The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) is conducting the 2026 FDA SDA recruitment for 5,431 vacancies across the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) and Kalyana Karnataka (KK) cadre. The exam pattern for the FDA and SDA posts includes two objective papers carrying 100 marks each, plus a qualifying Kannada Language Test of 150 marks for applicable candidates. The competitive exam covers General Knowledge, General Kannada, General English and Computer Knowledge. The examinations are scheduled for January 2027. This article covers the full subject-wise syllabus, exam pattern, negative marking rules and preparation tips.
Important Note
1. The Kannada Language Test carries 150 marks and is qualifying in nature. It is not counted in the 200-mark competitive total. Failing the Kannada test disqualifies a candidate regardless of competitive exam marks. Verify the exemption and qualifying mark conditions from your specific KEA notification.
2. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks per incorrect answer in the objective papers. This is reported in the available syllabus information and must be confirmed from the official KEA notification for your post and cadre.
3. The FDA exam (degree-level) and SDA exam (PUC-level) share the same subject areas but differ in the standard of General Knowledge questions. Prepare at the level appropriate to your post.
KEA FDA SDA Syllabus 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Post Names | First Division Assistant (FDA), Second Division Assistant (SDA) and Other Notified Posts |
| Total Vacancies | 5,431 |
| Recruitment Cadres | Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) and Kalyana Karnataka (KK) |
| FDA Level | Degree-Level |
| SDA Level | PUC-Level |
| Paper 1 | General Knowledge |
| Paper 2 | General Kannada, General English and Computer Knowledge |
| Competitive Exam Total | 200 Marks (Paper 1 + Paper 2) |
| Each Paper | 100 Marks, 2 Hours |
| Kannada Language Test | 150 Marks, Qualifying (where applicable) |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks per wrong answer (unconfirmed – verify from official notification) |
| Exam Dates | 8, 9, 10, 16 and 17 January 2027 |
| Application Last Date | 25 November 2026 |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
KEA FDA SDA Selection Process 2026
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Competitive Written Examination | Paper 1 (General Knowledge, 100 marks) and Paper 2 (General Kannada, English and Computer, 100 marks) |
| 2. Kannada Language Test | 150 marks, qualifying in nature, where applicable |
| 3. Document Verification | Eligibility, category and certificate verification before appointment |
The final merit for selection is based on the competitive examination marks. The Kannada Language Test is qualifying only.
KEA FDA SDA Exam Pattern 2026
Paper-Wise Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours |
| Paper 2 | General Kannada, General English and Computer Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours |
| Kannada Language Test | Compulsory Kannada (qualifying) | 150 | As prescribed |
| Competitive Total | Paper 1 + Paper 2 | 200 | 4 hours |
Marking Scheme
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Marks per Correct Answer | Objective (1 mark per question implied by 100 questions / 100 marks) |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks per wrong answer (unconfirmed – verify from official notification) |
| Kannada Language Test | Qualifying only, not counted in competitive total |
Candidates should check the exact question count per paper and the confirmed negative marking rule from the official KEA recruitment notification for their cadre and post.
KEA FDA SDA Syllabus 2026: Subject-Wise Topics
1. General Knowledge (Paper 1, 100 Marks)
General Knowledge covers both Indian and Karnataka-specific topics across history, polity, geography, economy, science, environment and current affairs.
| Topic | Important Areas |
|---|---|
| Indian History | Ancient, Medieval and Modern India; Freedom Struggle; Important Dynasties; Reform Movements; National Leaders |
| Karnataka History | Historical Dynasties; Karnataka Freedom Movement; State Unification; Social Reformers; Culture and Personalities |
| Indian Constitution | Preamble; Fundamental Rights; Fundamental Duties; Directive Principles; Parliament; President; Judiciary; Constitutional Institutions |
| Karnataka Polity | Governor; Chief Minister; Legislative Assembly; State Administration; Panchayati Raj; Local Self-Government |
| Indian Geography | Mountains; Rivers; Climate; Soil; Natural Resources; Population; Agriculture; Industries; Transport |
| Karnataka Geography | Rivers; Dams; Forests; Minerals; Climate; Agriculture; Irrigation Projects; National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries |
| Indian Economy | GDP; Inflation; Banking; Poverty; Employment; Taxation; Budget; Public Finance; Economic Development |
| Karnataka Economy | State Budget; Agriculture; Major Industries; Employment; Irrigation; Development Programmes; Welfare Schemes |
| General Science | Physics; Chemistry; Biology; Human Body; Nutrition; Diseases; Scientific Developments |
| Environment | Pollution; Biodiversity; Conservation; Climate Change; Ecosystems; Environmental Protection |
| Current Affairs | National, International and Karnataka Current Events; Government Schemes; Awards; Sports; Important Appointments |
| Mental Ability | Number Series; Analogy; Classification; Coding-Decoding; Directions; Relationships; Arithmetic; Logical Reasoning |
FDA (degree-level) candidates should prepare at a higher standard of depth, particularly in polity, economy and current affairs, compared to SDA (PUC-level) candidates.
2. General Kannada (Part of Paper 2, 100 Marks Combined)
| Topic | Preparation Areas |
|---|---|
| Kannada Grammar | Basic grammar rules and correct usage |
| Vocabulary | Word meanings and correct usage |
| Synonyms and Antonyms | Paryayavachi and Virudharthaka shabdagalu |
| Sandhi | ಸಂಧಿ – word formation and sandhi rules |
| Samas (Compound Words) | Samasapada rachane and vigrahana |
| Idioms and Phrases | Common Kannada idioms and their meanings |
| Proverbs | Kannada proverbs and their meanings |
| Sentence Formation and Correction | Correct sentence construction and grammatical error identification |
| Spelling | Correct Kannada word spelling |
| Reading Comprehension | Understanding passages and answering questions |
3. General English (Part of Paper 2, 100 Marks Combined)
| Topic | Important Areas |
|---|---|
| Grammar | Parts of speech; articles; tenses; prepositions; conjunctions; subject-verb agreement |
| Vocabulary | Synonyms; antonyms; word meanings; one-word substitutions |
| Sentence Correction | Error detection; sentence improvement; sentence completion |
| Voice and Speech | Active and passive voice; direct and indirect speech |
| Reading Comprehension | Passage-based questions |
| Idioms and Phrases | Common expressions and their meanings |
| Sentence Arrangement | Para jumbles and sentence rearrangement |
| Spelling | Correct spelling and commonly confused words |
| Fill in the Blanks | Appropriate word selection |
4. Computer Knowledge (Part of Paper 2, 100 Marks Combined)
| Topic | Important Areas |
|---|---|
| Computer Fundamentals | Basic concepts, characteristics and applications |
| Generations of Computers | Types and generations |
| Hardware and Software | System components and software categories |
| Input and Output Devices | Keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer and other devices |
| Memory and Storage | RAM, ROM, hard disk, SSD and storage devices |
| Operating Systems | Basic functions and file management |
| MS Office | MS Word, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint |
| Internet | Web browsers, search engines and internet services |
| Email communication and applications | |
| Computer Networks | Basic networking concepts and connectivity |
| Cybersecurity | Passwords, computer security, viruses and malware |
| E-Governance | Government digital services and online applications |
5. Kannada Language Test (Qualifying, 150 Marks)
This test assesses Kannada proficiency at SSLC first-language standard and is separate from the competitive examination.
| Topic | Areas |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Understanding Kannada passages |
| Grammar | Kannada grammar and correct usage |
| Vocabulary | Word meanings and appropriate expressions |
| Sentence Construction | Forming grammatically correct sentences |
| Spelling | Correct spelling and language accuracy |
| Written Expression | Expressing ideas clearly in Kannada |
Verify the minimum qualifying marks and applicable exemption conditions from the official KEA notification for your cadre.
FDA vs SDA: Key Differences
| Particulars | FDA (First Division Assistant) | SDA (Second Division Assistant) |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Standard | Degree-Level | PUC-Level |
| General Knowledge Standard | Degree-Level Depth | PUC-Level Depth |
| General Kannada | Included | Included |
| General English | Included | Included |
| Computer Knowledge | Included | Included |
| Kannada Language Test | As applicable | As applicable |
| Pay Scale | Rs. 44,425 – Rs. 83,700 | Rs. 34,100 – Rs. 67,600 |
Vacancy Details
| Cadre and Level | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| RPC Degree-Level (FDA and equivalent) | 2,163 |
| RPC PUC-Level (SDA and equivalent) | 2,070 |
| Kalyana Karnataka Degree-Level | 563 |
| Kalyana Karnataka PUC-Level | 635 |
| Total | 5,431 |
30-Day Preparation Plan
| Days | Focus Area | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 to 5 | Indian and Karnataka History | Key events, dynasties, freedom struggle and cultural developments |
| Day 6 to 10 | Geography, Economy and Constitution | Indian and Karnataka geography, basic economics and political institutions |
| Day 11 to 15 | General Kannada | Grammar, vocabulary, spelling, sentence correction and comprehension |
| Day 16 to 20 | General English | Grammar, vocabulary, sentence arrangement and comprehension |
| Day 21 to 24 | Computer Knowledge | Hardware, software, MS Office, internet and cybersecurity |
| Day 25 to 27 | Current Affairs and Mental Ability | Karnataka current affairs, reasoning and basic arithmetic |
| Day 28 to 30 | Mock Tests and Revision | Practice tests and revision of weak topics |
How to Prepare for KEA FDA SDA Exam 2026
- Prioritise Karnataka GK. Both papers draw heavily from Karnataka history, geography, polity, economy and current affairs. These are Karnataka-specific posts and the exam reflects that.
- Prepare Kannada grammar daily. Sandhi, Samas, synonyms, antonyms, spelling and comprehension appear in the competitive paper as well as the qualifying test.
- Do not underestimate the Computer section. The topics are limited and well-defined, so a focused 3-4 days of preparation can secure reliable marks.
- Handle negative marking carefully. At 0.25 marks per wrong answer (to be confirmed from the official notification), four wrong answers cancel one correct answer. Avoid guessing in unfamiliar areas.
- Revise Karnataka current affairs consistently. State government schemes, CM and Governor updates, budget announcements and new policies are frequently tested.
- Solve previous FDA and SDA question papers to understand question style and frequently tested topics.
- Practice English grammar and vocabulary. Focus on tenses, sentence correction, one-word substitutions and reading comprehension.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| RPC FDA Degree-Level Notification PDF | Click Here |
| KEA Official Recruitment Website | Click Here |
| KPSC Official Website | Click Here |
FAQs
What is the KEA FDA SDA exam pattern 2026?
The competitive exam has two objective papers of 100 marks each. Paper 1 covers General Knowledge and Paper 2 covers General Kannada, General English and Computer Knowledge. A separate qualifying Kannada Language Test of 150 marks applies to eligible candidates.
How many marks is the KEA FDA SDA competitive exam?
The competitive examination total is 200 marks across Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Is there negative marking in the KEA FDA SDA exam?
The available syllabus information states 0.25 marks per wrong answer. This must be confirmed from the official KEA notification for your post and cadre.
What is the Kannada Language Test in KEA FDA SDA recruitment?
It is a separate qualifying test of 150 marks testing Kannada language proficiency at SSLC first-language standard. It is not counted in the 200-mark competitive total.
When is the KEA FDA SDA exam 2027?
The examinations are scheduled for 8, 9, 10, 16 and 17 January 2027. The applicable date depends on your recruitment category. Check your KEA notification.
What is the difference between FDA and SDA in KEA recruitment?
FDA (First Division Assistant) is a degree-level post with a higher pay scale; SDA (Second Division Assistant) is a PUC-level post. The exam syllabus is the same but the standard of General Knowledge questions differs.
Where can I download the KPSC FDA SDA syllabus PDF?
The official recruitment notification PDF, which contains the exam scheme, is available at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. The direct link to the RPC FDA notification PDF is in the Important Links table above.
Disclaimer
This article is based on the KPSC FDA SDA Syllabus 2026 information available as reported, sourced from the KEA recruitment notifications dated 29 October 2026 at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. The negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer is stated in the available syllabus information and must be verified from the official notification for the specific cadre and post. The exact number of questions per paper, qualifying marks for the Kannada Language Test and exemption conditions must be checked from the respective official notification PDFs at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. JobShouter is not associated with Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) or the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). This article is for informational purposes only.
