KEA AO AAO Recruitment 2026: Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially released the recruitment notification for 2026. This is a golden chance for agriculture graduates to join the Karnataka State Agriculture Department as Agriculture Officer (AO) and Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO).
The authority announced 890 Group-B vacancies under two separate notifications – one for the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) region and another for the Kalyana Karnataka (KK) region. Online applications started on 19 April 2026 and the last date to apply is 10 May 2026. If you hold a B.Sc Agriculture or related degree, you can apply directly from the official KEA website.
This article gives you complete, updated and easy-to-understand details on vacancies, eligibility, important dates, application process, fees, salary and selection process. Read till the end so you do not miss any important step.
KEA AO AAO Recruitment 2026: Quick Highlights
- Organisation: Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)
- Post Names: Agriculture Officer (AO) and Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO)
- Total Vacancies: 890 (including HK region posts)
- Job Location: Karnataka (RPC and Kalyana Karnataka regions)
- Application Mode: Online only
- Official Website: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea
- Notification Release Date: 18 April 2026
KEA AO AAO Vacancy Details 2026
KEA has divided the 890 posts into two streams:
- 85% posts – For candidates with B.Sc (Agriculture) / B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture
- 15% posts – For candidates with other specified agriculture-related degrees
Here is the clear region-wise breakup:
| Post Name | RPC Region | Kalyana Karnataka (KK) Region | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture Officer (Sre. 85) | 69 + 02 HK | 35 + 08 HK | 114 |
| Agriculture Officer (Sre. 15) | 12 | 05 | 17 |
| Assistant Agriculture Officer (Sre. 85) | 468 | 186 + 08 HK | 662 |
| Assistant Agriculture Officer (Sre. 15) | 83 | 32 | 115 |
| Grand Total | 632 + 02 HK | 258 + 16 HK | 890 |
Important Dates for KEA Recruitment 2026
Mark these dates in your calendar right now:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 18 April 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 19 April 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Application | 10 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Pay Application Fee | 12 May 2026 |
| Kannada Language Test | 06 June 2026 |
| Written Exam (RPC Region) | 07 June 2026 |
| Written Exam (KK Region) | 14 June 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria for KEA AO & AAO Posts
You must meet these simple conditions to apply:
Educational Qualification
- Sre. 85 posts (85% vacancies): B.Sc (Agriculture) or B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture from a university recognised by ICAR or AICTE.
- Sre. 15 posts (15% vacancies): B.Tech (Food Science & Technology / Food Technology), B.Sc (Sericulture & Cooperation / Agri Marketing & Cooperation / Agri Business Management / Agri Biotechnology), B.Tech (Biotechnology / Agricultural Engineering), or B.Sc (Agricultural Engineering).
Age Limit (as on 10 May 2026)
- General Merit (GM): Maximum 40 years
- Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B: Maximum 43 years
- SC / ST / Category-1: Maximum 45 years
Minimum age for all candidates is 18 years. Age relaxation is available for Ex-Servicemen, PwD and other reserved categories as per Karnataka government rules.
Other Requirements
- You must know Kannada (reading, writing and speaking). Those who studied Kannada in SSLC need not appear for the Kannada Language Test.
- Candidates must register on the One Time Registration (OTR) portal.
Application Fee (Non-Refundable)
Pay the fee online only through net banking, credit/debit card or UPI.
| Category | Application Fee + Processing Fee | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|
| General, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B | ₹500 + ₹250 | ₹750 |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-Servicemen / Transgender | ₹250 + ₹250 | ₹500 |
| Persons with Disability (PwD) | Processing Fee only | ₹250 |
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply Online for KEA Recruitment 2026
Follow these easy steps:
- Visit the official website → cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
- Click on the “Recruitment” section and select “Agriculture Department AO/AAO Recruitment 2026”.
- Click the online application link and register using your Aadhaar number through DigiLocker (this auto-fetches your SSLC marksheet).
- Fill the application form carefully with your personal, educational and reservation details.
- Upload scanned copies of your photo (50-200 KB), signature (50-70 KB) and all required certificates in JPG format.
- Pay the application fee online.
- Preview the form, make corrections if needed, and submit.
- Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.
Pro Tip: Do not wait till the last date. Apply early to avoid last-minute server issues.
KEA AO AAO Selection Process & Exam Pattern
Selection happens in two stages:
- Kannada Language Test (qualifying nature, 150 marks, minimum 50 marks required)
- Competitive Written Examination (main merit list)
Written Exam Details
- Two papers, each of 300 marks (total 600 marks)
- Each paper is of 2 hours
- Objective type questions (OMR sheet)
- Negative marking of 0.75 marks for every wrong answer
- Minimum qualifying marks: 35% in the written exam
Final selection is based on your marks in the written exam after clearing the Kannada test.
Salary & Perks in KEA AO AAO Jobs
- Agriculture Officer: ₹69,250 – ₹1,34,200 per month
- Assistant Agriculture Officer: ₹65,950 – ₹1,24,900 per month
You also get Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Travelling Allowance, medical benefits and New Pension Scheme (NPS) after 2 years of probation. This is a stable government job with excellent growth opportunities in the agriculture department.
Why You Should Apply for KEA Recruitment 2026
This recruitment offers a secure career, good salary and the chance to serve Karnataka’s farming community. With 890 posts, the competition is high but the number of vacancies is also large. Start your preparation now for the June exam.
Important Links
- Official Website & Apply Online: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea
- Download Official Notification PDFs: Available on the KEA portal under the recruitment section
Don’t miss this opportunity! If you meet the eligibility, apply today and take the first step towards a bright government career in agriculture.
For any updates or changes, keep visiting the official KEA website regularly and Follow Study Pariksha for latest updates of examinations.
Shweta Sharma is a dedicated writer and a passionate UPSC aspirant. With a keen interest in history, public policy, and current affairs, she uses her writing as a medium to share her experiences and insights from her demanding journey of preparing for the Civil Services Examination.
