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State PSC

KPSC Group A & B Services 2026

Karnataka Public Service Commission

Mode

Offline

Level

Graduate

Vacancies

700+

Fee

₹600 (Gen), ₹300 (OBC), ₹0 (SC/ST)

Key dates

Notification

Dec 2025

Application Last Date

Feb 2026

Prelims Exam

May 2026

Mains Exam

Oct 2026

Viva-Voce

Jan 2027

Eligibility

  • Bachelor's degree from a recognized university
  • Age limit: 21 to 35 years for general category
  • Domicile of Karnataka is mandatory
  • Age relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC
  • Knowledge of Kannada language required

Syllabus

  • History and Culture of Karnataka and India
  • Indian Constitution and Karnataka Governance
  • Economy and Agriculture of Karnataka
  • Science and Technology
  • Current Affairs
  • Kannada Language and Comprehension

Exam Pattern

  • Prelims: Objective type General Studies paper
  • Mains: Five descriptive papers covering General Studies, Kannada, and optional subjects
  • Viva-Voce for mains qualifiers
  • Final merit based on Mains and Viva-Voce marks

Exam overview

KPSC Group A and Group B Services Examination is conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission to recruit officers for Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS), Karnataka Police Service (KPS), Karnataka Finance Service, and other gazetted posts in Karnataka state government. This exam is the most prestigious state-level competitive examination in Karnataka, attracting lakhs of aspirants competing for around 700+ vacancies across multiple departments.

Effective KPSC preparation demands deep knowledge of Karnataka history, geography, polity, Kannada literature, and state government schemes in addition to national-level General Studies. The three-stage exam spans over a year; aspirants should practice descriptive answer writing for Mains, which tests critical thinking across five papers. Kannada language is tested separately and is a qualifying criterion for many posts.

Preparation tip

Start with the syllabus topics listed above, then practice timed mock tests and revise previous year questions weekly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the eligibility for KPSC Group A & B Services 2026?▼
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree from a recognized university and be a domicile of Karnataka. The age limit is 21 to 35 years for general category, with 5 years relaxation for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC. Knowledge of Kannada language is mandatory for most Group A and B posts.
What is the salary for KPSC Group A & B selected candidates?▼
KPSC Group A and Group B officers are placed at Pay Level 9 to 14 as per the 7th Pay Commission. The basic pay ranges from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 per month. Total compensation including allowances and perquisites ranges from Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 1.5 lakh per month depending on the post.
How many attempts are allowed in KPSC Group A & B exam?▼
There is no fixed attempt limit for KPSC Group A & B Services; candidates can apply as long as they are within the eligible age range of 21-35 years (general) or the relaxed age limit for reserved categories. OBC candidates can apply up to age 38 and SC/ST candidates up to age 40.
What is the KPSC Group A & B syllabus 2026?▼
The Prelims covers Karnataka history, Indian polity, geography, economy, science, and current affairs. Mains includes five papers: General Studies I and II, Kannada language, optional subject, and essay. The Viva-Voce tests personality, aptitude, and Karnataka-specific administrative knowledge.
When is the KPSC Group A & B 2026 notification date?▼
The KPSC Group A & B Services 2026 notification was released in December 2025 with applications closing in February 2026. The Prelims exam is scheduled for May 2026 and the Mains for October 2026. Viva-Voce is expected in January 2027.