KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 319 Group A & B Posts
The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) has released its notification for Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026-27, opening up 319 Group A and Group B Government Jobs across various state departments. This drive covers 18 different designations, from Assistant Commissioner to Tahsildar, spread across Karnataka's revenue, commercial tax, co-operation, and other government departments. Online applications run from 1 August 2026 to 31 August 2026. Here's a full breakdown of the posts, eligibility, and application process.
Table of Contents
About Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC)
The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), headquartered at "Udyoga Soudha" in Bengaluru, is the constitutional body responsible for recruiting Group A and Group B gazetted officers into Karnataka's state civil services. Its Gazetted Probationers exam is one of the state's flagship recruitment cycles, feeding officer-level vacancies into departments ranging from Revenue and Commercial Tax to Co-operation and Urban Development.
KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Organization Name | Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) |
|---|---|
| Notification No. | KPSCKA/EXA1/EXMF/9/2026-EXAM-1/I/251710/2026 |
| Post Name | Gazetted Probationers 2026-27 (18 Designations, Group A & B) |
| Total Vacancies | 319 Posts |
| Category | Govt Job (State PSC) – Group A & Group B |
| Job Location | Karnataka |
| Application Mode | Online (One Time Registration) |
| Notification Date | 31 Jul 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 Aug 2026 |
| Official Website | kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in / kpsc.kar.nic.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 31 Jul 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 01 Aug 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 31 Aug 2026 |
| Tentative Preliminary Exam Date | 15 Nov 2026 (subject to change) |
| Main Examination & Personality Test | To be announced |
| Result Date | To be announced |
Vacancy Details / Post Wise Break-up
Of the 319 total posts, 117 fall under Group A and 202 under Group B, spread across 18 designations in various Karnataka government departments. A further 22 posts within this total (5 in Group A, 17 in Group B) are earmarked for the Hyderabad-Karnataka local cadre under Article 371(J). The category-wise (SC/ST/OBC etc.) split for each individual post is detailed in Annexure-1 of the official notification.
| Group A Post | Department | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Commissioner (Junior Scale) | Personnel & Administrative Reforms | 39 |
| Assistant Commissioner of Commercial Taxes | Commercial Tax Department | 50 |
| Assistant Director | Treasury Department | 2 |
| Executive Officer / Assistant Secretary | Rural Development & Panchayat Raj | 15 |
| Assistant Director Grade-1 | Social Welfare Department | 11 |
| Group A Total | - | 117 |
| Group B Post | Department | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Tahsildar Grade-2 | Revenue Department | 25 |
| Commercial Tax Officer | Commercial Tax Department | 74 |
| Assistant Superintendent | Prisons Department | 6 |
| Assistant Registrar of Co-operative Societies | Co-operation Department | 21 |
| Assistant Director | Agricultural Marketing (Co-operation) | 12 |
| Deputy Superintendent of Excise | Excise Department | 5 |
| Employment Officer | Skill Development & Livelihood | 3 |
| Chief Officer Grade-1 | Urban Development Department | 20 |
| Assistant Treasury Officer | Treasury Department | 12 |
| Assistant Director | Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs | 4 |
| Section Officer | Karnataka Government Secretariat | 5 |
| Section Officer | Karnataka Public Service Commission | 4 |
| Assistant Director Grade-2 | Social Welfare Department | 11 |
| Group B Total | - | 202 |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Under Rule 7 of the Gazetted Probationers Rules, 1997, candidates need a Bachelor's or Master's Degree from a University established by law in India, or an equivalent qualification — this common requirement applies across all 18 posts rather than a separate qualification per post. Candidates awaiting final results can still sit the Preliminary Examination, but must submit proof of having passed before applying for the Main Examination.
Age Limit (as on last date of application)
- Minimum Age: 21 Years
- Maximum Age (General Merit): 40 Years
- Maximum Age (Category 2A/2B/3A/3B): 43 Years
- Maximum Age (SC/ST/Category-1): 45 Years
Age Relaxation
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| All Categories (One-Time Special Relaxation) | +5 Years, as per Govt. Order dated 29-01-2026 |
| Ex-Servicemen | Length of military service + 3 Years |
| Persons with Disabilities | 10 Years |
| Widowed/Divorced (Not Remarried) | 10 Years |
Salary Details
The notification doesn't lay out a specific pay scale for each of the 18 designations — pay is governed by the respective service rules applicable to each post once appointed. As Group A and Group B gazetted posts, they typically carry officer-level pay scales along with standard state government allowances, but candidates should check the individual service/cadre rules for exact figures.
Selection Process
Selection runs through a Preliminary Examination that screens candidates, followed by a descriptive Main Examination and a Personality Test that together decide the final merit.
- Preliminary Examination (400 Marks – Objective Type, Screening Only)
- Main Examination (1250 Marks – 5 Papers + 2 Qualifying Language Papers)
- Personality Test / Interview (25 Marks)
- Document Verification
The Preliminary Examination has two papers of 200 marks each, with a quarter-mark negative deduction for every wrong answer; candidates go through to the Main Examination in a 1:15 ratio against notified vacancies. The Main Examination adds Essay and four General Studies papers worth 250 marks each, plus qualifying Kannada and English papers where a minimum 35% is needed to qualify (though these marks don't count toward merit). Candidates then reach the Personality Test in a 1:3 ratio, and select posts involving field or law-and-order duties also carry additional physical standards.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General Merit / Other Categories | ₹600/- |
| Category 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | ₹300/- |
| Ex-Military Personnel | ₹50/- |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / PWD | Exempted |
Required Documents
Have these ready before starting your One Time Registration and application, since certificates need to be uploaded in the prescribed format.
- Bachelor's/Master's Degree Certificate or Provisional Pass Certificate
- SSLC/10th Marks Card (Date of Birth Proof)
- Category Certificate (SC/ST/Category-1/2A/2B/3A/3B), if applicable
- Non-Creamy Layer Certificate, where applicable
- Rural Study / Kannada Medium Certificate, where claiming those benefits
- Ex-Military Discharge Certificate / Disability Certificate, if applicable
- Hyderabad-Karnataka Local Candidate Proof, if applicable
- Recent Photograph and Scanned Signature (JPEG format, within specified file size)
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official website: kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in
- First-time applicants must complete One Time Registration (OTR) with all personal details — this cannot be edited once submitted.
- Log in using your Enrollment Number/Mobile Number/Email ID and OTP.
- Go to "Apply to Post," select this notification, and review the eligibility conditions.
- Complete the post-specific application form using details from your OTR profile.
- Pay the applicable fee via UPI, Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking.
- Verify your submission under "Applied Post" and download the confirmation receipt with QR code.
Important Instructions
- Apply only through the official KPSC website; applications through any other portal will not be accepted.
- Only one application per post/category combination is accepted — the first valid registration is considered if duplicates are submitted.
- Eligibility conditions are determined as on the last date fixed for the online application, unless stated otherwise for a specific relaxation.
- Upload all reservation, age relaxation, or fee-concession certificates in the correct format at the time of application.
- KPSC does not correspond by phone or letter — keep checking your login and the KPSC website for updates.
- Do not close the browser or refresh the page while payment is processing; wait for it to complete.
Why Should You Apply?
With 319 Group A and B posts on offer across 18 different designations, this is one of Karnataka's larger officer-level recruitment cycles, giving graduates and postgraduates a genuine shot at gazetted government service. The wide spread of departments — from revenue and taxation to co-operation and urban development — means candidates from different academic backgrounds all have a realistic path in, provided they clear the three-stage selection process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the last date to apply for KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026?
Ans: The last date to apply online is 31 August 2026. Applications opened on 1 August 2026.
Q2. How many vacancies are there in KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026?
Ans: There are 319 vacancies — 117 under Group A and 202 under Group B, including 22 posts under the Hyderabad-Karnataka local cadre.
Q3. What is the educational qualification required?
Ans: A Bachelor's or Master's Degree from a University established by law in India, or an equivalent qualification, as per the Gazetted Probationers Rules, 1997.
Q4. What is the age limit for this recruitment?
Ans: Minimum 21 years; maximum 40 years for General Merit, 43 for Category 2A/2B/3A/3B, and 45 for SC/ST/Category-1, plus a one-time 5-year relaxation for this recruitment.
Q5. What is the application fee for this recruitment?
Ans: ₹600/- for General Merit, ₹300/- for Category 2A/2B/3A/3B, ₹50/- for Ex-Military Personnel, and no fee for SC/ST/Category-1/PWD candidates.
Q6. How can I apply for this job?
Ans: Candidates can apply online through kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in after completing One Time Registration (OTR), before the last date.
Q7. What is the selection process for this recruitment?
Ans: A Preliminary Examination (400 marks, screening only), a Main Examination (1250 marks), and a Personality Test (25 marks) — 1275 marks combined.
Important Links
Final Words
KPSC Gazetted Probationers Recruitment 2026-27 is a big opportunity for graduates and postgraduates in Karnataka aiming for a Group A or Group B officer-level government career. With the application window closing on 31 August 2026 and a tentative Preliminary Exam date of 15 November 2026, it's worth starting your preparation early alongside the application. Share this with anyone preparing for Karnataka's state civil services, and join our Telegram channel above for free alerts on future KPSC notifications.