The Karnataka Prison Department Recruitment 2026 notification has been released for 869 posts of Jailor, Warder, Warder cum Nursing, and Second Grade Teacher/Instructor Grade-II. The recruitment will be conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) on behalf of the Karnataka Prisons and Reforms Services Department.
Eligible candidates can apply online from 19 September to 15 October 2026. The minimum qualification varies according to the post, from SSLC (10th pass) to a Bachelor’s Degree. Candidates should check the age limit, post-wise eligibility, application fee, written exam, physical test, and other details before submitting the application form.
Karnataka Prison Department Recruitment 2026 – Overview |
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| Official Notification Out — 869 Jailor, Warder & Instructor Posts | Apply Online 19 Sept – 15 Oct 2026 | |
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| Particulars | Details |
| Conducting Body | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru — on behalf of Karnataka Prisons and Reforms Services Department |
| Notification Numbers | ED/KEA/22/Ne.Vi/2026 (R.P.C.) — General/Rest-of-State cadre & ED/KEA/23/Ne.Vi/2026 (K.K.) — Kalyana Karnataka cadre (both dated 18.09.2026) |
| Post Names | Jailor, Warder (Vikshakaru), Warder cum Nursing, Second Grade Teacher / Instructor Grade-II |
| Total Vacancies | 869 Posts (576 General/R.P.C. cadre + 293 Kalyana Karnataka/K.K. cadre) |
| Application Mode | Online Only |
| Job Location | Prisons across Karnataka (General/Rest-of-State cadre and Kalyana Karnataka/Hyderabad-Karnataka region cadre) |
| Official Websites | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea and prisons.karnataka.gov.in |
About This Recruitment (Simple Explanation) |
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| The Karnataka Prisons and Reforms Services Department is hiring 869 people for jobs inside the state’s prisons. A Warder is a prison guard who keeps watch over inmates and maintains discipline and safety inside the jail. A Jailor is a senior supervising officer who manages the day-to-day running of the prison. A Warder cum Nursing staff member handles basic medical/first-aid care for inmates, and an Instructor Grade-II (Second Grade Teacher) trains inmates in skills like tailoring, carpentry, weaving, or electrical/mechanical work as part of jail reform programmes. This is a permanent Karnataka state government job with a good pay scale, so it is a good opportunity for 10th pass (SSLC) and graduate candidates from Karnataka. | |
Important Dates 2026
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Age Limit (As on Closing Date of Application)
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Post-Wise Vacancy Details |
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| Notification (R.P.C.) — General / Rest-of-State Cadre — 576 Posts | |
| Post | Pay Scale (₹) / Vacancies |
| Warder (Vikshakaru) | ₹37,500 – ₹76,100 | 560 Posts |
| Second Grade Teacher / Instructor Grade-II | ₹37,500 – ₹76,100 | 16 Posts |
| Notification (K.K.) — Kalyana Karnataka (Hyderabad-Karnataka Region) Cadre — 293 Posts | |
| Post | Pay Scale (₹) / Vacancies |
| Jailor | ₹61,300 – ₹1,12,900 | 5 Posts |
| Warder (Vikshakaru) | ₹37,500 – ₹76,100 | 275 Posts |
| Second Grade Teacher / Instructor Grade-II | ₹37,500 – ₹76,100 | 8 Posts |
| Warder cum Nursing | ₹34,100 – ₹67,600 | 5 Posts |
| Grand Total | 869 Posts |
Educational Qualification — Post-Wise |
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| Post | Minimum Qualification Needed |
| Jailor (K.K. cadre only) | Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent (preference given to Sociology, Psychology, Criminology, or Correctional Administration graduates) |
| Warder (Vikshakaru) | SSLC (10th) pass or equivalent |
| Second Grade Teacher / Instructor Grade-II | SSLC pass + Diploma/Certificate in Mechanical, Electrical, Carpentry, Tailoring, Textile, Weaving, Carpet-making, etc. from a Government-recognised institute |
| Warder cum Nursing (K.K. cadre only) | SSLC pass + First Aid certificate |
| Note: A higher qualification cannot be used in place of the exact qualification asked for the post — for example, a graduate cannot apply for Warder just because SSLC is the minimum requirement mentioned; the specific qualification prescribed must be met. | |
Kannada Language Requirement (Important) |
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Application Fee |
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| General Merit & Categories 2A/2B/3A/3B | ₹750/- |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-Servicemen / Third Gender | ₹500/- |
| Fee Payment Mode | Online only, through the official KEA website |
| Note: The fee is not refundable under any circumstances. | |
Selection Process 2026The full selection process has four stages: |
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| Stage 1 — Competitive (Written) Examination (Offline OMR Type) | |
| Post | Exam Level / Subjects / Marks / Duration |
| Jailor | Graduate-level General Knowledge, Science, Geography, History, Indian Constitution, National Freedom Struggle, Current Affairs & Mental Ability — 100 Questions | 100 Marks | 90 Minutes |
| Warder / Instructor Grade-II / Warder cum Nursing | SSLC-level General Knowledge, Science, Geography, History, Indian Constitution, National Freedom Struggle, Current Affairs & Mental Ability — 100 Questions | 100 Marks | 90 Minutes |
| Stage 2 — Physical Standard Test (PST) & Endurance Test (candidates shortlisted in 1:5 ratio to vacancies, based on combined Written Exam + qualification marks, category-wise) | |
| Category | Physical Standard Required |
| Men & Ex-Servicemen | Height: min 168 cm; Chest (unexpanded): min 86 cm; Expansion: min 5 cm |
| Women & Third Gender | Height: min 157 cm; Weight: min 46 kg |
| Endurance Test (candidates must clear at least 3 out of 5 events): | |
| Event | Men / Women-Third Gender-Ex-Servicemen Standard |
| 100 Metre Race | Men: 15 seconds | Others: 18.5 seconds |
| High Jump (3 chances) | Men: min 1.20 m | Others: min 0.90 m |
| Long Jump (3 chances) | Men: min 3.80 m | Others: min 2.50 m |
| Shot Put (3 chances) | Men: min 5.60 m (7.26 kg) | Others: min 3.75 m (3.63 kg) |
| Endurance Race | Men — 800m in 2 min 50 sec | Women/Others — 200m in 40 sec |
| Stage 3 — Document Verification (of candidates who clear the PST & Endurance Test) | |
Stage 4 — Medical Examination
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How to Apply Online for Karnataka Prison Department 2026
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Preparation Tips for Karnataka Prison Department 2026
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Job Profile — What These Prison Department Posts Involve
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important links |
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| Apply Online (General/R.P.C. Cadre) | click here |
| Download Notification PDF (R.P.C. — General Cadre) | click here |
| Download Notification PDF (K.K. — Kalyana Karnataka Cadre) | click here |
| Karnataka Prisons Dept. Official Website | click here |
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1. How many vacancies are available in Karnataka Prison Department Recruitment 2026?
A total of 869 vacancies have been announced for different prison department posts.
2. Which posts are included in this recruitment?
The recruitment includes:
- Jailor
- Warder (Vikshakaru)
- Warder cum Nursing
- Second Grade Teacher / Instructor Grade-II
3. When will the online application process start?
The online application process starts on 19 September 2026.
4. What is the last date to apply online?
The last date to submit the online application form is 15 October 2026.
5. What is the last date to pay the application fee?
Candidates can pay the application fee up to 16 October 2026.
6. What is the minimum educational qualification?
The required qualification depends on the post:
- Warder: SSLC or 10th pass
- Jailor: Bachelor’s Degree
- Instructor Grade-II: SSLC with a relevant technical diploma or certificate
- Warder cum Nursing: SSLC with a First Aid certificate
7. What is the age limit for Karnataka Prison Department Recruitment 2026?
The minimum age is 20 years. The maximum age is 31 years for General Merit candidates and 33 years for SC, ST, Category-1 and other specified reserved categories.
8. What is the application fee?
The application fee is:
- General Merit and categories 2A/2B/3A/3B: ₹750
- SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-Servicemen/Third Gender: ₹500
The fee must be paid online and is non-refundable.
9. What is the selection process?
The selection process may include:
- Competitive Written Examination
- Physical Standard Test (PST)
- Endurance Test
- Document Verification
- Medical Examination
10. 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.
11. Is a Kannada Language Test compulsory?
Candidates who did not study Kannada as a first or second language in SSLC, or who did not study in Kannada medium, may need to pass the Kannada Language Test. Such candidates must secure at least 50 marks out of 150.
12. What are the physical standards for male candidates?
The prescribed physical standards for men and ex-servicemen include:
- Minimum height: 168 cm
- Minimum unexpanded chest: 86 cm
- Minimum chest expansion: 5 cm
13. What is the official website to apply?
Candidates can apply through the official KEA website:
cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/
14. Can candidates apply for both the R.P.C. and K.K. cadres?
Candidates should carefully read the relevant notification and check the cadre-specific eligibility and application instructions before applying.
15. Is the Karnataka Prison Department job permanent?
The recruitment is for Karnataka Government prison department positions. Service conditions, allowances, and other benefits will be governed by the applicable Karnataka Government rules.
