Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has issued a notification for direct recruitment of a total of 576 vacant posts of Warder (Observer) and Second Class Instructor in Karnataka State Prisons and Correctional Services Department. Eligible and interested candidates can apply online.
Details of posts and pay scale
A total of 576 posts including 560 warders (observers) and 16 second grade instructors (instructor grade-II) of the remaining basic cadre will be recruited. The monthly pay scale for the selected candidates will be ₹37,500 to ₹76,100.
Educational Qualification
Warder (Observer): Candidates must have passed SSLC or equivalent examination.
Second grade instructors: SSLC plus a diploma or certificate in the relevant profession (mechanical, electrical, carpentry, tailoring, textile/weaving, carpet making etc.) from a recognized institution.
Age Limit Details
Must have completed at least 20 years to apply. As per the relaxation of government regulations, the maximum age limit has been fixed as 31 years for general category candidates and 33 years for category-2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates. There will be additional age relaxation as per the rules for ex-servicemen.
Application Fee and Important Dates
The application fee is ₹750 for general qualification and category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B candidates and ₹500 for SC, ST, Category-1, Ex-Servicemen and Third Gender candidates.
Online application submission starts: 19.09.2026
Last date for submission of application: 15.10.2026
Last date for payment of fees: 16.10.2026
Date of competitive examination: 21.11.2026 (from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM)
Selection process
The candidates will first be called for a written competitive examination (offline OMR model) of 100 marks, with 0.25 negative marks for wrong answers. Based on the written examination and educational qualification marks, the candidates who qualify will be called for Physical Fitness and Endurance Test (ET & PST) in the ratio of 1:5. Finally, they will be called for a medical examination in the ratio of 1:2 and recruited on the basis of merit and reservation.
Interested candidates can get more information and apply through the official website of the authority, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.