KPSC Audit Officer Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 15 Group B Posts
Organization: Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), "Udyoga Soudha", Bengaluru
Post Name: Audit Officer, Group 'B' (Hyderabad-Karnataka Cadre)
Total Vacancies: 15 (13 Regular + 2 Backlog)
Pay Scale: Rs. 69,250 – Rs. 1,34,200 per month
Qualification: M.Com / MBA (Finance) / CA / ICWA or equivalent
Age Limit: 21 – 40/43/45 years (category-wise, with one-time relaxation)
Application Fee: Rs. 600 (General) / Rs. 300 (Cat 2A-3B) / Rs. 50 (Ex-SM) / Nil (SC/ST/Cat-1/PH)
Last Date: 26 September 2026
Apply Mode: Online at kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in
KPSC Audit Officer Recruitment 2026 – 15 Group 'B' Posts, Hyderabad-Karnataka Cadre
The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) has released Notification No. KPSCKA/EXA2/PRSL/11/2026-EXAM2/252 dated 27 August 2026 for 15 Audit Officer posts under the Karnataka State Accounts Inspection and Accounts Department. These are Group 'B' posts under the Hyderabad-Karnataka cadre, reserved exclusively for local candidates of the Hyderabad-Karnataka (Kalyana Karnataka) region under Article 371(J) of the Constitution.
The recruitment is being conducted through a two-stage competitive examination — a Preliminary Examination (objective type, 450 marks) for shortlisting, followed by a Main Examination (descriptive, 2100 marks) for final merit. The Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for 29 November 2026. Candidates with M.Com, MBA (Finance/Financial Management), CA, or ICWA qualifications can apply online at kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in from 28 August to 26 September 2026.
A one-time 5-year upper age relaxation has been sanctioned by the Government of Karnataka for this notification, raising the maximum age to 40 years for General category, and 43 years for reserved categories. The pay scale is Rs. 69,250 – Rs. 1,34,200 per month. Candidates must possess a local-candidate eligibility certificate for the Hyderabad-Karnataka region as per the prescribed Annexure format.
Key Details at a Glance
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) |
| Notification No. | KPSCKA/EXA2/PRSL/11/2026-EXAM2/252 |
| Post Name | Audit Officer, Group 'B' (Hyderabad-Karnataka Cadre) |
| Total Vacancies | 15 (13 Regular + 2 Backlog) |
| Pay Scale | Rs. 69,250 – Rs. 1,34,200 per month |
| Qualification | M.Com / MBA (Finance) / CA / ICWA or equivalent |
| Age Limit | 21 – 40/43/45 years (with one-time relaxation) |
| Application Mode | Online at kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in |
| Last Date | 26 September 2026 |
| Prelim Exam (Tentative) | 29 November 2026 |
| Official Website | kpsc.kar.nic.in |
Who Should Apply for KPSC Audit Officer Recruitment 2026?
This recruitment is ideal for Commerce and Finance postgraduates from the Hyderabad-Karnataka (Kalyana Karnataka) region who are looking for Group 'B' government audit positions in Karnataka. The post carries a competitive pay scale of Rs. 69,250 – Rs. 1,34,200 with usual allowances. The Hyderabad-Karnataka cadre restriction means only candidates holding a valid local-candidate eligibility certificate under Article 371(J) can apply.
Ideal Candidates Include:
- M.Com holders from any recognized university in India
- MBA graduates with Finance, Financial Management, or Financial Analysis specialization
- Members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
- Associate members of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI)
- Candidates with any other UGC-notified Master's degree with Finance as a subject
Why Apply?
- 15 Group 'B' Audit Officer posts in Karnataka government
- Competitive pay scale of Rs. 69,250 – Rs. 1,34,200 per month
- One-time 5-year age relaxation for this notification
- Prestigious audit and accounts department role
- Guaranteed Karnataka government service benefits
KPSC Audit Officer Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates
Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 27 August 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 26 September 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination (Tentative) | 29 November 2026 |
KPSC Audit Officer Recruitment 2026 – Vacancy Details
15 Audit Officer posts have been notified — 13 regular and 2 backlog. These are Group 'B' posts under the Karnataka State Accounts Inspection and Accounts Department, Hyderabad-Karnataka cadre. Reservation is applied as per Karnataka government rules.
Regular Posts – 13 Vacancies
| Category | Others | Women | Rural | PH | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 1 | 1 | – | – | 2 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| Category-1 | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| Category-2A | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| Category-2B | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| Category-3B | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| General Merit (GM) | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| Total | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 13 |
Backlog Posts – 2 Vacancies
| Category | PH Type | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | Hearing impairment/Locomotor disability | 1 |
| Category-2A | Hearing impairment/Locomotor disability | 1 |
| Total | 2 |
Note: These posts are exclusively for Hyderabad-Karnataka (Kalyana Karnataka) region candidates under Article 371(J). A local-candidate eligibility certificate is mandatory.
KPSC Audit Officer Recruitment 2026 – Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Essential Qualification | Master's degree in Commerce (M.Com) OR MBA (Finance) OR MBA (Financial Management) OR MBA/M.Com (Financial Analysis) OR any other UGC-notified Master's degree with 'Finance' as one of the subjects; OR member of ICAI; OR Associate member of ICMAI |
| Cadre Eligibility | Must qualify as a local candidate of Hyderabad-Karnataka region under Article 371(J), supported by the prescribed eligibility certificate |
| Citizenship | Must be an Indian citizen |
Note: Candidates who have appeared for qualifying examinations but whose results have not been declared are eligible for the Preliminary Examination. However, all candidates declared qualified for the Main Examination must produce proof of passing the requisite qualifying examination along with their Main Examination application.
Age Limit (as applicable to this notification)
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 years |
| General Category | Not exceeding 40 years |
| Category 2A/2B/3A/3B | Not exceeding 43 years |
| SC/ST/Category-1 | Not exceeding 43 years |
Note: A one-time 5-year upper age relaxation has been sanctioned by Government of Karnataka Order No. 262 dated 29-01-2026 for this notification. Additional relaxation applies for Ex-servicemen (military service years + 3 years, max 3 years credited), PH candidates (10 years), and Widows (10 years with certificate).
KPSC Audit Officer Recruitment 2026 – Application Fee
Fee Structure
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General Category | Rs. 600 |
| Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B | Rs. 300 |
| Ex-Servicemen | Rs. 50 |
| SC, ST, Category-1 & PH | Fee Exempted |
Fee can be paid via net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI. Once paid, the fee is not refundable nor adjustable toward any other examination. Applications without fee payment will be rejected. Demand Drafts, Postal Orders, and Money Orders are not accepted.
KPSC Audit Officer Recruitment 2026 – Exam Pattern & Selection Process
Selection follows a two-stage competitive examination process: a Preliminary Examination (objective type) for shortlisting, followed by a Main Examination (descriptive) for final merit.
Preliminary Examination (Objective)
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Studies | 150 | 2 hours |
| Paper 2 | Commerce & Management | 300 | 2 hours |
| Total | 450 |
- Prelim marks used only for shortlisting — not added to final merit
- Candidates shortlisted for Main in 1:20 ratio against vacancies
- Papers set in both Kannada and English
Main Examination (Descriptive)
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kannada | 150 |
| 2 | English | 150 |
| 3 | General Studies | 300 |
| 4 | General Studies | 300 |
| 5 | Financial Accounting, Management & Analysis | 300 |
| 6 | Principles of Management, OB, Training & Development | 300 |
| 7 | Corporate Finance, Business Economics & Taxation | 300 |
| 8 | Auditing, Computer Concepts & E-commerce | 300 |
| Total | 2100 |
Key Points
- Papers 1 & 2 (Kannada & English) at SSLC/equivalent standard
- Papers 3–8 at degree level
- Candidates must answer entirely in Kannada or entirely in English (except language papers)
- Minimum qualifying marks: 30% and 35% (category-dependent) in Prelim papers
Final Merit
- Based on Main Examination marks only
- Preliminary Exam is qualifying in nature
- Reservation applied as per Karnataka government rules
- Tie-breaking: as per KPSC rules
KPSC Audit Officer Recruitment 2026 – How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online only through the KPSC Udyoga Software portal. Candidates must first complete One-Time Registration (OTR) if applying for the first time.
One-Time Registration (OTR) – First-time Applicants
- Step 1: Visit kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in and click "New Registration"
- Step 2: Ensure you have a valid personal e-mail ID and mobile number
- Step 3: Complete candidate profile under "Applicant Details Registration"
- Step 4: Fill required details step by step — OTR is one-time and reused for all future KPSC notifications
Apply for This Post
- Step 1: Login and go to "Apply to Post" tab
- Step 2: Click "Apply Post" against this notification — system checks eligibility automatically
- Step 3: Read notification fully, verify eligibility, and proceed
- Step 4: Upload passport-size photograph (under 200 KB) and signature (under 70 KB) in JPEG/JPG format
- Step 5: Pay applicable fee via net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI
- Step 6: On successful submission, download application from "Applied Post" section
Documents Required
- Category/reservation certificate in prescribed Annexure format (SC/ST/Cat-1: Annexure-D; Cat-2A: Annexure-E; Cat 2B/3A/3B: Annexure-F)
- Rural candidate certificate (Annexure-1 or Annexure-2) where reservation claimed
- Kannada Medium of Instruction certificate where reservation claimed
- Hyderabad-Karnataka (Article 371-J) local-candidate eligibility certificate
- PH reservation certificate where applicable
- Ex-Servicemen certificate where applicable
- Photo ID proof (Voter ID/Aadhaar/Driving Licence/Passport/Govt service ID) — original required at exam centre
KPSC Audit Officer Recruitment 2026 – Important Instructions
Eligibility Conditions
- Restricted to Hyderabad-Karnataka region candidates under Article 371(J)
- Must possess mental and physical fitness for efficient discharge of duties
- Married man with living spouse who has married again — not eligible without Govt exemption
- Persons dismissed from Central/Karnataka/State service — not eligible
- Persons debarred by any PSC — not eligible
Examination Rules
- Question papers set only in Kannada and English
- Examination centre decided by the Commission
- Commission does not correspond with candidates on any matter
- Impersonation, forged documents, or unfair means — candidature rejected + legal action
- Address changes must be communicated in writing
KPSC Audit Officer Recruitment 2026 – Important Links
Official Recruitment Links
- Official Notification PDF - Download PDF
- Apply Online - kpsconline.karnataka.gov.in
- Official Website - kpsc.kar.nic.in
Join Our Job Community
- Telegram Channel - Join Channel
- WhatsApp Channel - Join Channel
- Facebook Page - Follow Page
- Twitter / X - Follow Updates
KPSC Audit Officer Recruitment 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions
KPSC has notified 15 Group 'B' Audit Officer posts (13 regular + 2 backlog) exclusively for the Hyderabad-Karnataka cadre under the Karnataka State Accounts Inspection and Accounts Department.
Only candidates who qualify as local candidates of the Hyderabad-Karnataka (Kalyana Karnataka) region under Article 371(J), and who hold M.Com, MBA (Finance), CA, or ICWA qualification, can apply.
Online applications close on 26 September 2026. Online registration started on 28 August 2026.
The age limit is 21–40 years for General category, 21–43 years for reserved categories (with one-time 5-year relaxation for this notification). Additional relaxation for Ex-servicemen, PH, and Widows as per rules.
Two-stage process: Preliminary Examination (objective, 450 marks) for shortlisting in 1:20 ratio, followed by Main Examination (descriptive, 2100 marks) for final merit.
Rs. 69,250 – Rs. 1,34,200 per month for Audit Officer, Group 'B'.
Rs. 600 for General category, Rs. 300 for Category 2A/2B/3A/3B, Rs. 50 for Ex-Servicemen. SC/ST/Category-1/PH candidates are exempted from fee.
The Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature — marks are not added to final merit. Only Main Examination marks determine the final selection.
- CSC Aadhaar Supervisor Recruitment 2026 – 19 Posts September 8, 2026
- CEL Deputy Engineer Recruitment 2026 – 8 Posts September 8, 2026
- BPSSC Company Commander Recruitment 2026 – 65 Gulma Samadesta Posts September 8, 2026
- UPGB Financial Literacy Counselor Recruitment 2026 – 20 Posts Offline Form September 8, 2026
- AAI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – 9 Graduate & Diploma Apprentice Posts September 8, 2026
- CSC Aadhaar Supervisor Recruitment 2026 – 19 Posts September 8, 2026
- CEL Deputy Engineer Recruitment 2026 – 8 Posts September 8, 2026
- BPSSC Company Commander Recruitment 2026 – 65 Gulma Samadesta Posts September 8, 2026
- UPGB Financial Literacy Counselor Recruitment 2026 – 20 Posts Offline Form September 8, 2026
- AAI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – 9 Graduate & Diploma Apprentice Posts September 8, 2026
