KEA Recruitment 2026: Apply for 890 Agriculture Officer & AAO Posts

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially announced the recruitment notification for 890 Agriculture Officer (AO) and Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO) vacancies for the year 2026. This is a significant opportunity for candidates seeking a career in the state's agriculture sector. The application window is open from 19th April to 10th May 2026.

KEA Recruitment 2026 Overview

Conducting Body	Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)
Recruitment Name	KEA Agriculture Officer (AO) & Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO) Recruitment 2026
Advertisement No.	RPC- EDI/KEA/08/RPC/2026 KK- EDI/KEA/09/KK/2026
Vacancies	RPC- 630 + 02 (HK) Posts KK- 242 + 16 (HK) Posts
Application Mode	Online
Registration Dates	19th April to 10th May 2026
Selection Process	Competitive Written Exam + Kannada Language Test
Salary	AO- Rs. 69,250 – Rs. 1,34,200/mo AAO- Rs. 65,950 – Rs. 1,24,900/mo

Important Examination Dates

Events	Dates
Notification Release Date	18th April 2026
Apply Online Starts	19th April 2026
Last Date to Apply	10th May 2026
Last Date to Pay Fee	12th May 2026
Kannada Language Test	6th June 2026
Written Exam Dates	RPC Region- 7th June 2026; KK Region- 14th June 2026

Educational Qualifications & Eligibility

Requirement Checklist

• For Sre. 85 Posts: BSc (Agriculture) or BSc Hons (Agriculture) degree from an ICAR or AICTE recognized university.
• For Sre. 15 Posts: BTech (Food Science & Technology), BTech (Food Technology), BSc (Sericulture & Cooperation), BSc (Agri Marketing & Cooperation), BSc (Agri Business Management), BSc (Agri Biotechnology), BTech (Biotechnology), BSc (Agricultural Engineering), or BTech (Agricultural Engineering).

Steps to Apply Online for KEA Recruitment 2026

1. Visit the official KEA portal: www.cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/
2. Navigate to the “Recruitment” section on the homepage.
3. Select “Agriculture Department AO/AAO Recruitment 2026- KK/RPC.”
4. Click the online application link to start your registration.
5. Register using your Aadhaar number via DigiLocker to download your SSLC marksheet.
6. Complete the registration and verify your details via SMS and email.
7. Fill in the application form with your academic and reservation details.
8. Upload the required documents (Photograph 50-200 KB, Signature 50-70 KB) in JPG format.
9. Preview your application carefully before final submission.
10. Pay the application fee online.
11. Click “Submit” and download/print your application for future reference.

Application Fees

Category	Application Fee
General & Other Categories	Rs. 750/-
SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-Servicemen/Transgender	Rs. 500/-
PwD	Rs. 250/-

Download Official Notifications

• Download KEA AO/AAO Official Notification 2026 (RPC)
• Download KEA AO/AAO Official Notification 2026 (Kalyana Karnataka)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the eligibility criteria for KEA Recruitment 2026?

For AO, a bachelor’s degree in agriculture is required, while AAO positions require a Diploma in Agriculture or Horticulture. Applicants must be between 18 to 35 years of age.

Is there negative marking in the KEA AO and AAO Exam 2026?

Yes, a penalty of 0.75 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer or multiple selections in the written examination.

Is DigiLocker mandatory for KEA Application Process 2026?

Yes, candidates must use DigiLocker to fetch and verify their SSLC mark sheets during the online registration process.