Karnataka State Police (Karnataka Rajya Police Ilakhe)
Last Date: July 3, 2026

Karnataka State Police has released two official recruitment notifications on June 5, 2026, together covering 3,991 Police Constable (Civil) posts. Notification No. 02/Nemakati-4/2026-27 invites applications for 3,395 posts from candidates across all Karnataka districts, and Notification No. 01/Nemakati-4/2026-27 notifies a separate batch of 596 posts reserved exclusively for the Kalyana-Karnataka region under Article 371(J) of the Constitution. Online applications open on June 8 and the last date is July 3, 2026. 

Karnataka Police Constable Civil Recruitment: Quick Overview

Karnataka Police Constable Civil Recruitment: Quick Introduction 

Karnataka State Police is one of the largest state police forces in the country, it is deployed across 31 districts. The Civil Police Constable is the foundational uniformed rank and it can be regarded as the frontline strength of the department.
Both notifications are dated June 5, 2026, and are signed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Recruitment), Bengaluru. The eligibility conditions, pay scale, and selection process similar across both but difference is the candidate pool and the posting region. Notification 02 is open to all eligible candidates across Karnataka, while Notification 01 is constitutionally protected for domiciled residents of the Kalyana-Karnataka (formerly Hyderabad-Karnataka) districts under Article 371(J), a provision introduced through the 98th Constitutional Amendment in 2012 specifically to ensure that recruitment in those historically backward districts goes to local candidates.

The last open-cadre Civil Constable recruitment by Karnataka Police happened in 2021 where approximately 8.5 to 9 lakh candidates applied. With the same eligibility criteria and a growing pool of Pre University Course (PUC) qualified youth in the state, this 2026 recruitment also expected to see a similar or higher response. 

Vacancy Details

The total vacancy is 3,991 posts which are split across two notifications, each with a separate exam time slot on the same day.  The "Direct" (Nera) category is open to civilian applicants from outside Karnataka Police, and Indian Army ex-servicemen compete within this category through horizontal reservation where as "Sevaanirata" category is entirely different and is reserved for Karnataka Police personnel who are currently serving in the constable cadre of KSRP, DAR, PAR, PRB, or KSBSF and have completed a minimum of 5 years of confirmed service. These posts are not open to the general public.

Note: Wards and category-wise vacancy breakup will be published separately on the official website (or check Important Liks section towards the end of the page). Candidates must verify the vacancy count in their specific reservation category before applying.

The overall volume is significant, with 1:5 shortlisting for the Physical Standard Test, approx 20,000 candidates from Advt 02 and around 3,000 from Advt 01 will be called for physical tests. it is also important to note that actual selection bar is determined at written exam stage and not by the physical test.

Application Fee

Payment must be made online only. The last date for fee payment is July 4, 2026, which is one day after the application submission deadline. These are treated as two separate steps on the portal. Paying the fee does not automatically complete the application, both actions must be confirmed individually, and candidates must download the final submission receipt.

Age Limit

The reference date for calculating age is July 3, 2026, which is the last date of application. Candidates must have completed 18 years as of that date.

For Direct (Nera) male, female, and third gender candidates:

For Sevaanirata (currently serving Karnataka Police) male and female candidates:

An additional note: as per Government Order No. 262 dated January 29, 2026, ex-Indian Army personnel applying through horizontal reservation within the Direct category are entitled to an extra 5 years of age relaxation over and above the applicable upper limit for their category. This relaxation is subject to conditions specified in the Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977.

Educational Qualification

The minimum qualification is a pass in PUC (Class 12) or an equivalent recognized qualification. The following are accepted:

• Class 12 from CBSE or ICSE boards
• Class 12 from any state government recognized examination board
• Open schooling certificate from NIOS through an advanced-level course
• Two-year B.T. vocational course equivalent (as recognized under the state's technical education framework, where one language subject and one technical subject were passed)

A Kannada language condition applies to all candidates in the recruitment. If Kannada was studied as a subject in SSLC (Class 10) or Class 12, the candidate meets the language requirement automatically but those who did not study Kannada as a school subject must pass the Kannada Language Test conducted by KEA before appointment. Candidates who completed their schooling from Karnataka's Technical Education system before 2015 and passed Kannada in their board exams are also considered eligible without an additional test.

This Kannada requirement is not merely a technicality, candidates who cannot demonstrate proficiency through academic records and then fail or skip the KEA Kannada test will be disqualified at the document verification stage regardless of how well they performed in the written exam or physical tests.

Selection Process

Karnataka Police uses a four-stage eliminatory process. Passing each stage is mandatory before the next stage starts.

Stage 1: Written Test

The exam is offline and OMR-based. One hundred multiple-choice questions for 100 marks must be answered within 90 minutes. The syllabus covers general knowledge and science, geography and history of India, the Indian Constitution and political science, mental health and social welfare, and common general awareness including Karnataka-specific topics.

Negative marking is applicable, each wrong answer deducts 0.25 marks. Candidates who score below 30 marks out of 100 are eliminated regardless of how they perform relative to others. The 30 mark threshold is a minimum eligibility, and actual competition cutoff in past KSP constable exams for General category males was 55 to 65 range.

Exam schedule:

• Advt 02 (3,395 posts, all Karnataka): August 2, 2026, 10:30 AM to 12:00 noon
• Advt 01 (596 posts, Kalyana-Karnataka): August 2, 2026, 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM

The written exam is held at five district centers across Karnataka. Exam centers cannot be changed once it is allocated. Candidates must bring the downloaded admit card and one original government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN Card, Voter ID, Driving License, Passport, or Government Employee ID). Entry to the exam hall will be refused without both.

After the written exam, candidates are shortlisted for PST at a 1:5 ratio within each category, that mean for every one post available, five candidates are called.

Stage 2: Physical Standard Test (PST)

The tribal height relaxation applies specifically to candidates from communities including Siddiga, Jenukuruba, Kaadukuruba, Yerava, Soliga, Kudiya, Gowdu, Hasalaru, Malekudiya, and Koraga, who are living in the forest areas of North Kannada, South Kannada, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Kodagu, Chamarajanagara, and Mysuru. A District Magistrate certificate confirming tribal community membership must be produced.

PST has no marks, It is only a pass/fail measurement stage.

Stage 3: Endurance Test (Physical Efficiency Test)

This stage is also qualifying in nature and No marks are given. Failing any single event results in permanent elimination from that notification.

Note: any candidate who withdraws from any scheduled event, whether it is due to injury or any other reason, is treated as having voluntarily dropped out. The department does not accept injury as a basis for a second chance at any endurance event. Candidates must participate in every event in the scheduled order on the day of the test.

Stage 4: Medical Examination

Candidates who clear the Endurance Test are sent before a government Medical Board. Tests include vision (each eye assessed for distant and near vision without spectacles or contact lenses; colour blindness and abnormal field of vision are disqualifying), hearing tests (Rinne's Test, Weber's Test, and Tests for Vertigo), varicose veins, impediment in speech, chest X-ray, and screening for musculoskeletal deformities including Knock Knees, Flat Foot, Bow Legs, Cubitus Valgus, and Cubitus Varus. The Medical Board's decision is final and binding.

Final Appointment

Based on written test scores, medically fit and otherwise qualified candidates within each category are recommended for appointment to fill available posts. Government approval is required before joining orders are issued.

Salary, Job Location, and Service Conditions

The starting basic pay for Police Constable (Civil) is Rs. 37,500 per month and with very year of service, the basic pay increases by a fixed annual increment. As the pay crosses certain limit, the increment amount itself grows, meaning the salary grows faster in later years of service. The maximum basic pay a constable can reach over a full career is Rs. 76,100 per month.

In simple terms: join at Rs. 37,500, get a small raise every year, and the raise gets bigger over time as you move through the stages of the scale. House Rent Allowance, Travel Allowance, and DA as applicable under Karnataka government rules are paid additionally. The notification does not state an in-hand figure, and candidates should not rely on third-party salary estimates.

Constables who join Karnataka government service after April 1, 2006, are covered under the New Pension Scheme (NPS) as per Government Order dated March 31, 2006. The older defined-benefit state pension does not apply.

Posting for Advt 02 candidates is across all Karnataka districts and circles. Transfers within the state are standard for this cadre, typically occurring every three to five years depending on seniority and departmental requirements. Advt 01 candidates will be posted within the Kalyana-Karnataka division.

Civil Police Constables work in shifts and are primarily deployed in field roles. Beat patrolling, PCR response, public order management, event security, and crime scene support are common responsibilities in the early years of service. It is a field posting, not a desk job. Newly recruited constables must complete 9 months of basic training at a Karnataka Police Training School before being assigned to a district. Marriage is not permitted during the training period, as stated in the notification.

How to Apply

1. Go to https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/ or https://ksp-recruitment.in/
2. Look for the Karnataka Police Constable Civil 2026 application link, active from June 8, 2026
3. Register using a valid and active email ID and mobile number; all communications from KSP and KEA will be sent to these contacts
4. Fill in the application form with accurate personal details, educational qualifications, category information, and service details if applying under the Sevaanirata category
5. Upload your recent passport-size photograph in JPEG format with file size between 50 KB and 200 KB
6. Upload your signature in JPEG format with file size between 50 KB and 70 KB
7. Pay the application fee online before July 4, 2026
8. Review the complete form carefully before final submission; no changes of any kind are permitted after submission
9. Download and save the application confirmation and fee receipt
10. Candidates who are eligible for both Advt 02 and Advt 01 must submit two separate online applications and pay the fee separately for each

Required Documents and Important Instructions

Candidates must bring the following to the PST/Endurance Test (originals with self-attested copies):

• Aadhaar Card
• SSLC and PUC mark sheets and pass certificates (for age and qualification proof)
• Caste/community certificate with photograph from the competent authority in the prescribed format: Format 'D' for SC/ST; Format 'I' for Category-1; Format 'F' for Categories 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B
• Rural candidate certificate in Format 1 or 2 from the revenue authority (if claiming Rural category)
• Kannada Medium Student certificate from school principal and field education officer (if claiming KMS category)
• Ex-Indian Army discharge certificate or pension payment order (if claiming XMP horizontal reservation within Direct category)
• 5-year service certificate from the department (for Sevaanirata applicants from KSRP/DAR/PAR/PRB/KSBSF)
• Tribal community certificate from the District Magistrate (for Budakattu candidates claiming height relaxation)
• NOC from current employer if currently serving in any government/police/military post

Important Instructions: 

Submitted applications cannot be modified under any circumstances. Any error found after submission will be carried through to all stages of the process, and documents that do not match the online application will cause rejection at verification.

Photo and signature must meet the format specifications exactly. Applications with non-standard uploads are rejected without notice. Candidates who are already in government service must produce a valid NOC at document verification or they will be disqualified from appointment even if all other stages are cleared.

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Before proceeding with the application form, applicants should go through these important practical observations:

Where This Recruitment Gets Genuinely Competitive

Karnataka's 2021 Civil Constable cycle attracted approximately 8.5 to 9 lakh applications and with 3,991 posts this time and the same PUC-level eligibility, a similar or larger response is possible. At the 1:5 shortlisting ratio, around 20,000 candidates is expected to be called for physical tests under Advt 02. But the real shortlisting begins at the written exam. According to the previous trends, it is possible that General category male cutoffs settling between 55 and 65 marks out of 100. 

The Endurance Test: Where Paper-Ready Candidates Actually Fall

Most candidates assume the written exam is where selection happens and the physical test is a formality. In practice, the Endurance Test eliminates a larger share than expected. The 1600-meter run in 6 minutes 30 seconds sounds achievable, but candidates who have not been running regularly often miss the time by a full minute or more on the test day. The shot put throw of 5.60 meters for the 7.26 kg ball also catches candidates who are otherwise fit but have not specifically trained for the throwing motion. Any candidate who clears the written exam should be in consistent physical training before August 2, not starting after the results are out.

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❓Frequently Asked Questions 

How many total vacancies are available in Karnataka Police Constable 2026?

There are 3,991 Police Constable (Civil) posts across two notifications. Advt 02 covers 3,395 posts for all Karnataka districts. Advt 01 covers 596 posts reserved for the Kalyana-Karnataka region under Article 371(J). Both are for the same post and carry the same pay scale and selection process.

What is the last date to apply?

July 3, 2026, is the final date for submitting the online application. The fee payment window closes on July 4, 2026. Applications where either step is incomplete by those dates will not be considered.

Who is eligible to apply?

Candidates must be Indian citizens, aged 18 to 33 years (General Direct), who have passed PUC (Class 12) or an equivalent recognized qualification, and who meet the Kannada language requirement either through their academic record or by clearing the KEA Kannada Language Test. Medical fitness, character, and marital conditions as specified in the notification also apply.

What is the age limit including relaxations?

The minimum age is 18 years. The maximum is 33 years for General direct candidates, 35 years for SC/ST and OBC categories, and 38 years for Karnataka tribal forest area residents. Currently serving KSRP/DAR/PAR/PRB/KSBSF personnel applying under Sevaanirata can apply up to 38 years (General) and 40 years (SC/ST/OBC). Indian Army ex-servicemen applying through horizontal reservation within the Direct category receive an additional 5-year relaxation per Government Order dated January 29, 2026.

What is the minimum educational qualification?

PUC (Class 12 pass) or an equivalent from a recognized board is required. CBSE, ICSE, state board Class 12, and NIOS open school advanced courses are all accepted. Kannada must have been studied as a school subject, or the KEA Kannada Language Test must be cleared. Candidates who completed Class 12 from the Karnataka Technical Education system before 2015 with Kannada in their board exams are also eligible without an additional language test.

What does the selection process involve?

Four stages: Written Test (100 marks, 90 minutes, offline OMR, negative marking of 0.25 per wrong answer, minimum 30 marks to qualify); Physical Standard Test (height and chest/weight measurements); Endurance Test (running, high jump or long jump, shot put, all qualifying only); and Medical Examination before a government Medical Board. Each stage is eliminatory.

What is the salary?

The pay scale is Rs. 37,500 to Rs. 76,100 per month. Entry basic pay is Rs. 37,500. Standard Karnataka government allowances apply in addition. The New Pension Scheme (NPS) covers all recruits who join after April 1, 2006.

What is the application fee?

General (GM) and OBC categories (2A, 2B, 3A, 3B) pay Rs. 750. SC, ST, Category-1, Ex-Servicemen, and Third Gender candidates pay Rs. 500. Fee is paid online only and is non-refundable.

How to apply online?

Visit https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/ or https://ksp-recruitment.in/ from June 8, 2026. Register, complete the form, upload photograph (JPEG, 50–200 KB) and signature (JPEG, 50–70 KB), pay the fee online, and download the submission receipt. No offline or postal mode exists for this recruitment.

When is the written exam and what is the pattern?

August 2, 2026. Advt 02 candidates (3,395 posts) appear from 10:30 AM to 12:00 noon. Advt 01 candidates (596 posts, Kalyana-Karnataka) appear from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM. The exam has 100 MCQ questions for 100 marks, 90 minutes duration, offline OMR format, with 0.25 negative marking per wrong answer.

What is the official website?

Applications are submitted at https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/ (KEA portal) or https://ksp-recruitment.in/ (KSP website). The department's official X account @KEA_KARNATAKA is specifically mentioned in the notification for updates.

Who qualifies for the Sevaanirata category vacancies?

The Sevaanirata posts (257 male and 82 female under Advt 02; 46 male and 14 female under Advt 01) are reserved exclusively for Karnataka Police constables currently serving in the PAR, DAR, KSRP, PRB, or KSBSF units who have completed a minimum of 5 confirmed years of service as of July 3, 2026, and who are currently posted and serving in those units. These posts are not open to general civilian applicants or to Indian Army ex-servicemen.

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Final Note

Applications open in three days from the notification date and the window runs for just under 26 days. Register and begin filling the form as early as possible, do not wait for the last week.

The written exam on August 2 is roughly 55 days from the notification date. That is a tight preparation window, especially for candidates who also need to build physical fitness. Those who are already preparing for Karnataka state-level competitive exams will find the syllabus useful as Karnataka GK, general science, and Indian Constitution topics are well covered in standard Karnataka PSC and KAR-CET preparation material. 

For all official updates including admit card release, exam centre allocation, PST schedule, and any corrigendum that modifies dates or eligibility conditions, watch both https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/ and https://ksp-recruitment.in/. Do not rely on third-party platforms or social media posts for date announcements. 

This article is based on the official notification and simplified for easy understanding. For the most accurate and updated information, always refer to the official website.