📋 Complete Advertisement & Guidelines
KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 – Golden Opportunity for Karnataka Government Jobs
Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially released the KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 notification, inviting applications for 572 posts of Village Administrative Officer (Village Accountant) under the Revenue Department. This is a Golden Opportunity for candidates seeking a stable government career in village-level revenue administration with excellent benefits under 7th Pay Commission. Read the complete article for latest Sarkari Naukri updates, vacancy breakdown, eligibility, salary, and step-by-step apply online process.
| Organization | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Village Administrative Officer (VAO) |
| Total Vacancies | 572 (505 General/RPC + 67 Kalyana-Karnataka) |
| Salary | ₹34,100 – ₹67,600 per month |
| Qualification | PUC (10+2) or equivalent |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 July 2026 |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
KEA VAO Vacancy 2026 – Detailed Post-Wise & District-Wise Breakdown
General / RPC Cadre (505 Posts)
| District | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Bengaluru Nagara | 20 |
| Bengaluru Gramantara | 29 |
| Chitradurga | 15 |
| Chikkaballapura | 21 |
| Tumakuru | 50 |
| Shivamogga | 18 |
| Kolara | 22 |
| Bengaluru Dakshina | 30 |
| Mysuru | 45 |
| Mandya | 50 |
| Hassana | 35 |
| Udupi | 10 |
| Dakshina Kannada | 20 |
| Chamarajanagara | 31 |
| Chikkamagaluru | 10 |
| Belagavi | 48 |
| Bagalakote | 16 |
| Gadaga | 14 |
| Haveri | 15 |
| Bidar | 4 |
| Raichuru | 2 |
| Total | 505 |
Kalyana-Karnataka Cadre (67 Posts) – Under Article 371(J)
| District | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Kalaburagi | 40 |
| Bidar | 17 |
| Raichuru | 10 |
| Total | 67 |
KEA VAO 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed PUC (Pre-University Course) i.e. 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board in Karnataka, such as CBSE, ICSE, NIOS, or any state board. ITI candidates with two-year ITI course along with one language subject and one general subject are also eligible.
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 |
| Additional relaxation available for ex-servicemen, widows, etc. (see notification) | As per rules |
Minimum age is 18 years.
KEA VAO Salary 2026 – Pay Scale & Benefits
Selected candidates will receive a pay scale of ₹34,100 – ₹67,600 per month (Level 14 of Karnataka State Pay Matrix) along with allowances and benefits under 7th Pay Commission (7th CPC). Additional perks include pension under NPS, medical benefits, and job security.
Application Fee for KEA VAO 2026
| Category | Fee (Non-refundable) |
|---|---|
| General / 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B | ₹750 (₹500 application + ₹250 processing) |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-Servicemen / Third Gender | ₹500 (₹250 application + ₹250 processing) |
| Special Chetana (PwD) | ₹250 (processing fee only) |
Payment via online mode only.
How to Apply for KEA VAO 2026 – Step-by-Step Guide
- Visit official website: https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea
- Click on “VAO Recruitment 2026” link (choose appropriate cadre: General/RPC or Kalyana-Karnataka).
- Register with basic details (name, email, phone) to generate login credentials.
- Fill the online application form carefully: enter personal, educational, category, and district preference (choose only one district).
- Upload scanned photograph (JPEG, 50KB–200KB) and signature (JPEG, 50KB–70KB).
- Pay the application fee online via debit/credit card or net banking.
- Review all details thoroughly before final submission – no corrections allowed after submission.
- Download and print the confirmation page and fee receipt for future reference.
Direct Apply Link: Apply Online for General/RPC Cadre | Apply Online for Kalyana-Karnataka Cadre
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – KEA VAO 2026
Q1. What is the last date to apply for KEA VAO 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 30 July 2026. Fee payment can be made until 31 July 2026.
Q2. How can I apply for KEA VAO 2026?
Candidates must apply online through the official KEA website: https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. You can apply for only one district.
Q3. How many vacancies are there in KEA Village Administrative Officer Recruitment 2026?
A total of 572 vacancies are announced: 505 posts under General/RPC cadre and 67 posts under Kalyana-Karnataka cadre (Article 371(J)).
Q4. What is the educational qualification for KEA VAO 2026?
Candidates must have passed PUC (10+2) or equivalent from a recognized board. ITI candidates with two-year ITI course plus one language subject and one general subject are also eligible.
Q5. What is the application fee for KEA VAO 2026?
Fee is ₹750 for General/2A/2B/3A/3B candidates, ₹500 for SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-Servicemen/Third Gender, and ₹250 for Special Chetana (PwD) candidates.
Q6. What is the salary for KEA VAO 2026?
Selected candidates will receive a pay scale of ₹34,100 – ₹67,600 per month under 7th Pay Commission, along with NPS pension and other benefits.
Q7. When will the KEA VAO exam be conducted?
The written exam for General/RPC cadre is scheduled for 4 October 2026. Date for Kalyana-Karnataka cadre will be announced later.
Q8. Can I apply for more than one district?
No, candidates can apply for only one district within their applicable cadre. Applications for multiple districts will be rejected.