The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), Bengaluru, has released Notification No. KPSCKA/EXA2/PRSL/10/2026-EXAM2/251 dated 27 August 2026 for direct recruitment to 68 Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) posts – 15 Assistant Controller (Group A) and 53 Audit Officer (Group B) – in the Karnataka State Audit and Accounts Department. This is a separate notification from the HK Cadre advertisement (Notification No. 252 dated the same day) covering the same posts; candidates eligible for both cadres must apply separately to each notification. Online applications open on 28 August 2026 and close on 26 September 2026 at kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in. The Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for 6 December 2026. Pay scale is Rs. 83,700 to Rs. 1,55,200 for Assistant Controller and Rs. 69,250 to Rs. 1,34,200 for Audit Officer.
Important – Read Before You Apply: Four things that must be settled before you open the portal. First, this notification covers Residual Parent Cadre posts only – it is not the HK (Hyderabad-Karnataka) Cadre notification released simultaneously as Notification No. 252; if you are applying for HK cadre posts you need a separate application under that notification, and if you are not an HK cadre local candidate you cannot apply to that notification at all – these 68 RPC posts are open to all eligible Karnataka candidates. Second, completing One-Time Registration (OTR) on the KPSC portal is not the same as applying – after OTR you must separately log in, click “Apply to Post” and submit against this notification; candidates who complete OTR alone have not applied. Third, if you delete a submitted application the fee is non-refundable and cannot be adjusted – verify every field before final submission because post-submission corrections require deletion and a fresh application at the cost of another fee. Fourth, the one-time 5-year upper-age relaxation applicable to this notification is the same Government Order (No. SiAsu 262 SeNeNi 2025 dated 29-01-2026) as applied to other Karnataka recruitments this cycle – the relaxed limits of 40/43/45 years apply here too; do not apply the standard age limits from older KPSC notifications.
KPSC Assistant Controller and Audit Officer Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), Udyoga Soudha, Bengaluru – 560001 |
| Recruiting Department | Karnataka State Audit and Accounts Department |
| Notification No. | KPSCKA/EXA2/PRSL/10/2026-EXAM2/251 dated 27 August 2026 |
| Cadre | Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) – open to all eligible Karnataka candidates |
| Posts | Assistant Controller (Group A) – 15; Audit Officer (Group B) – 53 |
| Total Vacancies | 68 |
| Pay Scale | Rs. 83,700 to Rs. 1,55,200 (Assistant Controller); Rs. 69,250 to Rs. 1,34,200 (Audit Officer) |
| Application Mode | Online only via kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in |
| Application Fee | Rs. 600 (General); Rs. 300 (Category 2A/2B/3A/3B); Rs. 50 (Ex-Servicemen); Nil (SC/ST/Category-1/PH) |
| Online Application Opens | 28 August 2026 |
| Online Application Closes | 26 September 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination (Tentative) | 6 December 2026 |
| Official Website | kpsc.kar.nic.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | 27 August 2026 |
| Online application opens | 28 August 2026 |
| Online application closes | 26 September 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination (tentative) | 6 December 2026 |
| Main Examination | To be announced after Preliminary results |
Vacancy Details – Post-wise and Category-wise
Assistant Controller (Group A) – 15 Posts
| Category | Posts |
|---|---|
| SC | 2 |
| Category-1 | 1 |
| Category-2A | 3 |
| General Merit (including Women 5, Rural 5, Ex-Military 1, PH-LD 1 within the total) | 9 |
| Total | 15 |
Audit Officer (Group B) – 53 Posts
| Category | Posts |
|---|---|
| SC | 7 |
| ST | 2 |
| Category-1 | 3 |
| Category-2A | 8 |
| Category-2B | 2 |
| Category-3A | 2 |
| Category-3B | 3 |
| General Merit (including Women 17, Rural 16, Ex-Military 4, PH 5, Kannada Medium 2 within the total) | 26 |
| Total | 53 |
20% of Category-1 vacancies are reserved for candidates from the 59 most backward castes identified within Category-1, as per the applicable government orders. The full sub-category breakup is in the official notification PDF.
Eligibility Criteria
The qualification prescribed is identical for both Assistant Controller and Audit Officer posts. Any one of the following:
- Master’s degree in Commerce (M.Com) from a university established by law in India; or
- MBA (Finance), MBA (Financial Management), or MBA/M.Com (Financial Analysis) from a university established by law in India; or
- Any other Master’s degree with Finance as one of the subjects, notified by the University Grants Commission; or
- Membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI); or
- Membership/Associate Membership of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI)
Candidates awaiting results of a qualifying examination may appear in the Preliminary Examination. However, proof of passing must be submitted along with the Main Examination application – candidates who cannot produce this will not be admitted to the Main Examination. Candidates must be citizens of India.
Age Limit
A one-time 5-year upper-age relaxation has been applied under Government Order No. SiAsu 262 SeNeNi 2025 dated 29-01-2026. Age is reckoned as on the closing date of application (26 September 2026).
| Category | Standard Maximum Age | Applicable to This Notification |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum | 21 years | 21 years |
| General Merit | 35 years | 40 years |
| Category-2A/2B/3A/3B | 38 years | 43 years |
| SC/ST/Category-1 | 40 years | 45 years |
Additional relaxation: Ex-servicemen (military service years plus 3 years, subject to a maximum benefit of 10 years); Physically Handicapped (10 years); Widows (10 years, with certificate of widowhood and non-remarriage).
Pay Scale
| Post | Group | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Controller | A (Gazetted) | Rs. 83,700 to Rs. 1,55,200 |
| Audit Officer | B (Gazetted) | Rs. 69,250 to Rs. 1,34,200 |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General category | Rs. 600 |
| Category-2A/2B/3A/3B | Rs. 300 |
| Ex-Servicemen | Rs. 50 |
| SC/ST/Category-1/Physically Handicapped | Nil |
Fee is paid online via net banking, debit card, credit card or UPI. Non-refundable and cannot be adjusted for any other examination. Applications without fee payment will be rejected.
Selection Process
Two-stage written examination under Section-II of Schedule-2 of the Karnataka State Civil Services (Recruitment) Rules, 2011.
Stage 1 – Preliminary Examination (Objective, shortlisting only)
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Studies | 150 | 2 hours |
| Paper 2 | Commerce and Management | 300 | 2 hours |
| Total | 450 |
Set in Kannada and English. Minimum qualifying marks: 30% for reserved categories, 35% for General Merit, in each paper. Shortlisting ratio for Main Examination: 1:20 against vacancies per category. Preliminary marks are not counted in final merit.
Stage 2 – Main Examination (Descriptive, merit-determining)
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Kannada | 150 | 3 hours |
| Paper 2 | English | 150 | 3 hours |
| Paper 3 | General Studies | 300 | 3 hours |
| Paper 4 | General Studies | 300 | 3 hours |
| Paper 5 | Financial Accounting, Management and Analysis | 300 | 3 hours |
| Paper 6 | Principles of Management, Organisational Behaviour, Training and Development | 300 | 3 hours |
| Paper 7 | Corporate Finance, Business Economics and Taxation | 300 | 3 hours |
| Paper 8 | Principles and Practice of Auditing, Computer Concepts and E-Commerce | 300 | 3 hours |
| Total | 2,100 |
Papers 1 and 2 (Kannada and English) are qualifying only – minimum 30% in each and 35% average across both required – and marks from these two papers do not count in the final merit ranking. Final merit is based on Papers 3 to 8. There is no interview stage.
How to Apply
Step 1 – One-Time Registration (first-time applicants only)
Visit kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in, click “New Registration” and register with a valid email ID and mobile number. Complete the candidate profile under “Applicant Details Registration.”
Step 2 – Applying for This Notification
- Log in and go to “Apply to Post.”
- Click “Apply Post” against Notification No. KPSCKA/EXA2/PRSL/10/2026-EXAM2/251.
- The system checks eligibility automatically – ineligible candidates will receive an alert.
- Fill in personal, educational and category details accurately.
- Upload photograph (under 200 KB, JPG) and signature (under 70 KB, JPG).
- Pay the applicable fee online.
- On successful submission, download the application and confirm that it shows: Application Submitted, Payment Done, and Application Accepted, all three against the QR code.
Important Instructions
- This notification covers RPC posts. HK cadre posts are under Notification No. 252 and require a separate application.
- OTR completion alone does not constitute an application for this post.
- Fee paid for a deleted application is non-refundable.
- Reservation certificates must be valid as on the closing date of application.
- Candidates in government service must produce a No Objection Certificate when called.
- Persons dismissed from Government service or debarred by any Public Service Commission are not eligible.
- The Commission does not correspond by letter; address changes must be intimated in writing.
- Biometric verification is conducted at exam centres; carry a valid photo identity proof.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online – KPSC Portal | Apply Now |
| Official Notification PDF – Notification No. KPSCKA/EXA2/PRSL/10/2026-EXAM2/251 | Apply Now |
| KPSC Official Website | Apply Now |
Frequently Asked Questions – KPSC Assistant Controller and Audit Officer Recruitment 2026
Q1. How many posts are available and what are they?
✅ 68 posts – 15 Assistant Controller (Group A) and 53 Audit Officer (Group B) in the Karnataka State Audit and Accounts Department, under Notification No. KPSCKA/EXA2/PRSL/10/2026-EXAM2/251 dated 27 August 2026.
Q2. What is the difference between this notification and the HK Cadre notification released on the same day?
✅ This notification (No. 251) covers Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) posts open to all eligible Karnataka candidates. The HK Cadre notification (No. 252) covers posts reserved exclusively for local candidates of the Hyderabad-Karnataka (Kalyana Karnataka) region under Article 371(J). Candidates eligible for both must apply separately to each; candidates without HK local-candidate certificates cannot apply to Notification No. 252.
Q3. What is the last date to apply?
✅ 26 September 2026. The online application window opens on 28 August 2026 at kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in. The Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for 6 December 2026.
Q4. What qualifications are accepted?
✅ M.Com; MBA (Finance/Financial Management/Financial Analysis); any UGC-notified Master’s degree with Finance as a subject; ICAI membership; or ICMAI membership/associate membership. Candidates awaiting results may appear in the Preliminary Examination but must submit proof of passing before the Main Examination.
Q5. What is the age limit?
✅ 21 to 40 years for General Merit; 21 to 43 years for Category-2A/2B/3A/3B; 21 to 45 years for SC/ST/Category-1, as on 26 September 2026, after the one-time 5-year relaxation. Additional relaxations apply for Ex-servicemen (10 years maximum benefit), PH (10 years) and Widows (10 years).
Q6. What is the application fee?
✅ Rs. 600 for General category; Rs. 300 for Category-2A/2B/3A/3B; Rs. 50 for Ex-Servicemen; nil for SC/ST/Category-1 and PH candidates. Fee paid online, non-refundable.
Q7. What is the selection process?
✅ Two-stage written examination: a 450-mark objective Preliminary Examination for shortlisting (1:20 ratio), followed by a 2,100-mark descriptive Main Examination whose marks (excluding the Kannada and English qualifying papers) determine final merit. There is no interview.
Q8. What is the pay scale?
✅ Rs. 83,700 to Rs. 1,55,200 for Assistant Controller (Group A) and Rs. 69,250 to Rs. 1,34,200 for Audit Officer (Group B).
Q9. Will my OTR registration count as my application for this post?
✅ No. OTR creates your candidate profile on the KPSC portal only. After OTR you must separately log in, go to “Apply to Post,” and click Apply against this specific notification. Only then is your application for this post submitted.
Q10. When is the Preliminary Examination?
✅ Tentatively scheduled for 6 December 2026. The final schedule will be published on the KPSC website. This is a different date from the HK Cadre notification (Notification No. 252), for which the Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for 29 November 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is based on Notification No. KPSCKA/EXA2/PRSL/10/2026-EXAM2/251 dated 27 August 2026, released by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), Udyoga Soudha, Bengaluru, for 68 Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) posts – 15 Assistant Controller (Group A) and 53 Audit Officer (Group B) – in the Karnataka State Audit and Accounts Department. Online applications are accepted from 28 August to 26 September 2026 at kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in. A one-time 5-year upper-age relaxation is applied to this notification. The Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for 6 December 2026. These are RPC posts open to all eligible Karnataka candidates, distinct from the HK Cadre posts notified simultaneously under Notification No. 252. Candidates must read the official notification in full at kpsc.kar.nic.in before applying. JobShouter.com is not associated with the Karnataka Public Service Commission in any manner.
