KEA AO AAO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out - Apply Online for 945 Agriculture Officer, Assistant Agriculture Officer Posts
Karnataka Government, Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru
Short Information
KEA is hiring Agriculture Officer and Assistant Agriculture Officer posts under both Inland (KK) and Rural Pay Commission (RPC) cadres through competitive examination, last date 20 June 2026.
Key Highlights
- Total Posts: 257 + 16 (PwD) [KK / Inland Cadre] + 670 + 02 (PwD) [RPC Cadre] = 927 + 18 (PwD)
- Last Date: 20-06-2026
- Apply Mode: Online
- Department: 1. Agriculture Officer (Krushi Adhikari) | 2. Assistant Agriculture Officer (Sahayaka Krushi Adhikari)
Important Dates
| Exam Date | Paper-1: 25.07.2026 (KK Cadre) / 26.07.2026 (RPC Cadre) - 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM | Paper-2: Same dates - 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM |
| Event | Date |
| Date Of Revised Notification | 30/05/2026 |
| Opening Of Online Registration / Application | 30-05-2026 |
| Last Date To Apply | 20-06-2026 |
Application Fee
| General Fee | Rs. 750/- (Rs. 500 Application Fee + Rs. 250 Processing Fee) - Non-Refundable |
|---|---|
| Sc Fee | Rs. 500/- (Rs. 250 Application Fee + Rs. 250 Processing Fee) - Non-Refundable |
| Pwd Fee | Rs. 250/- (Processing Fee only) - Non-Refundable |
| Details | Fee must be paid online only. Fee once paid will NOT be refunded. | Notes on Fee: | PwD candidates with disability of more than 40% and those possessing a certificate from the District Medical Authority are eligible for the reduced PwD fee. Candidates who applied online as per the earlier notification of 18.04.2026 and have already paid the fee for the same post need not pay again for this revised notification for the same post (new applicants applying for the first time must pay the full fee). SC candidates possessing RD numbers for SC-A, SC-B, and SC-C categories must mandatorily enter their RD number in the online application as per Government directive. In the Agriculture Department, candidates may apply for both Agriculture Officer (Rs. 85 level) and Assistant Agriculture Officer (Rs. 85 level) posts through a single application, paying the fee once. For each additional post under the same programme, Rs. 100/- per post must be paid as application fee. Candidates appearing for multiple posts in the same programme and same examination will have their marks transferred for special final rank-list preparation by the department. |
Age Limit
| Details | As per the Karnataka State Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules 1977, candidates must be a minimum of 18 years of age as on the last date for submission of applications. Per Government Order No. DPAR (Services-2) 262 Sehime 2025 dated 29.01.2026, a one-time relaxation of 5 years in the upper age limit is provided. After availing this relaxation, candidates must not exceed the maximum age limits shown below. | In addition to the above, the following specific age relaxations are available as per Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules 1977: |
|---|
Qualification / Eligibility
| Details | Candidates must fulfill all eligibility conditions as on the last date for submission of applications. Only Indian Citizens are eligible to apply. | 1. Educational Qualification: | Important Notes on Qualification: | The degree must be from a University/Institute recognized by ICAR (Indian Council of Agriculture Research) or AICTE. Degrees from institutions accredited by UGC / AICTE running regular and distance education courses, and distance education programmes producing technical-level graduates, will not be considered for recruitment. If two candidates possess the same qualification as mentioned above, they will be treated equally at the recruitment stage. Candidates cannot withdraw their candidature after participating in the selection process. Candidates who have passed a higher qualifying degree and are appearing in the examination for a lower qualifying degree post are not eligible to apply. All candidates must possess the degree / diploma by the last date of application. Warning: Candidates currently enrolled in a higher qualification must not submit applications, as KAP will not be responsible if they are later found ineligible at the stage of the prior application process. |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Must be an Indian Citizen |
| Education Qualification | The State Government retains the right to conduct a full medical examination by a medical board and remove candidates who are declared medically unfit; this rule cannot be waived under any provision |
| Matched Qualifications |
|
Vacancy Details
| Sl. No. | Post Name | Pay Scale (Rs.) | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Agriculture Officer (Krushi Adhikari) | 69,250 – 1,34,200 | 29 + 08 (PwD) |
2 | Agriculture Officer (Krushi Adhikari) | 69,250 – 1,34,200 | 05 |
3 | Assistant Agriculture Officer (Sahayaka Krushi Adhikari) | 65,950 – 1,24,900 | 189 + 08 (PwD) |
4 | Assistant Agriculture Officer (Sahayaka Krushi Adhikari) | 65,950 – 1,24,900 | 34 |
Total (KK Cadre) | 257 + 16 (PwD) | ||
1 | Agriculture Officer (Krushi Adhikari) | 69,250 – 1,34,200 | 71 + 02 (PwD) |
2 | Agriculture Officer (Krushi Adhikari) | 69,250 – 1,34,200 | 13 |
3 | Assistant Agriculture Officer (Sahayaka Krushi Adhikari) | 65,950 – 1,24,900 | 498 |
4 | Assistant Agriculture Officer (Sahayaka Krushi Adhikari) | 65,950 – 1,24,900 | 88 |
Total (RPC Cadre) | 670 + 02 (PwD) |
Category Wise Vacancy
| Post Name | 670 + 02 (PwD) |
|---|---|
| Pay Scale (Rs.) | 65,950 – 1,24,900 |
Selection Process
Paper Subject / Content Maximum Marks Duration
Paper-1 General Paper: Current Affairs, General Science, Karnataka History & Geography, Indian History & Geography, Social Science, General Mental Ability, Indian Constitution, Public Administration & Rural Development, Science & Technology, International Relations and Economy, Environmental Science, Logical Reasoning, Day-to-day Consumer topics, and Practical Knowledge from previously passed examinations. 300 2 Hours
Paper-2 Specific Paper (syllabus to be announced separately) 300 2 Hours
Paper-1 General Paper: (Same syllabus as Rs. 85 level posts - Current Affairs, General Science, Karnataka History & Geography, Indian History & Geography, Social Science, General Mental Ability, Indian Constitution, Public Administration & Rural Development, Science & Technology, International Relations and Economy, Environmental Science, Logical Reasoning, Day-to-day Consumer topics, Practical Knowledge from previously passed examinations.) 300 2 Hours
Selection for the above posts will be based on a Competitive Written Examination (Offline OMR type) followed by a Kannada Language Test. Final selection is subject to document verification and eligibility confirmation.
Stage 1 - Competitive Written Examination (Offline OMR Type)
For Agriculture Officer & Assistant Agriculture Officer - Pay Level Rs. 85 Posts:
For Agriculture Officer & Assistant Agriculture Officer - Pay Level Rs. 15 Posts:
Important Rules regarding the Written Examination:
Candidates must score a minimum of Rs. 35 (i.e.
minimum 35 marks out of 300) in the competitive examination to be eligible. Candidates failing to secure this minimum will be disqualified from the selection process. Candidates applying for both Agriculture Officer (Rs. 85) and Assistant Agriculture Officer (Rs. 85) posts under the same programme who appear for one examination will have their marks submitted; fees paid for the listed posts will be considered and a special final rank-list will be sent to the department.
Stage 2 - Kannada Language Test
Candidates must appear for and pass the Kannada Language Test conducted by the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board (SSLC Board) or a test recognized by the State Government. Candidates who have studied Kannada as the first or second language up to SSLC level OR who have studied at the Kannada medium from Class 1 to Class 10 OR who have passed these examinations
are exempted from this test. However
the mandatory Kannada Test (at least 150 marks in the paper) must be passed with a minimum of 50 marks. Candidates failing to score the minimum 50 marks will not be eligible for selection. Marks obtained in the Kannada Test will not be considered for merit ranking or post selection. Marks will not be merged with the competitive examination score for seniority.
Negative Marking:
The written exam follows a multiple-choice objective format with 4 answer options per question. Candidates must mark only one correct answer per question. For every wrong answer
0.75 marks will be deducted. In OMR answer sheets
after 5 minutes of the bell ringing at the end of the exam
candidates will be given time to shade the answer/void answer for the remaining questions. If any candidate shades an answer / voids it after the bell
0.75 marks per such question will be deducted.
Salary / Pay Scale
| Pay Scale | Agriculture Officer: Rs. 69,250 – 1,34,200 (Revised State Pay Scale 2024) | Assistant Agriculture Officer: Rs. 65,950 – 1,24,900 |
|---|---|
| Criteria | Details |
| Probation Period | 2 years for candidates selected through direct recruitment |
| Pay Scale - Agriculture Officer | Rs. 69,250 – 1,650 – 74,200 – 1,900 – 85,600 – 2,300 – 99,400 – 2,700 – 1,15,600 – 3,100 – 1,34,200 (Revised State Pay Scale 2024) |
| Pay Scale - Assistant Agriculture Officer | Rs. 65,950 – 1,650 – 74,200 – 1,900 – 85,600 – 2,300 – 99,400 – 2,700 – 1,15,600 – 3,100 – 1,24,900 (Revised State Pay Scale 2024) |
| National Pension | Applicable as per Government Order No. FD(SPIL) 04 PIT 2005 dated 31.03.2006 - National Pension Scheme (NPS) benefits applicable |
How To Apply
Candidates shall apply online only through the Karnataka PSC website. No other mode of application will be accepted. Before filling the online application form, candidates must read the notification carefully. Incorrect or false information submitted in the application may lead to cancellation of candidature and legal action as per rules.
Documents Required to be Scanned and Uploaded at the time of Application:
Aadhaar Card
Consolidated Marksheet / All subject-wise semester marksheets and Photo-certificate (PDF) of the highest qualifying degree obtained up to the last date of application
SSLC or equivalent certificate / School leaving certificate / Birth certificate showing date of birth
Discharge certificate and pension / gratuity certificate (for Ex-Servicemen claimants) or certificate that the candidate was killed in action or permanently disabled while in service (for Ex-Serviceman reservation claimants)
SC / ST / Cat-1 / Cat-2A / Cat-2B / Cat-3A / Cat-3B caste reservation certificate in the prescribed current format (as applicable)
Rural Reservation certificate - Format 1 and Format 2 (Format-1 for General candidates seeking Rural reservation; Format-2 for SC/ST/Cat-1/Cat-2A/Cat-2B/Cat-3A/Cat-3B candidates seeking Rural reservation)
Kannada Medium study certificate (if applicable)
Third Gender certificate issued by the District Magistrate (if applicable)
Kalyana Karnataka region (Article 371(J)) reservation-related certificate (if applicable)
NOC / Service permission certificate from the employing authority (for candidates currently in service)
Photo & Signature Upload Specifications:
Recent Passport-size Colour Photograph in JPEG format, file size 50 KB to 200 KB
Signature in black / marker pen on white paper, in JPEG format, file size 50 KB to 70 KB
Applications without uploaded photograph and signature will be summarily rejected
Apply Online at: https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/ - Click the link available on the website and apply through online mode.
For further information: Contact Centre - 080-23460460 (10:00 AM to 6:00 PM). (Contact the authority only for queries regarding the notification, written examination, and mark-list.)
Important Instructions
Candidates must carefully fill all information correctly while registering online. After submission, download a copy and preserve it until the recruitment process is complete. No petition / representation should be sent to the authority after submission. Changes or corrections to any information submitted through the online application will not be permitted under any circumstances. Candidates currently in service / who have previously served, if selected, must submit a No Objection Certificate / Permission Certificate / Service Certificate from the employing recruitment authority before the date of appointment. Service details must be entered in the application; false information will lead to disqualification. If the last date for fee payment falls on a public holiday, the next working day shall be treated as the last date for fee payment. The mobile number and email address entered in the application are final. Changes in mobile number / email cannot be entertained subsequently through any correspondence. Candidates whose results are pending for the qualifying degree at the time of applying and who have not yet received their results by the last date of application are not eligible to apply. Candidates will not be able to raise disputes regarding the educational qualification certificate / other reservation certificates. If the authority resolves such disputes, their selection will be treated as final. Candidates must read the detailed notification / instructions / procedures available on the website before applying online; information entered in the application is final and no additional documents can be submitted later. If the application of a candidate is rejected for incomplete submission or any benefit availed from it, such candidates are directly responsible for it. Candidates must not engage in any malpractice during the examination or at any stage; those found doing so will be disqualified from the selection and may face criminal proceedings and disciplinary action. Score lists obtained by candidates will be transferred to the concerned department / organization. After a written examination, all subsequent processes will be conducted as per rules of that department / organization. All recruitment-related information is available on the official account '@KEA_KARNATAKA' on the authority’s website.
Job Details
| Notification Number | ಇಡಿ/ಕೆಇಎ09/ನೇ.ವಿ./2026(ಕಕೆ) [Inland/KK Cadre] & ಇಡಿ/ಕೆಇಎ08/ನೇ.ವಿ./2026(ಆರ್ಪಿಸಿ) [RPC Cadre] dated 30/05/2026 |
|---|---|
| Department | Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka |
Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the difference between the KK Cadre and RPC Cadre in this recruitment?
The KK Cadre (Inland Source / ಒಳಮೂಲ) refers to posts filled through direct recruitment from the open market within the State cadre. The RPC Cadre (Rural Pay Commission / ಉಳಿಕೆ ಮೂಲ) refers to posts that were earlier unfilled in the Rural Pay Commission and are now being recruited through competitive examination. Both cadres have the same posts (Agriculture Officer and Assistant Agriculture Officer) and the same eligibility criteria, but different vacancy numbers and different exam dates (KK Cadre exam: 25.07.2026; RPC Cadre exam: 26.07.2026).
Q2. Can I apply for both the KK Cadre and RPC Cadre?
Yes. Both are separate notifications with separate application numbers. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria may apply for both cadres by submitting separate online applications and paying the fee separately for each notification. The exam dates are different, so appearing for both is possible.
Q3. Can I apply for both Agriculture Officer and Assistant Agriculture Officer posts in a single application?
Yes. Within the Agriculture Department, candidates may apply for both the Agriculture Officer (Rs. 85 pay level) and the Assistant Agriculture Officer (Rs. 85 pay level) posts through a single application by paying the fee once. For each additional post under the same programme appearing in the same examination, Rs. 100/- per post must be paid as additional fee. Marks scored in the single examination will be automatically considered for both posts and the department will prepare separate final rank lists.
Q4. Is B.Sc. Agriculture from a distance education university eligible?
No. The degree must be from a university / institute recognized by ICAR or AICTE. Degrees from institutions offering UGC / AICTE accredited distance education programmes or open university technical-level programmes will not be accepted. The degree must be a regular, full-time programme from a recognized institution.
Q5. What is the minimum qualifying marks required in the written examination?
Candidates must score a minimum of 35 marks (out of 300) in the competitive written examination to qualify. Candidates who fail to secure this minimum cut-off will be disqualified from the selection process regardless of their overall rank.
Q6. Is the Kannada Language Test mandatory for all candidates?
The Kannada Language Test is mandatory for candidates who have not studied Kannada as the first or second language up to SSLC level. Candidates who have studied in Kannada medium from Class 1 to Class 10, or who have passed SSLC / equivalent with Kannada as the first or second language, are exempted from the test. Those who must appear in the test must score a minimum of 50 marks out of 150 to be eligible for selection.
Q7. Is there negative marking in the KPSC Agriculture Officer written examination?
Yes. This is an Offline OMR-based multiple-choice examination. Each wrong answer will attract a negative deduction of 0.75 marks. If a candidate shades an answer or voids a previously shaded answer after the 5-minute grace period following the final bell, 0.75 marks per such question will also be deducted. Candidates are advised to attempt questions carefully.
Q8. What is the upper age limit for OBC (Category 2A/2B/3A/3B) candidates?
OBC candidates belonging to Category 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B have an upper age limit of 43 years as on the last date of submission of application. This includes the one-time relaxation of 5 years already provided per Government Order dated 29.01.2026. No further general age relaxation is applicable beyond this for OBC candidates unless they fall under another specific relaxation category (e.g., Ex-Serviceman).
About Karnataka Government, Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru Recruitment 2026
Karnataka Government, Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru ne KEA AO AAO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out - Apply Online for 945 Agriculture Officer, Assistant Agriculture Officer Posts ke liye official notification jari kiya hai. Is recruitment drive mein kul 257 + 16 (PwD) [KK / Inland Cadre] + 670 + 02 (PwD) [RPC Cadre] = 927 + 18 (PwD) posts ke liye eligible candidates se applications mangi gayi hain. Yeh ek sarkari naukri ka behad acha mauka hai. Interested candidates last date 20-06-2026 se pehle apply karein.
Application Online mode mein ki ja sakti hai. Qualification: The State Government retains the right to conduct a full medical examination by a medical board and remove candidates wh. Age limit aur category-wise relaxation ke liye official notification zaroor padhen. Application fee aur payment process ke liye upar di gayi jankari dekhein.
Selection process mein Paper Subject / Content Maximum Marks Duration shamil hai. Salary, pay scale, aur job location ki puri jankari notification mein di gayi hai. Exam pattern aur syllabus ke liye official website visit karein.
KEA AO AAO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out - Apply Online for 945 Agriculture Officer, Assistant Agriculture Officer Posts ke liye apply karne se pehle sabhi eligibility criteria, age limit, aur qualification carefully check karein. Important dates miss mat karein — application begin date aur last date ke beech hi apply possible hai. Agar koi doubt ho toh official website par jaayein ya helpline se contact karein.