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).
Total Vacancies
430
Department
Karnataka Public Service Commission
Age Limit
21-38 years
Qualification
Graduation (any discipline)
The application window has closed. Monitor the department’s official website for the next recruitment cycle.
Latest KPSC Updates
Last updated: 5 June 2026
- 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.
KPSC KAS Prelims 2026 tentatively on 25 October 2026 — download syllabus, exam pattern, previous year cutoff and admit card updates here.
Official 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).
2026 Highlights
| 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 |
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) |
Important Dates
- Application Start
- 5 March 2026
- Last Date to Apply
- 3 May 2026
- Exam Date
- 25 October 2026
- Age Cut-off Date
- 1 January 2027
| 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 |
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
Preliminary Examination (Screening Test)
| 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 (Compulsory Papers)
Six compulsory papers for all candidates — each 200 marks, 3 hours. Papers I and II are descriptive; Papers III–VI are objective (MCQs).
| 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 |
Subject-Wise Syllabus
Prelims Paper I — General Studies & Humanities (200 Marks) (200 Marks)
- Current Affairs — national and international importance
- Indian History — cultural, social, political & economic aspects; special emphasis on Karnataka; Indian National Movement
- Indian & World Geography — physical, social, economic; focus on Karnataka
- Indian Polity & Economy — political system, economic reforms, rural development, poverty alleviation, social sector initiatives
- Humanities — broad degree-level topics across history, culture, society and governance
Prelims Paper II — State GS, Science & Mental Ability (200 Marks) (200 Marks)
- General Studies (State Importance) — Karnataka history, geography, economy, governance & current affairs
- General Science & Technology — broad understanding; contemporary developments & implications
- Environment & Ecology — biodiversity, climate change, ecology, health (no subject specialisation required)
- General Mental Ability (SSLC level) — basic numeracy, data interpretation, logical reasoning, analytical ability, comprehension
Mains Qualifying — Kannada & English (150 Marks Each) (300 Marks)
- Comprehension — 25 marks · Précis — 25 marks · Usage — 25 marks
- Vocabulary — 25 marks · Short Essay — 25 marks · Communication Skills — 25 marks
- Minimum 35% (52.5 marks) required in each — failure disqualifies from merit evaluation and interview
- Standard: First Language Kannada / English at SSLC level
Mains Paper I — Essay (250 Marks) (250 Marks)
- Two essays of 125 marks each — write in Kannada or English
- First essay: national or international issues
- Second essay: state or local (Karnataka) issues
- Practice structured essay writing on governance, development, environment and social issues
Mains Paper II — General Studies I (250 Marks) (250 Marks)
- Cultural Heritage & History of Karnataka and India — Kadambas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara, Modern Mysore, freedom movement, unification
- Social & Political Perspective — social change, decentralisation, rural development, political system
- Indian Economy — planning goals, rural development, data collection, analysis & interpretation; India & international economic relations
Mains Paper III — General Studies II (250 Marks) (250 Marks)
- Physical Features & Natural Resources — lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere; Karnataka physiographic divisions, urbanisation
- Indian Constitution — nature, fundamental rights, distribution of legislative powers, amendments, welfare machinery
- Public Administration & Management — union/state services, organisational behaviour, administrative reforms; UN & specialised agencies
Mains Paper IV — General Studies III (250 Marks) (250 Marks)
- Science & Technology — space tech, energy resources, IT in public domain, rural upliftment through S&T
- Life Sciences, Agriculture, Health — sericulture, horticulture, biotechnology, animal husbandry, hygiene & health
- Ecology & Environment — biodiversity, solid waste management, pollution, state-community-civil society interface
Mains Paper V — General Studies IV (250 Marks) (250 Marks)
- Ethics — determinants, essence, consequences; ethics in public administration
- Integrity — accountability, ethical governance, RTI, public service concept, human values, impartiality
- Aptitude — foundational values for civil service, emotional intelligence, contribution of social thinkers; case studies
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
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | As per official notification |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / PwD | Fee exemption as per KPSC rules |
Previous Year Indicative Cut Off
Figures are indicative based on prior JCCE 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 / districts where JCCE is typically conducted.
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.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualification: Graduation (any discipline)
| Category | Max Age | Relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 38 years | No relaxation |
| OBC (NCL) | 41 years | +3 years |
| SC / ST | 43 years | +5 years |
| PwD | 48 years | +10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per notification | 3 yrs after discharge |
Always read the official notification PDF: relaxation rules vary by examination. Age cut-off date: 1 January 2027.
Salary & Perks
₹48,100 – ₹1,64,500
Apply Kaise Karein
- 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.
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Complete Gazetted Probationer (KAS) 2026 guide
All pages for this recruitment — linked for easy navigation.
- Notification Vacancies, eligibility, dates & apply link
- Syllabus Exam pattern, topics & official PDFs
- Admit Card Hall ticket, interview letter & download steps
- Result Merit list, scorecard & cut-off updates
Aksar Puche Jaane Wale Sawaal (FAQ)
What is the KPSC KAS exam pattern 2026? v
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? v
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? v
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? v
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? v
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? v
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? v
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? v
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? v
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? v
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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