NEELGYAN EXAM GUIDE
KPSC Gazetted Probationers (KAS) Examination Guide
Karnataka Administrative Service (Gazetted Probationers)
2026-27 examination cycle · Karnataka PSC (KPSC)
Written and source-checked by NeelGyan Team · Last verified 2 August 2026
Checked against the official sources linked below
Next key date
31 August 2026
Total posts
319
Group A posts
117
Group B posts
202
Preliminary examination
15 November 2026
Final merit
1,250 written + 25 personality
2026-27 cycle tracker
- Notification and timetable31 July 2026
- Online application1–31 August 2026You are here
- Preliminary examination15 November 2026
- Main written examinationAfter Preliminary result
- Personality Test and final selectionAfter Main result
On This Page
Exam Resources
About KPSC KAS
What is KPSC KAS?
Karnataka Public Service Commission published the 2026-27 Gazetted Probationers notification and timetable on 31 July 2026. The recruitment covers 319 posts: 117 Group A and 202 Group B.
Online applications run from 1 to 31 August 2026 through KPSC Online. The Preliminary examination is scheduled for 15 November 2026.
The official notification supplies a complete current scheme: two 200-mark Preliminary papers, a 1,250-mark Main written examination after qualifying Kannada and English, and a 25-mark Personality Test.
Latest KPSC KAS Updates
Verified updates, newest first
KPSC KAS Highlights
Key verified exam details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Application | Open through 31 August |
| Preliminary papers | 2 × 200 marks |
| Main merit papers | Essay + GS I–IV; 1,250 marks |
| Language papers | Kannada and English; qualifying |
| Personality Test | 25 marks |
| Shortlisting | 1:15 to Main; 1:3 to Personality Test |
KPSC KAS 2026-27 Important Dates
Official notification and exam timeline
| Milestone | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Notification | Published | |
| Application opening | Open | |
| Application deadline | Upcoming | |
| Preliminary examination | Scheduled |
KPSC KAS Application Process and Fees
Official application route and fee details
Apply only through KPSC Online between 1 and 31 August 2026 after completing the profile and reading the notification.
Choose category and claims carefully, upload the prescribed records and retain the submitted application and receipt.
Final-stage candidates must monitor the Main qualification-proof deadline; provisional application is not a waiver of the degree requirement.
| Category | Application fee |
|---|---|
| General Merit | ₹600 |
| 2A/2B/3A/3B | ₹300 |
| Ex-military | ₹50 |
| SC/ST/Category 1/PwD | Exempt |
- Follow the payment method and any processing charge displayed by the official portal.
KPSC KAS Eligibility Criteria
Qualification, age and other requirements
Educational qualification
Bachelor's or master's degree
- Degree must be from a recognised Indian university or equivalent.
- Final-stage candidates are provisional subject to timely proof.
General Merit age
21–40 years
- The notification's cut-off and special relaxation provisions control.
- Do not apply a relaxation without the required category proof.
Category upper ages
43 or 45 years
- Categories 2A/2B/3A/3B: 43 years.
- SC/ST/Category 1: 45 years before interpreting the one-time order.
Attempts
5 / 7 / unlimited
- General Merit: five attempts.
- Category 1/2A/2B/3A/3B: seven; SC/ST: no attempt ceiling stated.
KPSC KAS Admit Card Status
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: The Preliminary examination is scheduled for 15 November 2026; use KPSC's later official admission-certificate notice.
No exact release date should be predicted.
KPSC KAS Exam Pattern and Selection Process
Stages, papers and qualifying rules
- Preliminary examinationTwo objective papers; 400 total marks; 1:15 to Main
- Main written examinationQualifying languages + five merit papers worth 1,250
- Personality Test25 marks; approximately 1:3 shortlist
Final merit · 1,275 marks
- Main merit papers 1,250 marks · 98%
- Personality Test 25 marks · 2%
KPSC KAS Preliminary pattern
| Paper | Composition | Marks/time |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | 100 questions: national/international General Studies and humanities | 200 marks; 2 hours |
| Paper II | 100 questions: state General Studies, science/technology/environment/ecology and mental ability | 200 marks; 2 hours |
- The notification provides negative marking; read the exact marking instruction before the exam.
KPSC KAS Main pattern
| Paper | Marks/time | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Kannada | 150; 2 hours | Qualifying, 35% |
| English | 150; 2 hours | Qualifying, 35% |
| Essay | 250; 3 hours | Merit |
| General Studies I–IV | 250 each; 3 hours each | Merit |
| Personality Test | 25 | Merit |
KPSC KAS Syllabus Overview
Subjects and stages in the official syllabus
- Preliminary Paper I covers national/international General Studies and humanities; Paper II combines Karnataka/state General Studies, science and technology, environment/ecology and mental ability.
- Main includes qualifying Kannada and English, Essay, and General Studies I–IV.
- Use the official syllabus page and notification schedules for unit-level detail and language rules.
Preliminary Paper I
National/international General Studies and humanities.
Preliminary Paper II
Karnataka/state GS, science/technology, environment/ecology and mental ability.
Qualifying languages
Kannada and English require 35% each and do not count in merit.
Essay and GS I–IV
Five Main merit papers, 250 marks each.
KPSC KAS Answer Key Status
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: No 2026-27 answer key exists before the Preliminary examination.
Use KPSC's official key and objection instructions after publication.
KPSC KAS Result Status
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: No 2026-27 stage result exists at the application stage.
A submitted application does not establish eligibility or qualification.
KPSC KAS Cut-off Status
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: No 2026-27 cut-off has been published.
Historical thresholds are not predictions for this 319-post cycle.
Routes, Posts and Outcomes
Where successful candidates may progress
The current notification covers 319 Gazetted Probationer posts across Group A and Group B, including residual-parent-cadre and Kalyana Karnataka allocations.
- 117 Group A posts: 112 residual parent cadre and five Kalyana Karnataka.
- 202 Group B posts: 185 residual parent cadre and 17 Kalyana Karnataka.
- Read the notification schedules for service-wise distribution and preferences.
KPSC KAS 2026-27 post distribution
| Group | Residual parent cadre | Kalyana Karnataka | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | 112 | 5 | 117 |
| Group B | 185 | 17 | 202 |
| Combined | 297 | 22 | 319 |
KPSC KAS Preparation Strategy
A syllabus-first preparation route
- Submit and verify the application before the deadline.
- Practise two-hour 100-question Preliminary papers with the official negative-marking rule.
- Begin Kannada/English qualifying practice alongside Essay and GS answer writing.
- Use official previous papers to calibrate Karnataka-specific coverage.
KPSC KAS Previous Question Papers
Official question-paper resources
KPSC maintains official question-paper and syllabus pages. Use Gazetted Probationers papers that match the relevant stage.
KPSC KAS Frequently Asked Questions
How many KPSC KAS posts are notified?
319: 117 Group A and 202 Group B.
What is the application deadline?
31 August 2026.
When is KPSC KAS Prelims?
15 November 2026.
What degree is required?
A recognised bachelor's or master's degree or equivalent under the notification.
How many attempts are allowed?
General Merit five; Categories 1/2A/2B/3A/3B seven; SC/ST no ceiling stated in the notification.
What are the Preliminary marks?
Two papers of 200 marks each.
Do Kannada and English count in merit?
No. Each is a 150-mark qualifying paper requiring 35%.
What is the final merit total?
1,275: 1,250 Main merit marks plus a 25-mark Personality Test.
Official Information and Sources
Primary notice and authority links
Related State Civil Service Examinations
Compare current application windows, post groups and final-merit structures.
Verify Before You Apply
Eligibility, dates, fees, vacancies, pattern and status can change. Read the latest notice on the official authority’s website before applying. NeelGyan does not collect application fees or guarantee admission or selection.