The Karnataka Department of Health and Family Welfare has released special recruitment rules for the appointment of 1,505 Primary Health Officers and Health Inspector Officers.
The draft rules have been framed under the Karnataka State Civil Services Act, 1978, and will be finalized after considering objections and suggestions received from the public.
The move is aimed at strengthening public healthcare services across both rural and urban Karnataka by filling long-pending vacancies through a one-time special recruitment drive.
State-Level Selection Committee to Oversee Recruitment:
To ensure a fair, transparent, and efficient recruitment process, the government has constituted a State-Level Selection Committee headed by the Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare Services.
The recruitment will be conducted as a one-time special drive, independent of the existing recruitment rules. The final list of selected candidates will be published in the Official Gazette and on the department’s official website.
Eligibility for 1,205 Primary Health Officer Posts:
A total of 1,205 vacancies have been notified for the post of Primary Health Officer, and applications are open exclusively to women candidates.
Eligible applicants must:
Have passed SSLC or an equivalent examination.
Possess a Junior Health Assistant (Female) Training Certificate, a Diploma in Nursing, Midwifery or Psychiatric Nursing, or a B.Sc. Nursing degree.
Be registered with the Karnataka Nursing Council, which is mandatory for appointment.
Eligibility for 300 Health Inspector Officer Posts:
The department has also announced 300 vacancies for the post of Health Inspector Officer.
Applicants must:
Have passed SSLC or an equivalent examination.
Hold a Health Inspector Diploma or any other relevant professional qualification prescribed for the post.
Selection Process:
Selection for both posts will be based on a competitive examination comprising:
Two written papers carrying a total of 160 marks.
A practical examination carrying 40 marks.
Candidates will also be required to clear a Kannada language test, securing a minimum of 50 marks. However, those who studied in the Kannada medium or have previously passed the prescribed Kannada language examination will be exempt from this requirement.
Age Relaxation for Candidates:
The government has provided a five-year age relaxation for candidates across all categories under this special recruitment.
In addition, candidates who have served on a contract basis under various government health programmes will be eligible for one year of age relaxation for every completed year of service, subject to a maximum of 10 years. However, the upper age limit shall not exceed 50 years.
The official recruitment notification, inviting applications, is expected to be released shortly in the Official Gazette and leading newspapers across the state.
