JKSSB Warder Recruitment 2026 — 288 Vacancies

JKSSB is hiring 288 Warders for the Home Department (Prisons Department) in Jammu and Kashmir. If you have passed Matriculation (10th) up to 10+2 (12th), you can apply online. The last date to apply is 25 August 2026. You should be between 18 and 40 years old (up to 43 years for reserved categories). Salary starts from Rs. 19,900 per month under Level-2 of the 7th Pay Commission.

Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) Warder Recruitment 2026 - 288 Posts

The Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) has released Advertisement Notification No. 05 of 2026 for 288 Warder posts in the Home Department (Prisons Department) of Jammu and Kashmir. These are UT Cadre posts, open only to candidates who hold a valid Domicile Certificate of Jammu & Kashmir. Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are not eligible for these posts. This is a great opportunity for 10th and 12th pass candidates from J&K to get a permanent government job in the prisons department.

Category-wise Vacancy Breakdown

• Open Merit (OM): 115 posts
• ST-1: 29 posts
• ST-2: 29 posts
• RBA: 29 posts
• EWS: 28 posts
• OBC: 24 posts
• SC: 23 posts
• ALC/IB: 11 posts

Total: 288 posts in the Home Department, Prisons Department, Jammu and Kashmir.

Who Can Apply?

• Qualification: Minimum Matriculation (10th) pass, maximum 10+2 (12th) pass from a recognized Board of School Education/Institution.
• Domicile: You must be a Domicile of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir with a valid Domicile Certificate issued by the Competent Authority, valid up to the cut-off date.
• If you obtained your degree from a University/College outside J&K (and other than a Central University), you will need a Bonafide Certificate from that institution's Controller/Registrar.
• Physical Standards: You must clear the Physical Standard Test and Physical Endurance Test (see below).

Age Limit

• You should be between 18 and 40 years old as on 1 January 2026 if applying under Open Merit (OM).
• Age Relaxation: SC, ST-1, ST-2, RBA, ALC/IB, EWS and OBC candidates can apply up to 43 years.
• Ex-Servicemen: Can deduct their period of Armed Forces service from their actual age; if the resultant age doesn't exceed the maximum limit by more than 3 years, they remain eligible.
• PwBD: Persons with Benchmark Disabilities are not eligible for these posts.

Salary

• Selected candidates will get a salary of Rs. 19,900 to Rs. 63,200 per month under Level-2 of the 7th Central Pay Commission.
• You will also get DA, HRA, TA and other allowances as per Jammu & Kashmir government rules.

Physical Standards

For Male Candidates:

• Height: 5 feet 6 inches
• Chest: 32 inches (normal) / 33.5 inches (expanded)
• Long Race: 1600 metres in 6 minutes 30 seconds
• Push-ups: 20

For Female Candidates:

• Height: 5 feet 2 inches
• Long Race: 1000 metres in 6 minutes 30 seconds
• Shot Put: 4 kg weight to a distance of 14.5 feet
• Must be physically fit

Ex-servicemen candidates get relaxed PET standards based on age — check the official notification for the age-wise slabs.

Application Fee

• Open Merit / OBC / RBA / ALC-IB: Rs. 700
• SC / ST-1 / ST-2 / EWS: Rs. 600
• Payment mode: Online only (Net Banking, Credit or Debit card)
• Fee once paid is non-refundable and cannot be adjusted against any other exam or selection.

Selection Process

The selection will be done in 3 stages:

1. Written Test: Objective Type Multiple Choice Questions in English. Negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.
2. Physical Standard Test (PST): Candidates shortlisted at 6 times the total vacancies per category will undergo height and chest measurement checks.
3. Physical Endurance Test (PET): Qualifying in nature — includes running, push-ups (male) and shot put (female).

Final selection is based on your merit in the written test, subject to qualifying the PST and PET.

How to Apply

1. Go to the JKSSB portal at jkssb.nic.in.
2. Click on "Apply for Various Posts" and log in with your OTR (One Time Registration) number.
3. If you're a first-time applicant, complete your One Time Registration (OTR) first.
4. Fill in the online application form for Item No. 92 (Warder).
5. Upload your photo, signature, category certificate and other documents.
6. Pay the application fee online.
7. Submit the form and keep a printout ready for Document Verification.
8. Carry two recent passport-size photographs and a valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN, Driving License, etc.) to the exam venue — you won't be allowed to appear without them.

Note: Your candidature stays provisional throughout the process. The Board does not scrutinize eligibility in detail at the written exam stage — supporting documents are checked only at Document Verification, and any unsubstantiated claim will lead to cancellation. In-service candidates must route their application through their Head of Department by the last date of Document Verification.

Important Dates

• Advertisement Date: 6 July 2026
• Online Application Start: 27 July 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 25 August 2026
• Exam Date: To be announced

Once submitted, no changes to your application form will be entertained — review every field carefully before you submit. Apply well before the closing date to avoid last-minute website load issues.

• Guard prisoners and maintain security inside jail premises
• Escort prisoners to court hearings, hospitals and other locations
• Conduct regular checks and searches to prevent smuggling of contraband
• Maintain discipline and order among inmates
• Keep records of prisoner movement and daily activities
• Respond to emergencies and prevent escape attempts
• Follow jail manual rules and safety protocols
• Report irregularities to senior jail officials