Overview
Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru, on behalf of Karnataka Prisons and Reforms Services Department has released a recruitment notification for the post of Jailor, Warder (Vikshakaru), Warder cum Nursing, Second Grade Teacher/Instructor Grade-II (869 (576 General cadre + 293 Kalyana Karnataka cadre) vacancies). Eligible candidates can apply online only, via https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/ as per the official notification.
Key Details
- Organization
- Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru, on behalf of Karnataka Prisons and Reforms Services Department
- Qualification
- Post: Minimum Educational Qualification Jailor (K.K. cadre only): 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. Warder (Vikshakaru): Must have passed SSLC examination or possess an equivalent qualification. Second Grade Teacher / Instructor Grade-II: 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 Nursing (K.K. cadre only): Must have passed SSLC or equivalent, AND must hold a certificate in First Aid. SSLC or currently prescribed equivalent courses are as notified in Government Order No. Sichasu 81 Sevane 2017, dated 27.02.2018. Candidates must have obtained the prescribed qualification result as on the closing date of application submission - higher qualifications will not be considered as a substitute for the specifically prescribed qualification.
- Vacancies
- 869 (576 General cadre + 293 Kalyana Karnataka cadre)
- Posted
- 19.09.2026
- Last date to apply
- 15.10.2026
Important Dates
| Online Application Start Date | 19.09.2026 |
| Online Application Closing Date | 15.10.2026 |
| Fee Payment Closing Date | 16.10.2026 |
| Competitive (Written) Examination Date | 21.11.2026, 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM |
| Notification Date | 18.09.2026 |
| Competitive (Written) Examination | 21.11.2026, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM |
| Kannada Language Test (for candidates required to clear it) | Schedule to be announced later |
| PST & Endurance Test | Date, time and venue to be published on KEA/Prisons Dept. website with admit card |
| Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Category-1, and Ex-Servicemen/Third Gender candidates | ₹500 |
Important Links
Eligibility
Post: Minimum Educational Qualification Jailor (K.K. cadre only): 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. Warder (Vikshakaru): Must have passed SSLC examination or possess an equivalent qualification. Second Grade Teacher / Instructor Grade-II: 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 Nursing (K.K. cadre only): Must have passed SSLC or equivalent, AND must hold a certificate in First Aid. SSLC or currently prescribed equivalent courses are as notified in Government Order No. Sichasu 81 Sevane 2017, dated 27.02.2018. Candidates must have obtained the prescribed qualification result as on the closing date of application submission - higher qualifications will not be considered as a substitute for the specifically prescribed qualification.
Age Limit
Minimum age: 20 years, as on the closing date of application. As per Government Order No. Sichasu 262 Sevani 2025 dated 29.01.2026, the previous upper age limit has been increased by 5 years. Category: Maximum Age General Merit candidates: 31 years SC / ST / Category-1 / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B candidates: 33 years Ex-Servicemen: 3 years' relaxation in upper age limit, in addition to the length of military service rendered, applicable to those discharged due to reasons other than dismissal/removal for misconduct or inefficiency, with the relaxation computed on the length of "service actually rendered." To avoid any confusion regarding age eligibility, candidates can use our Age Calculator to calculate their exact age based on the prescribed cut-off date before applying.
Application Fee
Category: Fee General Merit and other categories (2A/2B/3A/3B): ₹750 Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Category-1, and Ex-Servicemen/Third Gender candidates: ₹500 Payment must be made online only, through the official KEA website. The paid fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
Selection Process
Written (Competitive) Exam → Physical Standard Test (PST) & Endurance Test (1:5 shortlist ratio) → Document Verification → Medical Examination
How to Apply
• Visit the official KEA website, https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/. • Read the detailed notification thoroughly, and click the link provided for the relevant cadre (General/R.P.C. or Kalyana Karnataka/K.K.) to fill the online application. • Fill in all requested personal, educational, and category details carefully - once submitted, data in the application cannot be changed or modified. • Upload the required documents and pay the application fee online. • Submit the application before 15.10.2026, and complete fee payment before 16.10.2026. • Download the Hall Ticket/Admit Card from the KEA website closer to the exam date and report to the allotted exam centre with a valid original photo ID.
Required Documents
At the time of Document Verification, candidates must carry a call letter along with any one of the following original photo-ID documents: Passport, Driving Licence, PAN Card, State/Central Government or PSU Service ID Card, Bank Passbook with photograph, Registered deed/Pattas with photograph, Caste Certificate with photograph, Ex-Servicemen's pension book/pension payment order, NREGA Job Card with photograph, Voter ID (EPIC), and Aadhaar Card.
Important Instructions
• Candidates should ensure they possess the prescribed educational qualification as on the closing date of application submission - KEA is not responsible for other eligibility-related issues arising during the application process. • Candidates must be Indian citizens. • A male candidate with a living spouse who marries again, or a female candidate who marries a man with a living spouse, without obtaining prior Government permission, is not eligible for appointment. • Candidates must be mentally and physically healthy, fit to efficiently discharge their duties, and free from any health condition that could pose a risk to others. • Persons dismissed from Central/State/other public service, or debarred from any recruitment/examination conducted by a Public Service Commission or a Recruitment Authority, are not eligible. • Exam centres will be located at district centres across the state and are subject to change for administrative reasons; candidates will be informed via their admit card and the official website. • Candidates cannot request a change in exam centre after allocation, and no request for postponement of any exam activity will be entertained. • The recruitment committee reserves the right to cancel or reschedule the exam centre for any reason without prior notice. • Candidates must download their own admit card individually - no admit card will be sent by post.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the important dates for Karnataka Prisons Department Recruitment 2026 Notification Out - Apply Online for 869 Jailor, Warder Posts?
Online Application Start Date: 19.09.2026; Online Application Closing Date: 15.10.2026; Fee Payment Closing Date: 16.10.2026; Competitive (Written) Examination Date: 21.11.2026, 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM; Notification Date: 18.09.2026; Competitive (Written) Examination: 21.11.2026, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM; Kannada Language Test (for candidates required to clear it): Schedule to be announced later; PST & Endurance Test: Date, time and venue to be published on KEA/Prisons Dept. website with admit card; Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Category-1, and Ex-Servicemen/Third Gender candidates: ₹500
What is the application fee?
₹750 (General Merit & other categories); ₹500 (SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-Servicemen)
What is the age limit?
Minimum age: 20 years, as on the closing date of application. As per Government Order No. Sichasu 262 Sevani 2025 dated 29.01.2026, the previous upper age limit has been increased by 5 years. Category: Maximum Age General Merit candidates: 31 years SC / ST / Category-1 / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B candidates: 33 years Ex-Servicemen: 3 years' relaxation in upper age limit, in addition to the length of military service rendered, applicable to those discharged due to reasons other than dismissal/removal for misconduct or inefficiency, with the relaxation computed on the length of "service actually rendered." To avoid any confusion regarding age eligibility, candidates can use our Age Calculator to calculate their exact age based on the prescribed cut-off date before applying.
What is the selection process?
Written (Competitive) Exam → Physical Standard Test (PST) & Endurance Test (1:5 shortlist ratio) → Document Verification → Medical Examination