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Bengaluru: In a major relief for job aspirants, Karnataka has announced a three-year relaxation in the age limit for all candidates applying for government jobs until December 31, 2027, as a one-time measure.
The relaxation will apply across all categories — SC, ST, OBC and general merit — for civil service jobs filled through direct recruitment, according to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR).
For instance, if the maximum age to apply for a post is 30 years, candidates up to 33 years will now be eligible.
Currently, there are 2.84 lakh vacancies in government departments out of 7.75 lakh sanctioned posts. Recruitment had been on hold for nine months, between November 2024 and August 2025, due to a freeze imposed while finalising internal reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs).
The freeze was lifted after the government fixed internal reservation as follows: Group A (SC Left/Madigas) 6%, Group B (SC Right/Holeya) 6%, and Group C (Banjara, Bhovi, Korma, Korcha and other ‘most backward’ communities) 5%.
To compensate for the recruitment delay, the government initially considered a two-year relaxation in the age limit.
“Subsequently, several elected representatives and organisations submitted petitions seeking a five-year relaxation. After examining the petitions, the government has decided on a three-year relaxation as a one-time measure,” the DPAR stated.