Factually accurate (from the context).
| Organization | Karnataka State Police Department (KSP) |
| Total Posts | 1600 Vacancies |
| Last Date | 24th July 2026 |
| Apply Mode | Online |
The Karnataka State Police Department has officially announced a major recruitment drive for the year 2026, offering excellent career opportunities for defense aspirants in the state. Under Notification No. 04/Recruitment-5(A)/2026-27, applications are invited for the position of Armed Police Constable within the City Armed Reserve (CAR) and District Armed Reserve (DAR). This recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 1600 vacancies across various districts and administrative units of Karnataka.
For individuals who have completed their Pre-University Course (PUC) or Class 12 equivalent, this is a premier opportunity to join the state's law enforcement machinery. The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has been entrusted with conducting the initial phases of this competitive selection process. Eligible candidates can submit their online applications starting from 22nd June 2026, with the registration window remaining open until 24th July 2026.
KSP Armed Police Constable Vacancy Distribution 2026
The 1600 vacancies announced for the City Armed Reserve (CAR) and District Armed Reserve (DAR) are strategically divided into two distinct regional cadres. This ensures balanced representation and administrative efficiency across all regions of Karnataka. The Residual Cadre comprises the majority of the vacancies, while a dedicated portion is reserved for the Kalyana Karnataka (formerly Hyderabad-Karnataka) region under special state provisions.
| Cadre Category | Region Classification | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Residual Cadre | Remaining Districts & State Units | 1421 |
| Kalyana Karnataka Cadre | Hyderabad-Karnataka Region | 179 |
| City Armed Reserve (CAR) | Urban Police Commissionerates | Included in Combined Total |
| District Armed Reserve (DAR) | District Police Units | Included in Combined Total |
| Grand Total | All Karnataka Units | 1600 |
Eligibility Criteria for KSP CAR/DAR Recruitment
Prospective candidates must satisfy specific educational, language, and age requirements to be considered eligible for the Armed Police Constable posts. It is critical to review these parameters thoroughly before initiating the online application process.
1. Educational Qualifications
Candidates must have successfully completed their Pre-University Course (PUC) or Class 12 standard from an officially recognized educational board. The department also recognizes specific alternative academic tracks as equivalent qualifications. However, candidates who are currently appearing for their final exams and awaiting results are strictly ineligible to apply. The final marks card must be in the possession of the candidate on or before the last date of application submission.
| S.No. | Approved Qualification Track | Equivalency Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pre-University Course (PUC) - Karnataka State Board | Standard Qualification |
| 2 | Class 12 Examination - CBSE Board | Equivalent Qualification |
| 3 | Class 12 Examination - ISC Board | Equivalent Qualification |
| 4 | Class 12 Examination - Other State Government Boards | Equivalent Qualification |
| 5 | Two-Year ITI Course (with 1 language & 1 academic subject via distance/equivalent) | Equivalent Qualification |
2. Kannada Language Proficiency
Since the duties of an Armed Police Constable involve extensive local public interaction and administrative work within Karnataka, proficiency in the Kannada language is mandatory. Candidates must meet at least one of the following conditions to claim exemption from the compulsory language test:
- Studied Kannada as a first or second language in SSLC (Class 10) or equivalent.
- Completed their education with Kannada as the medium of instruction.
- Passed the compulsory Kannada language exam conducted by the Commission or selection authority.
Candidates who do not meet any of these exemption criteria must appear for the official Kannada language test and secure a minimum of 50 marks out of 150 to qualify.
3. Age Limits & Relaxations
The minimum age limit for all applicants is 18 years as of the last date of application submission. The maximum age limit varies depending on the category of the candidate, incorporating standard government relaxation guidelines.
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age / Relaxation Provisions |
|---|---|---|
| General Merit (GM) | 18 Years | As per standard department guidelines |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 18 Years | Category-specific relaxation applicable |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 18 Years | Category-specific relaxation applicable |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 18 Years | Category-specific relaxation applicable |
| Ex-Servicemen | 18 Years | Age relaxation of 3 years plus the active service period |
Selection Process for KSP CAR/DAR Recruitment 2026
The selection methodology is designed to evaluate both the intellectual capabilities and physical fitness of the candidates. The process is divided into five sequential stages:
- Stage 1: Written Examination: Conducted by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA). This objective-type test evaluates candidates on general knowledge, mental ability, and relevant subjects. The exam is scheduled for 6th September 2026 (Sunday) from 10:30 AM to 12:00 Noon.
- Stage 2: Physical Standard Test (PST): Candidates who qualify the written exam are shortlisted in a 1:5 ratio based on their marks to undergo physical measurements.
- Stage 3: Physical Endurance Test (PET): Shortlisted candidates must perform specific physical tasks (such as running, long jump, and high jump) to prove physical capability.
- Stage 4: Medical Examination: Candidates selected in a 1:2 ratio undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation by an official Medical Board. Specific physical conditions such as color blindness, squint, eyelid deformities, or musculoskeletal issues (Knock Knees, Flat Foot, Bow Legs, Cubitus Valgus, Cubitus Varus) will lead to immediate disqualification.
- Stage 5: Document Verification: Verification of original academic certificates, caste certificates, rural candidate certificates (Form-1 & Form-2), and other reservation claims.
Step-by-Step Guide to Apply Online
Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the official portal of the Karnataka Examination Authority. Follow these steps to ensure a successful application submission:
- Visit the Portal: Go to the official website of the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) at
https://cetonline.karnatakaKey Takeaways
- Total Vacancies: 1,600 posts for Armed Police Constable (CAR/DAR) under Karnataka State Police (KSP) for the 2026 recruitment cycle.
- Educational Criteria: Candidates must have cleared SSLC / Class 10th or its equivalent from a recognized board.
- Age Limit: Standard age bracket is 18 to 25 years for General category, with government-approved relaxations for SC, ST, and OBC candidates.
- Selection Stages: Multi-stage process comprising a Written Examination, Physical Standard Test (PST), Physical Endurance Test (PET), and Medical Examination.
- Application Portal: Registrations are accepted exclusively online through the official KSP recruitment website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the educational qualification required for KSP Armed Police Constable (CAR/DAR) Recruitment 2026?Candidates must have passed SSLC (Class 10) or its equivalent examination from a recognized board of education in India to be eligible to apply.Q2. What is the application fee for the KSP APC CAR/DAR recruitment?The application fee is ₹400 for General and OBC (2A, 2B, 3A, 3B) category candidates. For SC, ST, and Category-I candidates, the application fee is ₹200.Q3. What is the difference between CAR and DAR in Karnataka State Police?CAR stands for City Armed Reserve (deployed in major urban commissionerates like Bengaluru), while DAR stands for District Armed Reserve (deployed across various districts in Karnataka). Both roles focus on armed security, VIP escorts, and maintaining law and order.Q4. What physical tests must candidates pass for selection?Candidates must clear the Physical Standard Test (PST) for height and chest measurements, and the Physical Endurance Test (PET), which includes events such as a 1600-meter run, high jump, long jump, and shot put.Q5. Where can I access the official online application form for KSP 2026 recruitment?You can apply online only through the official Karnataka State Police recruitment portal at ksp.karnataka.gov.in. Do not submit applications through any private or third-party portals.