KPSC KAS (Gazetted Probationers) 2026: Exam Date, Result Updates, Pattern & Complete Guide

The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) conducts the prestigious Gazetted Probationers Examination (KAS) to recruit Class-1 (Group A) and Class-2 (Group B) administrative officers into the Karnataka Civil Services. As the Karnataka state counterpart to the UPSC Civil Services, selected candidates are appointed as Assistant Commissioners, Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySP), Commercial Tax Officers, and Tahsildars.

As of October 1, 2026, candidate search volume on Google Search Console is dominated by queries including kas sarkari result, kpsc sarkari result, kas exam date, kas result, and kpsc kas result 2026. This stems from two concurrent recruitment cycles currently underway: the 2023–24 recruitment for 384 posts awaiting final result declaration, and the 2026–27 recruitment for 319 posts heading toward the Preliminary Examination on November 15, 2026.

This comprehensive reference clarifies the official status of both recruitment cycles, provides the verified screening and mains examination pattern, lists post-wise eligibility and pay scales, and presents an actionable preparation roadmap.

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1. Current Recruitment Status & Result Updates (October 2026)

To understand where your application or result stands, review the official status of the two ongoing recruitment drives:

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                        KPSC GAZETTED PROBATIONERS STATUS TRACKER                  |
+------------------------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| Recruitment Drive                  | Current Official Stage (As of Oct 1, 2026)   |
+------------------------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| 384 Posts (2023–24 Cycle)          | Interviews completed June 10, 2026; Final    |
|                                    | Selection List stayed by Hon'ble High Court  |
|                                    | of Karnataka (Order dated July 31, 2026).    |
+------------------------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| 319 Posts (2026–27 Cycle)          | Notification released July 31, 2026. Online  |
|                                    | applications closed September 7, 2026.       |
|                                    | Prelims Exam scheduled for November 15, 2026.|
+------------------------------------+----------------------------------------------+

KAS 384 Posts Final Result Status (kas sarkari result / kpsc result 2026)

• Stage Reached: The Preliminary Exam, Main Written Examination, and Personality Tests (Interviews) for the 384 Group A & B posts (Advt No. PSC 01 GP 2023-24) have been fully concluded. Interviews were completed on June 10, 2026.
• Why Result is Delayed: The publication of the Final Provisional Select List has been placed under an interim stay by the Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka pursuant to writ petitions challenging evaluation and reservation implementation.
• Next Official Action: KPSC will publish the provisional selection list on kpsc.kar.nic.in immediately after the Hon'ble High Court disposes of the matter or delivers its verdict. Candidates should disregard unauthorized third-party lists circulating on social media.

KAS 319 Posts Prelims Exam Date & Admit Card (kas exam date 2026)

• Notification Date: July 31, 2026.
• Application Window: August 1, 2026 to September 7, 2026 (extended from initial deadline of August 31, 2026).
• Preliminary Examination Date: Tentatively scheduled for November 15, 2026 (Sunday) across designated divisional centres throughout Karnataka.
• Admit Card Release: KPSC issues e-Admission Tickets approximately 10 to 12 days prior to the examination date (expected during the first week of November 2026) via kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in.

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2. Key Recruitment Details at a Glance

Parameter	Official Specification
Exam Conducting Body	Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC)
Name of Examination	Gazetted Probationers Examination (KAS) 2026
Target Posts	Group A (Class 1) and Group B (Class 2) Gazetted Officers
Total Vacancies (2026–27 Cycle)	319 Posts (117 Group A + 202 Group B)
Previous Cycle Vacancies (2023–24 Cycle)	384 Posts (159 Group A + 225 Group B)
Mode of Application	Online via KPSC Portal (kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in)
Application Window (319 Posts)	August 1, 2026 to September 7, 2026 (Closed)
Prelims Exam Date	November 15, 2026 (Sunday)
Mains Exam Schedule	Expected March / April 2027
Selection Stages	Preliminary Exam (400 Marks) $\to$ Main Written Exam (1,250 Marks) $\to$ Personality Test (25 Marks)
Official Website	kpsc.kar.nic.in

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3. Post Breakdown & Vacancies (319 Posts Cycle)

The 319 vacancies in the 2026–27 cycle comprise 117 Group A posts and 202 Group B posts across Karnataka administrative and departmental cadres:

Group A Posts (Class 1) — 117 Total Posts

1. Assistant Commissioner (Karnataka Administrative Service - Junior Scale): Executive Magistrate and Sub-Divisional Officer overseeing revenue administration and law & order.
2. Assistant Commissioner of Commercial Taxes: Revenue administration and state goods and services taxation enforcement.
3. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP - Civil): Sub-divisional police commander overseeing law and order, crime investigation, and traffic regulation.
4. Assistant Director, Treasury Department: District treasury administration and financial audit.
5. Executive Officer / Assistant Secretary (Rural Development & Panchayat Raj): Administrative head of Taluk Panchayats.

Group B Posts (Class 2) — 202 Total Posts

1. Tahsildar Grade-II: Taluk executive magistrate handling land records, revenue courts, mutation appeals, and social security pensions.
2. Commercial Tax Officer (CTO): State GST assessment, intelligence, and enforcement.
3. Assistant Registrar of Co-operative Societies (ARCS): Regulation and audit of credit and multi-purpose cooperatives.
4. Labour Officer: Industrial dispute settlement and labour welfare law compliance.
5. Assistant Director of Youth Empowerment and Sports: District sports facilities and youth welfare programmes.
6. Superintendent of Excise: Regulation and anti-smuggling enforcement under state excise laws.

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4. Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must fulfill all eligibility criteria as stipulated in the Karnataka Gazetted Probationers (Appointment by Competitive Examination) Rules:

A. Educational Qualification

• Mandatory Degree: Must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a university established by law in India, or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Government of Karnataka.
• Final Year Candidates: Candidates awaiting their final graduation results are eligible to appear for the Preliminary Examination; however, they must submit documentary proof of passing their degree examination on or before the closing date for the Main Examination application.

B. Age Limits (As of Crucial Date)

The Karnataka State Government has granted an age relaxation for competitive examinations:

• General Merit (GM): Minimum 21 Years, Maximum 38 Years
• Category 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B (OBC): Minimum 21 Years, Maximum 41 Years
• SC, ST, and Category-1: Minimum 21 Years, Maximum 43 Years
• Ex-Servicemen: Number of years in armed service + 3 years.
• Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 10 years relaxation over the upper age limit.

C. Number of Attempts Limit

The Karnataka Gazetted Probationers Rules strictly regulate the permissible number of attempts:

• General Merit (GM): 5 Attempts
• OBC (2A, 2B, 3A, 3B): 7 Attempts
• SC, ST, and Category-1: No Limit (Unlimited) until reaching the upper age limit.

Note on Attempt Counting: Appearing for even one paper of the Preliminary Examination counts as a consumed attempt. Merely applying without appearing for the exam does not count.

D. Kannada Language Proficiency Requirement

Candidates must possess adequate working knowledge of Kannada. Those who have not studied Kannada as a first or second language in SSLC (Class 10) or higher education must pass the compulsory Kannada Qualifying Language Paper (150 Marks) conducted during the Main Examination with at least 35% marks.

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5. Physical Standards for Executive Posts

Candidates opting for uniform service posts such as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) and Excise Superintendent must meet strict physical fitness standards verified during medical board inspection:

+------------------------------------+--------------------------+--------------------------+
| Parameter                          | Male Candidates          | Female Candidates        |
+------------------------------------+--------------------------+--------------------------+
| Height (Minimum)                   | 165 cm                   | 157 cm                   |
|                                    | (160 cm for ST Hills)    | (150 cm for ST Hills)    |
+------------------------------------+--------------------------+--------------------------+
| Chest Measurement (Unexpanded)     | 84 cm                    | N/A                      |
+------------------------------------+--------------------------+--------------------------+
| Chest Expansion (Minimum)          | 5 cm expansion           | N/A                      |
+------------------------------------+--------------------------+--------------------------+
| Vision Standards                   | 6/6 in better eye,       | 6/6 in better eye,       |
|                                    | 6/9 in worse eye;        | 6/9 in worse eye;        |
|                                    | Color vision normal      | Color vision normal      |
+------------------------------------+--------------------------+--------------------------+

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6. Detailed Selection Process

The KPSC Gazetted Probationers recruitment process consists of three sequential filters:

graph TD
    A["Stage 1: Preliminary Exam (400 Marks)<br/>Objective MCQs (Paper 1 & 2)<br/>Screening Filter"] --> B["Stage 2: Main Written Exam (1,250 Marks)<br/>1 Essay + 4 Descriptive GS Papers (250m each)<br/>+ Qualifying Kannada & English"]
    B --> C["Stage 3: Personality Test / Interview (25 Marks)<br/>Assessment of Leadership & Integrity"]
    C --> D["Final Selection & Rank List (1,275 Marks)<br/>Post Allocation & Medical Checkup"]

1. Preliminary Examination (Screening Test): Objective multiple-choice papers (Paper 1: 200 marks, Paper 2: 200 marks = 400 marks). Used exclusively to shortlist candidates for Mains at a ratio of approximately 1:15 of total vacancies. Prelims marks are NOT counted toward final merit ranking.
2. Main Written Examination (Descriptive): 5 compulsory merit papers (1 Essay paper + 4 General Studies papers, 250 marks each = 1,250 marks) plus 2 qualifying language papers (Kannada and English, 150 marks each). Determines shortlisting for interview at a ratio of approximately 1:3.
3. Personality Test (Interview): Evaluates mental alertness, critical thinking, leadership capacity, and administrative suitability (25 marks under amended Gazetted Probationers rules).
4. Final Merit List: Prepared out of 1,275 marks (1,250 Mains written + 25 Interview).

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7. Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

Stage I: Preliminary Examination (Total: 400 Marks)

Both papers are objective multiple-choice questionnaires administered on the same examination day in separate sessions:

Paper	Focus Areas	Questions	Max Marks	Duration	Negative Marking
Paper I	General Studies (National & International) & Humanities	100 MCQs	200 Marks	2 Hours (120 mins)	0.25 Mark deducted per wrong answer
Paper II	General Studies (Karnataka Special), Science & Mental Ability	100 MCQs	200 Marks	2 Hours (120 mins)	0.25 Mark deducted per wrong answer
Total	Stage I Screening Total	200 MCQs	400 Marks	4 Hours	1/4th Deduction

Important Rule on Prelims Evaluation: Each question carries 2.0 marks. An incorrect response attracts a deduction of 0.25 mark (12.5% of question weight). Unanswered questions do not attract any deduction.

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Stage II: Main Written Examination (Total: 1,250 Marks for Merit)

Under the official Karnataka Gazetted Probationers Rules, the Mains examination comprises 2 Qualifying Language Papers and 5 Compulsory Merit Papers (all descriptive 3-hour papers):

Paper Code	Subject / Focus	Scope / Standard	Max Marks	Nature	Duration
Paper A	Compulsory Kannada	SSLC Standard	150 Marks	Qualifying (Min 35% / 52.5 marks)	3 Hours
Paper B	Compulsory English	SSLC Standard	150 Marks	Qualifying (Min 35% / 52.5 marks)	3 Hours
Paper I	Essay (2 Essays: National/International & State/Local)	Degree Standard	250 Marks	Counts for Merit	3 Hours
Paper II (GS 1)	History & Cultural Heritage of India & Karnataka, Social & Political Perspective	Degree Standard	250 Marks	Counts for Merit	3 Hours
Paper III (GS 2)	Indian Constitution, Public Admin & Management, International Relations	Degree Standard	250 Marks	Counts for Merit	3 Hours
Paper IV (GS 3)	Natural Resources, Science & Tech, Environment, Tech for Development	Degree Standard	250 Marks	Counts for Merit	3 Hours
Paper V (GS 4)	Indian & Karnataka Economy, Rural Development, Ethics & Integrity	Degree Standard	250 Marks	Counts for Merit	3 Hours
Total Written	All 5 Compulsory Merit Papers (1 Essay + 4 GS)	Degree Standard	1,250 Marks	Total Merit Base	15 Hours

Abolition of Optional Subjects: Optional subjects were completely abolished from the KPSC KAS syllabus under government-notified rule amendments. Candidates appear for the standardized 1 Essay and 4 General Studies papers.

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Stage III: Personality Test (Interview)

• Total Marks: 25 Marks (reduced from 50 marks by Karnataka Government amendment to ensure objective merit-driven selection).
• Evaluation Board: Constituted by KPSC members and eminent external subject matter experts.
• Grand Total for Merit Ranking: 1,275 Marks (1,250 Written Mains + 25 Personality Test).
• Criteria Evaluated: Mental alertness, clear logical exposition, balanced judgment, decision-making skills under stress, knowledge of Karnataka's socio-economic issues, and high integrity.

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8. Detailed Syllabus Breakdown

Preliminary Examination Syllabus

Paper I (200 Marks / 100 MCQs)

1. Current Events of National and International Importance: Global geopolitical developments, multilateral treaties, scientific summits, defense acquisitions, and sports.
2. Indian History & Indian National Movement: Ancient, medieval, and modern Indian freedom struggle, cultural integration, and social reform movements.
3. Karnataka History & Heritage: Kadambas, Chalukyas of Badami, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara Empire, Bahmani Sultanate, Wodeyars of Mysore, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, and the Karnataka Unification Movement (Ekikarana).
4. Indian and World Geography: Physical geography, climatic zones, rivers, soil types, minerals, demographic distributions, and industrial corridors.
5. Indian Polity and Governance: Constitution of India, fundamental rights, directive principles, Union and State Executives, Parliament, State Legislature, Judiciary, Panchayati Raj institutions, and public policy formulation.

Paper II (200 Marks / 100 MCQs)

1. Karnataka State Administration & Government Schemes: State policies, Gruha Lakshmi, Gruha Jyothi, Yuva Nidhi, Shakti scheme, agricultural schemes, irrigation projects, and state budget priorities.
2. General Science and Technology: Physics, chemistry, and biology applications in daily life, Indian space missions (ISRO programmes), biotechnology, cyber security, and artificial intelligence.
3. Biodiversity, Ecology & Climate Change: Western Ghats ecosystem, national parks of Karnataka (Bandipur, Nagarahole, Kudremukh, Anshi, Bannerghatta), endangered fauna, environmental impact assessments, and renewable energy targets.
4. General Mental Ability & Logical Reasoning: Number series, data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables), coding-decoding, logical deductions, decision-making, and basic numeracy (Class 10 standard).

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Main Written Examination Syllabus (4 General Studies Papers)

General Studies Paper 1: History, Heritage & Social Perspective

• Section 1: History & Cultural Heritage of India: Harappan civilization, Vedic thought, Bhakti and Sufi traditions, 1857 revolt, Gandhi, Ambedkar, Nehru, and post-independence integration.
• Section 2: Cultural Heritage of Karnataka: Art, architecture, literature, Vachana movement (Basaveshwara and Sharanas), Dasa Sahitya, folk traditions, temple architecture, and Mysore renaissance.
• Section 3: Social & Political Dynamics: Caste, class, rural-urban disparities, status of women, child protection, linguistic movements, and social backwardness commissions in Karnataka (Miller Committee, Nagan Gowda, Venkataswamy, Chinnappa Reddy commissions).

General Studies Paper 2: Constitution, Administration & IR

• Section 1: Indian Constitution & Institutional Framework: Federal structure, emergency provisions, judicial review, constitutional amendments, election commission, CAG, and UPSC/KPSC constitutional safeguards.
• Section 2: Public Administration & Good Governance: Bureaucracy, Citizen's Charters, Right to Information (RTI), Sakala initiative in Karnataka, administrative reforms, and e-governance (Bhoomi, Kaveri, Seva Sindhu).
• Section 3: International Relations & Bilateral Cooperation: India's foreign policy, neighborhood-first approach, Quad, BRICS, G20, and international trade treaties impacting Indian agriculture and tech sectors.

General Studies Paper 3: Science, Natural Resources & Environment

• Section 1: Role of Science and Technology in Development: Information technology, telecommunications, nuclear energy, defense research (DRDO), nanotechnology, and medical technologies.
• Section 2: Natural Resources of India & Karnataka: Water resources (Cauvery, Krishna, Godavari basins), water disputes tribunals, mineral resources (iron ore, bauxite, limestone), and forestry policy.
• Section 3: Environmental Management & Disaster Response: Western Ghats conservation (Gadgil vs Kasturirangan reports), industrial pollution, disaster management protocols (NDMA, SDMA), and climate change mitigation.

General Studies Paper 4: Economy, Rural Development & Ethics

• Section 1: Indian Economy & Fiscal Policy: Economic planning, NITI Aayog, GST framework, monetary policy (RBI), inflation management, banking reforms, and external trade.
• Section 2: Karnataka Economy & Rural Development: State GSDP, agricultural production, IT and aerospace clusters in Bengaluru, rural infrastructure, microfinance, and regional imbalances (High Power Committee on Redressal of Regional Imbalances - Nanjundappa Report).
• Section 3: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude: Ethical dilemmas in public administration, emotional intelligence, attitude toward public service, probity in governance, code of conduct, and anti-corruption machinery (Lokayukta).

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9. Salary Structure for KPSC KAS Officers

Selected candidates receive salaries governed by the Karnataka Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules:

+------------------+-----------------------------+---------------------+-------------------------+
| Cadre Level      | Key Posts Included          | Pay Scale (Basic)   | Approx. Gross Monthly   |
+------------------+-----------------------------+---------------------+-------------------------+
| Group A          | Assistant Commissioner,     | ₹56,550 – ₹1,04,400 | ₹92,000 – ₹1,12,000     |
| (Class 1)        | DySP, AC Commercial Taxes   | (Group A Scale)     | (HQ Posting)            |
+------------------+-----------------------------+---------------------+-------------------------+
| Group B          | Tahsildar Grade-II, CTO,    | ₹43,100 – ₹83,900   | ₹70,000 – ₹86,000       |
| (Class 2)        | Asst Registrar Cooperatives | (Group B Scale)     | (District Posting)      |
+------------------+-----------------------------+---------------------+-------------------------+

Allowances and Perks

• Dearness Allowance (DA): Periodically revised state government allowance.
• House Rent Allowance (HRA): 24% for Bengaluru (Category A city), 16% for Tier-2 cities (Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru, Belagavi), and 8% for rural postings.
• Medical Reimbursement: Comprehensive health coverage under Jyothi Sanjeevini Scheme.
• Official Accommodation & Conveyance: Group A field officers (AC and DySP) are entitled to designated official quarters and official vehicle with driver.

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10. Previous Cycle Cut-Offs & Scoring Trends

Understanding past qualifying thresholds assists in setting safe score targets for the upcoming November 15 Prelims examination:

KPSC KAS Prelims Qualifying Marks (Out of 400 Marks)

Category	Typical Prelims Cut-Off Range (Marks)	Typical Prelims Percentage
General Merit (GM)	195.0 – 210.0 Marks	~48.7% – 52.5%
Category 2A	185.0 – 195.0 Marks	~46.2% – 48.7%
Category 2B	180.0 – 190.0 Marks	~45.0% – 47.5%
Category 3A	190.0 – 200.0 Marks	~47.5% – 50.0%
Category 3B	192.0 – 202.0 Marks	~48.0% – 50.5%
Category 1	175.0 – 185.0 Marks	~43.7% – 46.2%
Scheduled Castes (SC)	165.0 – 178.0 Marks	~41.2% – 44.5%
Scheduled Tribes (ST)	170.0 – 182.0 Marks	~42.5% – 45.5%

Note: Cut-offs fluctuate based on question difficulty, number of candidates appearing, and category-wise reservation rosters.

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11. Strategic Preparation Plan & Recommended Resources

Phase 1: Prelims Sprint (Focus for November 15 Exam)

• Daily Mock Tests: Solve one full-length 200-question paper every alternate day under strict 2-hour exam hall timing.
• Karnataka Special Weightage: 35% to 40% of Prelims Paper 2 and significant parts of Paper 1 focus on Karnataka. Master state history, geographical regions (Coastal, Malnad, Bayaluseeme), and river systems.
• Negative Marking Discipline: With 0.25 mark deducted per wrong answer, avoid wild guessing. Maintain a minimum 80% accuracy rate on attempted questions.

Recommended Reference Books (English & Kannada Medium)

Focus Area	Standard Reference Text (English)	Standard Reference Text (Kannada)
Karnataka History	A Concise History of Karnataka by Dr. Suryanath U. Kamath	Karnataka Ithihasa by Dr. Suryanath Kamath / K. Sadashiva
Karnataka Geography	Geography of Karnataka by Ranganatha	Karnataka Bhugola Shastra by Ranganatha
Indian Polity & Constitution	Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth	Bharatha Samvidhana Mathu Rajakeeya by K.M. Suresh
Indian & Karnataka Economy	Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh / Nitin Singhania	Bharatha Mathu Karnataka Arthavyavasthe by Garani Krishnamurthy
Science & Tech / Environment	Science and Technology by Ravi P. Agrahari	Vijnana Mathu Thanthrajnana by Spardha Vijetha / Chiguru
Mental Ability	Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal	Samanya Manasika Samarthya by Manjunath B.
Past Solved Papers	KPSC 10-Year Solved Papers (Compendium)	KPSC Hindeena Prashne Patrike Sanchike by Spardha Sphoorti

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12. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the current status of KPSC KAS 384 posts final result?

The interviews for the 384 Group A & B posts (2023–24 cycle) concluded on June 10, 2026. However, the publication of the final selection list is currently stayed under an interim order of the Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka dated July 31, 2026. The final list will be published on kpsc.kar.nic.in once the legal proceedings conclude.

Q2: What is the official date for the KPSC KAS 2026 Preliminary Examination?

The Preliminary Examination for the 319 Group A and B posts is scheduled for November 15, 2026 (Sunday) across divisional headquarters in Karnataka.

Q3: How do I download the KPSC KAS Prelims admit card?

Admit cards will be available on kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in 10 to 12 days before November 15, 2026. Log in using your registered Application Number / User ID and Date of Birth to download the PDF.

Q4: Are there optional subjects in the KPSC KAS Main examination?

No. Optional subjects have been completely abolished from the KPSC KAS examination. All candidates appear for five compulsory merit papers: one Essay paper (250 marks) and four General Studies papers (250 marks each, total 1,250 marks), plus two qualifying language papers (Kannada and English, 150 marks each).

Q4A: What is the total marks structure for KPSC KAS final merit?

The final selection merit list is computed out of 1,275 marks: 1,250 marks from the five written Mains papers (1 Essay + 4 General Studies papers of 250 marks each) plus 25 marks from the Personality Test (Interview). Language papers (Kannada and English, 150 marks each) are qualifying with a 35% minimum passing requirement.

Q5: What is the negative marking in KPSC KAS Prelims?

Each question carries 2 marks. An incorrect answer attracts a deduction of 0.25 mark (12.5% of the question marks).

Q6: What are the qualifying marks for Kannada and English papers in Mains?

Candidates must score a minimum of 35% marks (52.5 out of 150 marks) in both Compulsory Kannada and Compulsory English. These papers are qualifying; their marks are not added to the final merit ranking, but failure to secure 35% disqualifies the candidate.

Q7: What is the maximum age limit for KPSC KAS?

The upper age limit is 38 years for General Merit (GM), 41 years for Category 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B (OBC), and 43 years for SC, ST, and Category-1 candidates.

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13. Official Verification Links

Resource	Official Destination
KPSC Official Portal	kpsc.kar.nic.in
Online Application & Hall Ticket Portal	kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in
Karnataka High Court Case Status	karnatakahiighcourt.kar.nic.in
Official Syllabus Notification	kpsc.kar.nic.in/syllabus

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Last Verified: October 1, 2026 | Sourced directly from official notifications of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) and Karnataka Gazetted Probationers Rules.