KEA Recruitment 2026 – 4744 Posts, Salary, Eligibility & Apply Online

KEA recruitment 2026 is the largest single-cycle government job drive announced in Karnataka this year. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) published notification No. ED/KEA/14/NEV/2026 on August 31, 2026, covering 4,744 technical and non-technical vacancies spread across more than 50 state government departments. This guide is for every graduate, PUC pass, and diploma holder in Karnataka who wants a permanent state government job with a secure salary, DA, HRA, and NPS pension.

RLDA Recruitment 2026 – 6 Posts, Pay Level 14, Apply by 21 Sept

The drive covers three broad categories: degree-level non-technical posts (2,421 vacancies), PUC/equivalent-level non-technical posts (2,062 vacancies), and diploma/equivalent-level technical posts (261 vacancies). Recruitment notifications are being issued in September 2026, with written examinations planned for November and December 2026. This article explains every vacancy, the salary for each post type, eligibility criteria, the application process, exam pattern, and important dates you need to track right now.

What Is KEA Recruitment 2026 and Why Does It Matter?

KEA Recruitment 2026 refers to the large-scale direct recruitment drive announced by the Karnataka Examinations Authority on August 31, 2026, to fill 4,744 vacancies in various Karnataka state government departments through competitive written examinations. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) is a statutory body under the Government of Karnataka, established to conduct entrance tests and recruitment examinations for admissions and direct recruitment across multiple departments.

JNCASR President Recruitment 2026 – Rs.2,25,000 Salary, Apply Now

This 2026 cycle is significant because it covers degree-level, PUC-level, and diploma-level candidates in a single recruitment wave — meaning candidates from almost every educational qualification category can find a matching post. The notification covers posts such as First Grade Assistants, Accounts Assistants, Wardens, Commercial Tax Inspectors, Gram Panchayati Secretaries, Second Grade Assistants, Junior Engineers (Civil), and more across 50-plus state departments.

According to PTI via The Print, KEA Executive Director H Prasanna announced that detailed notifications would be issued through September 2026, and competitive examinations would be held in November and December 2026. The total vacancy count may increase as additional departments submit their requisitions.

Who Should Apply for KEA Recruitment 2026?

• 🎓 Degree holders (any discipline) — eligible for 2,421 non-technical posts including First Grade Assistants, Accounts Assistants, Commercial Tax Inspectors, Wardens, and Office Superintendents across 50 departments.
• 📚 PUC / Class 12 pass candidates — eligible for 2,062 non-technical posts including Second Grade Assistants, Gram Panchayat Secretaries, Junior Accounts Assistants, and lower-cadre posts in 41 categories.
• 🔧 Diploma holders (Engineering) — eligible for 261 technical posts including Junior Engineers (Civil), and technical role in departments like BBMP and the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).
• 🏛️ Karnataka domicile candidates seeking permanent state government employment with job security, pension, and incremental salary under state pay scales.
• ⚖️ Reserved category candidates (SC/ST/OBC/Category-1) who want maximum age relaxation (up to 5 additional years) and reduced application fees (Rs.500 instead of Rs.750).
• 🪖 Ex-servicemen and NCC supervisors entitled to additional age relaxation equal to military service period plus 3 years.
• 🌍 Kalyana Karnataka region aspirants — 509 KK-cadre degree posts and 514 KK-cadre PUC posts are exclusively reserved for Article 371(J) region candidates.
• 💼 Serving Karnataka state or local authority employees who qualify for age relaxation up to 10 years and wish to switch to a higher-grade department.

KEA Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Details — Post-Wise Breakdown

The 4,744 vacancies under KEA recruitment 2026 are divided across three educational-qualification tiers. The degree-level tier alone spans 50 different post categories across departments ranging from the Karnataka State Audit and Accounts Department to the Forest Department and Social Welfare. Below is the consolidated vacancy summary as published in the official KEA notification dated August 31, 2026.

Degree-Level (Non-Technical) Posts — 2,421 Total Vacancies

Note: The table above lists the 14 highest-vacancy categories. The full list across 50 categories is available in the official KEA notification PDF at kea.kar.nic.in.

PUC-Level (Non-Technical) Posts — 2,062 Total Vacancies

Diploma-Level (Technical) Posts — 261 Total Vacancies

KEA Recruitment 2026 Salary and Pay Scale — Category Wise

Salary for KEA 2026 posts follows the 2024 Revised Karnataka State Pay Scales. The exact pay scale depends on the post and grade level. All selected candidates also receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other allowances as per their posting location under state government rules, plus NPS (National Pension Scheme) coverage.

Pro Tip: The gross monthly salary (including DA at current rates and HRA for urban posting) is typically 25–35% higher than the basic pay scale shown. For example, a First Grade Assistant with a basic of ₹44,425 draws approximately ₹58,000–₹65,000 gross in a Tier-1 city posting as of 2026.

Eligibility Criteria for KEA 2026 Recruitment

Educational Qualification

• Degree-Level Posts: A Bachelor’s degree (any discipline) from a recognised university. Specific posts like Commercial Tax Inspector or Computer Operator may require a degree with Computer Science or Commerce specialisation.
• PUC-Level Posts: Passed PUC (Class 12) or equivalent from any recognised board. CBSE, ICSE, and NIOS certificates are accepted provided they were obtained before the application deadline.
• Diploma-Level Technical Posts: Engineering Diploma (Civil, Mechanical, Mining, Electrical, or equivalent) from a recognised polytechnic or technical institution. Some posts (e.g., Junior Engineer Civil at GBA) require Diploma in Civil Engineering specifically.
• Kannada Language: Proficiency in Kannada is mandatory for all posts. Candidates who have not passed an examination in Kannada as a language subject must clear the KEA Kannada Language qualifying test.

Age Limit (as per KEA Notification dated 31.08.2026)

The minimum age is 18 years as on the last date of application, as specified under the Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977. The Government Order No. C 262 SENI 2025 dated 29.01.2026 grants a one-time 5-year relaxation in maximum age for this cycle.

Application Fee (Category-Wise)

The application fee must be paid online only (Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI) through the KEA portal. Fees are non-refundable once paid. Candidates should keep the fee payment receipt as proof for future reference.

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

1. Visit the official KEA portal: Go to cetonline.karnataka.gov.in and look for the KEA Recruitment 2026 notification link on the homepage under the Recruitment section.
2. Read the notification PDF: Download and read the complete official notification for your post category (degree / PUC / diploma) before starting the application. Verify eligibility, vacancies, and reservation details.
3. Register as a new user: Click “Apply Online” and complete One-Time Registration (OTR) with your valid email ID and mobile number. You will receive an OTP for verification.
4. Fill the application form: Log in with your registration credentials and fill in personal details, educational qualifications, caste/category details, and preferred exam centre.
5. Upload documents: Upload a scanned passport-size photograph (JPG, max 50KB) and your signature (JPG, max 30KB) in the specified format. Ensure documents are clear and within file size limits.
6. Pay the application fee: Proceed to fee payment using your Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. Download and save the payment receipt immediately.
7. Submit and download the confirmation: Review all details carefully before final submission. After submitting, download and print the application acknowledgment PDF for your records. No hard copy needs to be sent to KEA.

KEA Recruitment 2026 vs KPSC Recruitment 2026 — Key Differences

Advantages and Disadvantages of KEA Government Posts 2026

Advantages

• ✅ Permanent employment — all posts are direct-recruit permanent positions, not contractual or ad-hoc.
• ✅ NPS pension coverage — selected candidates receive National Pension Scheme benefits from day one of service.
• ✅ Guaranteed increments — annual increments built into the pay scale, with promotion opportunities over time.
• ✅ DA and HRA benefits — Dearness Allowance revised periodically; HRA depends on city classification (A, B, or C).
• ✅ No interview — selection based entirely on written examination merit, reducing bias and preparation uncertainty.
• ✅ 4,744 vacancies — the sheer number of seats across 50+ departments makes this among the largest Karnataka state government hiring cycles of 2026.

Disadvantages

• ❌ High competition — lakhs of candidates apply for state government posts; cut-off marks can be high for popular departments like Commercial Taxes.
• ❌ NPS instead of OPS — unlike older government employees on the Old Pension Scheme, new recruits are under market-linked NPS, which does not guarantee a fixed monthly pension.
• ❌ 2-year probation period — selected candidates serve 2 years of probation before confirmation; services can be terminated during this period for unsatisfactory performance.
• ❌ Slow promotion timelines — departmental promotions can take 5–10 years depending on the department’s DPC schedule.

Important Terms Related to KEA Recruitment 2026

• RPC (Residual Parent Cadre): The state-wide general cadre covering all districts of Karnataka except Kalyana Karnataka. Most vacancies fall under this cadre and are open to all Karnataka-domicile candidates.
• KK (Kalyana Karnataka): Local cadre reserved exclusively for candidates from the Kalyana Karnataka region (Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Bellary, and Vijayanagara districts) under Article 371(J) of the Constitution.
• Karnataka Civil Services Rules 2021: The regulatory framework governing paper syllabus, selection norms, and service conditions for direct recruitment to Group C posts by KEA as of 2026.
• OTR (One-Time Registration): KEA’s mandatory registration system where candidates create a single permanent profile at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in and use it to apply for multiple notifications across years.
• NPS (National Pension Scheme): The pension system applicable to all new Karnataka government recruits from 2006 onwards, based on a defined contribution model rather than a fixed pension formula.
• CBT (Computer Based Test): Online examination mode where candidates appear at designated computer centres. KEA conducts recruitment exams in either CBT or Offline OMR mode.
• OMR (Optical Mark Recognition): Offline examination using printed answer sheets where candidates fill bubbles. KEA uses this for many Group C post exams.
• Paper-1 (General Studies): The common qualifying paper based on the Karnataka Civil Services (Direct Recruitment) (General) Rules, 2021, covering General Knowledge, Kannada, and reasoning.
• Paper-2 (Specific Subject): The post-specific subject paper varying by the department or post category (e.g., accounts for Accounts Assistants, civil engineering for Junior Engineers).
• DA (Dearness Allowance): Allowance paid over and above basic pay, revised twice yearly by the Karnataka state government to account for inflation. Current DA rates make gross pay 25–30% higher than basic.

KEA 2026 Exam Pattern and Syllabus Overview

All non-technical posts (both degree and PUC level) under KEA recruitment 2026 follow a two-paper written examination as prescribed under the Karnataka Civil Services (Direct Recruitment) (General) Rules, 2021. Technical diploma posts have Paper-1 based on the same general syllabus but a separate post-specific Paper-2 whose syllabus is published individually per notification.

Key exam rules: Minimum qualifying marks are 35% for General Merit candidates. Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies for each wrong answer. Selecting more than one answer per question is treated as incorrect. Unanswered questions carry no negative marking. The final merit list is drawn based on aggregate marks in Paper-1 and Paper-2 combined.

For the Junior Engineer (Civil) posts under the diploma technical category, Paper-2 covers Civil Engineering topics including Materials of Construction, Surveying, Engineering Mechanics, Construction Technology, Water Supply Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, Hydraulics, Concrete Technology, Design of RCC, Transportation Engineering, and Estimation and Costing — as detailed in the KEA syllabus published by the Executive Director, Karnataka Examinations Authority, Bengaluru.

Important Dates — KEA Recruitment 2026 Timeline

All dates are as per the official KEA announcement dated August 31, 2026. The number of vacancies and departments may change when final notifications are issued. Candidates should bookmark kea.kar.nic.in for real-time updates.

Important Links — KEA Recruitment 2026

Conclusion — Is KEA Recruitment 2026 Worth Applying?

KEA recruitment 2026 is a landmark opportunity for Karnataka job seekers at every educational level — from PUC pass to degree holders to engineering diploma candidates. With 4,744 vacancies across 50+ departments, salary scales from Rs.34,100 to Rs.83,700 per month for non-technical posts and Rs.37,500–Rs.76,100 for technical posts, permanent employment, and no interview stage, this drive eliminates many barriers that deter candidates from government job attempts. Detailed notifications and application links will be live at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in through September 2026 — bookmark that page and apply as soon as the window opens for your post category.

Frequently Asked Questions About KEA Recruitment 2026

What is KEA recruitment 2026 and how many vacancies are there?

KEA recruitment 2026 is a direct recruitment drive by the Karnataka Examinations Authority covering 4,744 technical and non-technical vacancies across 50+ Karnataka government departments. The announcement was made on August 31, 2026, by KEA Executive Director H Prasanna. The total includes 2,421 degree-level, 2,062 PUC-level, and 261 diploma-level posts. The vacancy count may increase as additional departments submit requisitions to KEA.

When will the KEA 2026 application process start and what is the last date?

KEA recruitment 2026 detailed notifications are being issued during September 2026, with each notification specifying its own application start date and last date. The general announcement confirmed applications would open in September 2026. Candidates should monitor the official KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in and kea.kar.nic.in for the exact start and last dates relevant to their post category. Applications are accepted in online mode only.

What is the salary for KEA recruitment 2026 posts?

The salary for KEA recruitment 2026 posts varies by level. Degree-level non-technical posts (Accounts Assistants, First Grade Assistants) carry a basic pay of Rs.44,425 – Rs.83,700 per month. PUC-level posts (Second Grade Assistants, Junior Accounts Assistants) carry Rs.34,100 – Rs.67,600. Diploma-level Junior Engineers earn Rs.37,500 – Rs.76,100. These figures reflect the 2024 Karnataka Revised Pay Scale; actual gross salary is 25–30% higher after adding DA and HRA.

What is the application fee for KEA 2026 recruitment?

The KEA recruitment 2026 application fee is Rs.750 for General Merit and OBC (Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B) candidates, Rs.500 for SC, ST, Category-1, Ex-servicemen, and transgender candidates, and Rs.250 for Persons with Disabilities (PwBD) under the Special Incentive category. Payment must be made online through the KEA portal using Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. Fees are non-refundable in all circumstances.

What is the age limit for KEA recruitment 2026?

The minimum age for KEA recruitment 2026 is 18 years as on the last date of application. The maximum age is 40 years for General Merit candidates, 43 years for OBC (Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B), and 45 years for SC, ST, and Category-1 candidates. A one-time 5-year age relaxation has been granted to all categories as per Government Order No. C 262 SENI 2025 dated 29.01.2026. Additional relaxation applies to ex-servicemen, government employees, widows, and third-gender candidates.

When will the KEA recruitment 2026 written examination be held?

The written examination for KEA recruitment 2026 posts is scheduled for November and December 2026, as confirmed in the official announcement by KEA on August 31, 2026. The exact exam dates, exam centres, and admit card release dates will be published on the KEA official website at kea.kar.nic.in. Candidates are advised to check the website regularly and download their hall tickets well in advance of the exam.

Is there an interview for KEA recruitment 2026?

No. KEA recruitment 2026 for Group C non-technical and technical posts does not include an interview stage. Selection is entirely based on the candidate’s performance in the two written papers — Paper-1 (General Studies) and Paper-2 (Post-Specific Subject). A Kannada Language qualifying test is also required for candidates who have not already passed Kannada as a language subject at the SSLC level. The final merit list is prepared solely based on written examination marks.

What is the difference between RPC and Kalyana Karnataka vacancies in KEA 2026?

RPC (Residual Parent Cadre) vacancies under KEA recruitment 2026 are open to all Karnataka-domicile candidates on a state-wide basis — 1,912 degree-level and 1,548 PUC-level posts fall in this category. Kalyana Karnataka (KK) cadre posts are exclusively reserved for candidates from the 7 districts of the Kalyana Karnataka region (Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari, and Vijayanagara) under Article 371(J) constitutional provisions. A candidate can apply for either RPC or KK posts based on eligibility — not both simultaneously.

What documents are required to apply for KEA recruitment 2026?

Candidates applying for KEA recruitment 2026 need to upload a scanned passport-size photograph and signature during the online application. At the time of document verification (post-result), they must produce originals of: degree/PUC/diploma marksheets and certificates, SSLC certificate (proof of age and Kannada), caste/category certificate in Karnataka government format (for reserved category candidates), domicile/nativity certificate, and any service certificate for age relaxation claims. Candidates are advised to keep these documents ready before starting the application.

How is KEA different from KPSC for Karnataka government jobs?

KEA (Karnataka Examinations Authority) conducts competitive examinations for Group C and technical Group B posts in Karnataka, mainly for non-gazetted positions like Assistants, Hostel Superintendents, Junior Engineers, and departmental support staff. KPSC (Karnataka Public Service Commission) primarily recruits for gazetted Group A and Group B posts like KAS Officers, Assistant Controllers, and Agricultural Officers, which require degree or postgraduate qualifications and generally involve an interview stage. KEA recruitment 2026 currently offers far more vacancies (4,744) compared to any single KPSC cycle, making it more accessible for first-time government job aspirants.

Last Updated: September 2026. This guide is regularly updated to reflect changes in KEA notification details, vacancy counts, and exam dates. Bookmark this page at Agrijob.in for the latest KEA recruitment 2026 updates.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. All vacancy counts, salary figures, and eligibility criteria are based on the official KEA announcement dated August 31, 2026, and related notifications. Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official KEA website at kea.kar.nic.in before applying. Agrijob.in is not affiliated with KEA or the Government of Karnataka.

Meghalaya Staff Nurse Syllabus 2026 – Exam Pattern, Cut-Off & Strategy to Crack

JIPMER Deputation Recruitment 2026 – 15 Group A & B Posts, Rs.78,800 Salary