The KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026 is now live for the Village Administrative Officer exam, and RPC/General cadre candidates can download it from the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) portal today. The written exam for 572 posts is on 4 October 2026, so you have only days left to print your call letter and check your exam centre.
This guide is for PUC-pass candidates in Karnataka who applied for the Village Administrative Officer (Grama Aadalitha Adhikari) post. It covers the release date, login steps, documents, exam pattern, salary, cadre-wise schedule and the most-asked questions, all in one place. It also reflects the latest 2026 update from the official portal.
The KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026 is available at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in for the RPC/General cadre, with the written exam on 4 October 2026 for 572 Village Administrative Officer posts. Kalyana Karnataka cadre candidates, whose exam is on 25 October 2026, must wait for a separate release. Log in with your application details, then carry a printout and a valid photo ID to the exam centre.
- Conducting Body: Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)
- Post: Village Administrative Officer (VAO), Revenue Department
- Total Vacancies: 572 (505 RPC/General + 67 Kalyana Karnataka)
- Hall Ticket Status: Released for RPC/General cadre (27–28 September 2026)
- Exam Dates: 4 October 2026 (RPC/General) and 25 October 2026 (Kalyana Karnataka)
- Exam Mode: Offline, OMR-based, objective type
- Negative Marking: 0.25 mark per wrong answer
- Pay Scale: ₹34,100 – ₹67,600 per month
- Official Website: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea
- What Is the KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026 and Why Does It Matter?
- Who Should Read This KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026 Guide?
- KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026 Release Date and Exam Schedule
- How to Download KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026 Step by Step
- Details on the KEA VAO Admit Card, Documents and Exam-Day Rules
- KEA VAO Exam Pattern 2026: Papers, Marks and Negative Marking
- KEA VAO Salary 2026: Pay Scale and Career Growth
- KEA VAO Eligibility, Age Limit and Application Fee
- KEA VAO RPC/General vs Kalyana Karnataka Cadre
- Pros and Cons of the Village Administrative Officer Job
- Important Terms Related to KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026
- KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026 Important Links
- Conclusion: Final Thoughts on KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions About KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026
What Is the KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026 and Why Does It Matter?

KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026: The KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026 is an official admission ticket issued by the Karnataka Examinations Authority to candidates who applied for 572 Village Administrative Officer posts. It carries your name, roll number, exam date, reporting time and centre address. Without a printed copy, you cannot enter the OMR-based written examination.
You will also see it called the KEA VAO admit card, call letter or admission ticket. All four names mean the same document. KEA issues it online only, so nobody will post or email a physical copy to you.
The Village Administrative Officer, also called Village Accountant or Grama Aadalitha Adhikari, is the village-level face of the Revenue Department. VAOs maintain land records such as RTC and Pahani, handle mutation work and help implement government schemes. Read the full vacancy and eligibility details in our KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 notification guide.
| Hall Ticket Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Issued By | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Also Called | Admit card, call letter, admission ticket |
| Delivery Mode | Online download only |
| Login Needed | Application/registration number and other credentials |
| Must Carry to Exam | Printed hall ticket plus valid photo ID |
| Cost to Download | Free on the official portal |
Who Should Read This KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026 Guide?
This guide is for anyone who submitted a KEA VAO application and is now preparing for the October written exam. If you fit one of the profiles below, keep reading.
- 🎓 PUC and 12th-pass candidates who applied for the VAO post and need the direct hall ticket link.
- 📍 RPC/General cadre applicants whose exam is on 4 October 2026 and who must download the call letter now.
- 🏞️ Kalyana Karnataka applicants from Kalaburagi, Bidar and Raichuru who are waiting for the 25 October 2026 hall ticket.
- 📝 First-time government exam takers who have never used the KEA login before.
- 👨👩👧 Parents and guardians who want to plan travel to the exam centre.
- 📚 Serious aspirants who want the exam pattern and negative-marking strategy before test day.
- 💼 Working candidates who must plan leave for the exam and need exact dates.
KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026 Release Date and Exam Schedule
KEA released the VAO hall ticket for the RPC/General cadre in the last week of September 2026, ahead of the 4 October exam. Most reports place the release on 27–28 September 2026. The Kalyana Karnataka cadre hall ticket will follow separately because that exam is on 25 October 2026, as per the official KEA portal.
| Cadre | Vacancies | Exam Date | Hall Ticket Status (29 Sep 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| RPC / General | 505 | 4 October 2026 | Released |
| Kalyana Karnataka | 67 | 25 October 2026 | To be released later |
| Total | 572 | Two exam dates | Cadre-wise release |
Session timings are printed on each hall ticket, so always trust your own call letter over any website. Some reports mention a morning session from 10:30 AM and an afternoon session from 2:30 PM. Your exact shift and reporting time depend on your centre allotment.
District-Wise Vacancy Highlights
The 505 RPC/General posts are spread across many districts. Tumakuru and Mandya lead with 50 posts each, followed by Belagavi with 48 and Mysuru with 45. In the Kalyana Karnataka cadre, Kalaburagi has 40 of the 67 posts, Bidar has 17 and Raichuru has 10, as per the notification figures reported on OnlineResult.
Compulsory Kannada Language Test
KEA also notified a Compulsory Kannada Language Test for specific VAO candidates, namely those from outside Karnataka and the Kalyana Karnataka quota. That test was scheduled for 22 August 2026, as reported by FreeJobAlert. It is qualifying in nature, and reports mention 50 marks out of 150 as the minimum.
How to Download KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026 Step by Step
You can download the KEA VAO hall ticket in about two minutes by logging in on the KEA candidate portal with your application details. Follow these eight steps in order.
- Open the KEA candidate login page or visit cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
- Go to the “Recruitment” section and find “Village Administrative Officer Recruitment – 2026”.
- Click the “VAO 2026 – Admission Ticket Download” link.
- Enter your application or registration number and the other credentials the portal asks for, such as date of birth.
- Type the captcha code and click Submit or Login.
- Check your name, photo, signature, exam date and centre on the screen.
- Download the hall ticket PDF to your phone or computer.
- Take a clear A4 printout and keep at least two copies.
Download the hall ticket today instead of waiting for the last two days. Government portals often slow down when thousands of candidates log in together. Save the PDF in your email or cloud drive too, so a lost printout never becomes a problem on 3 October.
Use only the official KEA domain ending in karnataka.gov.in. Never pay any person or website for a hall ticket, and never share your OTP or bank details with anyone claiming to help you download it.
For other recent call letters, browse our admit card section. You can also see how the process works for other exams in our SSC CGL Admit Card 2026 guide.
Details on the KEA VAO Admit Card, Documents and Exam-Day Rules
Your admit card lists your personal details, exam schedule and centre address, and you must verify every field the moment you download it. A single wrong entry can cause trouble at the gate, so check it carefully.
Details Printed on the Hall Ticket
- Candidate name and roll or registration number
- Photograph and signature
- Exam name and post (Village Administrative Officer)
- Exam date, shift and reporting time
- Exam centre name, address and centre code
- Important exam-day instructions
Documents to Carry to the Exam Centre
- Printed hall ticket (a phone screenshot is not enough)
- Valid photo ID such as Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, Driving Licence or Passport
- Passport-size photograph, if the hall ticket asks for one
- Blue or black ball-point pen for filling the OMR sheet
What to Do If Your Hall Ticket Has an Error
Contact KEA the same day if your name, photo, exam details or any other field is wrong. Keep your application number ready and describe the mistake clearly. The contact details below were published in exam coverage by Adda247, so confirm them on the official portal too.
| Contact Mode | Details |
|---|---|
| KEA Helpline | 080-23460460 |
| Alternative Phone | 080-23564583 |
| keauthority-ka@nic.in | |
| Address | Karnataka Examinations Authority, Sampige Road, 18th Cross, Malleshwaram, Bengaluru – 560012 |
Exam-Day Rules and Checklist
- Reach the centre before the reporting time printed on your hall ticket.
- Visit the centre a day earlier if it is in an unfamiliar town.
- Do not carry mobile phones, smart watches or other electronic devices inside the hall.
- Follow every instruction from the invigilator without argument.
- Fill the OMR sheet carefully, because erasing or overwriting can invalidate an answer.
KEA VAO Exam Pattern 2026: Papers, Marks and Negative Marking
The KEA VAO written exam has two objective papers of 100 marks each, held offline on an OMR sheet, with 0.25 mark deducted for every wrong answer. Questions are bilingual in Kannada and English, and each has four options, as per the pattern reported on OnlineResult.
| Stage / Paper | Subjects | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Knowledge: current affairs, science, Constitution, Indian and Karnataka history and geography, Panchayat Raj, rural development | 100 | 100 |
| Paper 2 | General Kannada, General English and Computer Knowledge | 100 | 100 |
| Kannada Language Test | SSLC-level Kannada, qualifying only (for specified candidates) | MCQ | 150 (min 50 to qualify) |
| Document Verification | Certificates, category and age proof | N/A | Pass/Fail |
There is no interview round for this post. Your final merit depends on the written exam, followed by document verification.
How Negative Marking Changes Your Strategy
Here is a simple calculation most guides skip. If you answer 90 questions in a paper, with 75 right and 15 wrong, your score is 75 minus 3.75, which equals 71.25 marks. Each wrong answer therefore cancels a quarter of one correct answer.
A blind guess among four options gives an expected gain of only 0.0625 marks. If you can eliminate two options, the expected gain of a guess rises to 0.375 marks. So guess only when you can remove at least two choices.
Last-Week Preparation Plan
- Revise current affairs from the last 12 to 18 months, including Karnataka schemes.
- Practise Kannada grammar (sandhi, samasa, vibhakti) and English error spotting daily.
- Revise revenue basics such as RTC, Pahani, mutation and Panchayat Raj structure.
- Solve one full timed OMR mock test every day to build speed.
- Stop learning new topics two days before the exam and only revise.
KEA VAO Salary 2026: Pay Scale and Career Growth
The KEA VAO salary starts at ₹34,100 per month and rises up to ₹67,600 under the Karnataka Government pay scale. That means ₹4.09 lakh a year at basic pay alone, before allowances. Details follow the pay scale reported by GovtJobsAlert and the official notification.
| Salary Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Scale | ₹34,100 – ₹67,600 per month |
| Starting Basic Pay | ₹34,100 per month (about ₹4.09 lakh per year) |
| Estimated Gross Salary | About ₹40,000 – ₹50,000+ per month with DA and HRA |
| Probation Period | 2 years |
| Pension | National Pension System (NPS) |
| Allowances | DA, HRA and others as per Karnataka Government norms |
The in-hand amount changes with your posting city and the current DA rate. VAOs can be promoted to higher revenue posts such as Revenue Inspector over their service. See our KEA Recruitment 2026 guide for other salary and vacancy details from the same authority.
KEA VAO Eligibility, Age Limit and Application Fee
Candidates need a PUC (Class 12) pass or an equivalent qualification, and must be between 18 and 40 years for general merit. The limits below come from the recruitment notification hosted on the KEA portal, so read the full PDF for exceptions.
- Education: PUC, CBSE/ICSE Class 12, other state board Class 12 or NIOS senior secondary.
- Other accepted routes: a 2-year ITI with one language and one subject, and certain GOC courses. A 3-year Diploma counts only for direct recruitment or compassionate appointment.
- Nationality: Indian citizen.
- Single application: only one application per candidate was allowed.
| Category | Age Limit | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|
| General Merit | 18 – 40 years | ₹750 |
| Category 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | 18 – 43 years | ₹750 |
| SC / ST / Category-1 | 18 – 45 years | ₹500 |
| Ex-Servicemen / Transgender | As per notification | ₹500 |
| Persons with Disabilities | As per notification | ₹250 |
KEA VAO RPC/General vs Kalyana Karnataka Cadre
The RPC/General cadre has 505 posts and its hall ticket is already out, while the Kalyana Karnataka cadre has 67 posts and its call letter is still pending. Both cadres appear for the same paper pattern but on different dates.
| Parameter | RPC / General Cadre | Kalyana Karnataka Cadre |
|---|---|---|
| Vacancies | 505 | 67 |
| Exam Date | 4 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
| Hall Ticket Status | Released | To be released later |
| Key Districts | Tumakuru, Mandya, Belagavi, Mysuru | Kalaburagi, Bidar, Raichuru |
| Legal Basis | General merit | Article 371-J reservation |
| Kannada Language Test | Not applicable to most candidates | Applicable to specified quota candidates |
| Exam Pattern | 2 papers, OMR, 0.25 negative | 2 papers, OMR, 0.25 negative |
| Best For | Candidates who can download and plan now | Candidates who should check the portal daily |
RPC/General candidates should download and verify the hall ticket immediately, because the 4 October exam is close. Kalyana Karnataka candidates should keep their application number safe and check the KEA portal every day. Since the paper pattern is the same for both cadres, all candidates can follow one preparation plan.
Pros and Cons of the Village Administrative Officer Job
The VAO post offers a permanent state government career for a Class 12 pass, but the role comes with real field demands. Weigh both sides before you decide how hard to compete.
Advantages
- Starting basic pay of ₹34,100 with only a 12th-pass qualification.
- Permanent job security in the Karnataka Revenue Department.
- No interview round, so merit depends on the written exam.
- Promotion path to higher revenue posts.
- Respected village-level role with direct public contact.
Disadvantages
- Postings can be in rural or remote areas far from your home town.
- Competition is heavy because 572 posts attract a very large applicant pool.
- Pension follows the NPS model, which is market-linked and not a fixed pension.
- Land-record work can involve field visits and public pressure.
Important Terms Related to KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026
These ten terms appear again and again in the notification, the hall ticket and the salary slip. Knowing them saves confusion later.
- Hall Ticket / Admission Ticket: the official entry pass for the exam, issued online by KEA.
- OMR Sheet: an Optical Mark Recognition answer sheet that a machine scans, so bubbles must be filled fully.
- Negative Marking: a penalty of 0.25 mark for every wrong answer in both papers.
- Pay Matrix: the Karnataka Government salary structure that fixes the VAO pay at ₹34,100 to ₹67,600.
- Dearness Allowance (DA): a cost-of-living allowance revised periodically and added to basic pay.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): an allowance that depends on your posting city or class of location.
- National Pension System (NPS): the contributory pension scheme covering new state government appointees.
- Probation Period: the 2-year trial period after joining, before service is confirmed.
- RPC Cadre: the Residual Parent Cadre, which covers the non-Kalyana Karnataka districts (505 posts).
- Article 371-J: the constitutional provision behind the special Kalyana Karnataka cadre (67 posts).
KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026 Important Links
Use the table below to reach the official download page, the KEA website and our related guides. The first row is the direct hall ticket link.
| Link Name | URL |
|---|---|
| KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026 – Download Link (Notification & Admit Card Login) | Click Here to Download Hall Ticket |
| KEA Official Website (Recruitment Section) | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
| KEA Main Website | kea.kar.nic.in |
| Revenue Department, Karnataka | revenue.karnataka.gov.in |
| National Portal of India | india.gov.in |
| KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 (Our Guide) | KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 – 572 Posts |
| KEA Recruitment 2026 (Our Guide) | KEA Recruitment 2026 – 4744 Posts |
| More Admit Cards | Latest Admit Card Updates |
| More Government Jobs | Latest Government Jobs 2026 |
| Join Telegram Alerts | Join @agrijob_in on Telegram |
Conclusion: Final Thoughts on KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026
The KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026 is out for the RPC/General cadre, and the 4 October exam leaves little time to fix mistakes. Download the PDF, verify every detail, and prepare your ID and printout in advance. Bookmark this page, because we update it when KEA releases the Kalyana Karnataka hall ticket, and read our KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 guide to revisit the full vacancy details.
- The KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026 is live for the RPC/General cadre at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.
- The written exam covers 572 posts and is held on 4 October and 25 October 2026.
- Carry a printed hall ticket and valid photo ID; a phone screenshot will not be enough.
- Each wrong answer costs 0.25 mark, so guess only after removing two options.
- The VAO pay scale is ₹34,100 – ₹67,600 per month, with no interview round.
- Download your call letter today and bookmark this page for the Kalyana Karnataka update.
Frequently Asked Questions About KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026
When was the KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026 released?
KEA released the VAO hall ticket for the RPC/General cadre in the last week of September 2026, with most reports pointing to 27–28 September. It was issued ahead of the 4 October 2026 written exam. The Kalyana Karnataka cadre hall ticket is expected separately before 25 October 2026.
Where can I download the KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026?
You can download the KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026 from the official KEA candidate login page at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. Click the VAO 2026 admission ticket link, enter your login details and captcha, and save the PDF. The direct link is given in the Important Links table above.
What is the KEA VAO exam date 2026?
The KEA VAO exam is scheduled for 4 October 2026 for the RPC/General cadre and 25 October 2026 for the Kalyana Karnataka cadre. Your exact shift and reporting time are printed on your KEA VAO hall ticket 2026.
Is the KEA VAO hall ticket released for the Kalyana Karnataka cadre?
No. As of 29 September 2026, the hall ticket is out only for the RPC/General cadre. Kalyana Karnataka candidates, whose exam is on 25 October 2026, should check the KEA portal regularly for the separate release.
What details are needed to download the KEA VAO admit card?
You need your application or registration number and the other login details the portal asks for, such as date of birth, plus the captcha code. Keep your application confirmation handy. If you forgot your credentials, contact the KEA helpline listed in this guide.
Is it mandatory to carry a printed KEA VAO hall ticket?
Yes. Candidates must carry a printed copy of the KEA VAO hall ticket along with a valid photo ID such as Aadhaar, PAN or Voter ID. A digital copy on a phone is not a safe substitute, and phones are not allowed inside the exam hall.
What should I do if there is an error in my KEA VAO hall ticket?
Contact the Karnataka Examinations Authority immediately by phone or email, mention your application number and describe the mistake. Do not wait until the exam day. Note the error, follow KEA’s instructions and get the correction confirmed before you travel.
What is the KEA VAO exam pattern and negative marking?
The KEA VAO exam has two objective papers of 100 marks each, held offline on an OMR sheet. Paper 1 covers General Knowledge, and Paper 2 covers General Kannada, General English and Computer Knowledge. Every wrong answer carries a penalty of 0.25 mark.
What is the salary of a Village Administrative Officer in Karnataka?
The Village Administrative Officer pay scale is ₹34,100 to ₹67,600 per month under the Karnataka Government pay matrix. With DA and HRA, the gross salary for new appointees is estimated at ₹40,000 to ₹50,000 or more per month, depending on the posting.
How many vacancies are there in KEA VAO Recruitment 2026?
KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 has 572 vacancies in total. Of these, 505 posts are in the RPC/General cadre and 67 posts are in the Kalyana Karnataka cadre under the Karnataka Revenue Department. Candidates taking the exam on the KEA VAO hall ticket 2026 compete for these posts.
Last Updated: September 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly for accuracy. Bookmark this page for the latest information, including the Kalyana Karnataka hall ticket update. Written by NITISH SINGH, career counsellor, agriculture professional and ex-bank officer at Agrijob.in.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for guidance only and is compiled from the official KEA portal and public reports. Exam dates, timings and hall ticket status can change, so always verify details on the official website and on your own hall ticket. We do not represent KEA or any employer, we do not guarantee employment, and we never ask candidates for fees, OTPs or personal information.






