Karnataka KSLSA Section Officer Recruitment 2026 notification has been officially released for direct recruitment to 20 posts across two vacancy classifications. The notification (KSLSA/O3/ADM/SO/2026, dated 20.07.2026) covers 18 positions in the Residual Parent Cadre and 2 posts under the Kalyana Karnataka Region. Eligible law graduates must apply online before 19.08.2026 at https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/indexnew and https://karnataka.nalsa.gov.in.
The recruitment is subject to the outcome of pending Writ Petition No. 200448/2025 and related cases before the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka. Candidates with an LL.B degree from a recognised university meeting the age and other eligibility criteria outlined below can proceed with their applications.
KSLSA Section Officer Recruitment 2026 – Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA) |
| Post Name | Section Officer |
| Total Vacancies | 20 posts |
| Notification Number | KSLSA/O3/ADM/SO/2026 |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Job Location | Bengaluru and District Legal Services Authorities across Karnataka |
| Official Website | https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/indexnew |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 20/07/2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 19/08/2026 (till 11:59 P.M.) |
| Age Reckoning Date | 20/07/2026 |
| Competitive Examination Date | As per official notification |
| Interview Date | As per official notification |
Applications and fee payment can be processed round the clock until 11:59 P.M. on 19.08.2026. Candidates are advised to complete their submission well in advance to avoid technical difficulties or last-minute portal delays.
KSLSA Section Officer Vacancy 2026 Breakdown
Residual Parent Cadre – 18 Posts
| Category | Posts |
|---|---|
| General Merit | 9 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 3 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 1 |
| Category-I (MBC) | 1 |
| Category-II(A) | 2 |
| Category-II(B) | 1 |
| Category-III(A) | 1 |
| Category-III(B) | 0 |
Horizontal reservation within these 18 posts includes: Women candidates (4 posts), Rural candidates (3 posts), and Persons with Benchmark Disability (1 post for Blindness and Low Vision under General Merit).
Kalyana Karnataka Region – 2 Posts
| Category | Posts |
|---|---|
| General Merit | 1 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 1 |
These 2 posts are reserved exclusively for candidates eligible under Article 371-J of the Constitution for Kalyana Karnataka (Hyderabad-Karnataka) region cadre reservation.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must hold an LL.B (Bachelor of Laws) degree from a recognised university. As per Notification No. KSLSA/O3/ADM/SO/2026 dated 20.07.2026, all applicants must be Indian citizens meeting the general eligibility conditions listed below.
Educational Qualification
LL.B from a recognised university is mandatory.
Age Limit
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| General Merit | 18 years | 40 years |
| Category-II(A)/II(B)/III(A)/III(B) of OBC | 18 years | 43 years |
| SC/ST/Category-I of OBC | 18 years | 45 years |
Age is calculated as on 20.07.2026. Additional age relaxation is available under the Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977, and a one-time 5-year age relaxation has been notified vide Government Order No. DPAR 262 SRR 2025 dated 29.01.2026.
Additional General Eligibility Conditions
Candidates must be mentally and physically fit. A male candidate with more than one living wife, or a female candidate married to a person who already has another wife, is not eligible without prior government approval. Persons permanently debarred from any examination by the Central/State Public Service Commission, Karnataka Examinations Authority, or any university are ineligible. Any pending criminal case or conviction for an offence involving moral turpitude renders the candidate ineligible.
Who Should Consider This Recruitment?
- Law graduates with strong knowledge of Indian legal frameworks: The examination specifically covers the Constitution of India, Code of Civil Procedure 1908, and recent Bharatiya legislation; candidates with foundational law studies and current affairs knowledge should apply.
- Candidates aged 18 to 40 (General Merit): Reserved category candidates receive age relaxation up to 45 years. The one-time 5-year additional relaxation announced for this recruitment further extends eligibility.
- Karnataka residents seeking state-level legal services roles: Posts are located in KSLSA’s head office and District Legal Services Authorities across Karnataka, ideal for candidates seeking placement within the state.
- Candidates with no criminal record or disciplinary action: This recruitment demands ethical clearance and background verification; candidates without pending cases or debarment history are preferred.
- Both employed and unemployed law graduates: In-service candidates are permitted but must provide a No Objection Certificate after selection and before appointment.
Pay Scale and Benefits
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Scale | ₹69,250 – ₹1,34,200 |
| Pay Grade | As per Karnataka Civil Services norms |
| Probation Period | 2 years (extendable) |
Section Officer positions are Group-B equivalent roles under Karnataka Civil Services. The pay scale structure includes annual increments up to ₹1,34,200. During the 2-year probation period, candidates remain subject to satisfactory performance evaluation; extension or completion of probation depends on conduct and capability assessment.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General Merit / Category-II(A)/II(B)/III(A)/III(B) of OBC | ₹1,000 |
| SC / ST / Category-I of OBC / Persons with Benchmark Disability | ₹500 |
Fee payment is non-refundable under all circumstances except when an application is rejected due to the candidate being age-barred; in that case alone, the fee will be refunded. Payment is accepted through UPI, Net Banking, or Debit Card via the online application portal. Candidates who previously applied under an earlier notification need not submit a fresh application if they meet the prescribed qualifications.
Selection Process
Selection comprises a Competitive Examination followed by an Interview.
Competitive Examination
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Duration | Max Marks | Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Knowledge: Current Affairs, General Science, History & Geography of Karnataka, Social Science, General Intellectual Ability, Public Administration & Rural Development, Environmental Science, Logical Thinking | 100 | 2 Hours | 300 | 105 |
| Paper-II | Legal Services Authorities Act 1987; KSLSA Rules 1996 & Regulations 1997; Karnataka Civil Services Rules; Constitution of India; CPC 1908; Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Sanhita 2023; Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023; Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023; General Knowledge in Kannada Language | 100 | 2 Hours | 300 | 105 |
The examination is conducted offline in OMR format at the Bengaluru centre only. Each question carries 3 marks with a negative marking of 0.75 marks for each incorrect answer. Unanswered questions must have the fifth option circle shaded; failure to do so results in 0.75 mark deduction. An additional 5 minutes is provided after the final bell to shade the fifth option and avoid inadvertent negative marking. Candidates who did not study Kannada as a first or second language up to SSLC must clear the Kannada Language Departmental Examination conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission before probation completion.
Interview
| Particulars | Maximum Marks | Minimum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Interview (Viva-Voce) | 25 | 13 |
Candidates qualifying the Competitive Examination are called for interview in the ratio of 1:5 within each reserved category. Final merit-based selection is determined by combined marks from the Competitive Examination and Interview.
How to Apply for Karnataka KSLSA Section Officer Recruitment 2026
- Visit the online application portal at https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/KSLSA_High_Court_2026/Account/login.
- Click the “New Registration” option and create your account using a valid email address and mobile number.
- Log in with your credentials and fill the online application form: personal details, educational qualifications, LL.B degree information, and category/reservation claim (if applicable).
- Upload scanned copies of required documents in PDF or image format: Aadhaar Card, SSLC mark sheet, LL.B degree/marks card, caste certificate (if applicable), and photo ID proof.
- If claiming reserved category status, upload the relevant certificate: Form-D (SC/ST), Form-E (Category-I), Form-F (Category-II/III), or rural reservation forms with Block Education Officer counter-signature.
- Pay the application fee (₹1,000 for General Merit or ₹500 for SC/ST/Category-I/PwD) via UPI, Net Banking, or Debit Card through the secure payment gateway.
- Review all entered information and uploaded documents for accuracy, then submit the application.
- Download and save your application confirmation receipt; keep a copy for reference during examination and interview stages.
After submission, you will receive a confirmation email. Log back into the portal anytime before 19.08.2026 to verify your application status or download the admission card once it is issued by the Karnataka Examinations Authority.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying
- Uploading LL.B degree certificate from an unrecognised university: Only degrees from universities recognised by the notification are eligible; verify your university’s recognition status before submitting.
- Failing to upload caste/reservation certificates by the last date: Original caste certificates obtained after 19.08.2026 will not be considered; ensure all category-specific documents are uploaded within the application window.
- Incorrect category selection during form fill: Selecting the wrong caste category, OBC status, or reservation claim cannot be corrected after submission; triple-check the category field and supporting certificate before finalising.
- Missing or illegible document scans: Upload high-resolution PDF or image files (minimum 100 DPI, maximum 5 MB per file) to ensure readability during verification; blurred documents may lead to rejection at interview stage.
- Providing incomplete or conflicting information: Discrepancies between the online application and original documents submitted at verification will result in candidature rejection; ensure all details match exactly.
- Attempting payment via unsupported modes: Only UPI, Net Banking, and Debit Card are accepted; cheque, cash, or demand draft payments will not be processed.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- SSLC/10th Standard mark sheet and registration number
- LL.B degree/marks card from a recognised university
- Caste Certificate in prescribed format (Form-D for SC/ST, Form-E for Category-I, Form-F for Category-II/III, if applicable)
- Income and Non-Creamy Layer Certificate where applicable
- Rural Reservation certificate (Form-2 countersigned by Block Education Officer; Form-1 Non-Creamy Layer declaration by Tahsildar for General Merit rural claimants)
- Ex-Servicemen Discharge/Release Certificate from Armed Forces (if applicable)
- Persons with Benchmark Disability certificate issued under Official Memorandum No. DPAR 115 SRR 2005 dated 19.11.2005
- Transgender certificate issued under Section 6 of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 (if applicable)
- Kalyana Karnataka Region (Article 371-J) eligibility certificate issued under the Karnataka Public Employment (Reservation in Appointment for Hyderabad Karnataka Region) Rules, 2013 (if applicable, obtained on or before 19.08.2026)
- Valid photo identity proof (Voter ID, Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Ration Card, Passport, or Driving Licence)
- Two Character Certificates: one from the LL.B institution’s Head, and two from respectable persons (non-relatives) acquainted with the candidate
Original documents must be produced at the time of Interview and Verification. Failure to produce originals will result in cancellation of the claimed reservation, and candidature will be considered only under General Merit if otherwise eligible.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Download Official Notification PDF | Download Notification |
| Apply Online for Section Officer | Apply Now |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the last date to apply for Karnataka KSLSA Section Officer Recruitment 2026?
Ans. The last date to submit your online application is 19.08.2026 until 11:59 P.M. Applications and fee payments are accepted round the clock up to this deadline. We recommend applying at least 2-3 days before the last date to avoid portal congestion or technical issues.
Q2. Do I need to appear for the Competitive Examination to be shortlisted for the interview?
Ans. Yes. The Competitive Examination is a mandatory stage. Only candidates who qualify by securing at least 105 marks in each of the two papers (600 marks total) are eligible for the interview. Final selection is based on combined marks from both the Competitive Examination and Interview.
Q3. Is there any interview coaching or study material provided by KSLSA?
Ans. No. KSLSA does not provide coaching or study material for this recruitment. Candidates are expected to self-prepare based on the syllabus published in the notification. The examination covers General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Indian Constitution, legal codes, and Kannada language knowledge.
Q4. Can I apply if I have a pending criminal case against me?
Ans. No. Candidates with any pending criminal case are not eligible. You must ensure you have a clean criminal record at the time of application submission. If a case is filed against you after submission but before appointment, your candidature will be cancelled upon discovery.
Q5. I studied in English medium and did not learn Kannada at school. Can I still apply?
Ans. Yes, you can apply. However, if selected, you must pass the Kannada Language Departmental Examination conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission before completing your 2-year probation period. This is a mandatory condition for candidates without Kannada language qualification at SSLC or equivalent level.
Q6. What is the selection ratio for the interview round?
Ans. Candidates who qualify the Competitive Examination are called for interview in the ratio of 1:5 within each reserved category. This means if there are 5 vacant posts in a category, approximately 25 candidates from that category will be shortlisted for interview based on their competitive examination scores.
Q7. Will my application fee be refunded if I am rejected?
Ans. Application fee is non-refundable under all circumstances, except in one case: if your application is rejected because you are found to be age-barred (outside the maximum age limit for your category). In that specific situation alone, your fee will be refunded.
Q8. Are there any physical fitness or medical tests as part of the selection process?
Ans. The notification specifies Competitive Examination and Interview as the only selection stages. However, selected candidates must be mentally and physically fit and free from any physical defect likely to interfere with job performance. A medical examination may be conducted as part of the verification process before appointment.
