The Karnataka State Police (KSP) has officially released the KSP Recruitment 2026 notification, announcing 3,991 vacancies for the post of Civil Police Constable across two separate cadres. This is one of the biggest police recruitment drives in Karnataka in recent years, and online applications are now open on the KEA portal from 8th June 2026 to 3rd July 2026. The written examination is scheduled for 2nd August 2026.
If you are a Karnataka resident who has passed Class 12 (PUC) and has been looking for a stable government job in law enforcement, this is your chance. Read on for a complete breakdown of the KSP Constable Recruitment 2026 - from eligibility and vacancies to how to apply and what to expect in the selection process.
Karnataka Police Constable Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF
Karnataka State Police, Central Recruitment & Promotion Department, Bengaluru has officially released two notifications - Advertisement No. 01/Recruitment-4/2026-27 (Kalyana Karnataka / 371(J) cadre) and Advertisement No. 02/Recruitment-4/2026-27 (Mikkili/Okkalida cadre) - both dated 05.06.2026, for direct recruitment of Police Constable (Civil) posts. The notifications include complete details on vacancies, eligibility, selection process, exam pattern, physical standards, age relaxations, reservation, and application instructions. Candidates are strongly advised to read the full notifications before applying.
- Download Karnataka Police Constable Recruitment 2026 Official Notification PDF - Kalyana Karnataka (596 Posts)
- Download Karnataka Police Constable Recruitment 2026 Official Notification PDF - Mikkili/Okkalida Cadre (3395 Posts)
Karnataka Police Constable Recruitment 2026 Overview
Karnataka State Police is recruiting 3991 Police Constable (Civil) posts across two cadres with PUC / equivalent qualification, last date 03 July 2026.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Karnataka State Police (KSP) |
| Exam Conducting Authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Post Name | Civil Police Constable (PC) |
| Advertisement Numbers | 01/Recruitment-4/2026-27 & 02/Recruitment-4/2026-27 |
| Total Vacancies | 3,991 |
| Application Start Date | 8th June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 3rd July 2026 |
| Last Date to Pay Fee | 4th July 2026 |
| Written Exam Date | 2nd August 2026 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
| Salary | Rs. 37,500 - Rs. 76,100 per month |
KSP Constable Notification 2026 - Important Dates
Missing a deadline can disqualify your candidacy altogether. Below are all the critical dates in the KSP Constable application 2026 Karnataka, listed clearly so you can plan your application well ahead of time.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 5th June 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 8th June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 3rd July 2026 |
| Last Date to Pay Application Fee | 4th July 2026 |
| Written Exam Date | 2nd August 2026 |
| PST / Endurance Test Date | To be notified later |
KSP Constable Vacancy 2026 - Category-Wise Breakdown
A total of 3,991 Civil Police Constable vacancies have been announced under two separate notifications. The vacancies are split between the Kalyana-Karnataka cadre (reserved under Article 371-J) and the General (Mikkilida/Okkalida) cadre. Candidates can apply for only one notification at a time and must choose the cadre applicable to them.
Notification 1 - Kalyana-Karnataka Cadre (Article 371-J)
Advertisement No.: 01/Recruitment-4/2026-27 | Total Vacancies: 596
| Category | Direct Male | Direct Female | Ex-Servicemen Male | Ex-Servicemen Female | 3rd Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Police Constable (Civil) | 398 | 133 | 46 | 14 | 5 |
Notification 2 - General / Mikkilida Cadre
Advertisement No.: 02/Recruitment-4/2026-27 | Total Vacancies: 3,395
| Category | Direct Male | Direct Female | Ex-Servicemen Male | Ex-Servicemen Female | 3rd Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Police Constable (Civil) | 2,266 | 755 | 257 | 82 | 35 |
Total Vacancy Summary
| Cadre | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Kalyana-Karnataka (Article 371-J) | 596 |
| General (Mikkilida / Okkalida) | 3,395 |
| Grand Total | 3,991 |
KSP Constable Eligibility Criteria 2026
Before submitting your PC application for 2026 Karnataka, carefully verify that you meet all eligibility conditions. Candidates who do not meet the educational, age, or language criteria will be disqualified at any stage of the process.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed Class 12 / PUC or an equivalent examination from a recognised board. This includes:
- Class 12 passed from CBSE, ICSE, any State Board, or equivalent
- Class 12 equivalent from NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling)
- A 2-year ITC/Diploma (NVBT) course with one language and one academic subject from NIOS
- A 3-year Diploma from a recognised Polytechnic institution (treated as equivalent to PUC for direct/compassionate recruitment)
Kannada Language Requirement: Candidates must have studied Kannada as a first or second language up to SSLC/10th standard. Those who have not done so must pass a Kannada Language Test conducted by KEA.
Age Limit
The minimum age for all candidates is 18 years. The upper age limit varies by category as follows:
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| General - Male, Female & 3rd Gender (Direct) | 33 years |
| SC / ST / Cat-1 / Cat-2A, 2B, 3A, 3B (Direct) | 35 years |
| Budakattu (Forest Area) SC Candidates | 38 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (General) | 38 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (SC/ST/OBC) | 40 years |
Age is calculated as of the notification date. Candidates should refer to the official PDF for precise age cut-off dates.
KSP Constable Application Fee 2026
The application fee for the KSP Constable recruitment must be paid online only, and is non-refundable under all circumstances. Candidates must ensure payment is completed before 4th July 2026.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC (Cat-2A, 2B, 3A, 3B) | Rs. 750/- |
| SC / ST / Cat-1 / Ex-Servicemen / 3rd Gender | Rs. 500/- |
How to Apply Online for KSP Constable Recruitment 2026
The KSP Constable apply online 2026 process is conducted through the KEA (Karnataka Examinations Authority) portal. Follow these steps carefully to submit a valid application for Karnataka police constable recruitment 2026.
- Step 1: Visit the official KEA recruitment portal at https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/
- Step 2: Click on the active link for KSP Civil Police Constable Recruitment 2026 (Adv. No. 01 or 02, depending on which cadre you are eligible for).
- Step 3: Register by entering your personal, educational, and category details accurately.
- Step 4: Choose the cadre (Kalyana-Karnataka or General) you are applying for. Note: only one application per notification is permitted.
- Step 5: Upload a recent passport-size photograph (JPEG, 50KB-200KB) and your signature (JPEG, 50KB-70KB).
- Step 6: Pay the required application fee online through the portal.
- Step 7: Download and save a copy of the submitted application form and the fee payment receipt.
KSP Constable Selection Process 2026
The Karnataka police constable selection process 2026 consists of four clearly defined stages. Candidates must qualify each stage to proceed to the next. There is no direct interview; merit is determined through the written exam and physical assessments.
Stage 1 - Written Examination (CBT / OMR-Based)
The written test is the first and most critical stage of the pc recruitment 2026 Karnataka. It determines the candidates who will move on to physical testing.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Mode | OMR-based (Offline) |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 90 Minutes (1 hour 30 minutes) |
| Minimum Qualifying Marks | 30 out of 100 |
| Negative Marking | Yes - 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer |
Exam Timings:
- Notification 1 (KK Cadre): 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM on 2nd August 2026
- Notification 2 (General Cadre): 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM on 2nd August 2026
Subjects Covered:
- General Knowledge & Current Affairs
- General Science
- Geography
- Indian History
- Indian Constitution
- Karnataka State Affairs
- Mental Ability & Reasoning
- Ethics
Stage 2 - Physical Standard Test (PST)
Candidates who qualify the written exam must appear for physical measurements. Below are the height and chest requirements:
| Category | Height | Chest |
|---|---|---|
| Male / Ex-Servicemen | Min. 168 cm | Min. 86 cm (expanded); expansion min. 5 cm |
| Female / 3rd Gender | Min. 157 cm | Min. weight: 45 kg |
| Budakattu Male (Forest Areas) | Min. 155 cm | Min. 75 cm; 5 cm expansion |
| Budakattu Female (Forest Areas) | Min. 150 cm | - |
Stage 3 - Physical Efficiency / Endurance Test (PET)
Candidates who pass the PST will then undergo the physical endurance test. All events must be completed within the prescribed standards.
| Event | Male / Ex-Servicemen | Female / 3rd Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Run | 1,600m in 6 min 30 sec | 400m in 2 min |
| High Jump | Min. 1.20 m (3 chances) | Min. 0.90 m (3 chances) |
| Long Jump | Min. 3.80 m (3 chances) | Min. 2.50 m (3 chances) |
| Shot Put (Weight) | 7.26 kg; min. 5.60 m (3 chances) | 4 kg; min. 3.75 m (3 chances) |
Stage 4 - Medical Examination
Shortlisted candidates (in a 1:2 ratio per vacancy) will undergo a comprehensive medical examination by a Medical Board. This includes vision testing, hearing assessment, and musculoskeletal evaluation to ensure candidates are physically fit for active police duty.
Stage 5 - Document Verification
Candidates who clear the medical examination must present original academic certificates, domicile proof, category certificates, and other relevant documents for final verification.
KSP Constable Exam Pattern 2026
This section gives a concise view of the pc exam date 2026 Karnataka and the structure of the written test, helping candidates plan their preparation effectively.
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge, Science, Geography, History, Indian Constitution, State Affairs, Mental Ability, Ethics | 100 | 100 | 90 Minutes |
Key Points to Remember:
- Each correct answer carries 1 mark
- Each wrong answer results in a deduction of 0.25 marks
- Unanswered questions carry no penalty
- Minimum qualifying score is 30 marks
KSP Constable Salary 2026
One of the most attractive aspects of the KSP Recruitment 2026 is the government pay structure. Karnataka police constables are placed at Pay Level 7 under the 7th Pay Commission, with a monthly pay scale of Rs. 37,500 - Rs. 76,100. In addition to the base salary, candidates are eligible for:
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Travel Allowance (TA)
- National Pension Scheme (NPS) benefits
- Other Karnataka Government allowances
Training and Probation:
- Selected candidates undergo 9 months of basic police training at designated Police Training Schools in Karnataka.
- Candidates are on probation for 2 years and 6 months after formal appointment.
- Candidates who fail during training may be removed from service.
