KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026-27 — 319 Posts
Karnataka Public Service Commission | Notification No. KPSCKA/EXA1/EXMF/9/2026-EXAM-1/I/251710/2026 | Dated 31-07-2026
319 Group A & B posts across 13 Karnataka government departments
The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) has released its combined Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026-27 notification, inviting online applications for 319 Group A and Group B posts spread across 13 different state government departments — from Commercial Taxes and Revenue to Social Welfare, Excise, Co-operation, Urban Development, and the KPSC's own Secretariat. This is run as a single combined competitive examination under the Karnataka Recruitment of Gazetted Probationers (Appointment by Competitive Examinations) Rules, 1997 — one exam, one application, and your preference plus merit decides which post and department you land in.
Applications open 1 August 2026 and close 31 August 2026. We've gone through the full 90-page official notification — every date, fee slab, category-wise vacancy number, eligibility clause, and application step — so you have everything you need right here.
KPSC Gazetted Probationers 2026-27: Key Details
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) |
| Recruitment | Gazetted Probationers 2026-27 (Group A & Group B) |
| Total Posts | 319 (Group A: 117, Group B: 202) |
| Application Mode | Online only, via KPSC Udyoga software |
| Selection Process | Preliminary Exam → Main Exam → Personality Test |
| Governing Rules | Karnataka Recruitment of Gazetted Probationers (Appointment by Competitive Examinations) Rules, 1997 |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 31 July 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 1 August 2026 |
| Online Application Closes | 31 August 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 31 August 2026 (same as application deadline) |
| Preliminary Examination | 15 November 2026 (Tentative — confirm on KPSC portal) |
Vacancy Details — Post-wise Breakup (319 Posts)
Vacancies are split between the General State Cadre and the Hyderabad-Karnataka (HK) region cadre, reserved under Article 371(J) of the Constitution for candidates meeting HK-region domicile requirements.
Group A Posts (117 total)
| Post | Department | General | HK Cadre | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Commissioner (Junior Scale) | Personnel & Administrative Reforms (DPAR) | 36 | 3 | 39 |
| Assistant Commissioner of Commercial Taxes | Commercial Tax Department | 50 | – | 50 |
| Assistant Director | Treasury Department | 2 | – | 2 |
| Executive Officer / Assistant Secretary | Rural Development & Panchayat Raj | 13 | 2 | 15 |
| Assistant Director, Grade-1 | Social Welfare Department | 11 | – | 11 |
| Group A Total | 112 | 5 | 117 | |
Group B Posts (202 total)
| Post | Department | General | HK Cadre | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tahsildar, Grade-2 | Revenue Department | 18 | 7 | 25 |
| Commercial Tax Officer | Commercial Tax Department | 74 | – | 74 |
| Assistant Superintendent | Prisons Department | 5 | 1 | 6 |
| Assistant Registrar of Co-operative Societies | Co-operation Department | 19 | 2 | 21 |
| Assistant Director, Agricultural Marketing | Co-operation Department | 10 | 2 | 12 |
| Deputy Superintendent of Excise | Finance Dept (Excise) | 5 | – | 5 |
| Employment Officer | Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood | 3 | – | 3 |
| Chief Officer, Grade-1 | Urban Development Department | 18 | 2 | 20 |
| Assistant Treasury Officer | Finance Dept (Treasury) | 12 | – | 12 |
| Assistant Director | Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Section Officer | Karnataka Government Secretariat | 5 | – | 5 |
| Section Officer | Karnataka Public Service Commission | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Assistant Director, Grade-2 | Social Welfare Department | 11 | – | 11 |
| Group B Total | 185 | 17 | 202 | |
Category-wise (Reservation) Vacancy Breakdown
This is the number candidates ask for most: exactly how many seats are open in your reservation category, for each post. GM = General Merit, Cat-1 = Category-1. Figures below are pulled directly from the notification's official roster (Annexure-1) and each row has been checked to add up to its post total.
Group A — General State Cadre, by Category
| Post | GM | SC | ST | Cat-1 | 2A | 2B | 3A | 3B | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asst. Commissioner (Jr. Scale), DPAR | 18 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 36 |
| Asst. Commissioner, Commercial Taxes | 25 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 50 |
| Assistant Director, Treasury | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | 2 |
| Executive Officer/Asst. Secretary, RDPR | 6 | 2 | 1 | – | 2 | 1 | – | 1 | 13 |
| Asst. Director Gr-1, Social Welfare | 5 | 2 | – | – | 2 | – | 1 | 1 | 11 |
Group A — Hyderabad-Karnataka (371J) Cadre, by Category
| Post | GM | SC | Cat-1 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asst. Commissioner (Jr. Scale), DPAR | 2 | – | 1 | 3 |
| Executive Officer/Asst. Secretary, RDPR | 1 | 1 | – | 2 |
Group B — General State Cadre, by Category
| Post | GM | SC | ST | Cat-1 | 2A | 2B | 3A | 3B | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tahsildar, Grade-2 | 9 | 3 | 1 | – | 3 | – | 1 | 1 | 18 |
| Commercial Tax Officer | 37 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 74 |
| Assistant Superintendent, Prisons | 2 | – | 1 | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | 5 |
| Asst. Registrar, Co-op Societies | 9 | 3 | – | 1 | 4 | – | 1 | 1 | 19 |
| Asst. Director, Agri. Marketing | 5 | 2 | – | – | 2 | – | 1 | – | 10 |
| Deputy Superintendent of Excise | 2 | 1 | – | – | 1 | 1 | – | – | 5 |
| Employment Officer | 1 | – | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | – | 3 |
| Chief Officer, Grade-1 | 9 | 3 | – | 1 | 3 | 1 | – | 1 | 18 |
| Assistant Treasury Officer | 6 | 2 | 1 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| Assistant Director, Food Civil Supplies | 1 | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | – | 2 |
| Section Officer, KA Govt. Secretariat | 2 | 1 | – | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | 5 |
| Section Officer, KPSC | 1 | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | 3 |
| Asst. Director Gr-2, Social Welfare | 5 | 2 | – | – | 2 | 1 | 1 | – | 11 |
Group B — Hyderabad-Karnataka (371J) Cadre, by Category
| Post | GM | SC | ST | Cat-1 | 2A | 3A | 3B | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tahsildar, Grade-2 | 3 | 1 | – | – | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Assistant Superintendent, Prisons | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| Asst. Registrar, Co-op Societies | 1 | – | – | – | 1 | – | – | 2 |
| Asst. Director, Agri. Marketing | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | – | – | 2 |
| Chief Officer, Grade-1 | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | – | – | 2 |
| Assistant Director, Food Civil Supplies | 1 | – | – | 1 | – | – | – | 2 |
| Section Officer, KPSC | – | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
Within these category numbers, the notification further reserves a share for women, rural candidates, Kannada-medium candidates, persons with disabilities (a minimum 4% horizontal reservation for benchmark disabilities across Group A & B), ex-servicemen, and transgender candidates (minimum 1% horizontal reservation) — the exact disability-type and horizontal sub-splits for each post are in Annexure-1 of the official PDF.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General Merit | ₹600 |
| Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B | ₹300 |
| Ex-Servicemen | ₹50 |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / PWD | Exempted (no fee) |
Payment can be made online via Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI. Fees once paid are non-refundable and non-transferable — even if you later delete your application or it turns out ineligible, the fee doesn't carry over to a fresh application. Payment isn't accepted after the deadline, so don't leave it for the last day.
Age Limit
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| Minimum age (all candidates) | 21 years |
| General Merit | 40 years |
| Category 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | 43 years |
| SC / ST / Category-1 | 45 years |
Additional relaxations on top of the above:
- One-time 5-year relaxation for all categories, per Karnataka Government order dated 29 January 2026 (applied as a one-time measure for this recruitment cycle).
- Ex-servicemen: relaxation equal to the number of years of defence service actually rendered, as specified in the notification.
- Persons with disabilities: additional 10 years.
- Widows who have not remarried (on submitting proof before selection): additional 10 years.
Educational Qualification
A Bachelor's or Master's Degree from a University established by law in India, or an equivalent qualification, as per Rule 7 of the Karnataka Recruitment of Gazetted Probationers (Appointment by Competitive Examinations) Rules, 1997. Candidates who've appeared for their final qualifying exam but whose results are still pending are also eligible to sit the Preliminary Examination — but must produce proof of having passed before applying for the Main Examination. Medical degree candidates who've passed their final professional year but not yet completed internship can be provisionally admitted, provided they submit a certificate from their institution confirming this at the time of application, and produce the completion certificate at the interview stage.
General Eligibility Conditions
Beyond the degree requirement, Rule 6 of the 1997 Rules sets out these conditions for every applicant:
- Must be a citizen of India.
- A male candidate who has more than one living spouse, or a female candidate who has married a man who already has a living spouse, is not eligible for appointment — unless the government has specifically exempted the candidate from this rule.
- Must be of sound mental and physical health, free of any condition likely to interfere with efficient discharge of duties.
- Must not have any physical defect likely to cause danger to health or safety of other employees during service.
- Candidates found medically unfit may be barred from the service based on a Medical Board's report, subject to government orders in force at the time.
- Candidates dismissed from Central Government, Karnataka Government, or any other State Government service, or convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude, are not eligible unless the applicable disqualification period has lapsed as per government orders.
Reservation Certificates & Special Category Provisions
- SC / ST / Category-1 certificate: to be submitted in the prescribed format (Annexure of the notification), issued by the competent revenue authority (Tahsildar).
- 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B certificate: must be a "non-creamy layer" certificate, valid for 5 years from date of issue, and must still be valid as of the application deadline.
- Rural candidate certificate: required in addition to your category certificate if you're claiming rural reservation, based on where you studied from Class 1 through 10.
- Kannada-medium certificate: required if claiming the Kannada-medium candidate quota, confirming Kannada-medium study for the relevant academic years.
- Persons with disabilities (PWD): a minimum 4% horizontal reservation applies across Group A & B posts for benchmark disabilities. A disability certificate in the prescribed format from a competent medical board is required. Eligible candidates can avail scribe/writer assistance and extra time in the exam, and large-font question papers on request.
- Ex-servicemen: defined as those who served in a regular Army/Navy/Air Force role (excluding Defence Security Corps, Territorial Army, General Reserve Engineering Force, Lok Sahayak Sena, and Home Guards except in specific cases), and who were released other than by dismissal or discharge for misconduct or inefficiency. Dependents of servicemen killed or disabled in action are also covered under this reservation, subject to conditions.
- Transgender candidates: a minimum 1% horizontal reservation applies across General and other reservation categories. A certificate from the District Social Welfare Officer, issued per the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2019, is required.
- Hyderabad-Karnataka (371J) cadre: candidates must have studied in institutions within the notified HK region (Kalaburagi, Bidar, Raichur, Yadgir, Ballari, Koppal, and Vijayanagara districts) for the qualifying years specified, and must submit the domicile certificate in the prescribed format.
Selection Process
Selection runs through three stages, in line with the standard KPSC Gazetted Probationers pattern:
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Objective)
| Paper | Subject Area | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | National/international current affairs, History, Geography, Polity & Economy | 100 | 200 | 2 hrs |
| Paper II | State current affairs, Science & Technology/Environment, General Mental Ability | 100 | 200 | 2 hrs |
Negative marking rules:
- 0.25 marks (¼ of the marks assigned) deducted for every wrong answer.
- If you mark more than one answer to a question, it's treated as wrong even if one of the marked answers is correct — same 0.25 penalty applies.
- Unanswered (blank) questions carry no penalty.
Candidates are shortlisted for the Main Examination at 15 times the notified vacancies, category-wise, based on Preliminary Exam merit — proportionate representation is maintained for SC/ST/other reserved categories within that 1:15 ratio.
Stage 2: Main Examination (Descriptive)
| Paper | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Kannada (Qualifying) | 150 | 2 hrs |
| English (Qualifying) | 150 | 2 hrs |
| Paper 1 – Essay | 250 | 3 hrs |
| Paper 2 – General Studies I | 250 | 3 hrs |
| Paper 3 – General Studies II | 250 | 3 hrs |
| Paper 4 – General Studies III | 250 | 3 hrs |
| Paper 5 – General Studies IV | 250 | 3 hrs |
| Total (compulsory papers) | 1250 | – |
Kannada and English are qualifying papers only — a minimum of 35% (52.5 marks) is required in each, but the marks scored don't count toward merit; question papers for both are set at SSLC/First Language level. All five compulsory papers (Essay + GS I-IV) are answerable entirely in Kannada or entirely in English, and count fully toward merit at degree-level standard. Candidates are shortlisted for the Personality Test at 3 times the notified vacancies, category-wise, based on Main Examination marks.
Stage 3: Personality Test
Worth 25 marks, assessing general knowledge, alertness, intellectual and moral qualities of leadership, and social traits, along with interest in current affairs. Final merit is based on combined Written + Personality Test marks (1275 total), published together with the 1:1 select list.
How to Apply
- One Time Registration (OTR): Register once on the KPSC Udyoga portal (kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in). If you've already completed OTR for an earlier KPSC recruitment, you don't need to register again — just log in with your Enrolment Number, mobile number, or email plus OTP.
- Complete your profile: Fill in personal, educational, and category details carefully. These OTR details are shared across all future KPSC applications, so double-check before saving — errors here can affect every KPSC exam you apply to later.
- Apply to Post: Go to the "Apply to Post" tab, select this notification, and the system will automatically check and flag your eligibility against the post conditions before you proceed.
- Fill and review the application: Complete every section step by step. You cannot submit until all mandatory fields are filled, and you should verify every entered detail matches your original certificates exactly.
- Upload photo & signature: Photo up to 200 KB, signature up to 70 KB, both in JPEG/JPG format only.
- Upload category/reservation proof: If claiming any reservation (SC/ST/Cat-1/2A/2B/3A/3B/rural/Kannada-medium/PWD/ex-servicemen/transgender/HK), the relevant certificate must be uploaded by the application deadline — candidates without valid proof are treated as General Merit for that recruitment.
- Pay the fee (if applicable): Pay via UPI, Net Banking, Debit Card, or Credit Card. Don't close or refresh the browser mid-payment — if payment shows "Processing" or "Pending," wait and check your KPSC Udyoga login rather than contacting the Commission directly.
- Confirm submission: Once payment is confirmed, download/print your acknowledgement, which carries a QR code confirming "Application submitted," "Payment done," and "Application accepted."
Made a mistake after submitting? You can go to the "Applied Post" tab, delete your submitted application, and reapply with corrected details before the closing date — but any fee already paid for the deleted application is not refunded or carried over to the new one. Once the application window closes, no corrections of any kind are entertained via letter, email, or in person.
Documents You'll Need
- Recent photograph and signature (JPEG/JPG, within the specified size limits)
- Caste/category certificate (SC/ST/Category-1/2A/2B/3A/3B), where applicable
- Non-creamy-layer income certificate for 2A/2B/3A/3B candidates (valid within 5 years)
- Rural candidate certificate, where claiming rural reservation
- Kannada-medium study certificate, where applicable
- Disability certificate in the prescribed format, for PWD candidates
- Ex-servicemen or dependent certificate, where applicable
- Transgender candidate certificate from the District Social Welfare Officer, where applicable
- Hyderabad-Karnataka (371J) region domicile certificate, for HK-cadre candidates
- Educational marksheets and degree certificates, and proof of passing where results are awaited
Important Instructions Before You Apply
- Fill in every detail exactly as it appears on your original certificates and documents — the Commission will not entertain correction requests after submission.
- Reservation category claimed at the time of application cannot be changed later.
- Make sure your name, date of birth, and other personal details are consistent across all documents you're uploading — mismatches can cause rejection at the verification stage.
- The Commission may conduct verification at a candidate's residence or workplace where necessary — keep all claimed details ready for scrutiny.
- Any candidate found guilty of impersonation, submitting fabricated or tampered documents, making false statements, suppressing material information, or using unfair means in the examination faces disqualification from the exam and can be permanently or temporarily debarred by the Commission from future KPSC exams, and by the Government from state civil service employment — after being given a written opportunity to respond.
- Misbehaviour in the examination hall can additionally lead to criminal prosecution and disciplinary action.
- The Commission does not respond to individual queries about recruitment/selection through letters or personal visits — check the official website for updates and use the helpline for application-specific issues only.
Helpline & Contact
For queries during the application process: 080-30574957 / 30574901 / 22356487 / 22200090.
Central Office Information Centre: 080-30574957 / 30574901
Examination Branch-1: 080-30574935
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many total vacancies are there in KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026-27?
319 posts in total — 117 in Group A and 202 in Group B, spread across 13 departments.
2. What is the last date to apply for KPSC Gazetted Probationers 2026-27?
31 August 2026. Applications opened on 1 August 2026, and the fee payment deadline is the same date.
3. What is the age limit for this recruitment?
Minimum 21 years. Maximum age is 40 for General Merit, 43 for 2A/2B/3A/3B, and 45 for SC/ST/Category-1, plus a one-time additional 5-year relaxation for all categories, and further relaxation for ex-servicemen, PWD candidates, and widows.
4. What is the educational qualification required?
A Bachelor's or Master's degree from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification.
5. What is the application fee?
₹600 for General Merit, ₹300 for 2A/2B/3A/3B, ₹50 for ex-servicemen, and no fee for SC/ST/Category-1/PWD candidates.
6. How many stages are there in the selection process?
Three — a Preliminary Examination (objective), a Main Examination (descriptive), and a Personality Test.
7. Is there negative marking in the Preliminary Examination?
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer, and marking multiple answers to one question also counts as wrong.
8. When is the KPSC Gazetted Probationers Preliminary Examination 2026?
Tentatively 15 November 2026, but KPSC has marked this as provisional — check the official portal for the confirmed date closer to the exam.
9. Is One Time Registration (OTR) mandatory?
Yes. Every applicant must complete OTR before applying to any post. If you've registered for a previous KPSC recruitment, you can simply log in instead of registering again.
10. Which posts are included in this recruitment?
Posts like Assistant Commissioner, Commercial Tax Officer, Tahsildar Grade-2, Assistant Director (various departments), Chief Officer, Section Officer, and more — across Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Commercial Taxes, Revenue, Social Welfare, Excise, Co-operation, Urban Development, Treasury, and other departments.
11. Is there a Hyderabad-Karnataka (371J) reservation in this recruitment?
Yes, 22 of the 319 posts are reserved under Article 371(J) for candidates meeting Hyderabad-Karnataka region domicile requirements, with a separate certificate and application option.
12. Can I correct my application after submitting it?
Yes, but only before the 31 August deadline — you'll need to delete your submitted application and reapply with corrected OTR details. Any fee already paid for the deleted application is not refunded.
13. Is there a reservation for persons with disabilities and transgender candidates?
Yes — a minimum 4% horizontal reservation for benchmark disabilities across Group A & B posts, and a minimum 1% horizontal reservation for transgender candidates, both cutting across the General and other reservation categories.
14. What happens if I use unfair means or submit false information?
You can be disqualified from the exam and debarred — permanently or for a specified period — from future KPSC examinations and state government employment, after being given a chance to respond in writing.
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