Karnataka's home department has announced a major recruitment drive under the Karnataka Police Recruitment 2026 cycle, opening applications for over 1,600 positions across multiple cadres and roles within the state police force. The notification was released through the official Karnataka Common Entrance Test (CET) portal, which serves as the single-window platform for conducting competitive examinations and recruitment processes across various state government departments.
The recruitment encompasses a range of positions including constables, sub-inspectors, and other group C and D category posts distributed among the regular Karnataka Police Force, Women Police, and auxiliary units. Candidates are required to apply exclusively through the official website cetonline.karnataka.gov.in, as no offline or postal applications will be accepted for this recruitment cycle.
Eligibility criteria as per standard Karnataka police recruitment norms require candidates to be Indian citizens, with domicile status in Karnataka being mandatory for most entries. The minimum educational qualification typically ranges from a pass in 10th standard for constable-level posts to a bachelor's degree from a recognized university for subordinate police officer positions. Candidates belonging to reserved categories including SC, ST, OBC, and economically weaker sections will be eligible for applicable relaxations in age limit and selection criteria, in accordance with state government reservations policy.
The application process involves candidates registering on the CET portal, filling out the detailed application form with personal and academic information, uploading requisite documents such as photographs, signatures, and certificates, and paying the prescribed application fee. Fee structure generally includes a lower bracket for reserved category candidates and a higher bracket for general category applicants. Late fee concessions may also be available during an extended window, though candidates are advised to submit their applications well before the final deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Following the completion of the application window, shortlisted candidates will be called for subsequent stages of the selection process, which typically includes a physical efficiency test, document verification, written examination, and medical fitness assessment, depending on the specific post applied for. The entire selection procedure aims to ensure that only physically fit and academically qualified candidates are appointed to serve in the state's law enforcement machinery.
Authorities have urged prospective applicants to carefully verify all eligibility parameters before submitting their applications and to keep digital copies of educational certificates, caste certificates, and identity proofs readily available for upload.
