KAS Exam 2026 Schedule Announced

The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) has officially announced the schedule for the Karnataka Administrative Services (KAS) Preliminary Examination 2026. Aspirants preparing for the prestigious state-level recruitment drive can now mark their calendars for November 15, 2026, when the preliminary screening will take place across designated centers.

The upcoming recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 319 vacancies across various state government departments. The bifurcation includes 117 positions designated for Group 'A' posts and 202 vacancies for Group 'B' positions.

On the day of the preliminary examination, proceedings will be divided into two distinct sessions to accommodate Paper I and Paper II. Paper I is scheduled to run from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by Paper II from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Examination Structure and Selection Process

The comprehensive KAS selection process comprises three rigorous tiers: the Preliminary Examination, the Main Examination, and a final Interview round.

Preliminary Examination Pattern

Both Paper I and Paper II in the preliminary stage will consist of multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Each paper will feature 100 questions carrying two marks each, culminating in a total of 200 marks per paper. Candidates will be provided with a duration of two hours to complete each paper, and question booklets will be made available in both Kannada and English.

Main Examination Pattern

Candidates who successfully clear the preliminary cut-off will advance to the Main Examination. This descriptive-type round comprises two qualifying papers and five merit-based papers. Appearance in all five merit papers is mandatory for contenders seeking a spot on the final shortlist.

Interview Round

The final tier of the recruitment process is the personality test, or interview round, reserved exclusively for candidates who successfully clear the Main Examination. The interview carries 25 marks, which will be clubbed with the aggregate scores obtained in the Main examination to determine the final merit list and subsequent selections.

Attempt Limits and Guidelines

Candidates appearing for the KAS examination must take note of the prescribed attempt limits as per state guidelines:

- General Category: 5 attempts - OBC Category: 7 attempts - SC/ST Category: Unlimited attempts up to the prescribed upper age limit

Admit cards for the registered candidates are expected to be issued by the commission in the coming weeks. Aspirants are advised to regularly check official state portal updates for further announcements regarding test center allotments and exam day guidelines.

Reported by Gaurav Sen for Daily News 365.