Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026 is expected to be released soon by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) at the official portal cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. The exam is scheduled across 3 days — 19th July 2026 (Kannada Language Test), 25th July 2026 (KK Cadre Written Exam), and 9th August 2026 (RPC Cadre Written Exam) — covering 945 vacancies for Agriculture Officer (AO) and Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO) posts. This guide is for every B.Sc. Agriculture graduate who has applied for KEA AO AAO Recruitment 2026 and needs to download their hall ticket without hassle. Below you will find the direct download link (once live), step-by-step process, details printed on the hall ticket, exam centre information, and important exam day rules.
The Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026 will be available at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. Candidates need their Application Number, Date of Birth, and the first 4 letters of their name to log in and download the admit card PDF. The written exam covers 945 AO and AAO posts and is scheduled on 25th July and 9th August 2026 in 2 shifts each day.
- Conducting Body: Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)
- Post Names: Agriculture Officer (AO) & Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO)
- Total Vacancies: 945 Posts (927 Regular/Backlog + 18 PwD)
- Hall Ticket Portal: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea
- Login Credentials: Application Number + Date of Birth + First 4 letters of name
- Kannada Language Test Date: 19th July 2026
- Written Exam Date (KK Cadre): 25th July 2026 (2 shifts)
- Written Exam Date (RPC Cadre): 9th August 2026 (2 shifts)
- Exam Mode: Offline OMR-based
- AO Salary: Rs.69,250 – Rs.1,34,200 per month
📋 Table of Contents
- What Is Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026?
- Who Should Download This Hall Ticket?
- Direct Hall Ticket Download Link 2026
- How to Download Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026 – Step by Step
- Details Printed on the Karnataka AO AAO Admit Card
- Exam Dates and Shift Schedule 2026
- Karnataka AO AAO Exam Centres 2026
- Karnataka AO AAO Salary and Pay Scale 2026
- Hall Ticket vs Interview Call Letter – Key Differences
- Advantages and Challenges of KEA AO AAO Exam Process
- Important Terms Related to Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket
- Important Dates Timeline 2026
- Important Links
- Conclusion
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026?
The Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026 is the official admit card issued by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) to all candidates who have successfully submitted their application for the Agriculture Officer and Assistant Agriculture Officer Recruitment 2026. It is a mandatory entry document — without a printed copy, candidates will not be allowed inside the examination hall under any circumstances.
KEA releases the hall ticket in PDF format on its official portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. The admit card contains all critical information including the candidate’s roll number, assigned exam centre address, reporting time, shift timing, and exam day guidelines as laid down by the Government of Karnataka. Candidates should download and print at least 2–3 copies well before the exam date to avoid any last-minute technical difficulties.
The KEA AO AAO Recruitment 2026 was officially notified under Advt. No. EDI/KEA/08/RPC/2026 (RPC Region) and Advt. No. EDI/KEA/09/KK/2026 (Kalyana Karnataka Region) to fill a revised total of 945 Group-B posts in the Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka. The selection process involves an Offline OMR-based Competitive Written Examination and a qualifying Kannada Language Test.
Who Should Download This Hall Ticket?
This guide is specifically for every candidate who submitted an application for KEA AO AAO Recruitment 2026 between 30th May and 20th June 2026 through the official KEA portal. Download your hall ticket if you fall into any of the following profiles:
- 🎓 B.Sc. Agriculture graduates who applied for Agriculture Officer (AO) posts under the RPC or KK cadre
- 🌾 B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture candidates targeting the 85% quota posts in the Karnataka Agriculture Department
- 🏛️ Candidates from Kalyana Karnataka region who applied under Advt. No. EDI/KEA/09/KK/2026
- 📄 RPC region applicants who applied under Advt. No. EDI/KEA/08/RPC/2026 and are appearing on 9th August 2026
- 🧪 B.Tech Food Science and Technology graduates who applied for specialized AAO posts
- ♿ PwD candidates among the 18 horizontal reservation vacancies who need to verify their exam centre accessibility
- 📅 Candidates who did not study Kannada as a subject in SSLC and must appear for the Kannada Language Test on 19th July 2026
- 🔁 Backlog vacancy candidates who were included in the revised 945-post notification issued in May–June 2026
Direct Hall Ticket Download Link 2026
The Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026 download link will be activated by KEA on their official website. Once live, click the direct link below. Until KEA activates the portal, bookmark this page — we update it the moment the admit card goes live.
| Document | Direct Link |
|---|---|
| Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026 (KK Cadre) | Click Here to Download |
| Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026 (RPC Cadre) | Click Here to Download |
| Kannada Language Test Hall Ticket (19 July 2026) | Click Here to Download |
| KEA Official Portal | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
| RPC Region Official Notification PDF | Download Notification |
Always download your Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026 only from cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. Avoid third-party websites that claim to offer admit card downloads — they may provide fake documents or steal your login credentials.
How to Download Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026 – Step by Step
Downloading the Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026 takes less than 3 minutes if you have your login credentials ready. Follow these exact steps after KEA activates the admit card link:
- Visit the official KEA portal — Open your browser and go to cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
- Navigate to the Recruitment Section — On the homepage, click on the “Recruitment” tab or “Latest Notifications” section.
- Find the AO AAO 2026 link — Scroll down and click on “Agriculture Officer and Assistant Agriculture Officer Recruitment 2026”.
- Click the Admit Card Link — In the new window, click on “AO AAO 2026 – Admission Ticket Download Link”.
- Enter your credentials — Fill in your Application Number, Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY format), and the First 4 Letters of your Name.
- Click Submit — Your Kerala AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026 will appear on screen in PDF format.
- Verify all details — Check your name, roll number, exam date, shift, and exam centre address carefully before printing.
- Download and Print — Save the PDF and take at least 2–3 clear A4 printouts. Keep one copy safe at home.
Keep your KEA Application Number and Date of Birth written in a notebook before the hall ticket release date. The KEA portal can become slow due to high traffic on the day of release. Use a desktop browser in incognito mode for faster access. Carry both the printout and a valid government photo ID (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Driving Licence, or Passport) on exam day — both are mandatory for entry.
Details Printed on the Karnataka AO AAO Admit Card 2026
Every Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026 will contain the following information. Verify each detail immediately after downloading. If any detail is incorrect, contact the KEA helpdesk at 080-23460460 (available 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM) before the exam date.
- Candidate’s full name (as registered in the application form)
- Application Number / Roll Number
- Candidate’s Date of Birth
- Category (General / SC / ST / OBC / PwD / Ex-Servicemen)
- Post applied for (Agriculture Officer or Assistant Agriculture Officer)
- Cadre (RPC Region or Kalyana Karnataka Region)
- Exam date and shift (Shift 1 or Shift 2)
- Reporting time and gate closure time
- Exam centre name, address, and centre code
- Candidate’s photograph and signature (as uploaded during application)
- Important instructions and exam day do’s and don’ts
Exam Dates and Shift Schedule 2026
The KEA AO AAO Exam 2026 is scheduled across 3 separate days for different cadres and tests. Understanding which date applies to you is critical — the hall ticket will confirm your specific exam day and shift.
| Event | Date | Exam Type | Shift Timings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kannada Language Test | 19th July 2026 | Qualifying Test | Single shift (as per hall ticket) |
| Written Exam – KK Cadre | 25th July 2026 | OMR Written Exam | Shift 1 & Shift 2 |
| Written Exam – RPC Cadre | 9th August 2026 | OMR Written Exam | Shift 1 & Shift 2 |
The Kannada Language Test is qualifying in nature and carries 150 marks. Candidates must secure a minimum of 50 marks out of 150 to pass. Only those who studied Kannada as a subject in SSLC (10th standard) or equivalent are exempted from this test. The written competitive exam carries negative marking of 0.75 marks per wrong answer, and candidates must score at least 35 marks to qualify for the selection list as per the official notification from cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
Karnataka AO AAO Exam Centres 2026
KEA assigns exam centres based on the candidate’s preferred location mentioned during application. The Karnataka AO AAO Exam 2026 centres are spread across major cities and districts in Karnataka to ensure accessibility for candidates from both the RPC (General/Inland) region and the Kalyana Karnataka region.
| Region | Major Exam Centre Cities |
|---|---|
| RPC (Inland/General) Cadre | Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Shivamogga, Tumakuru, Davanagere, Hubballi |
| Kalyana Karnataka (KK) Cadre | Kalaburagi, Raichur, Bidar, Yadgir, Vijayapura, Koppal, Ballari |
The exam centre allotted to each candidate will be clearly printed on the Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026. KEA does not entertain requests for centre changes after the hall ticket is issued. Candidates are advised to visit their allotted exam centre at least one day before the exam to familiarise themselves with the route and avoid any delays on exam day. The Karnataka Agriculture Department, under the Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka, oversees the deployment and administration of these exam venues.
Karnataka AO AAO Salary and Pay Scale 2026
Selected candidates will receive salary as per the 2024 Revised State Pay Scale of Karnataka. In addition to the basic pay, AO and AAO officers receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Travel Allowance (TA), and medical benefits. All selected candidates are covered under the National Pension System (NPS).
| Post | Pay Scale (Monthly) | Additional Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture Officer (AO) | Rs.69,250 – Rs.1,34,200 | DA, HRA, TA, NPS, Medical |
| Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO) | Rs.65,950 – Rs.1,24,900 | DA, HRA, TA, NPS, Medical |
| Probation Period | 2 Years | As per Karnataka Government rules |
The pay scales are structured on the Karnataka State Pay Matrix and increase through annual increments. An Agriculture Officer starting at Rs.69,250 per month can progress to Rs.1,34,200 over the course of their service through periodic pay revisions and promotion. The gross in-hand salary including all allowances typically ranges from Rs.85,000 to Rs.1,10,000 per month for AO posts at the entry level, depending on the posting location and applicable HRA slab.
Hall Ticket vs Interview Call Letter – Key Differences
Many first-time government job applicants confuse the hall ticket with an interview call letter. These are two entirely different documents issued at different stages of the recruitment process. The table below clarifies the distinction for Karnataka AO AAO candidates.
| Feature | Hall Ticket / Admit Card | Interview Call Letter |
|---|---|---|
| Stage of Recruitment | Written examination stage | Final selection stage (if applicable) |
| Issued by | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) | Department of Agriculture, Karnataka |
| When issued | 1–2 weeks before the written exam | After written exam result declaration |
| Purpose | Entry pass for the written examination hall | Entry pass for document verification / interview |
| Contains | Roll number, exam centre, date, shift | Candidate merit rank, reporting venue, date |
| Mode | Online PDF download from KEA portal | Online (email / portal) or postal |
| Validity | Only for the written exam date mentioned | Only for the interview/verification date |
| Who receives it | All successfully registered applicants | Only candidates who clear the written exam |
| ID proof required | Yes — mandatory on exam day | Yes — with original documents |
| For KEA AO AAO 2026 | Available at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea | Issued only after written exam results |
For the Karnataka AO AAO Recruitment 2026, the hall ticket is the only document that gives you entry to the written exam. The KEA AO AAO selection process for 2026 does not include a separate interview round — selection is purely merit-based on the written exam score (with the Kannada Language Test as a qualifying criterion). Focus entirely on securing the highest possible marks in the OMR-based written exam, as it is the sole determinant of your final selection rank.
Advantages and Challenges of KEA AO AAO Exam Process
Understanding both sides of the KEA AO AAO 2026 recruitment process helps candidates prepare more realistically and make informed decisions about their career path.
Advantages:
- ✅ Large vacancy pool of 945 posts increases selection probability significantly
- ✅ Attractive salary of Rs.65,950–Rs.1,34,200 with full government benefits including NPS
- ✅ Online hall ticket download process — no physical collection required, saving time
- ✅ Exam conducted in two separate cadre groups (RPC and KK), giving region-specific candidates an advantage
- ✅ No interview round — pure merit-based written exam selection reduces bias
Challenges:
- ⚠️ KEA portal may experience heavy traffic on hall ticket release day — download early
- ⚠️ Negative marking of 0.75 marks per wrong answer requires careful answering strategy
- ⚠️ Mandatory Kannada Language Test (minimum 50 marks out of 150) for non-Kannada-medium candidates adds an extra qualifying hurdle
Important Terms Related to Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026
Understanding these terms from the official notification helps you navigate the hall ticket download and exam process without confusion.
- KEA (Karnataka Examinations Authority): The state-level body conducting AO AAO recruitment 2026, operating under the Government of Karnataka.
- RPC Cadre: Residual Parent Cadre — covers the general/inland regions of Karnataka, exam on 9th August 2026.
- KK Cadre (Kalyana Karnataka): Special cadre for the Kalyana Karnataka region covering Kalaburagi, Bidar, Raichur, Yadgir, Vijayapura, Koppal, and Ballari districts, exam on 25th July 2026.
- OMR-based Exam: Optical Mark Recognition — candidates fill in bubbles on an answer sheet that is machine-evaluated. No digital exam; it is entirely offline.
- Negative Marking (0.75): 0.75 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in the competitive written exam — avoid guessing on uncertain questions.
- Kannada Language Test: A qualifying OMR paper of 150 marks; minimum pass mark is 50. Exempted for candidates who studied Kannada in SSLC.
- NPS (National Pension System): The pension scheme applicable to all Karnataka government employees recruited after 2006 — replaces the old defined-benefit pension.
- HRA (House Rent Allowance): Additional allowance paid to AO/AAO officers based on posting city classification — ranges from 8% to 24% of basic pay.
- Group-B Post: The AO and AAO posts are classified as Group-B gazetted/non-gazetted positions in the Karnataka State Service cadre.
- PwD (Persons with Disabilities): 18 horizontal reservation vacancies are earmarked for PwD candidates across both cadres in this recruitment.
Important Dates Timeline – Karnataka AO AAO 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Released | 18th April 2026 |
| Application Window Opens | 30th May 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 20th June 2026 |
| Fee Payment Deadline | 22nd June 2026 |
| Hall Ticket Release (Expected) | 10–15 days before respective exam |
| Kannada Language Test | 19th July 2026 |
| Written Exam – KK Cadre | 25th July 2026 |
| Written Exam – RPC Cadre | 9th August 2026 |
| Result Declaration | To be announced by KEA |
Important Links – Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026
| Link Name | URL |
|---|---|
| KEA Official Hall Ticket Portal | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
| Government of Karnataka Official Site | karnataka.gov.in |
| Department of Agriculture, Karnataka | raitamitra.karnataka.gov.in |
| ICAR Official Website (Qualification Reference) | icar.org.in |
| KEA Helpdesk Number | 080-23460460 (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM) |
Conclusion
The Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026 is the single most important document for the 945 AO and AAO post examination scheduled on 19th July, 25th July, and 9th August 2026. Download your admit card from cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea as soon as KEA activates the link, verify all printed details, and carry a printed copy along with a valid photo ID on exam day. This recruitment offers one of the best government agriculture career opportunities in Karnataka, with a salary of up to Rs.1,34,200 per month and permanent Group-B status. Bookmark this page — we update it immediately every time KEA releases the official admit card link or any exam-related notice.
- Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026 must be downloaded from cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea using your Application Number, Date of Birth, and first 4 letters of your name.
- The exam covers 945 vacancies across KK and RPC cadres; written exams are on 25th July 2026 and 9th August 2026.
- Agriculture Officer salary ranges from Rs.69,250 to Rs.1,34,200 per month as per the 2024 Revised Karnataka Pay Scale.
- The Kannada Language Test on 19th July 2026 is qualifying — minimum 50 out of 150 marks required to proceed; non-Kannada-medium SSLC candidates must appear.
- No interview round — final selection is purely based on written exam merit, making exam preparation the top priority for all candidates.
- Contact KEA Helpdesk at 080-23460460 immediately if any detail on your hall ticket is incorrect — do not wait until exam day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026
When will Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026 be released?
KEA typically releases the hall ticket 10–15 days before the exam date. Since the Kannada Language Test is on 19th July 2026 and the KK Cadre written exam is on 25th July 2026, the Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026 is expected to be released around 5th–10th July 2026. The RPC Cadre hall ticket for the 9th August 2026 exam may be released separately closer to that date. Candidates should regularly check cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea for updates.
What credentials do I need to download the Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026?
To download the Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026, you need three pieces of information: your Application Number (received at the time of registration), your Date of Birth in DD/MM/YYYY format, and the First 4 Letters of your Name as registered in the application. Keep all three details saved securely before the hall ticket release date.
What is the exam date for Karnataka AO AAO 2026?
The Karnataka AO AAO Exam 2026 is scheduled across three dates: the Kannada Language Test on 19th July 2026, the Written Exam for KK Cadre on 25th July 2026 (2 shifts), and the Written Exam for RPC Cadre on 9th August 2026 (2 shifts). Your hall ticket will clearly mention which date and shift applies to you based on your cadre and application.
How many vacancies are there in Karnataka AO AAO Recruitment 2026?
Karnataka Examinations Authority has announced a total of 945 vacancies for Agriculture Officer (AO) and Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO) posts. This includes 927 regular and backlog vacancies across the RPC and Kalyana Karnataka cadres, plus 18 horizontal reservation vacancies for Persons with Disabilities (PwD). The revised notification (replacing the earlier 890-vacancy notification) was released in May–June 2026.
Is the Kannada Language Test mandatory for all candidates?
The Kannada Language Test on 19th July 2026 is mandatory only for candidates who did not study Kannada as a subject in SSLC (10th standard) or equivalent. Candidates who studied Kannada at the SSLC level are exempt from this test. For those who must appear, the minimum qualifying mark is 50 out of 150 marks. Failure to qualify in the Kannada Language Test will result in disqualification from the recruitment process.
What documents must I carry to the KEA AO AAO exam centre?
You must carry two things to the Karnataka AO AAO exam centre: a printed copy of your Hall Ticket 2026 (PDF downloaded from cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea) and a valid government-issued photo ID such as Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card, Driving Licence, Passport, or PAN Card. Candidates who arrive without either document will not be permitted entry into the examination hall. Carry at least 2 printouts of the hall ticket as backup.
What is the salary for Agriculture Officer in Karnataka 2026?
The salary for Karnataka Agriculture Officer (AO) as per the 2024 Revised State Pay Scale is Rs.69,250 to Rs.1,34,200 per month. The Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO) pay scale is Rs.65,950 to Rs.1,24,900 per month. Both posts include additional allowances such as Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, and Travel Allowance, plus pension coverage under the National Pension System (NPS). The gross monthly in-hand salary at entry level typically exceeds Rs.85,000.
Is there negative marking in KEA AO AAO 2026 written exam?
Yes, the KEA AO AAO 2026 written examination has negative marking. 0.75 marks are deducted for every wrong answer. The exam is conducted in Offline OMR mode. Candidates must score a minimum of 35 marks in the competitive written exam to qualify for the selection merit list. Given the negative marking, it is advisable to attempt only those questions where you are reasonably confident of the correct answer.
What educational qualification is needed for Karnataka AO AAO 2026?
For the 85% of posts (core Agriculture Officer and AAO posts), candidates must hold a B.Sc. Agriculture or B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture degree from a university recognized by ICAR or AICTE. For the 15% specialized posts, qualifications including B.Tech (Food Science and Technology), B.Sc. (Sericulture), B.Sc. (Agri Business Management), B.Sc. (Agri Biotechnology), and Agricultural Engineering are also eligible, as specified in the official notification available at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
What should I do if there is an error in my Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026?
If you find any error in your Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026 — such as a wrong name, incorrect date of birth, wrong exam date, or wrong exam centre — contact the KEA Helpdesk immediately at 080-23460460, available between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM on working days. Do not wait until the exam day to raise corrections. KEA handles discrepancies prior to the exam; errors reported on exam day may not be resolved, potentially barring entry to the exam hall.
Last Updated: July 2026 | This guide is reviewed and updated regularly for accuracy. Bookmark this page for the latest Karnataka AO AAO Hall Ticket 2026 information and direct download link.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. All vacancy counts, exam dates, salary figures, and eligibility criteria are sourced from official KEA notifications and publicly available government data. Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official Karnataka Examinations Authority portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea before taking any action.
