KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 – 572 Posts, Rs.34,100 Salary, Apply Now

KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 is officially out — the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Revenue Department, Government of Karnataka has invited online applications for 572 Village Administrative Officer (VAO) posts vide Advertisement Nos. ED/KEA/26/NEV/2026(RPC) and ED/KEA/27/NEV/2026(KK), notified on 10 July 2026. This guide is for PUC/12th-pass Karnataka candidates who want to apply, check eligibility, understand the salary, and prepare for the written exam. It covers vacancy breakdown, application fee, age limit, exam dates, and a step-by-step apply guide — all sourced directly from the official KEA notification.

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What is KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 and Why It Matters for Karnataka Candidates?

KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 is a government recruitment drive by the Karnataka Examinations Authority to fill 572 permanent Group-C positions of Village Administrative Officer (VAO) — also known as Grama Aadalitha Adhikari in Kannada — in the Revenue Department, Government of Karnataka. The official notification (Advt. Nos. ED/KEA/26/NEV/2026(RPC) and ED/KEA/27/NEV/2026(KK)) was released on 10 July 2026 at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.

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A VAO is a frontline revenue administration officer responsible for maintaining village land records, collecting revenue, implementing government schemes at village level, and acting as the primary link between the Revenue Department and rural citizens. VAOs are among the most respected government employees in Karnataka’s rural administration and are eligible for promotion to Revenue Inspector and higher cadres over their service years.

With a starting pay of ₹34,100/month required for only a PUC/12th pass qualification, this is one of the most sought-after Karnataka government jobs for non-graduate candidates in 2026. The two separate cadres — General/RPC (505 posts) and Kalyana Karnataka (67 posts) — allow candidates from across Karnataka to apply for positions in their respective regions.

KEA VAO Salary 2026 — Pay Scale and Monthly Benefits

The KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 pay scale is ₹34,100 – ₹67,600 per month as per the Karnataka Government Pay Matrix for Group-C posts. Selected candidates also receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other Karnataka Government allowances in addition to the basic pay, revised periodically as per state government norms.

KEA VAO 2026 Eligibility Criteria and Application Fee

Before applying for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026, candidates must meet all eligibility criteria as on the last date of application (20 August 2026). The essential educational qualification is PUC (10+2) / 12th Standard Pass or an equivalent qualification from a recognised board — including CBSE, ICSE, State Board, NIOS Senior Secondary, 2-year ITI with NIOS, or a 3-year Diploma (as per specific conditions in the official notification).

Age Limit for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 (as on 20 August 2026)

Application Fee for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026

The application fee must be paid online through the KEA portal by 21 August 2026. The fee is non-refundable. Candidates must visit cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea and read the official notification to verify their category and applicable fee before payment.

KEA VAO Vacancy 2026 — Cadre-wise and District-wise Breakdown

The 572 KEA VAO vacancies in 2026 are distributed across two cadres. The General/RPC cadre covers 21 districts with 505 posts, while the Kalyana Karnataka cadre covers 3 historically backward districts with 67 posts. Candidates can apply for only one district under their eligible cadre.

General / RPC Cadre — District-wise Vacancies (505 Posts)

Kalyana Karnataka Cadre — District-wise Vacancies (67 Posts)

KEA VAO 2026 Selection Process — 3-Stage Recruitment

The KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 selection process consists of 3 stages as per the official notification. There is no interview round for the VAO post.

1. Written Examination (OMR Based): An objective-type OMR exam conducted separately for RPC cadre (04 October 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM) and KK cadre (25 October 2026, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM). The exam covers General Kannada, General English, General Knowledge, Quantitative Aptitude, and Revenue/Rural Administration knowledge.
2. Kannada Language Test: Candidates who qualify the written examination will be called for a Kannada Language proficiency test. Date to be notified later by KEA at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
3. Document Verification: Candidates shortlisted after the Kannada Language Test must produce all original documents — educational certificates, category certificates, domicile proof, and any other documents specified in the official notification.

KEA VAO 2026 Important Dates — Full Timeline

How to Apply Online for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 — Step-by-Step

The KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 application process is entirely online at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. Apply before 20 August 2026 and pay the fee by 21 August 2026. Follow these steps carefully:

1. Visit the official KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. Download and read the official VAO notification PDFs for your cadre (RPC or KK) before proceeding.
2. Verify your eligibility — educational qualification, age limit, and Karnataka domicile criteria — as on 20 August 2026.
3. Click on “KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 Apply Online” for the appropriate cadre (General/RPC or Kalyana Karnataka).
4. Register with your valid email ID and mobile number to create a KEA login, or log in if already registered.
5. Fill the application form — personal details, educational qualifications, category, preferred district. Note: you can apply for only one district under your eligible cadre. Multiple applications will be rejected.
6. Upload documents — scanned photograph, signature, and supporting documents in the prescribed format and file size specified by KEA.
7. Pay the application fee online via debit/credit card, net banking, or UPI through the KEA payment gateway before 21 August 2026.
8. Review and submit — verify all details carefully before final submission. Corrections may not be permitted after submission.
9. Save the confirmation — download and print the acknowledgement/application confirmation page for future reference including hall ticket download.
10. Important: KEA will not be responsible for server delays — apply well before 20 August 2026 to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Important Links — KEA VAO Recruitment 2026

Frequently Asked Questions About KEA VAO Recruitment 2026

Last Updated: October 2026. This page is reviewed and updated when official data changes. Always verify the latest information on the official KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea before taking any action.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. All data is sourced from official KEA notifications. Always verify salary figures, dates, eligibility, and application details directly on the official KEA portal before applying. agrijob.in does not represent KEA or the Government of Karnataka. Never pay any amount to any individual claiming to represent agrijob.in for recruitment assistance.

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