The Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board has released the JKSSB Warder Recruitment 2026 notification for 288 Union Territory Cadre Warder posts in the J&K Prisons Department under the Home Department.
The recruitment is being conducted under Advertisement Notification No. 05 of 2026, dated 6 July 2026. Online applications are scheduled to begin on 27 July 2026, and eligible candidates can submit their forms until 25 August 2026.
Applicants must be domiciles of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and possess a valid domicile certificate on or before the closing date. The notified educational requirement is unusual: the candidate must have passed at least Matriculation, while the maximum accepted qualification is 10+2.
JKSSB Warder Recruitment 2026 overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting authority | Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board |
| Department | Home Department |
| Sub-department | J&K Prisons Department |
| Post | Warder |
| Advertisement number | 05 of 2026 |
| Item number | 92 |
| Cadre | UT Cadre |
| Total vacancies | 288 |
| Application mode | Online |
| Application start | 27 July 2026 |
| Last date | 25 August 2026 |
| Qualification | Minimum Matric, maximum 10+2 |
| Domicile | Jammu and Kashmir domicile compulsory |
| General age limit | 18–40 years |
| Pay level | Level 2 |
| Pay scale | ₹19,900–₹63,200 |
| Selection | Written test, PST, PET, DV and medical examination |
| Job location | Jammu and Kashmir |
The number of vacancies may be increased or reduced before completion of the selection process according to departmental requirements.
Latest application update
The notified recruitment cycle currently stands at:
Notification Released → Application Opens Soon → Written Examination Awaited
Applications are scheduled to open on 27 July 2026. However, JKSSB has separately announced that its website and web application will remain temporarily unavailable from 27 to 29 July 2026 because of migration to the MeghRaj 2.0 platform. Candidates should therefore check the official portal for any operational or revised application instructions before attempting registration.
No separate extension or revised Warder application schedule had been identified in the official notices available at the time of writing.
Important dates
| Recruitment event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification issued | 6 July 2026 |
| Scheduled application start | 27 July 2026 |
| JKSSB website downtime | 27–29 July 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 25 August 2026 |
| Fee-payment deadline | 25 August 2026 |
| Written examination | To be announced |
| Admit card | Around one week before the examination |
| Physical Standard Test | To be announced |
| Physical Endurance Test | To be announced |
| Document verification | To be announced |
| Medical examination | To be announced |
| Final selection | To be announced |
JKSSB will publish the examination date, centres and admit-card instructions separately through its official website. Admit cards will not be delivered by post.
JKSSB Warder vacancy details
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Open Merit | 115 |
| Scheduled Caste | 23 |
| Scheduled Tribe-1 | 29 |
| Scheduled Tribe-2 | 29 |
| Other Backward Classes | 24 |
| ALC/IB | 11 |
| Residents of Backward Areas | 29 |
| Economically Weaker Section | 28 |
| Total | 288 |
The vacancies are UT Cadre posts. Selection does not guarantee posting in a particular district, prison or region.
Educational qualification
Candidates must satisfy both parts of the official qualification requirement:
- Minimum qualification: Matriculation from a recognised Board of School Education or institution.
- Maximum qualification: 10+2 from a recognised Board or institution.
The qualification must be acquired on or before 25 August 2026. Candidates with a qualification different from the one prescribed may be declared ineligible during document scrutiny.
Important warning for graduates and diploma holders
The official advertisement does not simply say “10th pass or above.” It specifically prescribes minimum Matric and maximum 10+2.
Candidates who hold a diploma, graduation degree or another qualification above 10+2 should obtain official clarification from JKSSB before applying. They should not rely solely on abbreviated job-portal descriptions.
Jammu and Kashmir domicile requirement
Only candidates who are domiciles of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir can apply.
The domicile certificate must:
- Be issued by the competent authority;
- Follow the prescribed format;
- Be legally valid; and
- Have been obtained on or before 25 August 2026.
The original certificate will be required during document verification.
Age limit
Age will be calculated as on 1 January 2026.
| Category | Maximum age | Candidate must not have been born before | Must not have been born after |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Merit | 40 years | 1 January 1986 | 1 January 2008 |
| Scheduled Caste | 43 years | 1 January 1983 | 1 January 2008 |
| Scheduled Tribe-1 | 43 years | 1 January 1983 | 1 January 2008 |
| Scheduled Tribe-2 | 43 years | 1 January 1983 | 1 January 2008 |
| RBA | 43 years | 1 January 1983 | 1 January 2008 |
| ALC/IB | 43 years | 1 January 1983 | 1 January 2008 |
| EWS | 43 years | 1 January 1983 | 1 January 2008 |
| OBC | 43 years | 1 January 1983 | 1 January 2008 |
The date restrictions indicate a general minimum age of 18 years on the prescribed calculation date.
Ex-servicemen age relaxation
An ex-serviceman may deduct the period of eligible Armed Forces service from their actual age. The candidate will satisfy the age condition when the resulting age does not exceed the normal maximum age for the post by more than three years.
Ex-servicemen must also have been born on or before the applicable minimum-age cut-off and fulfil the prescribed physical and medical requirements.
Application fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Open Merit | ₹700 |
| OBC | ₹700 |
| RBA | ₹700 |
| ALC/IB | ₹700 |
| Scheduled Caste | ₹600 |
| Scheduled Tribe-1 | ₹600 |
| Scheduled Tribe-2 | ₹600 |
| Economically Weaker Section | ₹600 |
The reduced ₹600 fee applies only to the categories specifically named in the notification: SC, ST-1, ST-2 and EWS. It does not automatically apply to every reserved category.
Payment can be made online using:
- Net banking
- Debit card
- Credit card
An application submitted without the prescribed fee will be rejected. The fee is non-refundable and cannot be adjusted against another examination.
Persons with benchmark disabilities
The official notification states that Persons with Benchmark Disabilities are not eligible for the Warder posts.
Applicants should not use summaries that display a reduced PwBD application fee for this recruitment, because the underlying notification expressly excludes PwBD candidates from eligibility for these posts.
JKSSB Warder salary
The Warder post carries:
Pay Matrix Level 2 — ₹19,900 to ₹63,200
Selected candidates may also receive Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and other admissible benefits under the applicable Jammu and Kashmir government service rules.
Selection process
The recruitment process includes:
- Written examination
- Physical Standard Test
- Physical Endurance Test
- Document verification
- Medical examination
- Final selection and appointment
The written examination will be used for preparing merit. The Physical Standard Test and Physical Endurance Test are qualifying stages and do not carry marks.
Written examination
The written examination will contain objective multiple-choice questions.
| Examination feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Question type | Objective MCQs |
| Language | English only |
| Negative marking | One-fourth of the marks assigned to the question |
| Syllabus | To be notified separately |
| Examination date | To be announced |
JKSSB has not included a detailed subject-wise syllabus in Advertisement No. 05 of 2026. The Board will issue the syllabus separately. Candidates should avoid treating unofficial expected-syllabus lists as the confirmed examination scheme.
Shortlisting for the physical test
Candidates will be shortlisted for the Physical Standard Test on the basis of their written-examination merit.
The Board will call candidates numbering approximately six times the vacancies in each category for the PST.
For 288 vacancies, the overall number could be around 1,728 candidates, although actual category-wise shortlisting and tie cases may affect the final figure.
Physical Standard Test
Male candidates
| Physical standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum height | 5 feet 6 inches |
| Chest | 32–33.5 inches |
| Fitness | Must be physically fit |
Female candidates
| Physical standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum height | 5 feet 2 inches |
| Fitness | Must be physically fit |
Candidates who fail to meet the prescribed physical measurements will not proceed to the Physical Endurance Test. The PST is qualifying and carries no marks.
Physical Endurance Test
| Candidate | Event | Required standard |
|---|---|---|
| Male | Race | 1,600 metres in 6 minutes 30 seconds |
| Male | Push-ups | 20 complete repetitions |
| Female | Race | 1,000 metres in 6 minutes 30 seconds |
| Female | Shot put | 4 kg shot for 14.5 feet within three attempts |
Candidates must qualify in the applicable events. No marks will be added to the written score for passing the PET.
Relaxed PET standards for ex-servicemen
Male ex-servicemen
| Age | 1,600-metre race | Push-ups |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 30 years | 6 minutes 30 seconds | 20 |
| Above 30 and up to 40 years | 7 minutes 30 seconds | 16 |
| Above 40 years | 8 minutes 30 seconds | 12 |
Female ex-servicemen
| Age | 1,000-metre race | 4 kg shot put |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 30 years | 6 minutes 30 seconds | 14.5 feet |
| Above 30 and up to 40 years | 7 minutes 30 seconds | 12.5 feet |
| Above 40 years | 8 minutes 30 seconds | 10.5 feet |
The age used for these relaxed physical standards will be the ex-serviceman’s actual age as on 1 January 2026. Ex-servicemen must still qualify the written test, PST and medical standards.
Medical examination
Candidates selected against the available vacancies will undergo a medical examination to determine their physical and medical fitness for the Warder post.
Qualification in the written examination, PST and PET does not guarantee appointment when the candidate is subsequently found medically unfit.
How to apply online
- Open the official JKSSB recruitment portal.
- Read Advertisement Notification No. 05 of 2026.
- Complete new-user registration or log in to the existing account.
- Select Item No. 92 for the Warder post.
- Enter personal, educational and domicile information.
- Enter the appropriate reservation-category details.
- Upload the live photograph and signature.
- Upload educational and category certificates.
- Review every entry carefully.
- Pay ₹700 or ₹600, as applicable.
- Submit the form before 25 August 2026.
- Download and preserve the submitted application.
JKSSB states that requests to modify information after final submission will not be accepted. Candidates should therefore verify their name, date of birth, parents’ names, category and qualifications before generating the application number.
Use Regal Career Tools Before Applying Online
Before starting the online application, candidates should keep their photograph, signature, identity details, educational certificates and other required documents ready in the prescribed format. Regal Career provides free online application tools that can help candidates prepare these files quickly and reduce the risk of upload errors while completing the recruitment form.
Candidates can use the Photo and Signature Resizer to adjust their photograph and signature according to the required dimensions and file size. The Image Compressor can reduce oversized JPG, PNG or WebP files without making them difficult to read, while the Signature Cropper helps remove unnecessary blank space around a scanned signature. Applicants who need a formal application photograph can also use the Passport Photo Maker to prepare a clean passport-size image.
Some recruitment forms also require a handwritten declaration in a specific size. The Declaration Resizer can help candidates resize and optimise the declaration before uploading it. Applicants may visit the Regal Career Application Tools section to access these utilities before submitting the form. Candidates should still compare the final image dimensions, file format and file size with the exact instructions given in the official recruitment notification.
Suggested Tools To Apply Online
- Online application tools → All Application Tools page
- Photo and Signature Resizer → Photo and Signature Resizer tool
- Image Compressor → Image Compressor tool
- Signature Cropper → Signature Cropper tool
- Passport Photo Maker → Passport Photo Maker tool
- Declaration Resizer → Declaration Resizer tool
- Regal Career Application Tools → Main tools hub
Upload requirements
The notification provides the following upload guidance:
| File | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photograph | Live photograph through the application facility |
| Signature | 10–20 KB |
| Category certificate | PDF, maximum 100 KB |
| Qualification certificate | Self-attested PDF, maximum 100 KB |
Blurred or illegible photographs and signatures may lead to rejection.
Documents required
Candidates should prepare:
- Submitted application-form printout
- Matriculation certificate
- 10+2 certificate, where applicable
- Date-of-birth certificate
- Valid Jammu and Kashmir domicile certificate
- Valid category certificate
- Ex-serviceman certificate in the prescribed format
- Recent passport-size photographs
- Aadhaar card or another valid photo ID
- Bonafide certificate, where prescribed
- Any additional certificate required by JKSSB
All eligibility and reservation documents must generally be valid on or before the application closing date.
Admit card and examination documents
JKSSB will make admit cards available through its official website, generally around one week before the examination.
Candidates must carry:
- Printed admit card
- Two recent colour passport-size photographs carrying the date
- One original photo identity document
Accepted identity documents include Aadhaar, voter ID, driving licence, PAN card, passport, educational institution identity card or employer identity card.
Important application instructions
- Only one application should be submitted for the same item number.
- When multiple applications are submitted, the latest application may be considered.
- Appearing more than once for the same item can lead to cancellation and debarment.
- No request for application correction will be accepted after final submission.
- Candidates should apply well before the deadline.
- Reservation certificates must be valid by the cut-off date.
- Hard copies should not be sent to JKSSB unless specifically requested.
- In-service candidates must follow the prescribed proper-channel procedure.
- No TA or DA will be paid for the written test or document verification.
Current recruitment-cycle status
| Recruitment stage | Status |
|---|---|
| Notification | Released |
| Application | Scheduled to open on 27 July |
| Official website migration | 27–29 July 2026 |
| Application deadline | 25 August 2026 |
| Written syllabus | Awaited |
| Written examination date | Awaited |
| Admit card | Awaited |
| Written result | Awaited |
| Physical Standard Test | Awaited |
| Physical Endurance Test | Awaited |
| Document verification | Awaited |
| Medical examination | Awaited |
| Final result | Awaited |
Important links
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Read official Advertisement No. 05 of 2026 | Available |
| Apply online | From 27 July 2026 |
| Download written syllabus | Awaited |
| Download admit card | Awaited |
| Check written result | Awaited |
| Check PST/PET schedule | Awaited |
| Check final selection | Awaited |
| Official JKSSB portal | Available |
Frequently asked questions
How many JKSSB Warder vacancies are available?
JKSSB has advertised 288 Warder posts in the J&K Prisons Department under Advertisement No. 05 of 2026.
When will online applications begin?
Applications are scheduled to start on 27 July 2026. However, JKSSB has announced temporary website and web-application downtime from 27 to 29 July, so candidates should check the portal for updated access instructions.
What is the last date?
The notified last date for online application submission is 25 August 2026.
What qualification is required?
The official qualification is minimum Matric and maximum 10+2 from a recognised Board or institution.
Can a graduate apply?
The notification prescribes 10+2 as the maximum qualification. A graduate should obtain official clarification from JKSSB rather than assuming eligibility.
Is Jammu and Kashmir domicile compulsory?
Yes. A valid UT of Jammu and Kashmir domicile certificate must be held by the application closing date.
What is the age limit?
The maximum age is 40 years for Open Merit candidates and 43 years for the listed reserved categories, calculated as on 1 January 2026.
What is the application fee?
The fee is ₹700. SC, ST-1, ST-2 and EWS candidates must pay ₹600.
What is the Warder salary?
The post carries Pay Level 2 with a pay range of ₹19,900–₹63,200.
Is there negative marking?
Yes. One-fourth of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
Will PST and PET marks be added to merit?
No. Both physical tests are qualifying. Written-examination performance will be used for arriving at merit.
Are PwBD candidates eligible?
No. The official notification states that Persons with Benchmark Disabilities are not eligible for these Warder posts.
Conclusion
JKSSB Warder Recruitment 2026 offers 288 UT Cadre posts in the Jammu and Kashmir Prisons Department.
Eligible candidates must possess a valid J&K domicile certificate, fall within the prescribed age limits and satisfy the unusual educational condition of minimum Matric but maximum 10+2. Applications are scheduled from 27 July to 25 August 2026, although the announced website downtime between 27 and 29 July may temporarily affect portal access.
Candidates should begin preparing for both the written examination and physical tests. The physical stages are qualifying, while written-test performance will determine merit.