KPWD contractor classes in Karnataka: Class I, II, III and IV limits, fees and documents
Para 248 of the KPWD Code, 2014 is one sentence long and it is the most important sentence for a Karnataka contractor: contractors are registered in four classes, and each class is qualified to tender for works up to a stated amount. There is no Class V. Here are the four, who registers each, where each is valid, what each costs and what each asks for.
Updated 2026-09-28. Figures from the KPWD Code, 2014 and the standard K/W tender documents; the tender document governs where it differs.
1Class IV: the entry class, works up to ₹25 lakh
Registered by the Executive Engineer at the PWD division, valid in that district or division. The office checklist asks a Class IV applicant for a sub-contractor certificate of at least ₹50,000 from a Class I contractor, a five-year turnover of ₹10 lakh certified by a chartered accountant, and a ₹50,000 solvency certificate. No engineer is required. Fee ₹2,000. There is more Class IV work in Karnataka than in any other class: village roads, school rooms, compound walls, drains, repairs.
2Class III: the working class, works up to ₹2 crore
Registered by the Superintending Engineer at the circle, valid across the circle's districts. The checklist asks for ₹10 lakh of completed work over five years with a single work of ₹2 lakh or more certified by an Executive Engineer, a ₹10 lakh turnover and a ₹10 lakh solvency. A civil engineering graduate may register in Class III without work certificates (para 253). A Class III contractor must engage a graduate civil engineer on every work of ₹10 lakh and above and a diploma holder between ₹5 lakh and ₹10 lakh (para 255). Fee ₹3,000.
3Class II: statewide, works up to ₹5 crore
Registered by the Chief Engineer (Communication & Buildings) at the zone, valid anywhere in Karnataka. The checklist asks for one completed work of ₹10 lakh, a ₹30 lakh five-year turnover and a ₹10 lakh solvency; work certificates must be from government or government-undertaking works. A graduate civil engineer must be engaged on every work of ₹15 lakh and above. Fee ₹5,000.
4Class I: statewide, any amount
Registered by the Chief Engineer (C&B) at the zone, valid anywhere in Karnataka, no ceiling. The checklist asks for one completed government work of ₹25 lakh, a ₹75 lakh five-year turnover and a ₹25 lakh solvency. Fee ₹10,000.
The table
- Class IV — up to ₹25 lakh — Executive Engineer (division) — valid in the district or division — fee ₹2,000.
- Class III — up to ₹2 crore — Superintending Engineer (circle) — valid in the circle's districts — fee ₹3,000.
- Class II — up to ₹5 crore — Chief Engineer, C&B (zone) — valid anywhere in Karnataka — fee ₹5,000.
- Class I — any amount — Chief Engineer, C&B (zone) — valid anywhere in Karnataka — fee ₹10,000.
The Code's figures and the counter's figures
The printed Code (para 252) sets higher qualification bars than the checklist above: for Class I, a single completed work of ₹5 crore and ₹15 crore turnover in five years with a ₹1 crore solvency; for Class IV, a ₹5 lakh work, ₹15 lakh turnover and ₹10 lakh solvency. The checklist an office hands out in 2026 asks for less, and the checklist is what the counter enforces. Confirm the current figures with your registering office before you order certificates.
Validity, renewal, upgrading
Every class is valid for five years from issue (para 254.3). Renew a month before expiry on form PWF-14; ₹1,000 for Class IV, ₹1,500 for Class III, ₹2,000 for Class II. Up to a year late doubles the fee, one to two years late triples it, more than two years and the registration stands cancelled (para 257). An upgrade is a fresh application in the higher class at that class's office, with its documents and fee and your old card.
Which class first
The class you can document, not the class you want. A first application usually lands at Class IV, or Class III for a civil engineer or someone with real certified works. Read every notice against your class: a ₹1.9 crore work open to Class III is consistent, a ₹3 crore one is not. BiddingView shows the class each notice names next to its estimate.
Questions people ask
What is the limit for a Class 1 contractor in Karnataka?
There is no ceiling. Class I is qualified to tender for works of any amount, is registered by the Chief Engineer (C&B) of the zone and is valid anywhere in Karnataka.
What can a Class 4 contractor bid for?
Works up to ₹25 lakh, in the district or division where registered. Registration is by the Executive Engineer at the PWD division.
Is there a Class V contractor in Karnataka PWD?
No. Karnataka PWD has four classes, I to IV. Pages listing five or six classes are describing CPWD or another state.
Can a Class II contractor bid on a ₹6 crore work?
Not under the KPWD Code: Class II is qualified up to ₹5 crore. A ₹6 crore work needs Class I. Bodies with their own rules may differ; the tender document governs.
How long is a Karnataka PWD contractor registration valid?
Five years from the date of registration, renewable for further five-year periods on application before expiry.
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