KSP APC General Karnataka Recruitment 2026 — 1421 Vacancies

Karnataka State Police (KSP) is hiring 1,421 Armed Police Constables (CAR/DAR) in the General Karnataka cadre. If you have passed 2nd PUC (Class 12), you can apply online. The last date to apply is 22 July 2026. The pay scale is Rs. 37,500 to Rs. 76,100 per month, and the written exam is on 6 September 2026.

Karnataka State Police (KSP) Armed Police Constable (CAR/DAR) Recruitment 2026 - 1421 Posts

The Office of the Director General of Police, Recruitment, Karnataka has released Notification No. 04/Nemakathi-5(A)/2026-27 to fill 1,421 Armed Police Constable (Civil Assistant Reserve / District Armed Reserve) posts in the General Karnataka cadre. All posts are for male candidates. The recruitment is conducted through the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), and selection is based on a written exam followed by physical tests. The vacancies are spread across armed reserve units and districts in Karnataka. This is a strong chance for 12th-pass young men across Karnataka to join the state police force with a stable government salary and clear career growth.

Who Can Apply?

• Qualification: You must have passed 2nd PUC (Class 12) or an equivalent examination from a recognised board.
• Gender: Only male candidates can apply for these posts.
• Equivalent qualifications: Class 12 from CBSE, ISC, any recognised state board, or NIOS senior secondary is accepted. A 2-year ITI course with one language and one subject also counts.
• Kannada Language: You should know Kannada. Candidates who did not study Kannada as a language or medium must pass a compulsory Kannada language test of SSLC standard (150 marks) and score at least 50 marks to be eligible.

Age Limit

• You should be a minimum of 18 years old as on 22 July 2026.
• General category: maximum 33 years.
• SC / ST / Category-1 / Category-2A, 2B, 3A, 3B: maximum 35 years.
• Candidates from Karnataka forest (tribal/Budakattu) areas: maximum 38 years.
• A one-time age relaxation of 5 years is available as per the Government Order dated 29 January 2026. Ex-servicemen get an extra 3 years plus their period of service.

Salary

• Selected candidates get a pay scale of Rs. 37,500 to Rs. 76,100 per month.
• You will also get DA, HRA and other allowances as per Karnataka Government rules.
• The first 2 years and 6 months are a probation period.

Physical Standards

Only candidates who clear the written exam (called at a 1:5 ratio) go through the Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Endurance Test (PET).

Prepare physically well before the exam, because these standards are measured strictly and you get only limited chances for the jump and shot put events.

Physical Standard Test (PST) — Male:

• Height: minimum 168 cm (minimum 155 cm for candidates from Karnataka forest/tribal areas).
• Chest: minimum 86 cm when fully expanded, with at least 5 cm expansion (minimum 75 cm for forest/tribal candidates).

Physical Endurance Test (PET) — Male:

• 1600 metres run in 6 minutes 30 seconds.
• Long jump 3.80 metres OR high jump 1.20 metres (3 chances only).
• Shot put (7.26 kg): throw at least 5.60 metres (3 chances only).

The PET is only qualifying — no marks are added for it.

Application Fee

• General and Category 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B: Rs. 750
• SC / ST / Category-1 and Ex-servicemen: Rs. 500
• Payment mode: Online only, through the KEA portal. The fee once paid is non-refundable, so check your category and details carefully before paying.

Selection Process

The selection has the following stages:

1. Written Exam (OMR based): 100 questions for 100 marks in 90 minutes, with 0.25 negative marking. Your marks here decide your rank.
2. Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Endurance Test (PET): Candidates up to 5 times the number of vacancies (1:5 ratio) are called based on written exam marks.
3. Document Verification: Final selection is based on written exam merit among candidates who clear the physical tests.

Admit cards and exam centre details are published on the KEA website. Carry your admit card and a valid photo ID — Aadhaar, PAN, passport, voter ID or driving licence — to the exam centre. Ex-servicemen have relaxed endurance standards, such as a 400 metres run in 2 minutes and a lighter 4 kg shot put.

How to Apply

1. Go to the Karnataka Examinations Authority portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
2. Open the recruitment link and register with your details.
3. Fill in the online application form carefully.
4. Pay the application fee online.
5. Submit the form and take a printout for your records.

You can submit only one application under this cadre. Download your admit card from the same portal before the exam.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 19 June 2026
• Online Application Start: 22 June 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 22 July 2026
• Last Date for Fee Payment: 24 July 2026
• Written Exam Date: 6 September 2026 (10:30 AM to 12:00 noon)

• Maintain law and order and protect public life and property
• Perform armed guard, patrol and reserve police duties as assigned
• Assist in crowd control, VIP security and law enforcement operations
• Respond to emergencies, riots and natural disasters
• Escort prisoners and provide security at important installations
• Follow orders of senior officers and keep discipline in the force
• Support investigation teams and police station duties when needed