The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) has officially opened the application window for one of the most sought-after government job opportunities in the state for 2026. This comprehensive recruitment drive targets qualified finance and commerce professionals for the prestigious positions of Assistant Controller (Group A) and Audit Officer (Group B) within the Karnataka State Audit and Accounts Department . This guide provides you with all the critical details—from application timelines and eligibility criteria to the exam pattern and salary structure—ensuring you have everything you need to apply confidently.

Overview and Key Highlights

KPSC is inviting online applications for a total of 83 vacancies (though the official notification may list 68 posts, with 15 Assistant Controller and 53 Audit Officer positions). The application process begins on August 28, 2026, and closes on September 26, 2026 . This recruitment represents a direct pathway into Group A and Group B gazetted services, offering excellent career progression, job security, and a competitive salary package . This is a particularly important opportunity for candidates with a background in Commerce, Finance, or Management, as the selection process does not include an interview stage, relying entirely on written examinations .

Important Dates

Candidates must carefully note the following dates to avoid missing any deadlines. The entire application process is online, and no other mode of application will be accepted

Vacancy Details

The recruitment drive aims to fill 83 posts in the Karnataka State Audit & Accounts Department. The distribution between the two posts is as follows. It is important to note that the number of vacancies is tentative and subject to change based on administrative requirements .

Category-wise Breakdown (For Assistant Controller) :
The 15 Assistant Controller vacancies are distributed as:

• Scheduled Caste (SC): 2

• Category-1: 1

• Category-2A: 3

• General Merit: 8 (including sub-reservations for women, rural candidates, ex-military, and persons with disabilities) .

Category-wise Breakdown (For Audit Officer) :
The 53 Audit Officer vacancies are distributed as:

• Scheduled Caste (SC): 7

• Scheduled Tribe (ST): 2

• Category-1: 3

• Category-2A: 8

• Category-2B: 2

• Category-3A: 2

• Category-3B: 3

• General Merit: 26 .

Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria regarding educational qualification, age limit, and nationality.

Educational Qualification

The required educational qualification is identical for both posts. Candidates can qualify through any one of the following routes :

1. Academic Route:

   • Master’s degree in Commerce (M.Com).

   • M.B.A. with Finance, M.B.A. in Financial Management, or M.B.A./M.Com in Financial Analysis.

   • Any other Master’s degree recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) with Finance as one of the subjects.

2. Professional Route:

   • Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).

   • Associate Member of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI).

Important Note for Final Year Students:
Candidates awaiting their final examination results are also eligible to sit for the Preliminary Examination. However, they must provide proof of having passed the qualifying examination when applying for the Main Examination. Failure to do so will result in disqualification from the Main Examination stage .

Age Limit

The age limits, which are calculated as on the last date of application submission, are as follows. These include a special one-time relaxation of five years granted by the State Government for this recruitment cycle .

Additional Age Relaxation:
Further relaxation is applicable for specific groups on top of the maximum age limits mentioned above :

• Ex-servicemen: Years of service rendered, plus an additional 3 years.

• Physically Handicapped (PH) candidates: 10 years.

• Widows: 10 years.

Nationality

Candidates must be citizens of India .

Application Fee

The application fee must be paid online through the official portal using net banking, debit/credit cards, or UPI. The fee is non-refundable and cannot be adjusted for any other future examinations 

Salary and Pay Scale

The selected candidates will receive a competitive salary as per the Karnataka State Pay Scales. The figures shown represent the basic pay band before the addition of dearness allowance (DA), house rent allowance (HRA), and other state-specific allowances .

• Assistant Controller (Group A): Rs. 83,700 – 1,55,200 per month 

• Audit Officer (Group B): Rs. 69,250 – 1,34,200 per month 

This places the Assistant Controller post in a higher pay matrix, reflecting its Group A status and greater responsibilities.

Selection Process

One of the most attractive features of this recruitment is that the selection process is purely merit-based and does not include a personality test or interview stage . The selection will occur in two stages:

1. Preliminary Examination: This is an objective type (multiple-choice) screening test.

2. Main Examination: This is a descriptive type written examination.

Final selection will be made solely based on the marks obtained in the Main Examination. The Preliminary marks are used only for shortlisting candidates for the Main Examination, and they do not count towards the final merit ranking .

Exam Pattern

Understanding the exam pattern is key to preparing effectively. Both the Preliminary and Main Examinations are conducted in Kannada and English.

Preliminary Examination Pattern

This is a screening test consisting of two papers, both set at a degree standard. Candidates are admitted to the Main Examination in a 1:20 ratio of the notified vacancies based on their performance in the Preliminary stage .

Main Examination Pattern

This is the decisive stage, consisting of eight descriptive papers. Candidates who perform well here will feature in the final merit list.

How to Apply Online

The application process is entirely online and can be completed by following these steps :

1. Visit the Official Website: Go to the official KPSC website at kpsc.kar.nic.in or the application portal kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in.

2. One-Time Registration (OTR): If you are a new user, click on the “New Registration” link for One-Time Registration. Complete the OTR process by providing the required details. This will generate your login credentials.

3. Login and Apply: Log in using your Enrollment Number, Mobile Number, or email ID, and the OTP provided.

4. Fill the Application Form: Go to the “Apply to Post” tab and select the notification for “Assistant Controller & Audit Officer Recruitment 2026”. Fill in all personal, educational, and contact details accurately.

5. Upload Documents: Upload the scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and any other required certificates in the prescribed format and size.

6. Review and Pay Fee: Carefully review all the information you have entered before final submission. Then, pay the applicable application fee online.

7. Submit and Print: After successful payment, submit the application. Ensure you see the confirmation message. It is highly recommended to download and take a printout of the final submitted application form and payment receipt for future reference.

Important Links

• Official Website: https://kpsc.kar.nic.in 

• Online Application Portal: https://kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the total number of vacancies for KPSC Assistant Controller and Audit Officer Recruitment 2026?
The total number of vacancies is 83, with 15 for Assistant Controller and 68 for Audit Officer . Some official sources might list a total of 68 vacancies for the Audit & Accounts Department .

Q2. What is the last date to apply for KPSC Recruitment 2026?
The last date to apply online is September 26, 2026 .

Q3. Is there an interview for the KPSC Assistant Controller and Audit Officer posts?
No, there is no interview stage in the selection process. Final selection is based solely on the marks obtained in the written Main Examination .

Q4. Can a final year student apply for these posts?
Yes, candidates awaiting their final year results can apply for the Preliminary Examination. However, they must submit proof of passing the qualifying exam when applying for the Main Examination .

Q5. What is the age limit for General Category candidates?
The maximum age limit for General Merit candidates is 40 years, with a minimum age of 21 years .

Q6. What is the salary for the Audit Officer post?
The pay scale for the Audit Officer post is Rs. 69,250 to Rs. 1,34,200 per month .

Q7. Is a CA/CMA eligible to apply?
Yes, members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and associate members of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI) are eligible to apply, even without a Master’s degree .

Q8. What is the application fee for SC/ST candidates?
SC, ST, Category-1, and Physically Handicapped candidates are exempted from paying the application fee .

Q9. When is the Preliminary Examination scheduled?
The Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for December 6, 2026 .

Q10. What are the compulsory papers in the Preliminary Examination?
Both Paper-1 (General Studies) and Paper-2 (Commerce and Management) are compulsory in the Preliminary Examination .

Q11. How can I get the official notification for this recruitment?
The official notification PDF is available on the official KPSC website, kpsc.kar.nic.in .