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.
Published: 15 September 2026 | Last updated: October 2026
KEA recruitment 2026 covers 4,744 posts — 2,421 degree-level non-technical, 2,062 PUC-level non-technical, and 261 diploma-level technical — across 50+ Karnataka government departments. Notification issued August 31, 2026; written exams scheduled November–December 2026. Apply online at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.
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.
- Conducting Body: Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru
- Notification No.: ED/KEA/14/NEV/2026 dated 31.08.2026
- Total Vacancies: 4,744 (subject to revision)
- Degree-Level Non-Technical: 2,421 posts (50 categories, 1,912 RPC + 509 KK)
- PUC-Level Non-Technical: 2,062 posts (41 categories, 1,548 RPC + 514 KK)
- Diploma-Level Technical: 261 posts (216 RPC + 31 KK)
- Salary Range: Rs.34,100 – Rs.83,700 per month (post-dependent)
- Application Mode: Online only — cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
- Exam Months: November – December 2026
- Official Website: kea.kar.nic.in / cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
- What Is KEA Recruitment 2026?
- KEA 2026 Vacancy Details — Post-Wise Breakdown
- KEA Recruitment 2026 Salary and Pay Scale
- Eligibility Criteria for KEA 2026 Recruitment
- How to Apply Online for KEA Recruitment 2026
- KEA 2026 Exam Pattern and Syllabus
- Important Dates — KEA Recruitment 2026 Timeline
- Important Links
- Frequently Asked Questions About KEA Recruitment 2026
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.
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 Panchayat Secretaries, Second Grade Assistants, and Junior Engineers (Civil) 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, with competitive examinations scheduled for November and December 2026. The total vacancy count may increase as additional departments submit their requisitions.
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
| Sl. | Department | Post Name | RPC | KK | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karnataka State Audit and Accounts Dept. | Accounts Assistant | 490 | 12 | 502 |
| 2 | Social Welfare Dept. | Warden (Male) | 294 | 25 | 319 |
| 3 | Backward Classes Welfare Dept. | Hostel Superintendent (Male) | 180 | 94 | 274 |
| 4 | Backward Classes Welfare Dept. | Hostel Superintendent (Female) | 100 | 12 | 112 |
| 5 | Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Dept. | Gram Panchayat Secretary / Rural Dev. Asst. (Grade-1) | 135 | 49 | 184 |
| 6 | Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Dept. | First Grade Assistant | 100 | 48 | 148 |
| 7 | Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society | First Grade Asst. / Computer Operator | 79 | 25 | 104 |
| 8 | Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society | Hostel Manager | 78 | 28 | 106 |
| 9 | Dept. of Commercial Taxes | First Grade Assistant | 56 | 10 | 66 |
| 10 | Agriculture Dept. | First Grade Assistant | 50 | 11 | 61 |
| 11 | Dept. of Commercial Taxes | Commercial Tax Inspector | 48 | 02 | 50 |
| 12 | Forest Dept. | First Grade Assistant | 36 | 26 | 62 |
| 13 | Karnataka Government Secretariat | Assistant | 32 | 10 | 42 |
| 14 | Social Welfare Dept. | Warden (Female) | 31 | — | 31 |
| Total (all 50 categories, including remaining departments) | 2,421 | ||||
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
| Sl. | Department | Post Name | RPC | KK | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dept. of Commercial Taxes | Second Grade Assistant | 500 | 90 | 590 |
| 2 | Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Dept. | Gram Panchayat Secretary / Rural Dev. Asst. (Grade-2) | 284 | 38 | 322 |
| 3 | Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Dept. | Second Grade Assistant | 200 | 109 | 309 |
| 4 | Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Dept. | Junior Accounts Assistant | 68 | 25 | 93 |
| 5 | Karnataka State Audit and Accounts Dept. | Junior Accounts Assistant | 130 | — | 130 |
| 6 | Dept. of Labour (ESIC) | Second Grade Assistant | 48 | 05 | 53 |
| 7 | Forest Dept. | Second Grade Assistant | 45 | 25 | 70 |
| 8 | Registration and Stamps Dept. | Second Grade Assistant | 38 | 16 | 54 |
| Total (all 41 categories) | 2,062 | ||||
Diploma-Level (Technical) Posts — 261 Total Vacancies
| Sl. | Department | Post Name | RPC | KK | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Urban and Rural Planning Dept. | Assistant Town Planner | 105 | 14 | 119 |
| 2 | Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) | Junior Engineer (Civil) | 46 | 04 | 50 |
| 3 | Karnataka Housing Board | Junior Engineer (Civil) | 15 | 05 | 20 |
| 4 | Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Dev. Ltd | Junior Engineer (Civil) | 12 | 03 | 15 |
| 5 | Groundwater Directorate | Junior Engineer (Civil) | 05 | — | 05 |
| 6 | Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) | Veterinary Technician | 02 | — | 02 |
| 7 | Dept. of Mines and Geology | Junior Engineer (Mining/Geology) | — | 04 | 04 |
| 8 | Agriculture Marketing Dept. | Junior Engineer (Civil) | — | 01 | 01 |
| Total (all technical categories) | 261 | ||||
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. The gross monthly salary is typically 25–35% higher than the basic pay scale after adding current DA and HRA for urban posting.
| Post / Level | Pay Scale (Basic) | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Accounts Assistant / First Grade Assistant (Degree Level) | ₹44,425 – ₹83,700 | Group C |
| Commercial Tax Inspector (Degree Level) | ₹44,425 – ₹83,700 | Group C |
| Gram Panchayat Secretary / Rural Dev. Asst. Grade-1 | ₹44,425 – ₹83,700 | Group C |
| Hostel Superintendent / Warden (Degree Level) | ₹44,425 – ₹83,700 | Group C |
| Second Grade Assistant / Jr. Accounts Asst. (PUC Level) | ₹34,100 – ₹67,600 | Group C |
| Gram Panchayat Secretary Grade-2 (PUC Level) | ₹34,100 – ₹67,600 | Group C |
| Junior Engineer (Civil) — Diploma Level | ₹37,500 – ₹76,100 | Group C |
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.
- Kannada Language: Proficiency in Kannada is mandatory for all posts. Candidates who have not passed Kannada as a language subject must clear the KEA Kannada Language qualifying test.
Age Limit (as per KEA Notification dated 31.08.2026)
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| General Merit (GM) / Unreserved | 40 years |
| Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B (OBC) | 43 years |
| SC, ST, Category-1 | 45 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | Military service + 3 years relaxation |
| Karnataka Govt / Local Body Employees | Up to 10 years relaxation |
| Widows (unmarried) | 10 years additional relaxation |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | As per applicable rules |
The minimum age is 18 years as on the last date of application, under the Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977. 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)
| Candidate Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General Merit, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B (OBC) | Rs.750 |
| SC, ST, Category-1, Ex-Servicemen, Transgender | Rs.500 |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwBD) / Special Incentive Category | Rs.250 |
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. Apply for only the post that matches your qualification level — KEA does not permit multiple applications for different post categories in the same notification cycle. Ensure your Caste Certificate (SC/ST/OBC) is in the Karnataka state government format; certificates in other state formats are not accepted for reservation benefits.
How to Apply Online for KEA Recruitment 2026 — Step by Step
- Visit the official KEA portal: Go to cetonline.karnataka.gov.in and look for the KEA Recruitment 2026 notification link under the Recruitment section.
- 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.
- 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.
- Fill the application form: Log in with your OTR credentials and fill in personal details, educational qualifications, caste/category details, and preferred exam centre.
- Upload documents: Upload a scanned passport-size photograph (JPG, max 50 KB) and your signature (JPG, max 30 KB) in the specified format. Ensure documents are clear and within file size limits.
- Pay the application fee: Proceed to fee payment using Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. Download and save the payment receipt immediately.
- 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 2026 Exam Pattern and Syllabus Overview
All non-technical posts (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 use the same Paper-1 general syllabus plus a separate post-specific Paper-2 published individually per notification.
| Paper | Subjects Covered | Marks | Duration | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-1 (General) | General Knowledge, Kannada, Mental Ability, Current Affairs, Constitution | 150 | 2 hours | CBT / OMR |
| Paper-2 (Specific) | Post-specific subject (e.g., Accounts, Civil Engg, Commerce) | 150 | 2 hours | CBT / OMR |
| Kannada Language Test | Qualifying paper (if not already cleared SSLC Kannada) | Qualifying | 1 hour | OMR |
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 Junior Engineer (Civil) posts, Paper-2 covers Civil Engineering topics including Materials of Construction, Surveying, 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
| Event | Date / Period |
|---|---|
| KEA Vacancy Announcement (Notification No. ED/KEA/14/NEV/2026) | 31 August 2026 |
| Detailed Notification Issuance | September 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | To be announced in September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | To be announced (check kea.kar.nic.in) |
| Application Fee Payment Deadline | 1 day after last application date |
| Admit Card Release | Prior to examination (October–November 2026) |
| Written Examination | November – December 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | After examination (check official website) |
| Result Declaration | Early 2027 (tentative) |
| Document Verification | After result (exact dates TBA) |
All dates are as per the official KEA announcement dated August 31, 2026. Vacancy count and departments may change when final notifications are issued. Bookmark kea.kar.nic.in for real-time updates.
Important Links — KEA Recruitment 2026
Frequently Asked Questions About KEA Recruitment 2026
What is KEA recruitment 2026 and how many total vacancies are available across all Karnataka departments?
When will the KEA 2026 application window open and what is the expected last date to apply online?
What is the monthly salary for KEA recruitment 2026 posts at degree and PUC level under Karnataka pay scales?
What is the application fee for KEA 2026 recruitment and which categories get a fee reduction or exemption?
What is the age limit for KEA recruitment 2026 and which categories get additional age relaxation under GO No. C 262 SENI 2025?
When will the KEA recruitment 2026 written examination be conducted and how is the final merit list prepared?
Is there any interview stage in the KEA 2026 recruitment process for Group C non-technical and technical posts?
What is the difference between RPC and Kalyana Karnataka cadre vacancies in KEA recruitment 2026 notification?
What documents are required to upload and produce at verification for KEA recruitment 2026 application process?
Last Updated: October 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. This page is reviewed and updated when official data changes.
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.
