The Karnataka Police CPC Answer Key 2026 has been released for the Civil Police Constable written examination conducted on 2 August 2026. The Karnataka Examinations Authority published separate key answers for the Residual Parent Cadre, or RPC, and Kalyana Karnataka, or KK, recruitment examinations on 3 August 2026.
Candidates can now download the applicable answer-key PDF, identify their question-paper series and calculate their probable marks. KEA has also activated its provisional answer-key objection portal for candidates who find a possible error in the published responses.
The answer key is provisional at this stage. The final scores, category-wise cut-offs and qualifying lists have not been released. Candidates should therefore treat the cut-off discussion below as an early assessment rather than an official selection benchmark.
Table of Contents
Karnataka Police CPC Key Answers Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination | Civil Police Constable Recruitment Examination 2026 |
| Conducting authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority |
| Recruiting department | Karnataka State Police |
| Examination date | 2 August 2026 |
| Answer-key release date | 3 August 2026 |
| Answer-key status | Released |
| Cadres covered | RPC and Kalyana Karnataka |
| Examination format | OMR-based written test |
| Maximum marks | 100 |
| Objection facility | Available through KEA portal |
| Official cut-off | Not released |
KEA has published the answer keys and objection-related notices separately for the two recruitment cadres. Candidates must select the correct cadre and booklet code while matching their responses.
Separate Keys Issued for RPC and KK
The answer key has not been issued as a single universal response list. Separate documents are available for the RPC and Kalyana Karnataka examinations.
The Kalyana Karnataka key PDF contains answers for multiple booklet combinations, including series such as A1, B1, C1, D1, A2, B2, C2 and D2. Candidates must locate the precise series printed on their question booklet before beginning the score calculation.
The official KK document confirms that it relates to the Police Constable Civil recruitment examination conducted on 2 August 2026. Some entries contain more than one acceptable option. Candidates should reproduce the published key exactly rather than relying on a simplified key circulated through social media.
How to Download CPC Key Answer for RPC and KK
Candidates can obtain the official key through the KEA recruitment section by following these steps:
- Visit the Karnataka Examinations Authority website.
- Open the latest announcements or recruitment section.
- Find Civil Police Constable Recruitment 2026.
- Select either the RPC or KK recruitment page.
- Open the key-answer notice dated 3 August 2026.
- Download the PDF applicable to the examination cadre.
- Check the question-booklet series carefully.
- Compare each response with the corresponding answer in the PDF.
The downloaded key should be retained until the final answer key and written-examination marks are announced.
How to Calculate Probable Marks
The CPC written examination contained 100 objective questions for 100 marks. A penalty of 0.25 marks applies to each incorrect response. Candidates can estimate their marks through the following formula:
Probable score = Correct answers − 0.25 × Incorrect answers
For example, consider a candidate with:
- 64 correct answers
- 20 incorrect answers
- 16 unanswered questions
The estimated score would be:
64 − 5 = 59 marks
Candidates should also examine any special instructions relating to unattempted questions and the fifth-option mechanism before finalising their calculation. The estimated score may change if KEA revises an answer, accepts multiple options or withdraws a disputed question.
Karnataka CPC Expected Cut-Off 2026
KEA and Karnataka State Police have not released the official CPC cut-off marks. The final cut-off will be known only after objections are examined, the final key is prepared and written-examination marks are processed.
At this early stage, the following score bands may help candidates assess their position:
| Probable score | Preliminary assessment |
|---|---|
| 60 marks or above | Strong competitive range |
| 52 to 59 marks | Competitive, subject to category and cadre |
| 45 to 51 marks | Uncertain or borderline range |
| Below 45 marks | Selection prospects may be limited in higher-cut-off categories |
These are editorial assessment bands, not official category-wise cut-offs. The eventual threshold may differ significantly by reservation category, gender, recruitment cadre, unit, vacancy distribution and the number of candidates shortlisted for the physical stage.
Candidates should not assume selection merely because their score falls within one of these ranges.
Why Cut-Offs May Differ
The Karnataka CPC cut-off will not necessarily remain uniform across all applicants. Several factors can influence the final marks:
- Difficulty level of the written paper
- Total number of valid candidates
- Number of available vacancies
- RPC and Kalyana Karnataka vacancy distribution
- Category and horizontal reservation
- Number of candidates called for physical tests
- Changes made through the final answer key
- Treatment of disputed or withdrawn questions
The recruitment covers 3,991 Civil Police Constable posts, including 3,395 RPC or Non-Kalyana Karnataka vacancies and 596 Kalyana Karnataka vacancies. The official recruitment portal separately identifies the 596 KK posts, while the wider recruitment information places the remaining vacancies under the RPC segment.
Because the vacancy totals and competition levels differ between the two cadres, their cut-offs may also vary.
Objection Portal Now Available
KEA has activated the provisional answer-key objection portal. Candidates can log in using their application or registration number, identifying details and date of birth. The portal requires applicants to select the relevant examination before submitting a challenge.
An objection should normally identify:
- Examination and cadre
- Question-paper series
- Question number
- Answer published by KEA
- Answer claimed by the candidate
- Supporting reference or documentary evidence
Candidates should not file an objection merely because their chosen option differs from the official key. A challenge should be supported by a standard textbook, government publication or another authoritative academic reference.
The exact closing time and procedural conditions should be checked in the cadre-specific KEA notification. Candidates should complete the process promptly rather than waiting until the final hours.
What Happens After Objections?
Once the objection window closes, subject experts will review the challenges submitted by candidates. KEA may retain the original answer, replace it with another option, accept multiple options or remove a defective question.
A final answer key will then be used to process the written-examination marks. The final key may alter the estimated scores calculated from the provisional document.
Candidates shortlisted on the basis of the written examination will move to the subsequent stages prescribed in the recruitment process. These may include physical measurement, endurance or physical-efficiency assessment, document verification and other eligibility checks.
Candidates Should Start Physical Preparation
Aspirants scoring within a competitive range should not wait for the written result before resuming physical preparation. The interval between the result and the physical-test schedule may be limited.
Candidates should keep their application form, educational certificates, identity proof, category certificate, Kannada eligibility documents and other recruitment records ready. Any discrepancy in the application data or certificates can create problems during verification even when the written score is high.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Karnataka Police CPC Answer Key 2026 released?
Yes. KEA released the Civil Police Constable key answers for RPC and Kalyana Karnataka examinations on 3 August 2026.
When was the CPC written examination held?
The written examination was conducted on 2 August 2026.
Where can candidates download the answer key?
The key-answer PDFs are available through the Civil Police Constable Recruitment 2026 section of the KEA website.
Can candidates challenge the answer key?
Yes. KEA has activated its provisional answer-key objection portal for the CPC examination.
Has the official CPC cut-off been released?
No. Official category-wise cut-off marks have not been announced.
Is the released answer key final?
No. It is subject to the objection and expert-review process. The final key may contain revisions.
The article structure distinguishes confirmed developments from expected cut-off analysis in accordance with the project’s editorial and accuracy framework.
