The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released two separate official recruitment notifications on 10 July 2026 inviting online applications for the post of Village Accountant – officially called “Grama Aadalitha Adhikari” (Village Administrative Officer / VAO) – under the Revenue Department, Government of Karnataka. A total of 572 vacancies have been announced – 505 posts under the General / RPC cadre across 21 districts and 67 posts reserved for the Kalyana-Karnataka region under Article 371(J). Eligible candidates who have passed PUC or equivalent can apply online from 11 July 2026 to 30 July 2026 through the official KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. Fee payment deadline is 31 July 2026. Candidates are advised to read the complete official notification carefully before applying.
Important Note: Candidates can apply for only one district within their applicable cadre. Applications for more than one district will NOT be accepted. Aadhaar Card is mandatory for application submission. No correction is permitted after submission – fill the form carefully. The written exam for General / RPC cadre is on 04 October 2026 and for Kalyana-Karnataka cadre on 25 October 2026.
Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization Name | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Department | Revenue Department, Government of Karnataka |
| Notification No. (General / RPC) | ED/KEA/26/NEV/2026(RPC) |
| Notification No. (Kalyana-Karnataka) | ED/KEA/27/NEV/2026(KK) |
| Notification Date | 10 July 2026 |
| Post Name | Village Accountant / Grama Aadalitha Adhikari (Village Administrative Officer) |
| Total Vacancies | 572 Posts (505 General / RPC + 67 Kalyana-Karnataka) |
| Application Mode | Online only (via cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea) |
| Exam Mode | Offline – OMR Based |
| Probation Period | 2 Years |
| Job Location | Karnataka (District Wise) |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 10 July 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 11 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 30 July 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 31 July 2026 |
| Admit Card / Exam Centre Details | As Per Schedule |
| Written Exam Date (General / RPC Cadre) | 04 October 2026 |
| Written Exam Date (Kalyana-Karnataka Cadre) | 25 October 2026 |
| Paper 1 Timing | 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM |
| Paper 2 Timing | 02:30 PM to 04:30 PM |
| Result Date | As Per Schedule |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Category 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | Rs. 750/- (Rs. 500 Application Fee + Rs. 250 Processing Fee) |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-Servicemen / Third Gender | Rs. 500/- (Rs. 250 Application Fee + Rs. 250 Processing Fee) |
| Special Chetana (PwBD) | Rs. 250/- (Processing Fee only) |
Payment Mode: Online Payment only. Fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances.
Age Limit (As on Last Date of Application – 30 July 2026)
| Category | Upper Age Limit |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | 40 Years |
| Category 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | 43 Years |
| SC / ST / Category-1 | 45 Years |
Minimum Age: 18 Years (as per Karnataka Civil Services General Recruitment Rules 1977)
Additional Age Relaxation:
| Special Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Karnataka Govt employees / Local Body / PSU employees | Equal to service years OR 10 years (whichever is less) |
| Ex-Servicemen | Service years + 3 years |
| NCC Full-Time Supervisors | Equal to service years |
| Special Chetana (PwBD) | 10 Years |
| Widows (not remarried) / Legally Divorced Women (not remarried) | 10 Years (with proof) |
| Transgender / Third Gender | As per Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019 |
| Retrenched Employees (under Karnataka Retrenched Employees Act 1957) | 10 Years (with proof) |
Eligibility – Educational Qualification
| Post Name | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Village Accountant / Grama Aadalitha Adhikari | PUC (Pre-University Course – equivalent to Class 12th) passed from any recognized Board / Institution. Candidates with higher qualifications are also eligible. |
Equivalent Qualifications Accepted:
- Class 12th from CBSE or ICSE boards.
- Class 12th from any other State Government Pre-University Education Board.
- Advanced vocational / NSDC-affiliated courses through NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling).
- 2-year ITI course with one language and one general subject passed at pre-degree level (treated as PUC equivalent for specified fields only).
- 3-year Diploma from a Technical Education Department institution (completed before 2015) – must have cleared Kannada subject through SSLC-level examination.
A Kannada language compulsory qualifying test (150 marks, minimum 50 marks to qualify) is applicable for candidates who have NOT studied Kannada as first or second language up to SSLC level. This test is qualifying in nature and marks are NOT counted in merit ranking.
Vacancy Details – Total 572 Posts
General / RPC Cadre – District-Wise Vacancies (505 Posts)
| Sl. No. | District | Posts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bengaluru Nagara | 20 |
| 2 | Bengaluru Gramantara | 29 |
| 3 | Chitradurga | 15 |
| 4 | Chikkaballapura | 21 |
| 5 | Tumakuru | 50 |
| 6 | Shivamogga | 18 |
| 7 | Kolara | 22 |
| 8 | Bengaluru Dakshina | 30 |
| 9 | Mysuru | 45 |
| 10 | Mandya | 50 |
| 11 | Hassana | 35 |
| 12 | Udupi | 10 |
| 13 | Dakshina Kannada | 20 |
| 14 | Chamarajanagara | 31 |
| 15 | Chikkamagaluru | 10 |
| 16 | Belagavi | 48 |
| 17 | Bagalakote | 16 |
| 18 | Gadaga | 14 |
| 19 | Haveri | 15 |
| 20 | Bidar | 04 |
| 21 | Raichuru | 02 |
| Total | 505 |
Kalyana-Karnataka Cadre – District-Wise Vacancies (67 Posts) [Article 371(J)]
| Sl. No. | District | Posts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kalaburagi | 40 |
| 2 | Bidar | 17 |
| 3 | Raichuru | 10 |
| Total | 67 |
Note: Vacancy and category-wise figures may be revised by district / revenue authorities. Candidates are advised to check official district authority corrigendums before finalizing their choice of district.
Salary / Pay Scale
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Scale | Rs. 34,100 – 800 – 35,700 – 900 – 39,300 – 1,000 – 43,300 – 1,125 – 47,800 – 1,250 – 52,800 – 1,375 – 58,300 – 1,500 – 64,300 – 1,650 – 67,600 |
| Starting Basic Pay | Rs. 34,100/- per month |
| Maximum Pay | Rs. 67,600/- per month |
| Pension | National Pension Scheme (NPS) |
| Probation | 2 Years from the date of regular appointment |
Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Knowledge (Current Affairs, General Science, Indian Constitution, Indian and Karnataka History and Geography, Panchayat Raj and Rural Cooperative Institutions, Karnataka Regional Issues and Development) | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM) |
| Paper 2 | General Kannada + General English + Computer Knowledge | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours (02:30 PM – 04:30 PM) |
- Type: Offline – OMR Based (Pen and Paper)
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for every wrong answer
- Minimum Qualifying Score: 35% in the competitive exam (below 35% – disqualified)
- Each question has 4 options with only one correct answer.
Selection Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Competitive Written Examination (Offline OMR mode – 04 Oct / 25 Oct 2026) |
| Stage 2 | Compulsory Qualifying Kannada Language Test (for candidates exempted from Kannada – qualifying only, not counted in merit) |
| Stage 3 | District-Wise Merit List Preparation (by KEA, forwarded to respective District Magistrates) |
| Stage 4 | Document Verification |
| Stage 5 | Appointment (at District Level by respective District Magistrate) |
There is NO interview in the selection process. Final appointment is based purely on the competitive written exam merit list and document verification.
Important Instructions
- Apply for only one district – multi-district applications will not be accepted.
- Aadhaar Card is mandatory for application submission.
- No correction is permitted after submission – fill all details carefully.
- Original documents must be produced at the time of document verification for eligibility, age, and category claims.
- A living man having more than one wife, and a woman who has married such a man, are not eligible for appointment without prior Government permission.
- Impersonation, forged documents, or unfair means during exam will lead to disqualification and possible criminal / disciplinary action.
Required Documents
- PUC (Class 12th) Marksheet and Certificate
- Aadhaar Card (mandatory)
- Category Certificate – OBC / SC / ST / Category-1 / Category 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B (if applicable)
- Special Chetana / PwBD Certificate (if applicable)
- Ex-Servicemen Discharge Certificate (if applicable)
- Widow / Divorce Certificate (if applicable for age relaxation)
- SSLC / 10th Marksheet with Kannada as subject (for Kannada language exemption)
- Passport Size Photograph (JPEG, 50KB – 200KB)
- Signature (JPEG, 50KB – 70KB)
- Any other document as specified in the official notification
How to Apply for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026?
- Visit the official KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
- Click on the VAO Recruitment 2026 application link applicable to your cadre – General / RPC cadre or Kalyana-Karnataka cadre.
- Register with your basic details and generate login credentials.
- Log in and fill in the online application form carefully with all personal, educational, and category details.
- Select only one district of preference as per your applicable cadre.
- Upload passport size photograph (JPEG, 50KB – 200KB) and signature (JPEG, 50KB – 70KB) in the specified format.
- Verify all entered details carefully – no correction is allowed after submission.
- Pay the applicable application fee online as per your category.
- Click Submit and complete the application process.
- Download and print the submitted application form and fee payment receipt for future reference.
Important Note: The last date to apply online is 30 July 2026 and fee payment deadline is 31 July 2026. Do not wait for the last date – apply early to avoid technical issues. Read both official notification PDFs (General / RPC cadre and Kalyana-Karnataka cadre) carefully before applying.
Important Links
| Action | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Download General / RPC Cadre Notification PDF (English) | Click Here |
| Download Kalyana-Karnataka Cadre Notification PDF (English) | Click Here |
| Download General / RPC Cadre Notification PDF (Kannada) | Click Here |
| Download Kalyana-Karnataka Cadre Notification PDF (Kannada) | Click Here |
| Official KEA Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the difference between General / RPC cadre and Kalyana-Karnataka cadre in KEA VAO 2026?
✅ The General / RPC cadre has 505 posts across 21 districts of Karnataka and is open to eligible candidates from all regions as per general recruitment rules. The Kalyana-Karnataka cadre has 67 posts across 3 districts (Kalaburagi, Bidar, Raichuru) and is reserved specifically for the Kalyana-Karnataka region under Article 371(J) of the Indian Constitution, which provides special status and developmental provisions for the historically backward Hyderabad-Karnataka region.
Q2. Is there negative marking in KEA VAO 2026 exam?
✅ Yes. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer in both Paper 1 and Paper 2. Candidates are advised to attempt only those questions they are sure about to avoid losing marks.
Q3. What is the last date to apply for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026?
✅ The last date to submit the online application is 30 July 2026. The fee payment deadline is 31 July 2026. Apply at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
Q4. Can I apply for multiple districts in KEA VAO 2026?
✅ No. Candidates can apply for only one district within their applicable cadre. Applications for more than one district will not be accepted.
Q5. What is the salary for the KEA Village Administrative Officer post?
✅ Selected candidates will receive a starting basic pay of Rs. 34,100/- per month going up to Rs. 67,600/- per month as per the Karnataka Government pay scale. Appointees are also covered under the National Pension Scheme (NPS) and serve a 2-year probation period.
Q6. When is the KEA VAO 2026 written exam?
✅ The written exam for General / RPC cadre districts is scheduled for 04 October 2026 and for Kalyana-Karnataka cadre districts on 25 October 2026. Both exams have two papers each day – Paper 1 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM and Paper 2 from 02:30 PM to 04:30 PM.
Q7. Is Aadhaar Card mandatory for KEA VAO 2026 application?
✅ Yes. Aadhaar Card is mandatory for submitting the online application for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026. Applications without a valid Aadhaar number will not be accepted.
Q8. What is the minimum qualifying score in KEA VAO 2026 exam?
✅ Candidates must score a minimum of 35% marks in the competitive written examination to be eligible for the merit list. Candidates scoring below 35% will be disqualified from the selection process.
Q9. Is there an interview in KEA VAO 2026 selection process?
✅ No. There is no interview in the KEA VAO 2026 selection process. Selection is based purely on the competitive written examination and district-wise merit list. Appointment is made at the district level by the respective District Magistrate after document verification.
Q10. What is the Kannada language test in KEA VAO 2026?
✅ Candidates who have NOT studied Kannada as first or second language up to SSLC level must appear in a compulsory qualifying Kannada language test of 150 marks, with a minimum of 50 marks required to qualify. This test is only qualifying in nature – marks are NOT counted toward the merit ranking. Candidates who have passed Kannada as first or second language at SSLC level are exempted from this test.
Disclaimer: All information provided is for reference purposes only. Candidates are advised to verify all details including district-wise vacancy, eligibility, age limit, exam pattern, and application procedure from the official KEA website at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in before applying. Vacancy figures may be revised by district authorities – check official corrigendums before applying.
