, you are exempt from the separate Kannada test. Everyone else must pass a Kannada Language Test conducted by KEA. Otherwise, appointment will not be finalised even if you clear every other stage.
Candidates who did not study Kannada as the first language must score at least 50 out of 150 in that test.
Age Limit (as on 15 October 2026)
The minimum age is 20 years. The upper age limit was raised by 5 years under a government order dated 29 January 2026.
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| General Merit | 20 years | 31 years |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | 20 years | 33 years |
Ex-servicemen get 3 years of relaxation plus the length of military service actually rendered. This applies only if they were not discharged for misconduct or inefficiency.
In rough terms, a General Merit candidate should have been born between mid-October 1994 and mid-October 2006. Confirm the exact cut-off in the notification.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General Merit and other categories (2A/2B/3A/3B) | ₹750 |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-Servicemen / Third Gender | ₹500 |
Pay online only. The fee is non-refundable in every case, so confirm your eligibility first.
Karnataka Prison Warder Salary 2026
The notification gives pay scales, not in-hand figures. The table below is our estimate for a fresh joiner at the starting basic pay. It assumes a Dearness Allowance (DA) of about 15.75%, the rate reported for Karnataka state employees from January 2026, and the usual 10% National Pension System (NPS) contribution.
| Post | Starting Basic | Est. DA (15.75%) | Basic + DA | NPS Deduction (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warder / Instructor Grade-II | ₹37,500 | ₹5,906 | ₹43,406 | ₹4,341 |
| Warder cum Nursing | ₹34,100 | ₹5,371 | ₹39,471 | ₹3,947 |
| Jailor | ₹61,300 | ₹9,655 | ₹70,955 | ₹7,096 |
House Rent Allowance (HRA) and other allowances come on top and depend on your posting place. Professional tax and other recoveries come off. DA changes with each revision, so treat these as ballpark figures.
Selection Process
- Written Exam (OMR): A 100-mark paper of 100 questions in 90 minutes.
- Physical Standard Test (PST) and Endurance Test: For shortlisted candidates only.
- Document Verification.
- Medical Examination.
The written paper covers General Knowledge, Science, Geography, History, the Indian Constitution, the National Freedom Struggle, Current Affairs and Mental Ability. Jailor candidates get a graduate-level paper. Warder, Instructor and Warder cum Nursing candidates get an SSLC-level paper.
Is There Negative Marking in the Karnataka Prison Warder Exam?
Yes. Each wrong answer costs 0.25 marks. Marking more than one option, or leaving an option unshaded, can also cost 0.25 marks per question. Fill the OMR sheet with care.
How Many Candidates Will Be Called for the Physical Test?
Candidates are shortlisted in a 1:5 ratio to the vacancies. The ranking uses your written score combined with education marks, category-wise. On simple maths, roughly 2,800 candidates could be called for the 560 General-cadre Warder posts. About 1,375 could be called for the 275 KK Warder posts. These are approximations, because the ratio applies category-wise.
Physical Standards
| Category | Minimum Height | Other Standards |
|---|---|---|
| Men & Ex-Servicemen | 168 cm | Chest 86 cm (unexpanded), 5 cm expansion |
| Women & Third Gender | 157 cm | Minimum weight 46 kg |
Endurance Test (Qualifying – Clear Any 3 of 5)
| Event | Men | Women / Third Gender / Ex-Servicemen |
|---|---|---|
| 100 m Race | 15 seconds | 18.5 seconds |
| High Jump | 1.20 m | 0.90 m |
| Long Jump | 3.80 m | 2.50 m |
| Shot Put | 5.60 m (7.26 kg) | 3.75 m (3.63 kg) |
| Long Race | 800 m in 2 min 50 sec | 200 m in 40 sec |
You get three attempts in the jumps and the shot put. Because this stage is qualifying, clearing any three events is enough.
Medical Standards
- Vision: Distant vision 6/9 in the better eye and 6/9 or 6/12 in the other. Colour blindness, night blindness or squint disqualifies.
- Hearing: Any deficiency found in the prescribed ear tests disqualifies.
- Body: Varicose veins, speech impediment, knock knees, flat foot and certain elbow deformities disqualify.
- A chest X-ray and any further tests the Medical Board orders are also done.
💡 Pro Tip: Get your eyes and colour vision checked this week. If you fail a medical standard, better to know now than after clearing two stages.
How to Prepare for the Karnataka Prison Department Exam
The written exam is on 21 November 2026, roughly nine weeks away. Here is a simple plan.
| Weeks | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1–3 | Cover SSLC-level Science, Geography and History. Build a Current Affairs habit. |
| 4–6 | Study the Indian Constitution and the Freedom Struggle. Give Karnataka-specific General Knowledge extra time. Practise Mental Ability daily. |
| 7–8 | Take full 90-minute OMR mocks. Track how many questions you attempt. |
| 9 | Revise notes and keep your physical routine going. |
Negative marking strategy: Attempt a question when you can rule out at least one option. If you can’t narrow it down, skipping is often the smarter choice.
Physical strategy: Start training now, in parallel with study. Pick the three events you are best at and perfect them, since only three need clearing. Height and chest cannot be trained, so measure yourself today.
Common Mistakes That Can Cost You the Job
- Applying without the qualification result in hand on 15 October 2026.
- Applying to the wrong cadre notification.
- Paying the fee after 16 October 2026.
- Skipping the Kannada test plan if Kannada was not your SSLC language.
- Ignoring medical standards until the last stage.
Training, Probation and Pension
Selected candidates undergo basic training at institutions named by the Director General and Inspector General of Prisons. The probation period is two years. Recruits fall under the NPS. Want to understand it? Read our guide on NPS vs UPS: which pension scheme is better.
How to Apply Online
- Visit cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
- Read the notification for your cadre (RPC or KK).
- Open the correct application link.
- Fill in personal, educational and category details.
- Upload the required documents.
- Pay the fee online by 16 October 2026.
- Submit before 15 October 2026 and save a copy.
- Download the admit card from the KEA site before the exam.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep a valid email ID and mobile number active. All communication, including the admit card, comes through the website, and no admit card is sent by post.
Documents: Carry your call letter and one original photo ID (Aadhaar, Voter ID, Passport, Driving Licence, PAN, a government service ID, or a similar accepted ID) for verification.
📌 Also Read: More State Govt Jobs | Bihar Police Constable Operator Recruitment 2026 | MP Police Constable Band Recruitment 2026
Important Links
| Link | URL |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | KEA Portal |
| Notification PDF (RPC) | Download |
| Notification PDF (KK) | Download |
| Department Website | prisons.karnataka.gov.in |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date for Karnataka Prison Department Recruitment 2026?
The online application closes on 15 October 2026. Fee payment closes a day later, on 16 October 2026.
How many vacancies are there?
There are 869 vacancies: 576 in the General cadre and 293 in the Kalyana Karnataka cadre. Warder accounts for 835 of them.
What is the qualification for Warder?
An SSLC (10th) pass or equivalent is enough. Jailor needs a bachelor’s degree.
What is the age limit?
The minimum is 20 years. The maximum is 31 for General Merit and 33 for SC, ST, Category-1 and the 2A/2B/3A/3B groups, as on 15 October 2026.
Is Kannada compulsory?
Candidates who studied Kannada in SSLC are exempt from the language test. Others must pass it, scoring at least 50 out of 150 if Kannada was not their first language.
What is the salary of a Karnataka prison Warder?
The pay scale is ₹37,500 to ₹76,100. Expect roughly ₹43,000 as basic plus DA at the start, before HRA and deductions.
When is the written exam?
It is on 21 November 2026, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
Summing Up…
Karnataka Prison Department Recruitment 2026 is a rare chance for 10th-pass candidates. It offers a state government job with a clear pay scale, a pension scheme and a strong vacancy count. The winners will be the ones who check their eligibility, pick the right cadre and train for the physical test alongside the written exam.
Apply before 15 October 2026 and start your prep today. Stay ahead of application deadlines and follow Govtserviceinfo.com for daily Sarkari Naukri alerts.
Disclaimer: All information in this article has been sourced from the official recruitment notification published by the Karnataka Examinations Authority. GovtServiceInfo.com is not a recruiting authority and does not accept job applications. We strongly recommend reading the full official notification before applying and verifying all details, especially dates, eligibility and fees, directly from the official website. We are not responsible for any changes made by the recruiting authority after the date of publication.
