The KSP Armed Police Constable Exam 2026 is scheduled for September 6, 2026, to fill 1600 vacancies.
Final exam preparation is crucial now for Karnataka Police aspirants.
Overview: KSP Armed Police Constable Exam 2026
The Karnataka State Police (KSP) announced the Armed Police Constable Exam 2026, with the written examination scheduled for September 6, 2026. This recruitment drive aims to fill 1600 vacancies for Armed Police Constable (CAR/DAR) and Armed Police Constable (Civil/DIAR) - Shastra Police Constable posts across General Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka regions. The official notification, numbered 04/Recruitment-5(A)/2026-27 (General Karnataka) and 04/Recruitment-5(B)/2026-27 (Kalyana Karnataka), was released on June 19, 2026, offering an opportunity for those seeking 12th Pass Jobs in the state.
Vacancy Details
A total of 1600 vacancies have been announced for the KSP Armed Police Constable Exam 2026. These vacancies are distributed across two main regions within Karnataka:
- Armed Police Constable (Civil/DIAR) - General Karnataka: 1421 vacancies
- Armed Police Constable (Civil/DIAR) - Kalyana Karnataka: 179 vacancies
The notification did not provide a detailed category-wise breakdown (UR, SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD) for these posts. The distribution is primarily zonal.
| Post Name | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Armed Police Constable (Civil/DIAR) - General Karnataka | 1421 |
| Armed Police Constable (Civil/DIAR) - Kalyana Karnataka | 179 |
| Total | 1600 |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
To be eligible for the KSP Armed Police Constable Exam 2026, candidates must have completed PUC (Class 12) or an equivalent qualification. This marks an increase in the minimum educational requirement compared to previous years.
Age Limit
The age limits for candidates, as of the crucial date (which was not specified in the notification but generally refers to the application closing date), are:
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age (General Category): 33 years
Significant age relaxations have been provided by the Government of Karnataka, including a one-time 5-year relaxation:
- SC/ST/OBC Candidates: Up to 35 years (including 5-year one-time relaxation)
- Tribal Candidates: Up to 38 years (including 5-year one-time relaxation)
| Category | Relaxed Upper Age Limit |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | Up to 35 years (including 5-year one-time relaxation) |
| OBC | Up to 35 years (including 5-year one-time relaxation) |
| Tribal | Up to 38 years (including 5-year one-time relaxation) |
Physical Standards
Candidates must meet specific physical standards, which will be assessed during the Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Endurance Test (PET) stages of the selection process. Detailed physical criteria were not provided in the extracted data, but typically include measurements for height and chest, and performance in various physical tasks.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | PUC (Class 12) or equivalent |
| Age Limit | 18-33 years |
| Physical Standards | Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Endurance Test (PET) are part of the selection process. |
| Job Location | Karnataka |
Important Dates
Here are the key dates for the KSP Armed Police Constable Exam 2026:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 2026-06-19 |
| Application Start Date | 2026-06-22 |
| Application Last Date | 2026-07-22 |
| Application Fee Payment Last Date | 2026-07-24 |
| Written Exam Date | 2026-09-06 |
The application window has now closed. Your focus should be entirely on preparing for the written examination on September 6, 2026.
Application Fee
The application fees for the KSP Armed Police Constable Exam 2026 were as follows:
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General Candidates | Rs. 400/- |
| SC/ST/CAT-01/Tribal Candidates | Rs. 200/- |
Candidates could pay the fee online using Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or offline through a Challan at a Post Office.
Salary and Benefits
Selected candidates for the Armed Police Constable posts will receive a basic pay ranging from Rs. 37,500 to Rs. 76,100. Additional allowances will be applicable as per government rules, contributing to a competitive in-hand salary.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | 37,500-76,100 |
Selection Process
The selection process for the KSP Armed Police Constable Exam 2026 involves multiple stages:
-
Written Examination
This is the first stage, scheduled for September 6, 2026. It is likely an offline examination. While specific subjects and marks were not detailed, police constable exams typically include General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Mental Ability, Science, Geography, History, Indian Constitution, Freedom Movement of India, Ethics, and Civic Studies. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer. Candidates must qualify this stage to proceed.
-
Physical Standard Test (PST)
Candidates who qualify the written exam will undergo PST to assess their physical measurements (e.g., height, chest) against prescribed standards.
-
Physical Endurance Test (PET)
Following PST, PET will evaluate physical fitness through various tasks such as running, long jump, and shot put. Specific events and qualifying criteria will be detailed in the official guidelines.
-
Document Verification
All original documents, including educational qualifications, age proof, and caste certificates (if applicable), will be verified for authenticity.
-
Medical Examination
A final medical check-up will ensure candidates meet the required medical standards for police service.
The entire selection process, from notification release to final selection, is estimated to take 6-9 months.
Year-over-Year Comparison: Key Changes for KSP Armed Police Constable
Understanding the trends from previous recruitment cycles provides valuable context for the 2026 exam. Here's a comparison, particularly with the 2024 cycle:
The 2026 KSP Armed Police Constable Exam cycle presents a mixed bag for aspirants. While there's a significant 54% decrease in total vacancies compared to 2024, the upper age limit has been substantially relaxed across all categories, which is a one-time 5-year relaxation by the Government of Karnataka. However, the minimum educational qualification has been raised from 10th standard to PUC (12th standard). Application fees remained consistent with 2024, but it is worth noting that for Civil Police Constable in 2026, fees increased, suggesting this could be a trend. The core exam pattern and syllabus remain consistent, providing continuity for preparation strategies. The recruitment timeline has shifted, with earlier notification and application dates but a later written exam compared to the main 2024 cycle.
Given the reduced vacancies and increased educational requirement, competition is likely to be higher. Leverage the consistent exam pattern and syllabus by focusing on thorough preparation.
Important Links
- Official Website: https://ksp.karnataka.gov.in/
- Notification PDF: (Expected to be available on the official website)
- Apply Online Link: (Application window has closed)