Karnataka Prisons Department Recruitment 2026: 576 Warder & Instructor Posts, Apply Online

Karnataka Prisons Department Recruitment 2026: 576 Warder & Instructor Posts, Apply Online

Karnataka government job aspirants have an important recruitment opportunity in the Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services Department. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released a notification for direct recruitment to 576 posts under the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC).

The recruitment includes 560 Warder (Vikshakaru) posts and 16 Second Grade Instructor posts. Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the KEA portal. The online application process begins on September 19, 2026, and the last date to submit the application is October 15, 2026.

Candidates interested in Karnataka government jobs should carefully check the educational qualification, age limit, application fee, selection process, examination date and other conditions before applying.

Important: The 576-post figure refers to the Residual Parent Cadre notification. A separate Kalyana Karnataka cadre notification has also been issued, taking the combined number of posts under the related prison recruitment notifications to 869.

Karnataka Prisons Department Recruitment 2026 Overview

The notification covers 560 Warder (Vikshakaru) vacancies and 16 Second Grade Teacher/Instructor Grade-II vacancies, making 576 posts in total.

Vacancy Details

The recruitment has been announced for two categories of posts.

1. Warder – 560 Posts

The largest number of vacancies is available for the Warder (Vikshakaru) position.

There are 560 Warder vacancies under the Residual Parent Cadre. Candidates who have passed SSLC or an equivalent qualification can apply, subject to fulfilling the remaining conditions mentioned in the official notification.

2. Second Grade Instructor – 16 Posts

There are 16 vacancies for Second Grade Instructor (Instructor Grade-II).

These positions have specific technical or vocational qualification requirements. Apart from SSLC or equivalent qualification, candidates are required to possess the prescribed diploma or certificate in relevant trades such as Mechanical, Electrical, Carpentry, Tailoring, Textile/Weaving, Carpet Making or other notified trades from a recognised institution.

Educational Qualification

Educational qualification varies according to the post.

Warder Educational Qualification

Candidates applying for the Warder post must have:

• Passed SSLC (10th standard) examination, or
• Possess an equivalent qualification recognised under the applicable recruitment rules.

The prescribed qualification must be obtained within the eligibility period specified in the notification. Candidates should not assume that a higher qualification automatically replaces a specifically prescribed qualification; the recruitment notification should be checked carefully before submitting the application.

Instructor Grade-II Educational Qualification

For the Second Grade Instructor post, candidates must have:

• Passed SSLC or equivalent examination, and
• Possess the prescribed diploma/certificate in a relevant trade from a government-recognised institution.

The listed areas include trades such as:

• Mechanical
• Electrical
• Carpentry
• Tailoring
• Textile/Weaving
• Carpet Making

The exact trade-wise requirements should be checked against the official notification before applying.

Age Limit

According to the recruitment details currently available, candidates must have completed 20 years of age.

The upper age limit is reported as:

• General Merit: 31 years
• SC/ST/Category-1 and specified backward classes: up to 33 years, subject to the applicable notification conditions.

The recruitment information also reflects age relaxation provisions that were incorporated in the current recruitment process following delays in government recruitment. Candidates should calculate their age according to the cut-off date specified in the official notification rather than using the current date.

Salary Details

The reported pay scale for both Warder and Instructor Grade-II posts is:

₹37,500 – ₹76,100

The actual monthly amount received by a selected employee can vary depending on applicable allowances, deductions, posting and government rules.

Candidates should therefore distinguish between the notified basic pay scale and the final amount credited to their bank account.

Application Dates

The recruitment schedule is important for candidates planning to apply.

Important Dates

Notification Date: September 18, 2026

Online Application Starts: September 19, 2026

Last Date to Apply: October 15, 2026

Last Date for Fee Payment: October 16, 2026

Competitive Written Examination: November 21, 2026

Exam Time: 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM

The written examination date has been announced for November 21, 2026, while details relating to subsequent physical tests are to be communicated through the recruitment authority.

Application Fee

The reported application fee is:

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

Candidates should verify the applicable fee displayed on the official KEA application portal before making payment, particularly if their category or exemption status is relevant.

Selection Process

The selection process is not limited to the written examination. Candidates should be prepared for multiple stages.

The reported selection procedure includes:

1. Competitive Written Examination
2. Physical Standard Test (PST)
3. Endurance Test (ET)
4. Document Verification
5. Medical Examination
6. Final selection according to merit and applicable reservation rules

For the Warder recruitment, candidates shortlisted after the written examination are required to undergo physical and endurance-related assessments. The recruitment information indicates that candidates may be shortlisted for these stages in a 1:5 ratio, followed by further stages for candidates who qualify.

Therefore, candidates should not prepare only for the written examination. Physical preparation is also important for those applying for posts where physical standards and endurance tests are prescribed.

Written Examination

The competitive examination is reported as a 100-mark written examination conducted in offline OMR format.

The examination is scheduled for:

Date: November 21, 2026

Time: 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM

The recruitment information also reports negative marking of 0.25 marks for an incorrect answer. Candidates should therefore read the examination instructions carefully and avoid random guessing when they are unsure of an answer.

The exact syllabus, question pattern and other examination instructions should be taken from the official KEA notification rather than relying on information from third-party websites.

Physical Test and Endurance Test

Candidates who qualify through the written examination may have to attend the Physical Standard Test and Endurance Test.

The purpose of these stages is to assess whether candidates meet the prescribed physical requirements for the relevant post.

Candidates should regularly check the KEA and Karnataka Prisons Department websites for:

• Physical test date
• Venue
• Reporting time
• Required documents
• Physical standards
• Endurance test requirements
• Admit card instructions

The physical test schedule and venue are expected to be communicated through the official recruitment process.

Documents Required

Applicants should keep the necessary documents ready before beginning the online application.

Depending on the candidate and post, documents may include:

• SSLC marks card
• Educational qualification certificates
• Diploma or trade certificate for Instructor posts
• Date of birth proof
• Caste certificate, if applicable
• Category certificate, if applicable
• Income certificate, where applicable
• Ex-servicemen documents, if applicable
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Signature
• Valid mobile number
• Email ID
• Aadhaar or other identity document
• Other documents specified in the official notification

Candidates should upload documents in the format and file size prescribed by KEA.

How to Apply for Karnataka Prisons Department Recruitment 2026

Eligible candidates can apply online through the Karnataka Examinations Authority portal.

Step 1: Visit the KEA Website

Go to the official KEA website and locate the relevant recruitment notification.

Step 2: Read the Official Notification

Before registering, download and read the complete notification.

Pay special attention to:

• Post-wise vacancies
• Educational qualification
• Age limit
• Reservation
• Physical requirements
• Examination pattern
• Application fee
• Important dates

Step 3: Complete Registration

Enter the required personal and educational details in the online application form.

Candidates should enter their information exactly as it appears in their official documents.

Step 4: Upload Documents

Upload the required photograph, signature and certificates according to the specifications given by KEA.

Step 5: Pay the Application Fee

Pay the applicable application fee through the available online payment method.

Step 6: Submit the Application

After checking every detail, submit the application form.

Step 7: Save the Application

Download or print the completed application and payment confirmation for future reference.

Candidates should keep the application number, login details and payment receipt safely until the entire recruitment process is completed.

Who Can Apply?

The Warder recruitment may be particularly relevant to candidates who have completed SSLC/10th standard and are looking for Karnataka government employment.

Candidates interested in the Instructor Grade-II posts should check whether their technical or vocational certificate matches the specific qualification prescribed for the post.

Meeting the minimum educational qualification alone does not guarantee selection. Candidates must satisfy all applicable conditions, qualify in the written examination and clear the subsequent selection stages.

Important Point About 576 and 869 Vacancies

There may be confusion because some recruitment websites are reporting 869 vacancies, while the current notification information refers to 576 vacancies.

The reason is that two related notifications have been issued.

The 576 posts consist of:

• 560 Warders
• 16 Instructor Grade-II

A separate Kalyana Karnataka cadre notification covers another 293 posts, including Jailor, Warder, Warder cum Nursing and Instructor Grade-II posts. Together, the two notifications account for 869 posts.

Therefore, candidates should select the correct cadre and notification while applying.

Preparation Tips for Candidates

Candidates preparing for the Warder recruitment should begin their preparation early.

Focus on the Written Examination

Create a daily study schedule covering the subjects and topics prescribed in the official syllabus.

Regular revision is important because the recruitment involves a competitive written examination.

Practice Previous Questions

Solving previous competitive examination questions can help candidates understand the style and difficulty of questions.

Improve Time Management

Since the examination has a fixed duration, candidates should practice answering questions within the available time.

Prepare for Physical Tests

Candidates applying for Warder positions should also maintain physical fitness and gradually prepare for the prescribed endurance requirements.

Keep Documents Ready

Do not wait until the final day to arrange certificates. Any discrepancy in documents can create problems during verification.

Important Instructions

Candidates should remember the following points:

• Apply before the deadline.
• Do not wait until the last day for fee payment.
• Enter personal details carefully.
• Check the spelling of your name and date of birth.
• Upload clear documents.
• Preserve the application form.
• Check the official website regularly for updates.
• Download the admit card when it is released.
• Follow the physical test instructions exactly.
• Read the official notification completely before applying.

Official Website and Apply Online

The recruitment is being conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) on behalf of the Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services Department. The online application portal is the official KEA recruitment website.

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

Karnataka Prisons Department: Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services Department

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The Karnataka Prisons Department Recruitment 2026 provides an opportunity for eligible candidates to apply for 576 posts under the Residual Parent Cadre. Of these, 560 vacancies are for Warder (Vikshakaru) and 16 vacancies are for Second Grade Instructor (Instructor Grade-II).

The online application process starts on September 19, 2026, and candidates have time until October 15, 2026 to submit their applications. The written competitive examination is scheduled for November 21, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM.

Candidates should carefully verify their eligibility, age, educational qualification and category requirements before applying. Those applying for Warder positions should also begin preparing for the physical and endurance stages along with their written examination preparation.

Note: Recruitment conditions, vacancy classifications, dates and eligibility requirements can be updated by KEA. Candidates should rely on the latest official notification and KEA portal for final confirmation before submitting an application.