KPSC KAS Exam Date 2026 Out - Check Exam Schedule PDF
The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) has tentatively scheduled the KAS Preliminary Examination 2026 for 15 November 2026 (Sunday). The exam is for 319 Gazetted Probationer posts in Group A and Group B. The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) is recruiting 319 Gazetted Probationers for Group A and Group B posts through the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) examination. Any graduate from a recognised university can apply. The notification was issued on 31 July 2026, and online applications opened on 1 August 2026. The last date given in the notification is 31 August 2026. Applications were accepted online only, and the posts are in Karnataka.
KPSC KAS Exam Date 2026 - Quick Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) |
| Exam Name | KPSC KAS 2026 (Karnataka Administrative Service) |
| Posts | Gazetted Probationers (Group A and Group B) |
| Total Vacancies | 319 (Group A: 117, Group B: 202) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Qualification | Bachelor's degree from a recognised university |
| Prelims Exam Date | 15 November 2026 (Tentative) |
| Selection Process | Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, Personality Test (Interview) |
| Job Location | Karnataka |
| Official Website | kpsc.kar.nic.in |
KPSC KAS Prelims Exam Date 2026
The KPSC KAS Preliminary Examination 2026 is tentatively scheduled for 15 November 2026. It is the first stage of the selection process and works as a screening test for the Main Examination. The date is marked tentative in the notification, so candidates should keep checking the official KPSC website for any change or for a final timetable.
KPSC KAS 2026 Important Dates
The table below lists every date linked to this recruitment and shows which ones are announced and which are still pending.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 31 July 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 1 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 31 August 2026 |
| Preliminary Exam | 15 November 2026 |
KPSC KAS Vacancy 2026
KPSC has announced 319 vacancies: 117 in Group A and 202 in Group B. The vacancies are split between the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) and the Hyderabad-Karnataka (HK) region. The post-wise details are given below.
Group A Posts
| Post and Department | RPC | HK | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Commissioner (Junior Scale), Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms | 36 | 3 | 39 |
| Assistant Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, Commercial Taxes Department | 50 | 0 | 50 |
| Assistant Director, Treasuries Department | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Executive Officer / Assistant Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department | 13 | 2 | 15 |
| Assistant Director Grade-I, Social Welfare Department | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| Total | 112 | 5 | 117 |
Group B Posts
| Post and Department | RPC | HK | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tahsildar (Grade-2), Revenue Department | 18 | 7 | 25 |
| Commercial Tax Officer, Commercial Taxes Department | 74 | 0 | 74 |
| Assistant Superintendent, Prisons Department | 5 | 1 | 6 |
| Assistant Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Co-operation Department | 19 | 2 | 21 |
| Assistant Director, Agricultural Marketing, Co-operation Department | 10 | 2 | 12 |
| Deputy Superintendent of Excise, Excise Department | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Employment Officer, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Department | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Chief Officer (Grade-1), Urban Development Department | 18 | 2 | 20 |
| Assistant Treasury Officer, Finance Department (Treasuries) | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| Assistant Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Section Officer, Karnataka Government Secretariat | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Section Officer, Karnataka Public Service Commission | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Assistant Director Grade-2, Social Welfare Department | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| Total | 185 | 17 | 202 |
KPSC KAS Eligibility Criteria 2026
Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree from a recognised university or institution. Graduates from any discipline are eligible. Candidates who complete the required qualification on or before the last date of the online application are also eligible.
Age Limit
The minimum age is 21 years. The upper age limit depends on the category and includes the one-time 5-year age relaxation announced by the Commission.
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| General Merit (GM) | 40 years |
| OBC (Categories 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B) | 43 years |
| SC, ST and Category-1 | 45 years |
KPSC KAS Application Fee
The fee below applied to the online application. For any category not listed here, check the official notification.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General Category | Rs. 600 |
| Categories 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B | Rs. 300 |
| Ex-Servicemen | Rs. 50 |
KPSC KAS Application Status
The online application window for KPSC KAS 2026 has closed. It opened on 1 August 2026, and the last date in the notification is 31 August 2026. Candidates who have already applied should keep their application confirmation safe and watch the official KPSC website for the admit card and any change to the exam schedule.
KPSC KAS Selection Process 2026
The selection happens in three stages. Only candidates who qualify at each stage move to the next.
- Preliminary Examination: objective-type screening test, qualifying in nature for the Main Examination.
- Main Examination: descriptive papers, evaluated on merit.
- Personality Test (Interview): for candidates shortlisted after the Main Examination.
KPSC KAS Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026
The Prelims has two objective papers of 200 marks each, 400 marks in total. The marks are used only for qualifying and are not counted in the final merit. The exam duration and negative marking are Not Available Officially.
KPSC KAS Prelims Syllabus
| Paper | Subject | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Current Affairs | National and international current affairs |
| Paper I | History | Indian History, Indian National Movement, Karnataka History and Culture |
| Paper I | Geography | World Geography, Indian Geography with special focus on Karnataka |
| Paper I | Polity and Economy | Indian Constitution, political system, rural development, planning, economic reforms, sustainable development, poverty alleviation, demographics and social sector initiatives |
| Paper II | Current Affairs | Karnataka state current affairs and important state government programmes |
| Paper II | General Science and Technology | General science, science and technology developments and their applications |
| Paper II | Environment and Ecology | Environmental ecology, biodiversity, climate change and related issues |
| Paper II | General Mental Ability | Comprehension, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision making, problem solving, basic numeracy and data interpretation |
KPSC KAS Mains Syllabus
The Mains has seven papers. The marks counted for merit are 1,250 (Essay and General Studies I to IV), and the Personality Test carries 25 marks, making a grand total of 1,275 for ranking.
| Paper | Subject | Syllabus |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Kannada | Comprehension, precis writing, usage, vocabulary, communication skills and essay |
| Paper 2 | English | Comprehension, precis writing, usage, vocabulary, communication skills and essay |
| Paper 3 | Essay | Essay on international/national importance and state/local importance |
| Paper 4 | General Studies 1 | History and cultural heritage of India and Karnataka; social and political perspective; Indian society and culture |
| Paper 5 | General Studies 2 | Constitution, polity, governance, public administration, social justice and international relations |
| Paper 6 | General Studies 3 | Science and technology, agriculture, rural development, environment, ecology and economic development |
| Paper 7 | General Studies 4 | Ethics, integrity, aptitude, emotional intelligence and case studies |
KPSC KAS Salary 2026
The KPSC KAS 2026 notification does not state a post-wise salary or pay scale for the advertised Group A and Group B posts. The salary is Not Available Officially at this stage. Exact pay details are given in the appointment order issued after the recruitment process.
Important Instructions for KPSC KAS Candidates
- Treat 15 November 2026 as tentative until the Commission publishes a final notice.
- Check only the official KPSC website for exam, admit card and result updates.
- Keep your OTR login credentials ready for downloading the admit card.
- Read the official notification for category-wise conditions before the exam.
KPSC KAS 2026 Important Links
| Link | Details |
|---|---|
| KPSC Official Website | kpsc.kar.nic.in |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the KPSC KAS Prelims exam 2026?
The KPSC KAS Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for 15 November 2026.
How many vacancies are there in KPSC KAS 2026?
There are 319 vacancies: 117 in Group A and 202 in Group B.
What is the last date to apply for KPSC KAS 2026?
The last date in the notification is 31 August 2026. The application window is now closed.
What is the qualification for KPSC KAS 2026?
A bachelor's degree from a recognised university, in any discipline.
What is the age limit for KPSC KAS 2026?
The minimum age is 21 years. The maximum is 40 years for General Merit, 43 for OBC (2A, 2B, 3A, 3B) and 45 for SC, ST and Category-1, including the one-time 5-year relaxation.