Karnataka

Karnataka PSI 2026

Karnataka Police Sub-Inspector Examination

Karnataka PSI exam is conducted by Karnataka State Police (KSP) for recruitment of Sub-Inspectors. Selection through written exam, physical test, and interview.

Official Website

Age Limit

21-30 years for General (relaxation: SC/ST/Cat-1 +5, OBC 2A/2B/3A/3B +3)

Fee

₹500

Salary Range

₹40,900 - ₹69,600

Pay Level

Pay Matrix Level 14

Salary Range (Monthly)

₹40,900 - ₹69,600

Key Posts

Police Sub-Inspector (Civil), Police Sub-Inspector (KSRP), Reserve Sub-Inspector (RSI)

State-level recruitment examination for Police Sub Inspector posts in KarnatakaCivil Police — Men & Civil Police — Women & KSRP (Karnataka State Reserve Police) & IRB (India Reserve Battalion)State-level — liable to be posted anywhere within Karnataka

Pay Levels & Salary

Pay Level	Monthly Range
Karnataka Pay Matrix (equivalent to Level-6 central)	₹₹35,400 - ₹₹1,12,400 approximately

Application Fee

₹500

General/OBC

Free

SC/ST/Women

Free

PwBD/ESM

Tie-Breaking Rules

Higher marks in Written Examination
Older candidate placed higher

Start Free Mock Test

Eligibility

Educational Qualification

Bachelor's degree from a recognized university.

Age Limit

21-30 years for General (relaxation: SC/ST/Cat-1 +5, OBC 2A/2B/3A/3B +3)

Age Relaxation by Category

Category	Relaxation
General	No relaxation
SC/ST	+5 years
OBC (NCL)	+3 years
PwD	+10 years
Ex-Servicemen	+5 years

Application Fee

Category	Fee
General / OBC / EWS (Male)	₹500
SC / ST / PwD / Ex-Servicemen	₹250

Exam Pattern

Written Exam

200 Questions180 minsTotal Marks: 200-0.25 per wrong

Section	Questions	Max Marks	Duration
General Knowledge & Current Affairs	50	50	—
English Language	25	25	—
Kannada Language	25	25	—
Arithmetic & Mental Ability	50	50	—
Science & Technology	50	50	—

Syllabus

History of India & Karnataka
Geography of India & Karnataka
Indian Polity & Constitution
Current Affairs
Karnataka Specific GK

Posts & Pay Levels

Vacancies

NaN

Tentative Total

Nationality & Citizenship

✓Citizen of India

Educational Qualification

All Posts (General)

Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University or equivalent

Age Limits & Relaxation

Age Bands

Age Band	DOB Not Earlier Than	DOB Not Later Than
21-30 years

Age Relaxation by Category

Category	Relaxation
SC/ST (Karnataka)	5 years (up to 35 years)
Category-I / IIA / IIB / IIIA / IIIB (Karnataka OBC equivalents)	3 years (up to 33 years)
PwBD	10 years
Ex-Servicemen	As per Karnataka government rules
In-service Karnataka police personnel	As per departmental rules

Ex-Servicemen (ESM) Rules

Sons/Daughters/DependentsNot eligible

Non-Graduate ESM for Group BNot eligible

Category Certificate Rules

How to Apply

Apply viaOnline at ksp.karnataka.gov.in or recruitment portal as notified

Photo Rules

• Recent passport size photograph
• Signature scan

Application Fee

₹500

General

₹undefined

Women

₹250

SC/ST

₹undefined

PwBD

₹undefined

ESM

Payment: Online — Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card

Non-refundable

Correction Window

Opens

Closes

₹

1st Correction

₹

2nd Correction

Max corrections allowed. Latest corrected application treated as valid.

Admission Certificate & Exam Day

Admit CardDownload As notified on recruitment portal before exam

PrintoutRequired

Accepted Photo IDs

Aadhaar Card / printout of E-AadhaarVoter ID CardDriving LicensePAN CardPassportID Card issued by University/College/SchoolEmployer ID Card (Govt./PSU)Any other photo-bearing ID issued by Central/State Government

Written Examination — Objective Test

200 Questions200 Marks120 min

+1 per correct−0.25 per wrongSectional timingObjective, Multiple ChoiceKannada and English

Section	Questions	Marks	Per Q
General Knowledge (Samanya Jnana)	100	100	1
English / Kannada Language	100	100	1
Total	200	200	1

Answer Key Policy

Tentative KeyReleased for candidate review

Fee RefundableNo

Final KeyUsed for result calculation

Normalization & Re-evaluation

NormalizationApplied if multiple shifts. Purpose: If exam is held in multiple shifts

Re-evaluationNot allowed

Minimum Qualifying Marks

Stage	UR	OBC/EWS	SC/ST/Others
written

Shortlisting & Merit Rules

Written To PET

Category-wise shortlisting based on written exam marks

Final Merit Basis

Written examination marks (PET/PST/Medical are qualifying only)

Scribe & Compensatory Time

Extra Time20 minutes per hour of examination for eligible candidates

Own ScribeAllowed

Opt-inMust opt during application form

Auto-eligible for Scribe

✓PwBD blindness
✓PwBD locomotor disability (both arms affected-BA)
✓PwBD cerebral palsy

Scribe Requirements

• Scribe must not be a candidate of the same examination
• Scribe qualification must be one step below the qualification prescribed for the post
• Scribe cannot assist more than one candidate in the same examination
• Candidate must opt for scribe in the application form
• Scribe arrangement at own expense if own scribe opted

Additional Rules

• Even eligible candidates not availing scribe still get compensatory time
• No attendant other than scribe allowed inside examination hall

Document Verification

Conducted ByKarnataka Police at designated centres

Required Documents

Graduation degree and mark sheets
SSLC certificate (10th — for DOB)
PUC certificate (12th)
Karnataka domicile certificate
Caste certificate (Karnataka category system)
Kannada knowledge certificate (if graduation not from Karnataka)
Character certificate
Valid photo ID

Tie-Breaking Rules

1Higher marks in Written Examination
2Older candidate placed higher

Misconduct & Debarment

Post-exam Analysis Methods

Log analysisPhotograph verificationBiometric verificationCCTV review

Offense	Debarment
Using unfair means of any kind — copying, electronic devices, written material on body/paper	Permanent debarment / 3-7 years
Impersonation / procuring impersonation by any person	7 years / permanent
Possession of mobile phone, bluetooth devices, wireless devices, spy cameras, electronic gadgets inside exam hall	3-5 years
Taking away exam material (rough sheets, question paper) from exam hall	1-3 years
Leaving examination venue before completion of due exit procedure	1-2 years
Misbehaving, intimidating or threatening exam functionaries	2-3 years
Obstructing conduct of examination / instigating others not to take examination	3 years
False statements / fabricated documents / suppressing material information	1-5 years
Appearing in exam with forged admit card / identity proof	3-5 years
Possession of firearms/weapons or threatening exam functionaries with force	7 years
Taking snapshots, making videos of question papers or exam material	7 years
Sharing exam terminal through remote desktop / LAN / VAN	7 years
Attempt to hack or manipulate examination servers / data / systems	7-10 years
Candidate acting as scribe in same examination or providing false scribe declaration	3-5 years

⚠ Cases may be referred to police or investigating agencies.

Public Disclosure Policy

Disqualification Rule

Candidates with criminal record or adverse police verification report are disqualified.

Important Warnings

⚠Karnataka PSI has its own reservation system (Cat-I, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, SC, ST) — different from central government categories.

⚠Kannada knowledge is mandatory — prepare for Kannada language section.

⚠Karnataka-specific history (Kadambas to Vijayanagar, Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan, Unification) is heavily tested.

⚠Physical standards and PET are strict — prepare well in advance.

⚠Character and antecedent verification is thorough for police recruitment.

⚠Written exam determines final merit — PET/PST are qualifying only.

2025 Cycle — Complete Timeline

Year2025

⚠ All dates are tentative and subject to change.

Vacancies

Total402

Per-post breakdown not yet published.

Previous Year Cut-Offs

No cut-off data available yet.