Karnataka Prison Warder Recruitment 2026 has been released by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) on behalf of the Karnataka Prisons and Reforms Services Department. A total of 576 posts under the RPC (Rest of Karnataka) cadre are open — 560 Warder (Vikshakaru) posts and 16 Instructor Grade-II posts — with a pay scale of Rs.37,500–Rs.76,100 per month. This guide is for SSLC-passed Indian citizens aged 20–31 years who want to join Karnataka state government service in 2026. This article covers eligibility, salary, selection process, exam pattern, important dates, and all official links.
Karnataka Prison Warder Recruitment 2026 has released 576 RPC cadre vacancies (560 Warder + 16 Instructor Grade-II) with a salary of Rs.37,500–Rs.76,100/month. The application window (19 Sep – 15 Oct 2026) is now closed. The written OMR exam is scheduled for 21 November 2026 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Admit cards will be released on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea before the exam date.
- Recruiting Body: Karnataka Prisons and Reforms Services Department
- Conducting Authority: Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)
- Notification No.: ED/KEA/22/NE.VI/2026(RPC) dated 18 September 2026
- Total RPC Vacancies: 576 posts (560 Warder + 16 Instructor Grade-II)
- Pay Scale: Rs.37,500–Rs.76,100/month
- Minimum Qualification: SSLC (10th Pass) or equivalent
- Application Status: Closed (Last date was 15 October 2026)
- Fee Payment Last Date: 16 October 2026
- Written Exam Date (RPC): 21 November 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Admit Card: To be released on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea
- Official Portal: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea
- What is Karnataka Prison Warder Recruitment 2026?
- Should You Apply? Quick Check
- Vacancy Details — Post-Wise Breakdown
- Karnataka Prison Warder Salary 2026
- Eligibility Criteria — Education, Age & Conditions
- Application Fee — Category-Wise
- How to Apply Online — Step-by-Step Process
- Selection Process — Written, Physical & Medical
- Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026
- Important Dates and Timeline
- Important Links
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is Karnataka Prison Warder Recruitment 2026 and Why It Matters
Karnataka Prison Warder Recruitment 2026 is a state government job drive released by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) to fill 576 vacant posts of Warder (Vikshakaru) and Instructor Grade-II in the Karnataka Prisons and Reforms Services Department under the RPC (Rest of Karnataka) cadre. The official notification (No. ED/KEA/22/NE.VI/2026) was issued on 18 September 2026, governed by The Karnataka Prisons Service (Recruitment) Rules 2002 and subsequent amendments.
Warders (Vikshakaru) are responsible for the security, supervision, and daily management of inmates in state correctional facilities. Instructor Grade-II personnel provide vocational training in trades such as electrical work, carpentry, tailoring, and weaving as part of inmate rehabilitation programmes. Both posts carry government benefits including the National Pension Scheme (NPS), two years of probation, and basic training at a government-designated institution.
The department operates under the Karnataka Home Department, making this a permanent state government service appointment. Selected candidates serve across district and sub-district prison facilities. For the Kalyana Karnataka (KK) cadre, a separate notification (ED/KEA/23/NE.VI/2026) covering 293 additional posts was also issued on the same date.
Should You Apply for Karnataka Prison Warder Recruitment 2026?
Karnataka Prison Warder 2026 Vacancy Details — Post-Wise Breakdown
The RPC notification covers a total of 576 posts. The post-wise breakdown is as follows:
| Sl. No. | Post Name | Pay Scale (Rs./month) | Posts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Warder (Vikshakaru) | 37,500–76,100 | 560 |
| 02 | Instructor Grade-II | 37,500–76,100 | 16 |
| Total — RPC Cadre | 576 | ||
Note: 293 additional posts (Jailor, Warder, Instructor Grade-II, Warder cum Nursing) under the Kalyana Karnataka (KK) cadre are open via notification No. ED/KEA/23/NE.VI/2026 (K.K.) dated 18 September 2026. Candidates from Kalyana Karnataka districts must apply under the KK notification on the same KEA portal.
Karnataka Prison Warder Salary 2026 — Complete Pay Details
The pay scale for both Warder (Vikshakaru) and Instructor Grade-II posts is Rs.37,500–Rs.76,100 per month as per the official notification. Both posts carry the same pay band. Here is the full salary structure:
| Component | Details (as per official notification) |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay — Entry Level | Rs.37,500/month |
| Pay Band — Full Increments | Rs.37,500-900-39,300-1,000-43,300-1,125-47,800-1,250-52,800-1,375-58,300-1,500-64,300-1,650-74,200-1,900-76,100 |
| Maximum Pay | Rs.76,100/month |
| DA (Dearness Allowance) | As per state government order (revised periodically) |
| HRA (House Rent Allowance) | As applicable per posting location |
| Pension Scheme | National Pension Scheme (NPS) — per GO FD(SPIL) 04 PG IT 2005 dated 31.03.2006 |
| Probation Period | 2 years from date of appointment |
| Basic Training Period | 9 months at a government-designated institution |
In addition to basic pay, selected candidates are entitled to government staff facilities including medical benefits, leave provisions, and other allowances under Karnataka Civil Service rules. The pay scale above is reproduced verbatim from the official notification — no estimates or in-hand approximations are given.
Eligibility Criteria for Karnataka Prison Warder Recruitment 2026
Candidates must meet every condition below before applying. The criteria are reproduced from the official KEA notification:
Educational Qualification
| Post | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| Warder (Vikshakaru) | Passed SSLC examination or equivalent qualification recognised by Karnataka Government (per GO Circular No. 81 Sevene 2017, dated 27.02.2018) |
| Instructor Grade-II | Passed SSLC or equivalent AND holds a Diploma or Certificate in Mechanical/Electrical/Carpentry/Tailoring/Textile/Weaving/Carpet making from a Government-recognised institution |
Important: Candidates whose SSLC result was pending as of the application closing date are ineligible. The qualifying certificate must have been awarded before 15 October 2026.
Age Limit
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| General Merit (GM) | 20 years | 31 years |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | 20 years | 33 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 20 years | +3 years grace beyond category limit |
Per Karnataka Government Order No. Shasasana 262 Sevene 2025 dated 29.01.2026. Candidates are advised to read the official notification carefully for ex-servicemen age computation.
Other Eligibility Conditions
- Must be an Indian citizen
- Must be mentally and physically sound — no disability preventing prison duties
- Must not have been debarred from any Central/State/Karnataka PSC/KEA examination or appointment
- Must not have been convicted for any criminal offence
- Must not have been dismissed from Central/State government service
- Candidates currently in service must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer
Karnataka Prison Warder 2026 Application Fee — Category-Wise
| Category | Application Fee | Refundable? |
|---|---|---|
| General Merit / Category 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | Rs.750/- | Not Refundable |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-Servicemen / Third Gender | Rs.500/- | Not Refundable |
Mode of Payment: Online only through the KEA portal. Offline fee payment was not accepted. The fee payment window closed on 16 October 2026.
How to Apply Online for Karnataka Prison Warder Recruitment 2026
Note: The online application window closed on 15 October 2026. The steps below are preserved for candidates who have already applied and need to track the process, and for future reference.
- Visit the official website: Go to cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea (Karnataka Examinations Authority recruitment portal).
- Find the notification: Locate the Karnataka Prisons Department Recruitment 2026 (RPC Cadre) link on the homepage.
- Register / Login: Create a new account if a first-time user, or log in with existing credentials.
- Fill the application form: Enter personal, educational, and category details accurately. No changes were permitted after submission.
- Upload documents: Upload a passport-size photograph (JPEG, 50KB–200KB) and signature (JPEG, 50KB–70KB).
- Select cadre and category: Choose RPC (Rest of Karnataka) cadre and the applicable reservation category.
- Pay the application fee: Rs.750 (General) or Rs.500 (SC/ST/Cat-1/Ex-servicemen) via online mode only.
- Submit and save: Verify all details, submit, and download the confirmation receipt. Incomplete applications were summarily rejected.
Selection Process for Karnataka Prison Warder 2026 — All 5 Stages
The selection follows a mandatory 5-stage process. Failure at any stage eliminates the candidate from the recruitment:
Stage 1 — Competitive Written Examination (OMR)
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Exam Type | Offline OMR (Multiple Choice Questions) |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 90 minutes (1.5 hours) |
| Exam Date (RPC) | 21 November 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer |
| Medium | Kannada (mandatory Kannada subject pass required) |
Stage 2 — Physical Standard Test (PST)
| Category | Height Requirement | Chest / Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Male / Ex-Servicemen | Minimum 168 cm | Chest: 86 cm unexpanded, minimum 5 cm expansion |
| Female / Third Gender | Minimum 157 cm | Minimum weight: 46 kg |
Stage 3 — Endurance Test (5 Physical Events)
Candidates must qualify in at least 3 out of 5 events:
| Event | Male Standard | Female / Third Gender / Ex-Servicemen |
|---|---|---|
| 100 Metre Race | Within 15 seconds | Within 18.5 seconds |
| High Jump | Minimum 1.20 m (3 attempts) | Minimum 0.90 m (3 attempts) |
| Long Jump | Minimum 3.80 m (3 attempts) | Minimum 2.50 m (3 attempts) |
| Shot Put (7.26 kg men / 3.63 kg women) | Minimum 5.60 m (3 attempts) | Minimum 3.75 m (3 attempts) |
| 800 m Race (Men) / 200 m Race (Women) | Within 2 min 50 sec | Within 40 seconds |
Stage 4 — Document Verification
Candidates shortlisted after written and physical tests must produce original documents: SSLC certificate, category certificates, age proof, Kannada medium certificate (if applicable), rural quota certificate, ex-servicemen documents, and any other prescribed records.
Stage 5 — Medical Examination
A government-appointed Medical Board conducts the final medical examination. Disqualifying conditions include colour blindness, varicose veins, impediment in speech, Knock Knees, Flat Foot, Cubitus Valgus, Cubitus Varus, defective distant/near vision, and hearing deficiencies. A Chest X-Ray and other tests are conducted at the Board’s discretion. No travel allowance is paid for attending physical or medical tests.
Karnataka Prison Warder Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026
The written examination is an offline OMR test designed for SSLC-level candidates. The syllabus, as per the KEA notification, covers the following subject areas:
| Subject Area | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| General Knowledge | Important national and international events, general awareness |
| Science | Basic Physics, Chemistry, Biology (SSLC level) |
| Geography | Indian geography, physical and economic geography |
| History | Indian history, national freedom struggle |
| Indian Constitution | Fundamental Rights, DPSP, governance structure |
| National Integrity / Current Affairs | Recent national and state developments |
| Mental Ability | Logical reasoning, basic numerical ability, pattern recognition |
Negative Marking: Each wrong answer deducts 0.25 marks. No mark is deducted for unanswered questions. Candidates who score zero or below in the exam will not be considered for shortlisting.
Important Dates and Timeline — Karnataka Prison Warder 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | 18 September 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | 19 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Application | 15 October 2026 (Closed) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 16 October 2026 (Closed) |
| Admit Card / Hall Ticket Download | To be notified at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
| Written Examination — RPC Cadre | 21 November 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM |
| Written Examination — KK Cadre | 22 November 2026 (as per secondary sources — verify on KEA portal) |
| Kannada Language Test (if applicable) | To be announced after written exam |
| Physical Standard Test (PST) | To be announced post written exam |
| Endurance Test | To be announced post PST |
| Document Verification & Medical Exam | To be announced |
Important Links — Karnataka Prison Warder Recruitment 2026
Frequently Asked Questions About Karnataka Prison Warder Recruitment 2026
What is the total number of vacancies in Karnataka Prison Warder Recruitment 2026 under RPC cadre?
What is the pay scale for the Karnataka Prison Warder 2026 post as per the official notification?
What is the Karnataka Prison Warder 2026 written exam date, time, and pattern for RPC cadre?
What is the minimum educational qualification required to apply for Karnataka Prison Warder post?
What are the physical fitness standards for Karnataka Prison Warder Recruitment 2026 endurance test?
Last Updated: October 2026 | This page is reviewed and updated when official data changes. Bookmark for Karnataka Prison Warder Recruitment 2026 admit card and result updates.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. All recruitment details are based on the official notification issued by KEA (ED/KEA/22/NE.VI/2026). Candidates must verify all information directly from the Karnataka Examinations Authority website (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea) and the Karnataka Prisons Department website (prisons.karnataka.gov.in/en) before taking any action.
