The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released the KEA Prison Bharti 2026 notifications on 18th September 2026 for a total of 869 vacancies in the Karnataka State Prisons and Correctional Services Department. Two separate notifications have been issued: one for 576 posts in the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) and another for 293 posts in the Kalyana Karnataka (KK) cadre.
The posts include Jailor, Warder, Warder cum Nursing and Instructor Grade-II. Candidates with SSLC (10th pass) qualification can apply for most posts, while the Jailor post requires a Bachelor’s degree. The online application process runs from 19th September 2026 to 15th October 2026, and the written exam is scheduled for 21st November 2026. Read below to know more about the KEA Prison Vacancy 2026, eligibility, age limit, exam pattern, physical test, salary and more.
KEA Prison Notification 2026 PDF
KEA has published two notifications for the Karnataka Prison Department vacancies. Candidates should download the notification for the cadre they wish to apply for and read it carefully before filling the form, since no changes are allowed after submission.
| Notification No. | Cadre | Posts |
|---|---|---|
| ED/KEA/22/Ne.Vi/2026 (RPC) | Residual Parent Cadre | Warder, Instructor Grade-II |
| ED/KEA/23/Ne.Vi/2026 (KK) | Kalyana Karnataka Cadre | Jailor, Warder, Warder cum Nursing, Instructor Grade-II |
Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Department | Karnataka State Prisons and Correctional Services Department |
| Notification Date | 18th September 2026 |
| Posts | Jailor, Warder, Warder cum Nursing, Instructor Grade-II |
| Total Vacancies | 869 (RPC: 576 + KK: 293) |
| Application Start Date | 19th September 2026 |
| Application End Date | 15th October 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 16th October 2026 |
| Exam Date | 21st November 2026 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Selection Process | Written Exam, PST, Endurance Test, Medical Exam |
| Job Location | Karnataka |
| Official Websites | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea, prisons.karnataka.gov.in |
KEA Prison Bharti 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 18th September 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 19th September 2026 |
| Online Application Ends | 15th October 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 16th October 2026 |
| Competitive Exam | 21st November 2026 (3:00 PM to 4:30 PM) |
| Compulsory Kannada Test | To be announced later |
| PST & Endurance Test | To be announced |
KEA Prison Vacancy 2026 Cadre Wise
Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) – 576 Posts
| Post Name | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Warder | 560 |
| Instructor Grade-II | 16 |
| Total | 576 |
Kalyana Karnataka (KK) Cadre – 293 Posts
| Post Name | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Jailor | 05 |
| Warder | 275 |
| Instructor Grade-II | 08 |
| Warder cum Nursing | 05 |
| Total | 293 |
Total Post Wise Vacancies
| Post | RPC | KK | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warder | 560 | 275 | 835 |
| Instructor Grade-II | 16 | 8 | 24 |
| Jailor | – | 5 | 5 |
| Warder cum Nursing | – | 5 | 5 |
| Total | 576 | 293 | 869 |
The category-wise classification of posts will be published separately by the Prisons and Correctional Services Department.
KEA Prison Bharti 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
| Post | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| Jailor | Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent. Preference to candidates with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Psychology, Criminology, Correctional Administration or equivalent |
| Warder | SSLC pass or equivalent |
| Warder cum Nursing | SSLC pass or equivalent and a certificate in First Aid |
| Instructor Grade-II | SSLC pass or equivalent and Diploma or Certificate in Mechanical / Electrical / Carpentry / Tailoring / Textile / Weaving / Carpet making, etc. from a Government-recognised institution |
Candidates awaiting results of the qualifying exam are not eligible. All candidates must have their 10th class or equivalent marks card by the last date of application.
Kannada Language Requirement
Candidates are exempt from the Compulsory Kannada Language Test if they studied Kannada as a first or second language in SSLC or a higher exam, studied in Kannada medium, or have already passed a Kannada language test held by the Commission or another selection authority. Other candidates must appear for the Compulsory Kannada Test and score at least 50 out of 150 marks.
KEA Prison Age Limit 2026
Candidates must be at least 20 years old on the last date of application. The maximum age limits below already include a one-time 5-year relaxation granted by the Karnataka Government order dated 29.01.2026.
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| General Merit (GM) | 31 years |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | 33 years |
Ex-Servicemen get an additional relaxation of their period of military service plus a maximum of 3 years.
Other Eligibility Conditions
Candidates must be Indian citizens. A male candidate with more than one living wife, or a female candidate married to a man who already has a living wife, is not eligible without prior Government permission. Candidates dismissed from Central or State Government service, permanently debarred by any Public Service Commission or KEA, convicted for moral turpitude, or involved in a criminal case will not be eligible.
KEA Prison Application Fee 2026
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General Merit and Category-2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | ₹750 |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-Servicemen / Third Gender | ₹500 |
The fee must be paid online only and is non-refundable.
How to Apply for KEA Prison Bharti 2026?
Step 1 – Visit the KEA website at https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
Step 2 – Click on the link for the Prison Department notification (RPC or KK).
Step 3 – Register and fill in the online application form with your personal, educational and category details.
Step 4 – Upload your recent passport-size photograph (JPEG, 50 KB to 200 KB) and signature in black ink (JPEG, 50 KB to 70 KB).
Step 5 – Enter the RD number of your caste/reservation certificates wherever required.
Step 6 – Pay the application fee online by 16th October 2026.
Step 7 – Download a copy of the submitted application and the fee challan, and keep them until the selection process is complete.
No corrections are allowed after submission, and the mobile number and email ID given in the application are final. Applications without a photograph or signature will be rejected.
Documents Required for KEA Prison Bharti 2026
| S. No. | Document |
|---|---|
| 1 | Aadhaar Card |
| 2 | Marks cards of all semesters/subjects of the qualifying exam |
| 3 | SSLC certificate or equivalent showing date of birth |
| 4 | Ex-Servicemen discharge certificate and pension/gratuity certificate (if applicable) |
| 5 | Caste certificate for SC/ST/Cat-1/2A/2B/3A/3B in the valid prescribed format |
| 6 | Rural reservation certificate (Form-1 and/or Form-2, as applicable) |
| 7 | Kannada Medium study certificate (if claiming reservation) |
| 8 | NOC from employer (for serving candidates) |
| 9 | Third Gender certificate from the District Magistrate (if claiming reservation) |
| 10 | Project Displaced Person certificate (if claiming reservation) |
All caste and reservation certificates, except the Hyderabad-Karnataka (Kalyana Karnataka) reservation certificate, must be obtained on or before the last date of application. SC candidates must obtain the Category-A, B or C certificate and enter its RD number in the online form. Certificates for SC, ST and Category-1 do not expire, while certificates for Category-2A, 2B, 3A and 3B are valid for 5 years.
KEA Prison Selection Process 2026
The selection process consists of four stages.
Stage 1 – Competitive Written Exam: An offline OMR-based exam conducted by KEA.
Stage 2 – Physical Standard Test (PST) & Endurance Test (ET): Candidates are shortlisted in a 1:5 ratio on the basis of the combined marks of the competitive exam and the qualifying exam (percentage basis).
Stage 3 – Final Shortlist: Candidates who qualify the PST and ET are shortlisted category-wise in a 1:2 ratio of vacancies, on the basis of marks in the competitive exam and the qualifying exam.
Stage 4 – Medical Examination: Shortlisted candidates appear before a Medical Board. Only candidates certified physically fit will be eligible for appointment.
KEA Prison Exam Pattern 2026
| Paper | Subjects | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Competitive Exam | General Knowledge, Science, Geography, History, Indian Constitution, National Freedom Movement and Mental Ability (below degree standard, MCQs) | 100 | 100 | 1½ hours (90 minutes) |
Negative Marking
Each question has 4 options, and 0.25 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer. The OMR sheet also has a 5th option for questions a candidate chooses not to answer, and candidates get 5 extra minutes after the final bell to shade it. If no option is shaded for a question, 0.25 marks will be deducted. Candidates scoring zero or negative marks will not be included in the merit list.
The exam will be held at selected district centres in Karnataka. Candidates must carry their admit card along with an original photo ID (PAN / Driving Licence / Aadhaar / Passport / Voter ID / Government employee ID). Change of exam centre is not allowed for any reason.
KEA Prison Physical Standard Test (PST) 2026
| Category | Height | Chest / Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Men & Ex-Servicemen | Minimum 168 cm | Chest: minimum 86 cm (fully expanded), minimum expansion 5 cm |
| Women & Third Gender | Minimum 157 cm | Weight: minimum 46 kg |
Height and weight will be measured using quality machines. If enough Ex-Servicemen with 168 cm height are not available, Ex-Servicemen with lower height may be considered, but only after those meeting the minimum height.
KEA Prison Endurance Test (ET) 2026
Candidates must take all 5 events in the order given below and qualify in at least 3 of the 5 events. The Endurance Test is qualifying only, and no marks are given.
| Event | Men | Women, Third Gender & Ex-Servicemen |
|---|---|---|
| 100 m Run | 15 seconds | 18.5 seconds |
| High Jump (3 chances) | Minimum 1.20 m | Minimum 0.90 m |
| Long Jump (3 chances) | Minimum 3.80 m | Minimum 2.50 m |
| Shot Put | 7.26 kg – minimum 5.60 m | 3.63 kg – minimum 3.75 m |
| Long Run | 800 m in 2 minutes 50 seconds | 200 m in 40 seconds |
The PST and ET will be conducted by a Physical Test Committee and video-recorded or covered by CCTV. No medical certificate will be accepted in place of the committee’s decision. Candidates who are absent due to illness will not get another chance, and pregnant women candidates should consider their health before taking part. Candidates should practise for at least a month before the test, since the department will not be responsible for any injury.
KEA Prison Medical Standards 2026
| Test | Standard |
|---|---|
| Distance Vision (with or without glasses) | 6/9 & 6/9 (better eye / worse eye), or 6/9 & 6/12 |
| Near Vision | 0/6 (better eye) & 0/8 (worse eye), as printed in the notification |
| Hearing | Rinne’s Test, Weber’s Test and tests for Vertigo |
| Other Checks | Chest X-Ray and other tests as advised by the Medical Board |
Colour blindness, squint, or any disease of the eye or eyelid will lead to disqualification. Varicose veins, speech impediment, and musculoskeletal deformities such as knock knees, flat foot, cubitus valgus and cubitus varus are also disqualifications. At the medical exam, candidates must bring their original documents along with one set of photocopies attested by a Gazetted Officer.
KEA Prison Salary 2026
| Post | Pay Scale (₹) |
|---|---|
| Jailor | 61,300 – 1,12,900 |
| Warder | 37,500 – 76,100 |
| Instructor Grade-II | 37,500 – 76,100 |
| Warder cum Nursing | 34,100 – 67,600 |
The detailed pay scale for Warder and Instructor Grade-II is ₹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. Selected candidates will be covered under the National Pension System (NPS).
Training and Probation
Selected candidates must undergo 9 months of basic training at training centres specified by the Director General of the Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services Department, and must pass the exams held during training. Candidates will be on probation for 2 years.
Reservation Details
Reservation is available for SC (Category A, B and C), ST, Category-1, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B, along with horizontal reservation for Women, Ex-Servicemen, Rural candidates, Kannada Medium candidates, Project Displaced Persons and Third Gender candidates. Third Gender candidates get 1% reservation in all categories. Married women of Category-2A, 2B, 3A and 3B must use caste and income certificates issued in their husband’s name. Candidates of Balija and its sub-castes are placed under 2A for education and 3A for employment, so they must claim 3A in the application.
KEA Prison Bharti Important links
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Notification PDF for RPC | Downalod PDF |
| Notification PDF for KK | Downalod PDF |
FAQs
How many vacancies have been announced in the KEA Prison Bharti 2026?
A total of 869 vacancies: 576 in the Residual Parent Cadre and 293 in the Kalyana Karnataka cadre.
What is the last date to apply for KEA Prison Warder 2026?
The last date to apply online is 15th October 2026, and the last date for fee payment is 16th October 2026.
When is the KEA Prison exam 2026?
The competitive exam will be held on 21st November 2026, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
What is the qualification for the Karnataka Prison Warder post?
SSLC (10th pass) or an equivalent qualification.
What is the age limit for KEA Prison Warder 2026?
20 to 31 years for GM candidates and 20 to 33 years for SC/ST/Category-1/2A/2B/3A/3B candidates, including the one-time 5-year relaxation.
What is the salary of a Karnataka Prison Warder?
The pay scale is ₹37,500 – ₹76,100.
Is there negative marking in the KEA Prison exam?
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer and for every question where no option (including the 5th option) is shaded.
How many events must be cleared in the Endurance Test?
Candidates must qualify in at least 3 out of 5 events.
