The Karnataka Prisons and Reforms Services Department, the state authority that manages prisons and correctional services in Karnataka, is hiring for 869 posts of Jailor, Warder (Vikshakaru), Warder cum Nursing and Second Grade Teacher (Instructor Grade-II). The recruitment is conducted through the Karnataka Examinations Authority under two notifications, one for the general Rest of State cadre and one for the Kalyana Karnataka cadre. These are base-cadre posts in the state prisons service, offering candidates a career in correctional administration and custodial duties.
Karnataka Prisons Department Recruitment 2026 - Jailor, Warder and Other Posts
- Notification18 Sept
- Applications Open19 Sept
- Applications Closed15 Oct
- Exam21 Nov
Karnataka Prisons Department Recruitment 2026
Job Overview
- Organization
- Karnataka Prisons and Reforms Services Department
- Advertisement No.
- ED/KEA/22/Ne.Vi/2026(R.P.C.) and ED/KEA/23/Ne.Vi/2026(K.K.)
- Post Name
- Warder (Vikshakaru), Second Grade Teacher / Instructor Grade-II and 2 more
- Job Location
- Karnataka
- Job Type
- Permanent
- Age Limit
- 20–31 years
- Gender
- All
- Nationality
- Indian
Vacancy Breakdown
| Post Name | Total |
|---|---|
| Warder (Vikshakaru) | 560 |
| Second Grade Teacher / Instructor Grade-II | 16 |
| Jailor | 5 |
| Warder (Vikshakaru) | 275 |
| Second Grade Teacher / Instructor Grade-II | 8 |
| Warder cum Nursing | 5 |
| Grand Total | 869 |
Eligibility Details
Requirements differ by post — open a post to see its own.
Jailor5 posts
- Qualification
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent qualification. Preference given to candidates holding a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, Psychology, Criminology, Correctional Administration, or an equivalent qualification.
- Note
- Kalyana Karnataka (K.K.) cadre only
Warder (Vikshakaru)835 posts
- Qualification
- Must have passed SSLC examination or possess an equivalent qualification.
Second Grade Teacher / Instructor Grade-II24 posts
- Qualification
- Must have passed SSLC or equivalent, and must hold a Diploma or Certificate in Mechanical/Electrical/Carpentry/Tailoring/Textile/Weaving/Carpet-making, etc., from a Government-recognised institution.
Warder cum Nursing5 posts
- Qualification
- Must have passed SSLC or equivalent, and must hold a certificate in First Aid.
- Note
- Kalyana Karnataka (K.K.) cadre only
Age Limit
Minimum 20 years and maximum 31 years for General Merit candidates; maximum 33 years for SC/ST/Category-1/2A/2B/3A/3B candidates, as on the closing date of application.
Age Relaxation
Upper age limit increased by 5 years vide Government Order No. Sichasu 262 Sevani 2025 dated 29.01.2026. Ex-Servicemen get 3 years relaxation in addition to the length of military service actually rendered, for those discharged other than by dismissal or removal for misconduct or inefficiency.
Physical Standards
| Category | Gender | Height | Chest | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men and Ex-Servicemen | Male | 168 cm | 86 cm (unexpanded), minimum expansion 5 cm | — |
| Women and Third Gender | Female | 157 cm | — | 46 kg |
Physical Efficiency Test
| Test | Standard |
|---|---|
| 100 Metre Race | 15 seconds for men; 18.5 seconds for women, third gender and ex-servicemen |
| High Jump (3 chances) | Minimum 1.20 metres for men; minimum 0.90 metres for women, third gender and ex-servicemen |
| Long Jump (3 chances) | Minimum 3.80 metres for men; minimum 2.50 metres for women, third gender and ex-servicemen |
| Shot Put (3 chances) | Minimum 5.60 metres with 7.26 kg for men; minimum 3.75 metres with 3.63 kg for women, third gender and ex-servicemen |
| 800m Race (Men) / 200m Race (Women, Third Gender, Ex-Servicemen) | 2 minutes 50 seconds for the 800m; 40 seconds for the 200m |
Applies to: All candidates
Application Fee
Selection Process
Each post has its own selection and exam — open a post to see its tests and marks.
Jailor5 posts
- Exam Pattern
- Offline OMR90 Minutes100 questions100 marksNegative: 0.25 marks (1/4th) deducted for each wrong answer
Subject Questions Marks Graduate-level General Knowledge, Science, Geography, History, Indian Constitution, National Freedom Struggle, Current Affairs and Mental Ability 100 100
Warder (Vikshakaru)835 posts
- Exam Pattern
- Offline OMR90 Minutes100 questions100 marksNegative: 0.25 marks (1/4th) deducted for each wrong answer
Subject Questions Marks SSLC-level General Knowledge, Science, Geography, History, Indian Constitution, National Freedom Struggle, Current Affairs and Mental Ability 100 100
Second Grade Teacher / Instructor Grade-II24 posts
- Exam Pattern
- Offline OMR90 Minutes100 questions100 marksNegative: 0.25 marks (1/4th) deducted for each wrong answer
Subject Questions Marks SSLC-level General Knowledge, Science, Geography, History, Indian Constitution, National Freedom Struggle, Current Affairs and Mental Ability 100 100
Warder cum Nursing5 posts
- Exam Pattern
- Offline OMR90 Minutes100 questions100 marksNegative: 0.25 marks (1/4th) deducted for each wrong answer
Subject Questions Marks SSLC-level General Knowledge, Science, Geography, History, Indian Constitution, National Freedom Struggle, Current Affairs and Mental Ability 100 100
- 1Competitive (Written) Examination
Offline OMR test of 100 questions and 100 marks in 90 minutes; 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
- 2Physical Standard Test (PST) and Endurance Test
Candidates shortlisted in a 1:5 ratio to vacancies on combined written exam and educational qualification marks; at least 3 of the 5 endurance events must be cleared.
- 3Document Verification
Candidates must carry the call letter and one original photo-ID document.
- 4Medical Examination
Conducted by a duly constituted Medical Board for candidates who qualify the written exam and the PST and Endurance Test.
Shortlisting ratio: 1:5
Salary Structure
| Post | Pay |
|---|---|
| Jailor | Rs. 61,300 - 1,12,900 |
| Warder (Vikshakaru) | Rs. 37,500 - 76,100 |
| Second Grade Teacher / Instructor Grade-II | Rs. 37,500 - 76,100 |
| Warder cum Nursing | Rs. 34,100 - 67,600 |
How to Apply
- 1Visit the official KEA website and read the detailed notification for the relevant cadre.
- 2Click the link for the General (R.P.C.) or Kalyana Karnataka (K.K.) cadre to open the online application.
- 3Fill in all personal, educational and category details carefully, as the data cannot be changed after submission.
- 4Upload the required documents and pay the application fee online.
- 5Submit the application before the closing date and complete fee payment by the fee payment closing date.
- 6Download the hall ticket from the KEA website closer to the exam date and carry a valid original photo ID to the exam centre.
Documents to Carry / Upload
Important Details
- Candidates who did not study Kannada as a first or second language in SSLC or equivalent must pass a Kannada Language Test conducted by KEA, scoring at least 50 out of 150 marks, failing which the appointment will not be finalised even if the candidate is otherwise selected.
- A male candidate with a living spouse who marries again, or a female candidate who marries a man with a living spouse, without prior Government permission, is not eligible for appointment.
- Persons dismissed from Central, State or other public service, or debarred from any recruitment or examination conducted by a Public Service Commission or a recruitment authority, are not eligible.
- Candidates must be mentally and physically healthy and free from any health condition that could pose a risk to others.
Medical Standards
- Distant vision 6/9 in the better eye and 6/9 or 6/12 in the weaker eye; near vision 0/6 in the better eye and 0/8 in the weaker eye, correctable with lenses where specified
- Colour blindness, night blindness or squint leads to disqualification
- Rinne's Test, Weber's Test and tests for vertigo are conducted; any deficiency found disqualifies the candidate
- Varicose veins, speech impediment and musculoskeletal deformities such as knock knees, flat foot, cubitus valgus and cubitus varus are disqualifying
- A chest X-ray and any other tests suggested by the Medical Board will be conducted
Training, Probation and Pension
Selected candidates must undergo basic training at institutions specified by the Director General and Inspector General of Prisons, Karnataka, and must pass all prescribed tests during training. The probation period is 2 years from the date of appointment. The National Pension Scheme applies as per Government Order No. FD (SPL) 04 PEN 2005 dated 31.03.2006.
Exam Centre Instructions
Exam centres will be located at district centres across the state and are subject to change for administrative reasons; candidates will be informed through their admit card and the official website. No change of exam centre is allowed after allocation, and no request for postponement of any exam activity will be entertained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the admit card be sent by post?
No. Candidates must download their own admit card from the KEA website; no admit card is sent by post.
Can candidates request a change of exam centre?
No. The exam centre cannot be changed after allocation, and no request for postponement of any exam activity is entertained.
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