The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru, has released the Admit Card (Admission Ticket) for the Kalyana Karnataka (KK) Cadre Written Examination for the posts of Agricultural Officer (AO) and Assistant Agricultural Officer (AAO) in the Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka on 02 August 2026. The KK Cadre competitive examination is scheduled on 8 August 2026 (Saturday) in two papers – Paper 1 (General Knowledge): 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM and Paper 2 (Specified Subject): 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Candidates who applied under Advertisement No. EDI/KEA/09/SEV/2026 dated 30.05.2026 (the revised KK Cadre notification, superseding the earlier Advt. No. EDI/KEA/09/KK/2026 dated 18.04.2026) for the approximately 258 KK Cadre vacancies (242 regular + 16 PwD) can download their Admit Card by logging in at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/KEA_EXAM_PORTAL/Forms/Candidates/Login. The RPC (Residual Parent Cadre) exam is scheduled for 9 August 2026 (Sunday) – a separate admit card for RPC cadre candidates will be available on the KEA portal. The examination is Offline OMR-based, with 0.25 marks negative marking per wrong answer and a minimum qualifying mark of 35 in the competitive examination.
Important Note: Five critical points every KK Cadre candidate must act on immediately. First, the exam is on 8 August 2026 – only 5 days away; download your Admit Card NOW from cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/KEA_EXAM_PORTAL/Forms/Candidates/Login – do not wait. Second, the exam schedule was revised on 19 July 2026 – the KK Cadre exam was originally scheduled for 25 July 2026 but has been rescheduled to 8 August 2026; if you downloaded an older version of any exam schedule, disregard it and rely only on the current Admit Card. Third, candidates must arrive at least 2 hours before the exam start time for Paper 1 (i.e. by 8:30 AM for the 10:30 AM paper) as frisking and entry checks are conducted before candidates are admitted to the hall; late entry will not be permitted. Fourth, candidates must appear for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 separately on the same day – Paper 1 ends at 12:30 PM and Paper 2 begins at 2:30 PM; plan your day, travel, and meals accordingly. Fifth, this Admit Card covers KK Cadre only – if you applied for the RPC (Residual Parent Cadre) under Advt. No. EDI/KEA/08/RPC/2026, your exam is on 9 August 2026 (Sunday) and a separate admit card applies.
Overview – KEA AO and AAO KK Cadre Exam 2026
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
| Department | Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka |
| Posts | Agricultural Officer (AO) and Assistant Agricultural Officer (AAO) |
| KK Cadre Advertisement No. | EDI/KEA/09/SEV/2026 dated 30.05.2026 (revised from EDI/KEA/09/KK/2026) |
| KK Cadre Vacancies | Approximately 258 (242 regular + 16 PwD horizontal) |
| Admit Card Released | 02 August 2026 |
| KK Cadre Exam Date | 8 August 2026 (Saturday) |
| Paper 1 Timing | 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM |
| Paper 2 Timing | 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM |
| Exam Mode | Offline – OMR-based (Objective type) |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks per wrong answer |
| Minimum Qualifying Marks | 35 marks in competitive examination |
| Download Admit Card | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/KEA_EXAM_PORTAL/Forms/Candidates/Login |
| RPC Cadre Exam (for reference) | 9 August 2026 (Sunday) – separate admit card |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| KK Cadre Revised Notification Date | 30 May 2026 |
| Application Window | 30 May 2026 to 20 June 2026 |
| Compulsory Kannada Language Test (already held) | 19 July 2026 |
| Original KK Cadre Exam Date (superseded) | 25 July 2026 |
| Revised Exam Schedule Issued | 19 July 2026 |
| Admit Card (KK Cadre) Released | 02 August 2026 |
| KK Cadre Written Exam – Paper 1 and Paper 2 | 8 August 2026 (Saturday) |
| RPC Cadre Written Exam | 9 August 2026 (Sunday) |
| Provisional Answer Key | To be released on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in after exam |
| Result | To be notified on kea.kar.nic.in |
Vacancy Details – KEA AO and AAO 2026 (Total)
| Cadre | Advertisement No. | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Kalyana Karnataka (KK) Cadre | EDI/KEA/09/SEV/2026 dated 30.05.2026 | ~258 (242 + 16 PwD) |
| Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) | EDI/KEA/08/RPC/2026 dated 30.05.2026 | ~687 (including backlog + PwD) |
| Total (both cadres) | ~945 |
KK Cadre Note: The Kalyana Karnataka cadre is reserved for candidates belonging to the Kalyana Karnataka region (districts of Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari, and Vijayanagara). This exam and admit card is for KK Cadre candidates only.
Pay Scale
| Post | Pay Scale (Karnataka State Pay Matrix) |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Officer (AO) | Rs. 69,250 – Rs. 1,34,200 per month |
| Assistant Agricultural Officer (AAO) | Rs. 65,950 – Rs. 1,24,900 per month |
Posts are Group-B Gazetted (AO) and Group-B Non-Gazetted (AAO), permanent posts in the Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka. In addition to basic pay, selected candidates receive Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, and other allowances as per Karnataka Government rules. Pension benefits are under the National Pension System (NPS).
Educational Qualification (for Reference)
| Category | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Sre.85 Posts (AO and AAO) | B.Sc. (Agriculture) or B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture from a University/Institute recognised by ICAR/UGC |
| Sre.15 Posts (AO and AAO) | B.Tech in Food Technology/Food Science/Agricultural Engineering/Biotechnology/Sericulture/Horticulture; or B.Sc. in Sericulture/Horticulture; or other agriculture-related degrees as specified in the official notification |
Compulsory Kannada Test: All candidates (including those from other states) must pass the Compulsory Kannada Language Test (CKLT). This test was already conducted on 19 July 2026. Candidates who appeared in the CKLT and qualify in the competitive examination will proceed to the merit list. Candidates who failed the CKLT are ineligible for the merit list.
Exam Pattern – KEA AO and AAO Written Examination
| Paper | Subject | Timing | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Knowledge | 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM | 300 | 2 hours |
| Paper 2 | Specified Subject (Agriculture/related discipline) | 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM | 300 | 2 hours |
| Total | 600 |
Mode: Offline OMR (candidates shade answers on the OMR sheet using black/blue pen or as specified on the admit card)
Negative Marking: 0.25 marks (one-fourth) deducted per wrong answer
Minimum Qualifying: 35 marks in the competitive examination (combined Papers 1 and 2)
Multiple shading: Double-shaded or blank answers attract the same 0.25-mark deduction as wrong answers
How to Download the KEA AO and AAO KK Cadre Admit Card 2026
- Visit the official KEA Exam Portal login page: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/KEA_EXAM_PORTAL/Forms/Candidates/Login
- Enter your Application Number / Registration Number and Date of Birth (or the first four letters of your name, as required by the portal field).
- Submit the credentials and your Admit Card will be displayed on screen.
- Verify all details: Name, Roll Number, Photograph, Post (AO or AAO), Cadre (KK), Exam Date (8 August 2026), Paper timings (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM), Exam Centre name and address.
- Download and print the Admit Card on A4 white paper – carry at least two copies.
- If any discrepancy is found in the Admit Card (name, photo, centre), contact the KEA helpdesk immediately at kea.kar.nic.in or through the KEA office.
Documents Required at the Exam Centre
- Printed copy of the Admit Card (mandatory for both Paper 1 and Paper 2)
- Valid original Photo ID proof – Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Driving Licence, or Passport
- Passport-size photograph (if specified on the Admit Card)
- Any other document mentioned on the Admit Card
Important Instructions for the Exam Day
- Arrive at the exam centre at least 2 hours before the exam start time (by 8:30 AM for Paper 1 at 10:30 AM; by 12:30 PM for Paper 2 at 2:30 PM). Frisking and entry checks are conducted before candidates are admitted to the hall.
- Entry will not be permitted after the gate closes under any circumstances. Plan for traffic, travel time, and queue delays.
- Carry the Admit Card and valid original Photo ID – entry is denied without either document.
- The exam is Offline OMR-based – shade answers clearly with the prescribed pen. Do not use pencil unless specifically instructed.
- 0.25 marks negative marking – do not attempt questions where you are completely unsure. Double-shading also attracts the penalty.
- Mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, calculators, and all electronic gadgets are strictly prohibited inside the examination centre.
- In case of any discrepancy between the question paper and options, and if it is resolved after the answer key challenge, corresponding marks will be added uniformly to all candidates. If no correct option exists, the 0.25-mark deduction rule still applies.
- Monitor kea.kar.nic.in for any last-minute updates, centre changes, or additional instructions.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Download Admit Card – KEA AO and AAO KK Cadre (Login) | Click Here |
| KEA Official Website | Click Here |
| KEA Application Portal | Click Here |
KEA AO and AAO Admit Card 2026 – FAQs
Q1. When was the KEA AO and AAO KK Cadre Admit Card 2026 released?
✅ The KK Cadre Admit Card was released on 02 August 2026 by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). Candidates can download it from cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/KEA_EXAM_PORTAL/Forms/Candidates/Login using their Application Number and Date of Birth.
Q2. When is the KEA AO and AAO KK Cadre written exam?
✅ The KK Cadre written examination is on 8 August 2026 (Saturday) – Paper 1 (General Knowledge): 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM and Paper 2 (Specified Subject): 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Both papers are on the same day.
Q3. What is the exam date for the RPC Cadre?
✅ The RPC (Residual Parent Cadre) exam is scheduled for 9 August 2026 (Sunday). The KK Cadre admit card is not valid for the RPC exam – a separate admit card applies for RPC cadre candidates.
Q4. Is there negative marking in the KEA AO and AAO exam?
✅ Yes – 0.25 marks (one-fourth) are deducted for every wrong answer. Double-shaded answers also attract the same penalty. The minimum qualifying mark in the competitive examination is 35 marks.
Q5. What are the pay scales for AO and AAO posts?
✅ Agricultural Officer (AO): Rs. 69,250 to Rs. 1,34,200 per month. Assistant Agricultural Officer (AAO): Rs. 65,950 to Rs. 1,24,900 per month. Both are permanent Group-B posts in the Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka, with NPS pension benefits.
Q6. What is the exam pattern?
✅ Two papers on the same day – Paper 1 (General Knowledge, 300 marks, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM) and Paper 2 (Specified Subject/Agriculture, 300 marks, 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM). Total: 600 marks. Mode: Offline OMR. Negative marking: 0.25 per wrong answer.
Q7. What documents should I carry to the exam?
✅ Carry the printed Admit Card and a valid original Photo ID (Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN, Driving Licence, or Passport). Mobile phones and electronic devices are strictly banned inside the examination premises.
Q8. When should I arrive at the exam centre?
✅ Arrive at least 2 hours before the start time of each paper – by approximately 8:30 AM for Paper 1 (10:30 AM start) and by 12:30 PM for Paper 2 (2:30 PM start). Late entry is not permitted after the gates close.
Q9. What is the Compulsory Kannada Language Test (CKLT) and has it been held?
✅ The CKLT is a mandatory qualifying test in the Kannada language for all candidates. It was already conducted on 19 July 2026. Only candidates who appeared in the CKLT and qualify in the competitive written exam proceed to the merit list.
Q10. Where will the KEA AO and AAO result and answer key be published?
✅ The Provisional Answer Key and result will be published on the official KEA website kea.kar.nic.in and the CETs portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. Monitor these sites after the exam on 8 August 2026.
Disclaimer
The information above is compiled from the official Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in and verified from multiple consistent sources as of 3 August 2026. All details – Advertisement No. EDI/KEA/09/SEV/2026 (KK Cadre revised notification dated 30.05.2026), admit card release date (02.08.2026), KK Cadre exam date (8 August 2026), Paper 1 timing (10:30 AM to 12:30 PM), Paper 2 timing (2:30 PM to 4:30 PM), exam mode (Offline OMR), negative marking (0.25 marks per wrong answer), minimum qualifying marks (35), pay scales (AO: Rs. 69,250-1,34,200; AAO: Rs. 65,950-1,24,900), and the admit card download link – are as published by KEA on cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. The RPC Cadre exam is on 9 August 2026 under a separate Advt. No. EDI/KEA/08/RPC/2026. Candidates are strongly advised to download their Admit Card from the official KEA Exam Portal and monitor kea.kar.nic.in for any last-minute updates.
