KEA Agriculture Officer Exam Dates 2026 Announced: 945 Vacancies & Kannada Test Details

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially confirmed the much-anticipated exam schedule and crucial details for the recruitment of 945 Agriculture Officer (AO) and Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO) positions. These vacancies are across both the Inland (KK) and Rural Pay Commission (RPC) cadres. Aspiring candidates should mark their calendars and prepare diligently for the upcoming Kannada Language Test and the competitive written examinations.

KEA AO AAO Recruitment 2026: Exam Schedule Overview

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has laid out a clear timeline for the selection process. The recruitment drive aims to fill a significant number of positions within the Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka. The examination process will be conducted offline, utilizing OMR-based answer sheets.

Detailed Examination Dates and Structure

The examination process is divided into a Kannada Language Test and competitive written examinations. The Kannada Language Test is a mandatory qualifying paper for many candidates.

Understanding the Vacancy Distribution

A total of 945 vacancies are available, with a significant portion allocated to Persons with Disabilities (PwD). The breakdown is as follows:

Eligibility Criteria: Qualifications and Age Limits

Candidates must meet the specified educational and age requirements to be eligible for the AO and AAO positions.

Educational Qualifications

• B.Sc. degree in Agriculture
• B.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture from a recognized educational institution
• B.Tech (Food Science and Technology)
• B.Tech (Food Technology)
• B.Sc. (Agri. Marketing and Cooperation)
• B.Sc. (Hons.) Agri. Marketing and Cooperation
• B.Sc. (Hons.) Agri Business Management
• B.Sc. (Agri. Biotech.)
• B.Tech (Biotech.)
• B.Sc. / B.Tech (Agricultural Engineering)

Age Limit Details

• Minimum age limit: 18 years (for UR category)
• Maximum age limit: 40 years (for UR category)
• Age is calculated as of 29th January 2026.
• A one-time relaxation of 5 years in the upper age limit is applicable for unreserved categories.

Kannada Language Test: An Essential Component

The Kannada Language Test is crucial for all candidates unless they meet specific exemption criteria. The test is designed to assess basic Kannada language proficiency.

Exemption Criteria for Kannada Language Test

• Candidates who have studied Kannada as a 1st or 2nd language in SSLC or higher education.
• Candidates who have pursued their education in Kannada medium from Class 1 to 10.
• Candidates who have already successfully passed a government-recognized Kannada language examination.

Exam Details and Marking Scheme

The competitive written examinations will consist of two papers, assessing General Studies and Agriculture-related topics, and the specific subject matter. A negative marking scheme is in place.

• Negative Marking: There is a penalty of 0.25 marks (1/4 mark) for each incorrect response.
• Minimum Qualifying Marks: Candidates must achieve a minimum aggregate of 35% in the written examination.

Official Notification and Further Information

Candidates are strongly advised to refer to the official notifications for complete details. The recruitment is being conducted under Advt. No.: ಇಡಿ/ಕೆಇಎ09/ನೇ.ವಿ./2026 (KK Cadre) & ಇಡಿ/ಕೆಇಎ08/ನೇ.ವಿ./2026 (RPC Cadre) dated 30/05/2026.

You can download the official notifications here: Download KEA Agriculture Officer Official Notification PDF (Inland / KK Cadre) and Download KEA Agriculture Officer Official Notification PDF (RPC Cadre).

For all other updates and details, please visit the official KEA website: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.