Karnataka Prisons Department Recruitment 2026: 869 Jailor, Warder and Other Posts

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has announced recruitment for 869 posts in the Karnataka Prisons and Reforms Services Department.

The recruitment covers Jailor, Warder (Vikshakaru), Warder cum Nursing and Second Grade Teacher/Instructor Grade-II positions under two cadres: the General/Rest-of-State cadre and the Kalyana Karnataka cadre.

Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the official KEA recruitment portal. The application window is scheduled from 19 September 2026 to 15 October 2026, while the fee payment deadline is 16 October 2026.

Candidates should carefully check the official notification for their applicable cadre, educational qualification, age limit, physical standards and other requirements before applying.

Karnataka Prisons Recruitment 2026 – Overview

Particular	Details
Recruiting Department	Karnataka Prisons and Reforms Services Department
Conducting Authority	Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)
Recruitment Year	2026
Total Vacancies	869
Posts	Jailor, Warder, Warder cum Nursing, Instructor Grade-II
Application Mode	Online
Application Start	19 September 2026
Last Date to Apply	15 October 2026
Last Date for Fee Payment	16 October 2026
Written Examination	21 November 2026
Exam Time	3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Selection Process	Written Exam, PST/Endurance Test, Document Verification and Medical Examination
Official Portal	KEA

Karnataka Prisons Department Vacancy 2026

The 869 vacancies are divided between the General/Rest-of-State cadre and the Kalyana Karnataka cadre.

General / Rest-of-State Cadre

Under the General or Rest-of-State cadre, 576 vacancies are available.

Post	Pay Scale	Vacancies
Warder (Vikshakaru)	₹37,500 – ₹76,100	560
Second Grade Teacher / Instructor Grade-II	₹37,500 – ₹76,100	16
Total	—	576

Kalyana Karnataka Cadre

A total of 293 vacancies are available under the Kalyana Karnataka cadre.

Post	Pay Scale	Vacancies
Jailor	₹61,300 – ₹1,12,900	5
Warder (Vikshakaru)	₹37,500 – ₹76,100	275
Second Grade Teacher / Instructor Grade-II	₹37,500 – ₹76,100	8
Warder cum Nursing	₹34,100 – ₹67,600	5
Total	—	293

Total Vacancies

The two cadres together account for 869 posts.

Cadre	Vacancies
General / Rest-of-State	576
Kalyana Karnataka	293
Grand Total	869

Educational Qualification

The required qualification depends on the post.

Jailor

Candidates applying for the Jailor position must have a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent qualification.

The recruitment notification gives preference to candidates with degrees in areas such as:

Sociology
Psychology
Criminology
Correctional Administration
Equivalent relevant qualifications

Candidates should refer to the official notification for the complete qualification conditions.

Warder

Candidates applying for the Warder post must have passed SSLC (10th standard) or an accepted equivalent qualification.

Second Grade Teacher / Instructor Grade-II

Candidates must satisfy the prescribed SSLC qualification and possess the required technical diploma or certificate from a recognised institution in the relevant trade.

The notification specifies eligible technical areas, which may include trades such as:

Mechanical
Electrical
Carpentry
Tailoring
Textile
Weaving
Carpet making

Candidates should verify the exact accepted trade qualification before applying.

Warder cum Nursing

Candidates applying for Warder cum Nursing must have passed SSLC or an equivalent examination and possess the prescribed First Aid certificate.

Kannada Language Requirement

Candidates who studied Kannada as a first or second language in SSLC/equivalent education, or studied through Kannada medium, may be exempt from the separate Kannada Language Test according to the applicable rules.

Candidates who do not meet the exemption conditions may have to qualify in the Kannada Language Test conducted by KEA or the authority specified by the Government.

Applicants should carefully read the Kannada language provisions in the official notification because the requirement depends on their educational background.

Age Limit

The minimum age requirement is 20 years as specified for the recruitment.

The reported upper age limits are:

Candidate Category	Maximum Age
General Merit	31 years
SC / ST / Category-1 / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B	33 years

Age is calculated according to the date specified in the recruitment notification.

Additional relaxation may be available for eligible Ex-Servicemen and other categories under the applicable government rules.

Application Fee

The reported application fees are:

Category	Fee
General Merit and applicable other categories	₹750
SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-Servicemen	₹500

The application fee is paid online through the prescribed KEA process. Candidates should check the official notification for the latest fee instructions before making payment.

Important Dates

Recruitment Event	Date
Notification Date	18 September 2026
Online Application Begins	19 September 2026
Last Date to Submit Application	15 October 2026
Last Date for Fee Payment	16 October 2026
Written Examination	21 November 2026
Written Exam Time	3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Kannada Language Test	To be announced, where applicable
PST / Endurance Test	To be announced

Dates and schedules can be changed by the recruiting authority. Candidates should check the official KEA website for updates.

Karnataka Prisons Recruitment Selection Process

The selection process consists of multiple stages.

1. Competitive Written Examination

The first stage is a competitive written examination conducted according to the syllabus and level prescribed for the respective post.

For Jailor, the examination is based on the prescribed graduate-level syllabus.

For Warder, Instructor Grade-II and Warder cum Nursing positions, the examination is based on the prescribed SSLC-level syllabus.

The examination includes subjects/topics such as:

General Knowledge
General Science
Geography
History
Indian Constitution
Indian Freedom Movement
Current Affairs
Mental Ability

The written examination is conducted for 100 marks with a duration of 90 minutes.

Negative Marking

The examination includes negative marking. Candidates should read the official instructions regarding incorrect or improperly marked answers before appearing for the examination.

2. Physical Standard Test

Candidates shortlisted after the written examination may be called for the Physical Standard Test (PST).

The reported physical standards include:

Category	Minimum Height	Other Requirement
Men & eligible Ex-Servicemen	168 cm	Minimum chest requirements apply
Women & Third Gender	157 cm	Minimum weight requirement applies

Candidates should verify the exact physical standards applicable to their category and post in the official notification.

3. Endurance Test

Shortlisted candidates also have to qualify in the prescribed endurance tests.

The reported events include:

100-metre race
High jump
Long jump
Shot put
800-metre race for men
200-metre race for women and applicable categories

The exact qualifying requirements vary according to the candidate category.

Candidates should use the official notification as the final reference for physical-test standards.

4. Document Verification

Candidates who qualify the applicable examination and physical tests will be required to produce their original documents for verification.

Documents should match the information submitted in the online application.

5. Medical Examination

Candidates who reach the medical stage will undergo examination by the prescribed Medical Board.

The medical assessment may include checks relating to:

Eyesight
Hearing
General physical condition
Musculoskeletal condition
Other standards prescribed for the service

Candidates should read the medical requirements in the official notification before applying.

Written Examination Pattern

Post	Level	Questions	Marks	Duration
Jailor	Graduate level	100	100	90 minutes
Warder	SSLC level	100	100	90 minutes
Instructor Grade-II	SSLC level	100	100	90 minutes
Warder cum Nursing	SSLC level	100	100	90 minutes

The detailed syllabus and examination instructions should be checked in the official KEA notification.

Training and Probation

Candidates selected for appointment may be required to undergo the prescribed basic training.

According to the recruitment conditions, selected candidates are required to successfully complete the applicable training and examinations.

A two-year probation period is also specified under the applicable service conditions.

Documents Required

Candidates should keep the necessary documents ready before submitting the application.

These may include:

SSLC certificate/marksheet
Degree certificate and marksheets, where applicable
Technical diploma/certificate, where applicable
First Aid certificate for Warder cum Nursing applicants
Caste/category certificate, where applicable
Ex-Servicemen documents, where applicable
Valid identity proof
Recent photograph
Signature
Other certificates specified in the recruitment notification

Candidates called for document verification should carry the required original documents and copies as instructed by KEA.

How to Apply Online

Eligible candidates can apply online through the official KEA recruitment system.

Step-by-step process

Visit the official KEA website.
Open the recruitment section.
Find the Karnataka Prisons Department Recruitment 2026 notification.
Identify the appropriate cadre: General/Rest-of-State or Kalyana Karnataka.
Read the complete notification and eligibility requirements.
Complete the online registration/application form.
Enter your personal, educational and category information carefully.
Upload the required documents, photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
Pay the applicable application fee online.
Review the application carefully before final submission.
Submit the application before 15 October 2026.
Complete fee payment by 16 October 2026.
Save or download the submitted application for future reference.

Important Instructions for Candidates

Before submitting the application, candidates should:

Check their age against the prescribed cut-off date.
Confirm that they possess the required qualification.
Select the correct recruitment cadre.
Check the Kannada language requirement where applicable.
Verify category and reservation information.
Upload clear and valid documents.
Check all information before final submission.
Complete fee payment within the specified period.
Keep a copy of the application and payment receipt.

Candidates should rely on the official KEA notification for the final eligibility and recruitment conditions.

Karnataka Prisons Department Recruitment 2026 – Important Links

KEA Official Website:
https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/

Karnataka Prisons Department:
https://prisons.karnataka.gov.in/

Online Application:
https://kearecruitment.karnataka.gov.in/KPSR_JW_2026/Account/Login

Candidates should verify that they are using the official government/KEA website before entering personal information or making any payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many vacancies are available in Karnataka Prisons Recruitment 2026?

There are 869 reported vacancies across the General/Rest-of-State and Kalyana Karnataka cadres.

What are the posts included in the recruitment?

The recruitment includes Jailor, Warder, Warder cum Nursing and Second Grade Teacher/Instructor Grade-II posts.

What is the qualification for the Warder post?

The prescribed qualification is SSLC (10th standard) or an accepted equivalent qualification.

What qualification is required for Jailor?

A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent qualification is required for the Jailor post under the applicable cadre.

What is the age limit?

The minimum age is reported as 20 years. The maximum age is 31 years for General Merit candidates and 33 years for specified reserved categories, subject to the official eligibility rules.

What is the application deadline?

The online application deadline is 15 October 2026. The fee-payment deadline is 16 October 2026.

When will the written examination be conducted?

The competitive written examination is scheduled for 21 November 2026 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, subject to any official revision.

What is the application fee?

The reported fee is ₹750 for General Merit and applicable other categories and ₹500 for SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-Servicemen candidates.

What is the selection process?

The recruitment process includes a competitive written examination, followed by the applicable Physical Standard Test and Endurance Test, document verification and medical examination.

What is the pay scale?

The reported pay scales are:

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

Disclaimer

This article is prepared for general informational purposes. Recruitment vacancies, dates, eligibility requirements, examination schedules, physical standards, fees and other conditions may be modified by the recruiting authority.

Candidates should read the latest official KEA/Karnataka Prisons Department notification before submitting an application. In case of any difference between this article and the official notification, the official notification will be considered final.