Exams / KPSC KAS / Eligibility
KPSC KAS eligibility: age limit, relaxation, fee and qualification
Read from Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC)'s own notice: Gazetted Probationers Group 'A' & 'B' 2026-27 — notification for preliminary exam (319 posts) (KPSCKA/EXA1/EXMF/9/2026-EXAM-1/1/251710/2026), dated 31 Jul 2026. Shishya read it on 26 Oct 2026. Open the official notice.
Gazetted Probationers 2026-27 notification. A newer notice can change any of this — confirm on kpsc.karnataka.gov.in before you apply.
Am I eligible for KPSC KAS?
Type your date of birth, category and qualification. The answer is as per the notice dated 31 Jul 2026.
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Age limit and qualification by post
21 to 45 years on 31 Aug 2026 for General Age is counted on 31 Aug 2026.
| Post | Age (General) | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| All Gazetted Probationer Group A & B posts (Assistant Commissioner, DySP, Commercial Tax Officer, Tahsildar, etc.) — 117 Group A + 202 Group B | 21-45 | Bachelor's or Master's degree from a university established by law in India, or an equivalent qualification (Rule 7, KRGP Rules 1997).Final-year students may apply. |
Age relaxation by category
OBC +3, SC/ST +5, PwBD up to +15 years
| Category | Years added | With a disability (PwBD) |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | None | +10 |
| EWS | None stated | Not stated |
| OBC (non-creamy layer) | +3 | +13 |
| SC | +5 | +15 |
| ST | +5 | +15 |
- Upper age: General Merit 40; Karnataka Category 2A/2B/3A/3B (backward classes, shown as OBC on the checker) 43; SC, ST and Category-1 45.
- Category-1 (most backward classes) gets the same 45-year limit and fee exemption as SC/ST. Category-1 is not a choice on the checker: read the SC/ST limit for it.
- One-time measure: Govt Order SiAaSuE 262 SeNeNi 2025 dated 29-01-2026 gives candidates of ALL categories a further 5 years over these upper limits for this recruitment (so effectively 45 / 48 / 50).
- Further additions: ex-servicemen — years of service plus 3 years; persons with disability (Physically Handicapped) +10 years; widows +10 years.
- No EWS category or EWS relaxation in the notice.
- The notice uses Karnataka's own categories (GM, SC, ST, Cat-1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, plus Rural, Kannada Medium, Hyderabad-Karnataka, Ex-Military, PH, Transgender reservations). The pages read do not explicitly state a domicile clause for category relaxation; under Karnataka practice these categories are for Karnataka candidates — not confirmed from the notice pages read.
- Age reckoned on the last date for applications (printed 31-08-2026; the 31-08-2026 corrigendum extended applications to 07-09-2026 and said nothing else changes).
Application fee
- ₹600: General Merit candidates
- ₹300: Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B candidates
- ₹50: Ex-servicemen
- ₹0: SC, ST, Category-1 and physically handicapped candidates (exempt)
Fee non-refundable; not adjustable to other exams; online payment only (no DD/postal order).
Other conditions in the notice
- Indian citizen; bigamy bar; must be medically fit; debarred candidates not eligible.
- Attempts: General Merit 5; Category 1/2A/2B/3A/3B 7; SC/ST no limit. Each prelims appearance counts as an attempt.
- Students awaiting final results may take the prelims but must show the pass result when applying for Mains.
- Prelims: 2 papers x 200 marks (100 Qs each, 2 h), Kannada and English, negative marking 0.25 per wrong answer; Mains candidates 1:15.
- Physical standards for Police DySP (men 165 cm, chest 84/+5 cm; women 157 cm, 46 kg), Prisons (168 cm/86 cm) and Excise Deputy Superintendent (163 cm/81 cm; women 157 cm, 49 kg).
- Applications 01-08-2026 to 31-08-2026 (extended to 07-09-2026); prelims tentatively 15-11-2026. 319 posts = 297 residual parent cadre + 22 Hyderabad-Karnataka.
Questions
What is the age limit for KPSC KAS?
21 to 45 years on 31 Aug 2026 for General, as per the notice dated 31 Jul 2026 (Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC)). Confirm on https://kpsc.karnataka.gov.in.
What age relaxation does KPSC KAS give?
OBC +3, SC/ST +5, PwBD up to +15 years, as per the notice dated 31 Jul 2026. Confirm on https://kpsc.karnataka.gov.in.
What is the KPSC KAS application fee?
₹600: General Merit candidates; ₹300: Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B candidates; ₹50: Ex-servicemen; ₹0: SC, ST, Category-1 and physically handicapped candidates (exempt) (as per the notice dated 31 Jul 2026).
What qualification is needed for KPSC KAS?
All Gazetted Probationer Group A & B posts (Assistant Commissioner, DySP, Commercial Tax Officer, Tahsildar, etc.) — 117 Group A + 202 Group B: Bachelor's or Master's degree from a university established by law in India, or an equivalent qualification (Rule 7, KRGP Rules 1997). (as per the notice dated 31 Jul 2026).
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These facts are paraphrased from the official notice linked above, read with AI help; the notice is the final word. Ex-servicemen, government employees, widows and other special relaxations are listed in the notes above, not in the check.