Karnataka Prisons Department Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 869 Jailor, Warder & Instructor Posts

Vacancies: 869 · Posts: 4 designations · Type: Regular Government Service · Mode: Online · Fee: ₹750 (GM/2A/2B/3A/3B); ₹500 (SC/ST/Cat-I/ESM/Third Gender) · Apply: 19 September 2026–15 October 2026 · Salary: ₹34,100–₹1,12,900 (post-wise state scales) · Selection: Written exam + PST/Endurance + Medical · Location: Karnataka (RPC + Kalyana Karnataka cadres)

Shift work inside a prison is not a desk posting, yet it is one of the few large regular Home Department openings Karnataka has put out this season. The Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services Department, under the Home Department, Government of Karnataka, has asked the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru, to fill 869 base-cadre seats through two notices dated 18 September 2026.

KEA is accepting online applications from 19 September 2026 to 15 October 2026 (fee payment till 16 October 2026) at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. Residual Parent Cadre (Rest of State) has 576 posts. Kalyana Karnataka cadre has 293 posts, including the only Jailor and Warder-cum-Nursing seats in this cycle.

Warder and Instructor Grade-II need SSLC (10th). Jailor needs a bachelor’s degree. The written exam is listed for 21 November 2026, 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, followed by physical tests and a medical exam. No interview stage is mentioned in the current notifications.

Application Alerts

• These are two separate KEA notices. RPC (Rest of State) and Kalyana Karnataka (KK) are different cadres. Applying to the wrong cadre can waste the fee.
• Higher education does not replace the prescribed qualification. An SSLC-required Warder seat is not filled by showing only a degree.
• Application closes on 15 October 2026; fee can be paid till 16 October 2026. An unpaid form is incomplete.
• If you did not study Kannada as a language or in Kannada medium at SSLC level, a Kannada language test can still block the appointment after selection.

Official Source Chain

• Hiring department: Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services Department (Home Department, Government of Karnataka), Bengaluru.
• Conducting body: Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA).
• Notices: ED/KEA/22/Ne.Vi/2026 (R.P.C.) and ED/KEA/23/Ne.Vi/2026 (K.K.), both dated 18 September 2026.
  Application and PDF host: KEA official portal. Department site: prisons.karnataka.gov.in.

Also Read: KEA Karnataka Principal Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 247 Government PU College Posts

Who Should Apply?

• SSLC (10th) or equivalent (result declared by 15 October 2026) → Warder (ವೀಕ್ಷಕರು / Vikshakaru) – 835 posts (560 RPC + 275 KK)
• SSLC (10th) + diploma/certificate in Mechanical / Electrical / Carpentry / Tailoring / Textile / Weaving / Carpet-making from a government-recognised institute → Instructor Grade-II (Second Grade Teacher) – 24 posts (16 RPC + 8 KK)
• SSLC (10th) + First Aid certificate → Warder cum Nursing – 5 posts (KK cadre only)
• BA / B.Sc / B.Com / BBA or equivalent bachelor’s degree → Jailor – 5 posts (KK cadre only)
• Preferred, not mandatory, for Jailor: bachelor’s in Sociology, Psychology, Criminology or Correctional Administration
• Ex-Servicemen → age relaxation of 3 years plus actual military service (other than dismissal/removal for misconduct)
• Women and Third Gender candidates → eligible, with separate height/weight and endurance norms

Mandatory vs preferred: Jailor needs any recognised bachelor’s degree. The sociology/psychology/criminology list only adds preference. Do not skip Jailor only because your degree is B.Com or B.Sc.

Who cannot apply

• Below 20 years as on 15 October 2026
• General Merit candidate above 31 years as on 15 October 2026 (reserved categories above 33, unless ESM relaxation applies)
• Qualification result not declared by the application closing date
• KK-cadre applicant who does not meet Hyderabad-Karnataka local cadre conditions under the 2013 Reservation Order (verify your local status before choosing KK)

Important Dates

Confirm the exact exam centre and any cadre-wise slot on the KEA admit card. Do not treat unofficial “KK on 22 November” lists as final unless KEA prints that date.

Quick Overview – Karnataka Prisons Warder 2026

• Organisation: Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services Department (exam by KEA)
• Sector: Home Department / Prison administration
• Notification No.: ED/KEA/22/Ne.Vi/2026 (R.P.C.) and ED/KEA/23/Ne.Vi/2026 (K.K.)
• Posts: Jailor, Warder (Vikshakaru), Instructor Grade-II, Warder cum Nursing
• Total vacancies: 869 (RPC 576 + KK 293)
• Job location: Prisons across Karnataka; KK posts follow Kalyana Karnataka local cadre rules
• Job type: Regular Government Service (direct recruitment)
• Qualification: SSLC for Warder/Instructor/Nursing; bachelor’s degree for Jailor
• Age: 20–31 years (GM); 20–33 years (SC/ST/Cat-I/2A/2B/3A/3B), as on 15 October 2026
• Application mode: Online only
• Official website: KEA recruitment portal
• Last date: 15 October 2026 (fee till 16 October 2026)
• Apply Online: Apply for Karnataka Prisons Warder and Jailor 2026 on KEA
• Notification PDF: Download RPC cadre notification 18 September 2026 PDF · Download Kalyana Karnataka cadre notification 18 September 2026 PDF
• Selection basis: OMR written exam, then 1:5 shortlist for PST/Endurance, then medical and DV

What Posts Are Available?

Most of this drive is Warder work: gate duty, barracks supervision, escort and lock-up discipline. Jailor (only 5 KK seats) is the supervisory rung. Instructor Grade-II runs prison workshop trades. Warder cum Nursing is a tiny KK-only clinical support line.

Practical takeaway: SSLC candidates should treat Warder as the main seat and Instructor only if the exact trade certificate is already in hand. Graduates chasing Jailor must also clear the same physical-medical pipeline.

Residual Parent Cadre (Rest of State) — 576 posts

Kalyana Karnataka Cadre — 293 posts

Combined total: 869 posts. Category-wise (GM/SC/ST/2A/2B/3A/3B/EWS) and unit-wise rosters are issued separately on the KEA/department sites. Check that annexure before claiming a reserved seat.

Equivalent SSLC courses follow Government Order No. Sichasu 81 Sevane 2017 dated 27 February 2018. Qualification must stand as on 15 October 2026.

What Is the Age Limit?

Age is counted as on 15 October 2026. Minimum age is 20 years for all posts. The upper limits below are as printed after the five-year enhancement in G.O. No. Sichasu 262 Sevani 2025 dated 29 January 2026.

Examples:
✅ A 30-year-old GM candidate born on 16 October 1995 — eligible (within the 31-year limit as on 15 October 2026).
❌ A 32-year-old GM candidate born on 14 October 1994 — not eligible (exceeds the maximum age by 1 year).

Use our Age Eligibility Calculator to check instantly.

What Is the Warder Salary in Karnataka?

These are Karnataka State civil pay scales, not Central 7th CPC matrix levels. Figures below are indicative starting take-home, not an appointment letter.

Claim + proof: estimate uses starting basic + typical Karnataka dearness allowance and HRA, minus NPS (~10% of basic + DA) and standard deductions. Bengaluru HRA is higher than a taluk prison posting. Use the 7th CPC Salary Calculator only as a rough cross-check. Karnataka state rules and the appointment order prevail.

New state recruits generally come under NPS, not old pension. Uniform, risk-linked and shift arrangements, if any, follow department service rules after joining.

What Is the Application Fee?

Pay online only on the KEA portal (net banking, card or UPI). The fee is non-refundable. A submitted form without fee by 16 October 2026 is not a valid application.

How to Apply?

Applications are online only through KEA. There is no offline or email window.

1. Open the KEA portal for Karnataka Prisons Warder 2026 (applications open on 19 September 2026).
2. Read both cadre PDFs. Choose RPC or Kalyana Karnataka, not both unless the notices expressly allow separate forms.
3. Register/log in and fill personal, qualification and category details exactly as on SSLC and caste certificates.
4. Upload photo and signature in the size KEA asks. Use the Photo & Signature Resizer before upload so the file is not rejected.
5. Pay the fee online by 16 October 2026 and download the acknowledgement.

Suggested (not a notification rule): finish the form two days early. KEA portals slow down on closing evenings.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Picking KK cadre without a Hyderabad-Karnataka local claim, or picking RPC when you only intended a KK jail posting.
• Uploading a degree and skipping the SSLC marks card for Warder, or using a trade certificate that is not in the notified list.
• Treating 15 October as the fee deadline. The fee has a separate close on 16 October.
• Assuming Kannada is optional after selection. Appointment can stay pending until the language test is cleared, if you are not exempt.
• Waiting to train for the run, jump and shot-put. PST/Endurance is qualifying, and the 1:5 list already uses written marks plus qualifying-exam percentage.

ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಕಾರಾಗೃಹ ಇಲಾಖೆ ನೇಮಕಾತಿ 2026 – 869 ಜೈಲರ್, ವೀಕ್ಷಕರು ಹುದ್ದೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಆನ್‌ಲೈನ್ ಅರ್ಜಿ

ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಕಾರಾಗೃಹ ಮತ್ತು ಸುಧಾರಣಾ ಸೇವಾ ಇಲಾಖೆಯ 869 ನಿಯಮಿತ ಹುದ್ದೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಕೆಇಎ ಎರಡು ಅಧಿಸೂಚನೆಗಳನ್ನು 18 ಸೆಪ್ಟೆಂಬರ್ 2026ರಂದು ಹೊರಡಿಸಿದೆ. ಅರ್ಜಿ 19 ಸೆಪ್ಟೆಂಬರ್‌ನಿಂದ 15 ಅಕ್ಟೋಬರ್ 2026ರವರೆಗೆ. ಶುಲ್ಕ 16 ಅಕ್ಟೋಬರ್‌ವರೆಗೆ. ಬಹುತೇಕ ಹುದ್ದೆಗಳು ವೀಕ್ಷಕರು (Warder).

ಯಾರು ಅರ್ಜಿ ಹಾಕಬಹುದು?
ವೀಕ್ಷಕರು, ದ್ವಿತೀಯ ದರ್ಜೆ ಬೋಧಕರು ಮತ್ತು ವಾರ್ಡರ್ ಕಮ್ ನರ್ಸಿಂಗ್‌ಗೆ SSLC (10ನೇ) ಫಲಿತಾಂಶ 15 ಅಕ್ಟೋಬರ್‌ವರೆಗೆ ಇರಬೇಕು. ಬೋಧಕರಿಗೆ ಯಂತ್ರ/ವಿದ್ಯುತ್/ಬಡಗಿ/ಹೊಲಿಗೆ/ವಸ್ತ್ರ/ನೇಯ್ಗೆ ಡಿಪ್ಲೊಮಾ ಬೇಕು. ಜೈಲರ್‌ಗೆ ಪದವಿ ಬೇಕು (ಕಲ್ಯಾಣ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದಲ್ಲಿ 5 ಹುದ್ದೆ ಮಾತ್ರ). ಕನ್ನಡ ಮಾಧ್ಯಮ ಅಥವಾ ಕನ್ನಡ ಭಾಷೆ SSLCಯಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಿಲ್ಲದವರಿಗೆ ಪ್ರತ್ಯೇಕ ಕನ್ನಡ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆ ಬರುತ್ತದೆ.

ವೇತನ ಮತ್ತು ಆಯ್ಕೆ ಹೇಗೆ?
ವೀಕ್ಷಕರು/ಬೋಧಕರು ₹37,500–76,100, ಜೈಲರ್ ₹61,300–1,12,900. ಲಿಖಿತ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆ 21 ನವೆಂಬರ್ 2026, ಮಧ್ಯಾಹ್ನ 3:00–4:30. ನಂತರ ಎತ್ತರ, ಎದೆ/ತೂಕ ಮತ್ತು ಓಟ-ಜಂಪ್-ಶಾಟ್‌ಪುಟ್. ಸಂದರ್ಶನ ಈ ಅಧಿಸೂಚನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಇಲ್ಲ. 100 ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ, 100 ಅಂಕ, ತಪ್ಪು ಉತ್ತರಕ್ಕೆ 0.25 ಕಡಿತ.

ಅರ್ಜಿ ಎಲ್ಲಿ?
cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea ನಲ್ಲಿ RPC ಅಥವಾ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ವೃಂದ ಆಯ್ಕೆ ಮಾಡಿ. ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯರಿಗೆ ಶುಲ್ಕ ₹750, SC/ST/ಅನುಸೂಚಿತ-1/ಮಾಜಿ ಸೈನಿಕ/ತೃತೀಯ ಲಿಂಗಕ್ಕೆ ₹500. ಇಲಾಖೆ ಮಾಹಿತಿ prisons.karnataka.gov.in ನಲ್ಲಿ ಇದೆ.

How Are Warders and Jailors Selected?

Selection is a chain, not a single exam. Merit after the written paper only creates a shortlist. Appointment still needs physical, medical and document clearance.

1. Offline OMR written examination
2. Category-wise shortlist at about 1:5 of vacancies, using combined percentage of written marks and qualifying-exam marks
3. Physical Standard Test (PST) and Endurance Test (qualifying; clear at least 3 of 5 events)
4. Kannada language test where exemption does not apply
5. Document verification
6. Medical examination by a Medical Board

No interview stage is mentioned in the current notifications. Final appointment follows merit, reservation roster, medical fitness and language clearance.

Written exam pattern

Subjects listed: General Knowledge, General Science, Geography, History, Indian Constitution, National Freedom Struggle, Current Affairs and Mental Ability. Marking five options or leaving a bubble unshaded can also attract the 0.25 deduction after the stated grace rule.

Physical standards (PST)

Check your numbers on the Physical Standards Calculator. Venue standards on the admit card prevail.

Endurance test (qualify at least 3 of 5)

Candidates appear at their own medical risk. Get a private fitness check before the venue date.

Medical board (after PST/ET)

Distant vision 6/9 (better eye) and 6/9 or 6/12 (weaker eye); near vision as notified. Colour blindness, night blindness or squint can disqualify. Hearing tests (Rinne, Weber, vertigo) apply. Knock knees, flat foot, cubitus valgus/varus, varicose veins and speech defects are listed as problem findings. Chest X-ray and other tests follow the board.

Kannada language

Exempt if Kannada was first or second language at SSLC/equivalent, or if schooling was through Kannada medium (G.O. Sichasu 102 Sevane 2022 dated 18 March 2025, read with Sichasu 43 Sevane 2020 dated 5 March 2021). Others must pass a KEA Kannada test. Candidates who did not take Kannada as first language at SSLC need at least 50 out of 150 marks. Failing this can stop appointment even after a good written rank.

Why Does Karnataka Prisons Department Matter?

The department runs central, district and taluk prisons across the state from Prison Headquarters at No. 4, Sheshadri Road, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru – 560 009. Warders and Jailors are the daily security and inmate-management line, not secretariat clerks.

This is Home Department work: lock-up discipline, escorts, workshop supervision and, for a few KK seats, basic nursing support. It sits alongside Karnataka government jobs in the police and prisons sector, but the workplace is a jail, not a police station beat.

Candidates search this employer for a regular state salary, KEA-style transparency and a large SSLC-level intake. The honest downside is the workplace itself: shifts, closed premises, inmate contact and limited public-facing glamour compared with civil police.

The SahisarkariJobs.in Analyst’s Take

This drive sits next to the same KEA pipeline that already ran Civil Police Constable and KSRP/reserve constable notifications in 2026. If you have both tabs open, treat them as cousins, not twins. Police constable work is street and station duty. Prison Warder work is inside the wall, with workshop or barracks routines and a tighter medical-physical filter after a shorter OMR paper.

Best fit: SSLC holders in Karnataka who can already clear a 100 m / 800 m run and the jump-shot-put set, plus KK-local graduates who want one of the five Jailor seats without waiting for a KPSC Group-B prisons opening.

Skip it if jail shifts and closed-campus discipline do not suit you, or if your GM age is already past 31 and you have no ESM cover. Also skip Instructor if your certificate is “similar” but not in the printed trade list.

Also Read: KSLU Hubballi Assistant Professor & Guest Faculty Recruitment 2026 – Apply Offline for 31 Posts

Practical tip: Start PET practice this week and compute your SSLC (or degree) percentage before you apply. The 1:5 shortlist uses written marks plus qualifying-exam marks, so a weak SSLC percentage can keep you off the physical list even after a decent OMR score.

What Documents Are Required for Karnataka Govt Jobs?

Keep originals and scans ready for the form and for later DV:

• SSLC marks card and passing certificate (mandatory for every post)
• Bachelor’s degree mark sheets (Jailor)
• Trade diploma/certificate (Instructor Grade-II)
• First Aid certificate (Warder cum Nursing)
• Date-of-birth proof (usually SSLC)
• Caste / Category-1 / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B certificate in the Karnataka format
• Kalyana Karnataka local-cadre certificate, if applying under KK
• Kannada-medium or Kannada-language study proof (for exemption)
• Ex-Serviceman discharge book and service proof
• Photo ID (Aadhaar, voter ID or driving licence)
• Recent photo and signature as per KEA specifications
• Disability or Third Gender certificate, if claimed

Document alert: Name spellings must match SSLC. A degree certificate dated after 15 October 2026 will not save a Jailor form. KK local proof is not the same as a generic Karnataka domicile card.

What Happens After Selection?

1. KEA publishes written scores and the 1:5 list for PST/Endurance.
2. You report for height, chest or weight, then the five-event endurance test.
3. Those who qualify are called for document verification and the Medical Board.
4. Non-exempt candidates complete the Kannada language test within the time KEA sets.
5. The department issues appointment orders against the cadre roster and vacant jail units.
6. Joining is followed by departmental training and probation under Karnataka civil service/prisons rules, typically with NPS subscription.

Posting can be any prison in your cadre area, including central prisons and smaller district or taluk units. First posting is not a candidate choice. Promotion runs Warder → Head Warder → supervisory line by seniority and departmental tests; Jailor sits higher on that ladder. Similar KEA Home Department drives often take several months from paper to joining.

Contact & Helpline

Karnataka Examinations Authority (applications, exam, admit card)
Portal: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea
Use the recruitment-specific help options published on that portal for form and fee errors.

Department of Prisons and Correctional Services (service/posting queries after selection)
Prison Headquarters, No. 4, Sheshadri Road, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru – 560 009
Phone: 080-22262263, 080-22267169
Email: phq.prisons-kar@gov.in · dg.prisons.cs@karnataka.gov.in
Department site: prisons.karnataka.gov.in

⚠️ Contact details sourced from the official department website and KEA notices. Verify before calling. NEVER pay any money over the phone or to any person claiming to offer job assistance. Report fraud to cybercrime.gov.in.

Important Links – Karnataka Prisons Warder 2026

FAQs – Karnataka Prisons Warder 2026

What is the last date to apply for Karnataka Prisons Warder 2026?

15 October 2026 for the online form. Fee payment stays open till 16 October 2026. Late forms are not accepted. No extension has been announced as of 20 September 2026. Keep the KEA acknowledgement saved.

What is the age limit for Karnataka Prisons Warder?

20 to 31 years for General Merit as of 15 October 2026. SC, ST, Category-1, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B candidates can go up to 33. Ex-Servicemen get three extra years plus actual service. The minimum age is 20 for every post.

Is there an exam for Karnataka Prisons Jailor, or is it interview-based?

Yes, there is an exam. KEA will hold a 100-mark OMR paper on 21 November 2026, then PST, endurance, documents and medical tests. No interview stage is mentioned. Jailor paper is graduate-level; the Warder paper is SSLC-level, with 0.25 negative marking.

What is the salary of a Karnataka prison Warder?

Starting basic is ₹37,500 in the ₹37,500–76,100 scale. Indicative early in-hand is about ₹48,000–₹58,000 after DA, HRA and NPS, depending on the jail town. The jailor starts at ₹61,300 basic. These are state scales, not a central Level matrix.

Can final-year students or result-awaited candidates apply?

No. The prescribed SSLC or degree result must be available on 15 October 2026. A later marksheet will not cure an ineligible form. Instructor and Nursing seats also need the trade or First Aid certificate by that date.

Is Karnataka Prisons Warder a permanent government job?

Yes, this is regular direct recruitment to the state prison service, not a one-year contract. New joiners generally come under NPS. Confirmation still depends on training, probation and medical fitness. It is not a police constable cadre.

Can candidates from other states apply for Karnataka prison jobs?

It depends on cadre and reservation certificates. RPC seats follow Rest-of-State rules. KK seats follow the Hyderabad-Karnataka local cadre order. Other-state applicants without the required Karnataka category or local papers should read both PDFs before paying the fee.

Where will I be posted if selected as Warder?

Inside a Karnataka prison matching your cadre: central, district or taluk units. You do not pick the first jail. KK selectees stay within the Kalyana Karnataka framework. Shift duty and closed-campus work are part of the job.

Is there a physical test for jail warder jobs in Karnataka?

Yes. After the written paper, shortlisted candidates face height, chest or weight checks and five endurance events. You must clear at least three events. Men need 168 cm height; women and Third Gender need 157 cm and 46 kg. Colour vision also matters at the medical board.

Do I need Kannada to join the prison department?

Yes, in practice. Exemption exists if Kannada was a language subject or the medium at SSLC. Others must pass the KEA Kannada test, including a 50/150 mark rule where first-language Kannada was not studied. Skip this, and the appointment can stall.

What is the salary of a prison warder in Karnataka?

Around ₹48,000–₹58,000 in hand at the start for most Warder postings, from a ₹37,500 basic in the state scale. Jailor pay is higher. HRA is better in Bengaluru than in a small-town jail. Use the figure only as a planning range.

Is Karnataka Prisons Warder worth applying for?

For SSLC candidates who want a regular Home Department salary, yes. The trade-off is the workplace: shifts, inmate contact and a tough medical-physical gate. If you already hold a KEA police-constable form, compare duty type before paying a second fee.

What are the disadvantages of working as a prison warder?

One thing to note: this is custodial shift work, not public-facing police duty. Promotion is slower than many degree-level state exams, first posting is not negotiable, and medical or Kannada failure can cancel a written rank. Fee is also non-refundable if you misread cadre rules.

Final Checklist – Is This the Right Job for You?

• You meet the age and educational criteria as on 15 October 2026.
• You are comfortable with regular prison service and shift duty inside a jail.
• You can arrange SSLC, caste/local, trade/First Aid and Kannada exemption papers before DV.
• You are prepared for the hardest stage: PST plus endurance (and medical vision/hearing).
• You understand posting is anywhere in your cadre, not a chosen city.

📄 Source: Official notifications ED/KEA/22/Ne.Vi/2026 (R.P.C.) and ED/KEA/23/Ne.Vi/2026 (K.K.) dated 18 September 2026, issued by the Karnataka Examinations Authority for the Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services Department. RPC details confirmed from the RPC notification PDF; KK details confirmed from the KK notification PDF.