Last updated: 5 June 2026
Gazetted Probationer (KAS) 2026
Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) conducts the Gazetted Probationers Examination — popularly known as KAS — to recruit candidates for Group A and Group B posts including Assistant Commissioner (Deputy Commissioner cadre), Deputy Superintendent of Police, Assistant Labour Commissioner, Tehsildar and 40+ allied services. Graduates aged 21–38 years (category-wise relaxation up to 43 years) apply online at kpsc.kar.nic.in. Selection has three stages: Preliminary Exam (2 objective papers, 400 marks), Main Examination (Kannada & English qualifying + Essay + GS I–IV, 1250 merit marks) and Personality Test (25 marks).
KPSC KAS Prelims 2026 tentatively on 25 October 2026 — download syllabus, exam pattern, previous year cutoff and admit card updates here.
Latest KPSC Updates
- KPSC Gazetted Probationers 2026 notification — 430 vacancies for KAS Group A & B posts.
- Prelims pattern: Paper I (GS National + Humanities) + Paper II (GS State + Science/Env + Mental Ability) — 100 Q each, 200 marks per paper.
- Mains: Kannada & English qualifying (35% each) + Essay + GS I–IV (250 marks each) — optional papers removed.
- Negative marking in Prelims: 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer in both papers.
- Personality Test carries 25 marks — added to Mains (1250) for final merit of 1275 marks.
- Admit card for prelims will be released on kpsc.kar.nic.in before the exam date.
Gazetted Probationer (KAS) 2026 — Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) |
| Exam Name | Gazetted Probationers Examination (KAS / Karnataka Administrative Service) |
| Post Name | Assistant Commissioner, Dy. SP, Tehsildar, Assistant Labour Commissioner & 40+ allied Group A/B posts |
| Total Vacancies | 430 posts |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor's or Master's degree from a university established by law in India (or equivalent) |
| Age Limit | 21–38 years General · 41 years (2A/2B/3A/3B OBC) · 43 years (SC/ST/Category-1) · +10 years PwD |
| Attempts | General: 5 · OBC (2A/2B/3A/3B): 7 · SC/ST: unlimited up to age limit |
| Application Fee | As per official notification on kpsc.kar.nic.in |
| Pay Scale | ₹48,100 – ₹1,64,500 (7th CPC, post-wise) |
| Selection Process | Prelims → Mains (qualifying + merit papers) → Personality Test → DV |
| Prelims Exam Date | 25 October 2026 (Tentative) |
| Official Website | kpsc.kar.nic.in |
| Exam Name | Authority | Eligibility | Last Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gazetted Probationer (KAS) 2026 | KPSC | Graduation (any discipline) | 3 May 2026 |
Karnataka Public Service Commission · 430 vacancies · Apply by 3 May 2026
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Enter your details to see if you can apply for this post.
Vacancies
430
Last Date
3 May 2026
Age Limit
21–38 yrs
Qualification
Graduation (any discipline)
How to Apply Online
Visit kpsc.kar.nic.in and click the Gazetted Probationers / KAS recruitment notification link.
Register with a valid email ID and mobile number; note your registration credentials.
Fill personal, educational (graduation details), category and post preference information.
Upload photograph, signature and caste/educational certificates in the prescribed format.
Pay the application fee online and submit before the last date.
Download and save the confirmation page for admit card and future correspondence.
Resource Hub
Download official documents and study materials.
Important Dates & Exam Schedule
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification & Online Application | 5 March – 3 May 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination (Paper I & II) | 25 October 2026 (Tentative) |
| Prelims Result & Mains Admit Card | To be announced |
| Main Written Examination (7 Papers) | To be announced |
| Personality Test (Interview) | To be announced |
| Final Merit & Document Verification | To be announced |
Post-wise Vacancies
| Post | Vacancies | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Commissioner (Deputy Commissioner cadre) | 85 | Revenue & Administration |
| Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy. SP) | 42 | Karnataka State Police |
| Tehsildar / Assistant Commissioner (Revenue) | 68 | Revenue Department |
| Assistant Labour Commissioner | 18 | Labour Department |
| Commercial Tax Officer / Asst. Commissioner | 24 | Commercial Taxes |
| District Social Welfare Officer & allied Group A | 55 | Various state departments |
| Group B Gazetted Probationer posts | 138 | Various state departments (see notification) |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | As per official notification |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / PwD | Fee exemption as per KPSC rules |
Preparation Tips
- KAS syllabus overlaps heavily with UPSC — use standard NCERT/reference books but add Karnataka-specific topics (history, geography, economy, schemes).
- Prelims Paper II has 40 Karnataka GS questions — prepare Kadambas–Hoysalas, Vijayanagara, Mysore rulers, unification movement and state current affairs.
- Mental Ability is SSLC level — practice data interpretation, logical reasoning and basic numeracy from previous KPSC prelims papers.
- Mains requires answer writing — join a test series for 250-mark GS papers; optional papers are no longer part of the exam.
- Qualifying Kannada & English at 35% is mandatory — do not neglect language papers even though they are not counted in merit.
- GS IV ethics paper includes case studies — prepare frameworks for integrity, RTI, accountability and public service dilemmas.
Selection Process
- Preliminary Examination — Paper I & Paper II (100 MCQs each, 200 marks each, 400 marks total); screening only
- Main Examination — Qualifying: Kannada (150 marks) + English (150 marks), minimum 35% (52.5 marks) each
- Main Examination — Merit: Essay (250 marks) + General Studies I–IV (250 marks each) = 1250 marks
- Personality Test (Interview) — 25 marks; assesses mental capability, judgment, integrity & public service aptitude
- Document Verification & Medical Examination
Previous Year Indicative Cutoff
Figures are indicative based on prior year results. Actual cutoff varies.
| Category | Cutoff Marks | Out of | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / 2A (OBC) | 148 | 200 | 74.0% |
| SC | 130 | 200 | 65.0% |
| ST | 120 | 200 | 60.0% |
Exam Centres
Major cities where this exam is typically conducted.
Exam Pattern 2026
KPSC KAS has three stages. Prelims comprises two objective papers (400 marks total) used only for screening — marks are not counted in final merit. Mains has two qualifying language papers (Kannada & English) and five merit papers (Essay + GS I–IV, 1250 marks). Personality Test carries 25 marks. Grand total for merit = 1275 marks.
- Prelims Paper I: General Studies (National/International, 40 Q) + Humanities (60 Q) = 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours
- Prelims Paper II: General Studies (State, 40 Q) + General Science/Tech/Environment/Ecology (30 Q) + General Mental Ability (30 Q) = 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks (one-fourth) deducted per wrong answer in both prelims papers
- Question papers set in Kannada and English; Mental Ability at SSLC (10th) standard, remaining at degree level
- Prelims is screening only — marks not added to final merit
- Mains Kannada & English: qualifying at 35% (52.5/150); marks not counted for ranking
- Mains merit papers: descriptive, 3 hours each, answer in Kannada or English (except qualifying language papers)
- Optional subject papers have been removed from KAS Mains syllabus
- Final merit = Mains merit papers (1250) + Personality Test (25) = 1275 marks
Subject-wise Breakdown
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I — GS (National/International) | 40 | 80 |
| Paper I — Humanities | 60 | 120 |
| Paper I Total | 100 | 200 |
| Paper II — GS (State Importance) | 40 | 80 |
| Paper II — Science/Tech/Environment/Ecology | 30 | 60 |
| Paper II — General Mental Ability (SSLC level) | 30 | 60 |
| Paper II Total | 100 | 200 |
| Prelims Grand Total | 200 | 400 |
Mains Examination — 7 Papers
| Paper | Subject | Format | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifying | Kannada Language (SSLC standard) | Descriptive (Qualifying, 35%) | 150 |
| Qualifying | English Language (SSLC standard) | Descriptive (Qualifying, 35%) | 150 |
| Paper I | Essay — 2 essays (national/international + state/local) | Descriptive (Scoring) | 250 |
| Paper II | GS I — History & Cultural Heritage, Social/Political Perspective, Indian Economy & Rural Dev | Descriptive (Scoring) | 250 |
| Paper III | GS II — Physical Features & Natural Resources, Constitution, Public Admin & IR | Descriptive (Scoring) | 250 |
| Paper IV | GS III — Science & Tech, Life/Agri/Health Sciences, Ecology & Environment | Descriptive (Scoring) | 250 |
| Paper V | GS IV — Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude (with case studies) | Descriptive (Scoring) | 250 |
| Personality Test | Interview | Oral | 25 |
Syllabus Highlights
- Prelims Paper I — Current Affairs (national/international), Indian History (Karnataka focus), Geography, Polity & Economy
- Prelims Paper II — Karnataka GK, General Science & Technology, Environment/Ecology, Mental Ability & Data Interpretation
- Mains GS I — Karnataka history (Kadambas–Hoysalas, Vijayanagara, Mysore, freedom movement), polity, economy & rural dev
- Mains GS II — Karnataka physiography, Constitution, public administration, international relations
- Mains GS III — Science & tech, agriculture, health, biodiversity, environment & solid waste management
- Mains GS IV — Ethics, integrity, emotional intelligence, RTI & public service values
- Kannada & English qualifying — comprehension, précis, usage, vocabulary, short essay, communication skills
Important Details
- Department: Karnataka Public Service Commission
- Application window: 5 March 2026 – 3 May 2026
- Age cut-off date: 1 January 2027
- Salary / Pay Scale: ₹48,100 – ₹1,64,500
- Tentative exam date: 25 October 2026
- Note: KPSC KAS 2026 — Group A & B posts via Gazetted Probationers Exam. Prelims (2 papers, 400 marks) → Mains (Kannada/English qualifying + Essay + GS I–IV, 1250 marks) → Personality Test (25 marks).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the KPSC KAS exam pattern 2026? ▼
Prelims: 2 objective papers (100 Q each, 200 marks each, 400 total) with 0.25 negative marking. Mains: Kannada & English qualifying (150 marks each, 35% minimum) + Essay + GS I–IV (250 each). Interview: 25 marks. Final merit = 1250 + 25 = 1275 marks.
Is there negative marking in KPSC KAS prelims? ▼
Yes. One-fourth (0.25) marks are deducted for every wrong answer in both Preliminary Examination papers.
Are Kannada and English papers counted for KAS merit? ▼
No. Kannada and English are qualifying papers only. Candidates must score at least 35% (52.5 marks) in each, but these marks are not added to the final ranking.
What is the age limit for KPSC KAS 2026? ▼
General category: up to 38 years. OBC (2A/2B/3A/3B): up to 41 years. SC/ST/Category-1: up to 43 years. PwD candidates get 10 years additional relaxation.
How many attempts are allowed for KPSC KAS? ▼
General: 5 attempts. OBC (2A/2B/3A/3B): 7 attempts. SC/ST: unlimited attempts up to the age limit.
Is KPSC KAS syllabus same as UPSC? ▼
Broadly similar for GS topics, but KAS includes Karnataka-specific history, geography, economy and governance sections. Optional papers have been removed from KAS Mains.
What posts are filled through KPSC KAS? ▼
Group A and B posts including Assistant Commissioner, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Tehsildar, Assistant Labour Commissioner and 40+ allied Karnataka state services.
What is the age limit for Gazetted Probationer (KAS) 2026? ▼
For the General category the minimum age is 21 years and the maximum is 38 years. OBC candidates usually receive three additional years, SC/ST candidates five additional years, and PwD candidates ten additional years, subject to the official PDF. Age is reckoned from Friday, 1 January 2027.
How do I apply for Gazetted Probationer (KAS) 2026? ▼
Visit the authorised website for Karnataka Public Service Commission (https://kpsc.kar.nic.in), complete online registration, fill every mandatory field, and upload photograph and signature scans within the limits stated in the PDF. The closing date was Sunday, 3 May 2026 — online applications are no longer accepted. Verify eligibility with our Age Calculator before you pay any fee.
What is the last date to apply for Gazetted Probationer (KAS) 2026? ▼
The closing date was Sunday, 3 May 2026 — online applications are no longer accepted. The examination is tentatively scheduled on Sunday, 25 October 2026.
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