The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) has invited online applications for 319 Gazetted Probationer posts across 18 designations under Group A and Group B, vide Notification No. KPSCKA/EXA1/EXMF/9/2026-EXAM-1/I/251710/2026 dated 31 July 2026. Online applications opened on 1 August 2026 and close on 7 September 2026. The Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for 15 November 2026.
Important – Read Before You Apply: Three things about this recruitment matter before you apply. First, this is the KAS (Karnataka Administrative Service) recruitment through the Gazetted Probationers examination, run as a three-stage process – Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test – so this is a long-cycle recruitment, not a single-stage exam. Second, a special additional 5-year age relaxation has been granted to all categories specifically for this recruitment cycle, on top of the standard category-wise relaxation. Third, the Main Examination includes two qualifying language papers in Kannada and English, in addition to five descriptive papers – candidates need to clear the qualifying papers regardless of their score in the main descriptive papers.
Overview
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), Bengaluru |
| Recruitment | KAS Gazetted Probationers Recruitment |
| Notification Number | KPSCKA/EXA1/EXMF/9/2026-EXAM-1/I/251710/2026 |
| Notification Date | 31 July 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 319 (Group A: 117, Group B: 202) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 31 July 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | 1 August 2026 |
| Online Application Closes | 7 September 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination (Tentative) | 15 November 2026 |
Vacancy Details (Selected Posts)
| Post | Group | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Commissioner (Junior Scale), Personnel and Administrative Reforms | A | 39 |
| Assistant Commissioner of Commercial Taxes | A | 50 |
| Assistant Director, Treasury | A | 2 |
| Executive Officer/Assistant Secretary, Rural Development | A | 15 |
| Assistant Director Grade-1, Social Welfare | A | 11 |
| Tahsildar Grade-2, Revenue | B | 25 |
| Commercial Tax Officer | B | 74 |
| Chief Officer Grade-1, Urban Development | B | 20 |
| Assistant Registrar of Co-operative Societies | B | 21 |
| Assistant Director, Agricultural Marketing | B | 12 |
| Total (18 designations) | 319 |
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree from a University established by law in India, or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Government of Karnataka.
Age Limit
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| General Merit | 40 years |
| Category 2A/2B/3A/3B | 43 years |
| SC/ST/Category-1 | 45 years |
Minimum age is 21 years. A special additional 5-year age relaxation applies to all categories specifically for this recruitment.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General Merit and Others | Rs. 600 |
| Category 2A/2B/3A/3B | Rs. 300 |
| Ex-Military Personnel | Rs. 50 |
| SC/ST/Category-1/PWD | Exempt |
Selection Process
- Preliminary Examination: Objective type, two papers of 200 marks each (400 marks total), 2 hours each, with negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer. Candidates advance to the Main Examination at a 1:15 ratio by merit.
- Main Examination: Five descriptive papers plus two qualifying language papers (Kannada and English), totalling 1250 marks, in addition to 25 marks for the Personality Test.
- Personality Test/Interview: Candidates are called at a 1:3 ratio based on Main Examination performance.
How to Apply for KPSC KAS Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official application portal, kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in.
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR) with your personal details, if not already registered.
- Log in using your enrollment number, mobile number, or email along with OTP verification.
- Select this notification and review the post-wise eligibility criteria.
- Fill in the post-specific application form.
- Pay the applicable fee online through UPI, debit card, credit card, or net banking.
- Submit the application and download the confirmation receipt.
Important Instructions
- This recruitment follows a three-stage process; candidates should plan preparation across Preliminary, Main, and Personality Test stages.
- The special 5-year age relaxation applies only to this specific recruitment cycle.
- Qualifying language papers in Kannada and English must be cleared in the Main Examination, independent of the descriptive paper scores.
- Keep a downloaded copy of the confirmation receipt after submitting the online application.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
KPSC KAS Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026 – FAQs
Q1. How many total posts are available in this KPSC KAS Recruitment 2026?
✅ 319 posts in total – 117 under Group A and 202 under Group B, across 18 designations.
Q2. What is the last date to apply online?
✅ 7 September 2026.
Q3. When is the Preliminary Examination scheduled?
✅ 15 November 2026 (tentative), as per the current notification.
Q4. What is the age limit for this recruitment?
✅ 21 to 40 years for General Merit, with higher limits for reserved categories, plus a special additional 5-year relaxation for all categories this cycle.
Q5. What is the selection process for this recruitment?
✅ A three-stage process – Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test.
Q6. How many papers are there in the Preliminary Examination?
✅ Two objective-type papers of 200 marks each, with negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer.
Q7. Are there any qualifying papers in the Main Examination?
✅ Yes, two qualifying language papers in Kannada and English, in addition to five descriptive papers.
Q8. What is the application fee for General Merit candidates?
✅ Rs. 600, with lower fees for other categories and exemption for SC/ST/Category-1/PWD candidates.
Q9. What is the minimum educational qualification required?
✅ A Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree from a University established by law in India.
Q10. Where can candidates apply and check the official notification?
✅ On the official websites, kpsc.kar.nic.in and kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes based on publicly available notices. Candidates are advised to cross-check every detail, especially the exam schedule and eligibility, on the official KPSC website before applying. JobShouter.com is not associated with the Karnataka Public Service Commission in any manner.
