KEA AO AAO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out – Apply Online for 945 Agriculture Officer, Assistant Agriculture Officer Posts get sarkariresult
Key Highlights
- Vacancy: KEA is recruiting 945 posts including Agriculture Officer and Assistant Agriculture Officer under KK (Inland) and RPC cadres.
- Qualification: B.Sc. (Agriculture), B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture, B.Tech (Food Technology/Food Science/Agricultural Engineering/Biotechnology) and other specified agriculture-related degrees.
- Important Dates: Online applications started on 30 May 2026 and will close on 20 June 2026. Fee payment can be made up to 22 June 2026.
- Salary: Agriculture Officer: ₹69,250 – ₹1,34,200; Assistant Agriculture Officer: ₹65,950 – ₹1,24,900.
- Age Limit: 18–40 years for General candidates, 43 years for OBC candidates, and 45 years for SC/ST/Category-1 candidates. Additional relaxations apply as per rules.
- Apply Mode: Online only.
- Application Fee: ₹750 for General/OBC candidates, ₹500 for SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-Servicemen, and ₹250 for PwD candidates.
- Selection: Competitive Written Examination (OMR-based) comprising General Paper and Specific Paper, followed by a qualifying Kannada Language Test.
The latest Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) Recruitment 2026 has been announced for Agriculture Officer (Krushi Adhikari) and Assistant Agriculture Officer (Sahayaka Krushi Adhikari) posts! Two revised notifications published on 30-05-2026 at the official website of Karnataka PSC cover vacancies under both the Inland Source (ಒಳಮೂಲ / Direct Recruitment) and Rural Pay Commission (ಉಳಿಕೆ ಮೂಲ / RPC) cadres. Eligible candidates with B.Sc. (Agriculture) or B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture or other specified degrees can apply online from 30-05-2026 to 20-06-2026. Find all details about the KEA Agriculture Officer and Assistant Agriculture Officer new vacancy 2026, including eligibility, online form, and notification PDF here.
KEA Agriculture Officer Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF
Karnataka Government, Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru has officially released two revised notifications dated 30/05/2026 under Ref. No. ಇಡಿ/ಕೆಇಎ09/ನೇ.ವಿ./2026(ಕಕೆ) and ಇಡಿ/ಕೆಇಎ08/ನೇ.ವಿ./2026(ಆರ್ಪಿಸಿ). These are revised advertisements superseding the earlier notifications of 18.04.2026 and replacing the notification of 04.05.2026, issued to bring both notifications in line with Government Order No. DPAR (Services-2) 02 Sehime 2026 dated 13.05.2026, and to comply with OBC reservation rules. The notifications include complete details on vacancies, eligibility, age limit, selection process, fee, reservation, and application process. Candidates are strongly advised to read the full notifications before applying.
- Download KEA Agriculture Officer Recruitment 2026 Official Notification PDF (Inland / KK Cadre)
- Download KEA Agriculture Officer Recruitment 2026 Official Notification PDF (RPC Cadre)
KEA Agriculture Officer & Assistant Agriculture Officer Recruitment 2026 Overview
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.
| Organization Name | Karnataka Government, Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
| Advertisement No. | ಇಡಿ/ಕೆಇಎ09/ನೇ.ವಿ./2026(ಕಕೆ) [Inland/KK Cadre] & ಇಡಿ/ಕೆಇಎ08/ನೇ.ವಿ./2026(ಆರ್ಪಿಸಿ) [RPC Cadre] dated 30/05/2026 |
| Post Names | 1. Agriculture Officer (Krushi Adhikari) | 2. Assistant Agriculture Officer (Sahayaka Krushi Adhikari) |
| Department | Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka |
| Total Vacancies | 257 + 16 (PwD) [KK / Inland Cadre] + 670 + 02 (PwD) [RPC Cadre] = 927 + 18 (PwD) |
| Pay Scale | Agriculture Officer: Rs. 69,250 – 1,34,200 (Revised State Pay Scale 2024) | Assistant Agriculture Officer: Rs. 65,950 – 1,24,900 |
| Probation Period | 2 years (for candidates selected through direct recruitment) |
| Application Mode | Online only (via https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/) |
| Selection Mode | Competitive Written Examination (Offline-OMR type) + Kannada Language Test |
| 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 |
| Official Website | https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/ |
KEA Agriculture Officer Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Date of Revised Notification | 30/05/2026 |
| Opening of Online Registration / Application | 30-05-2026 |
| Last Date for Online Registration of Application | 20-06-2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 22-06-2026 |
| Written Examination – Paper 1 & Paper 2 (KK / Inland Cadre) | 25-07-2026 |
| Written Examination – Paper 1 & Paper 2 (RPC Cadre) | 26-07-2026 |
| Kannada Language Exam Date | To be notified after written examination result |
KEA Agriculture Officer Recruitment 2026 – Vacancy Details
Vacancies are distributed across two cadres: Inland Source (KK Cadre) and Rural Pay Commission (RPC Cadre). Within each cadre, posts are further divided into Pay Level Rs. 85 (Agriculture Officer scale) and Pay Level Rs. 15 (below Rs. 85 threshold) based on the pay matrix level of the respective post. Total vacancies are provisional and may vary.
A. Inland / KK Cadre Vacancies (Notification No. KE09/2026)
| 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) | ||
B. Rural Pay Commission (RPC) Cadre Vacancies (Notification No. KE08/2026)
| Sl. No. | Post Name | Pay Scale (Rs.) | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | ||
Grand Total: 927 + 18 (PwD) vacancies across both cadres.
Note: Vacancies indicated for PwD (Persons with Disability) are horizontal reservations within overall vacancies. Backlog vacancies from previous recruitments are included. As per Government Order (DPAR Services-2 No. 02 Sehime 2026 dated 13.05.2026), candidates belonging to any of the 59 OBC castes who have not yet availed OBC reservation benefits will be eligible for OBC reservation against the listed posts. Within those 59 castes, only 4 castes’ eligible candidates may additionally avail Category-1 reservation.
KEA Agriculture Officer Recruitment 2026 – Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must fulfill all eligibility conditions as on the last date for submission of applications. Only Indian Citizens are eligible to apply.
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1. Educational Qualification:
| Post | Essential Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| Agriculture Officer (Pay Level Rs. 85 posts) | B.Sc. (Agriculture) OR B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture from a recognized University |
| Agriculture Officer (Pay Level Rs. 15 posts) | 1. B.Tech (Food Science and Technology) OR |
| 2. B.Tech (Food Technology) OR | |
| 3. B.Sc. (Agri. Marketing and Cooperation) OR | |
| 4. B.Sc. (Hons.) Agri. Marketing and Cooperation OR | |
| 5. B.Sc. (Hons.) Agri Business Management OR | |
| 6. B.Sc. (Agri. Biotech.) OR | |
| 7. B.Tech (Biotech.) OR | |
| 8. B.Sc. (Agricultural Engineering) OR | |
| 9. B.Tech (Agricultural Engineering) | |
| Assistant Agriculture Officer (Pay Level Rs. 85 posts) | B.Sc. (Agriculture) OR B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture from a recognized University |
| Assistant Agriculture Officer (Pay Level Rs. 15 posts) | Same as Agriculture Officer (Pay Level Rs. 15 posts) listed above (items 1 to 9) |
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.
KEA Agriculture Officer Recruitment 2026 – Age Limit
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.
| Category | Upper Age Limit (for Direct Recruitment posts) |
|---|---|
| General Merit (UR) Candidates | 40 years |
| Category 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B (OBC) Candidates | 43 years |
| SC (Cat-A, Cat-B, Cat-C) / ST / Category-1 Candidates | 45 years |
In addition to the above, the following specific age relaxations are available as per Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules 1977:
| Category of Candidate | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Candidates who held posts in Karnataka State Government / State Authority / under State / Central laws / State PSUs and have since left or are currently serving | By number of years of service rendered OR 10 years, whichever is lower |
| Ex-Servicemen | Entitled to add 3 years to “the period of military service rendered” and claim that as additional age allowance under the rules in force for the term “Ex-Serviceman” |
| Persons who served as full-time Cadet Supervisors in National Cadet Corps (NCC) and were subsequently discharged | By the number of years of Cadet Supervisor service rendered |
| Candidates who were employed as Village Group Supervisors under the State Government-sponsored Rural Electrification Programme and are still serving or have previously served in that role | By the number of years of Village Group Supervisor service rendered |
| Persons with Disability (Special Reservation / PwD Candidates) | 10 years relaxation |
| Candidates who held posts in Census Survey of India under the Central Government and have left or are still holding that post | By the number of years of service rendered OR 5 years in that period, whichever is lower |
| Widows (candidates who produce a competent authority certificate that they are widows and not remarried, along with original proof at the time of verification) | 10 years relaxation |
| Candidates who have been released from service under the Karnataka Wage Earner Scheme (Jeetha Karmika Paddathi) or equivalent (must produce District Magistrate certificate and present original at verification) | 10 years relaxation |
KEA Agriculture Officer Recruitment 2026 – Application Fee
Fee must be paid online only. Fee once paid will NOT be refunded.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General Merit (UR) and Other Categories (Cat-2A / 2B / 3A / 3B) | Rs. 750/- (Rs. 500 Application Fee + Rs. 250 Processing Fee) – Non-Refundable |
| SC / ST / Cat-1 / Ex-Servicemen / Transgender Candidates | Rs. 500/- (Rs. 250 Application Fee + Rs. 250 Processing Fee) – Non-Refundable |
| Persons with Disability (Special Reservation / PwD Candidates) | Rs. 250/- (Processing Fee only) – Non-Refundable |
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.
KEA Agriculture Officer Recruitment 2026 – Selection Process
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:
| 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 |
For Agriculture Officer & Assistant Agriculture Officer – Pay Level Rs. 15 Posts:
| Paper | Subject / Content | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Paper-2 | Specific Paper (syllabus to be announced separately) | 300 | 2 Hours |
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.
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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.
KEA Agriculture Officer Recruitment 2026 – Probation & Pay Scale
| 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 |
KEA Agriculture Officer Recruitment 2026 – General Eligibility Conditions
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Must be an Indian Citizen |
| Polygamy | A male candidate who has more than one living wife, and a female candidate who is married to a person who already has another living wife, is not eligible for appointment without prior permission from the State Government |
| Physical & Mental Fitness | The candidate must be physically and mentally fit and free from any physical defect that could prevent the satisfactory discharge of duties of the post |
| Medical Disqualification | 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 |
| Previous Disbarment | Persons who have been permanently debarred from Central / Karnataka State / any other State Public Service Commission, KPSC, or any university examination / appointment are not eligible for recruitment |
| Criminal Conviction | Any person who has been convicted of a moral offence, or who has been temporarily debarred by the Central / Karnataka or any other State Public Service Commission or KPSC from examinations / appointments, or who is currently temporarily debarred, will not be considered eligible for recruitment |
How to Apply for KEA Agriculture Officer Recruitment 2026
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.)
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KEA Agriculture Officer Recruitment 2026 – Reservation & Special Category Details
OBC / Category Reservation: As per Government Order (DPAR Services-2 No. 02 Sehime 2026 dated 13.05.2026), candidates from 59 specified OBC castes who have not earlier availed OBC reservation are now eligible for reservation under the appropriate OBC category. One set of 59 castes may additionally claim Category-1 benefits subject to conditions.
Rural Candidate Reservation: As per Government Order No. 59 Shashana 2000 dated 06-01-2001, candidates seeking Rural reservation must have studied and passed from Class 1 to Class 10 in rural areas of Karnataka. General-merit candidates seeking rural reservation must submit a Form-1 certificate mandatorily obtained from the Tahsildar and attested by the Head Master and Field Education Officer of the relevant school, before the last date of application. SC / ST / Category-1 / PwD / Category-2A / 2B / 3A / 3B candidates seeking rural reservation must submit the rural certificate in Form-2 in the same manner.
Kannada Medium Candidate Reservation: As per Government Order No. DPAR 71 Sehime 2001 dated 24-10-2002, candidates who have studied from Class 1 to Class 10 in Kannada Medium are eligible for Kannada Medium Student (KMS) reservation. Such candidates must produce a Kannada Medium study certificate from the Head Master of the school before the last date of application.
Persons with Disability (PwD / Special Reservation): As per Government Order No. DPAR 149 / YSA RA / 2020 dated 25.09.2020, PwD candidates with Group-B posts at Rs. 4 level and Group-C at Rs. 5 level, and those falling under WCD 111 PHP 2022 notification dated 23.03.2023 with minimum 40% disability, are eligible for PwD reservation. Proof of disability must be in the format specified by Government Order No. DPAR 115/Sehime/2005 dated 19-11-2005, with a certificate from the Primary Health Centre / Taluk Medical Authority / District Medical Authority / Bengaluru Medical Authority as per Govt. Order MMA 65 PHC’API 2010 dated 18-02-2011 or a UDID certificate.
Transgender Reservation: As per Government Order No. DPAR 179 Sehime 2020 dated 06-07-2021, 1% (one percent) horizontal reservation of posts is provided to Transgender candidates in Group-A, B, C, D posts across General Merit, SC, ST, and other backward categories. Transgender candidates must possess a certificate issued by the District Magistrate as per the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019.
Ex-Serviceman Reservation: As per Government Orders (DPIAR 13 SRR 92 dated 01-04-1992 and DPIAR 28 SRR 95 dated 21-10-1995), 10% horizontal reservation is provided to Ex-Servicemen in direct recruitment posts. Ex-Serviceman definition as per Karnataka State Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules 1977 applies.
Article 371(J) Kalyana-Karnataka Region Reservation: Candidates belonging to the Kalyana-Karnataka region seeking this reservation must submit the eligibility certificate obtained from the Sub-Divisional Assistant Commissioner of the concerned sub-division, in the format prescribed under Karnataka Public Services (Reservation for Appointment in Kalyana-Karnataka Region) Rules 2013.
KEA Agriculture Officer Recruitment 2026 – 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.
KEA AO AAO Recruitment 2026 – Important Links
- Apply Online: Click here
- Official Notification PDF: Click here (RPC)
- Official Notification PDF: Click here (KK)
- Official Website: Click here
- Join Telegram Channel: Click Here
- Join WhatsApp Channel: Click Here
- Sarkari Result: Click Here
KEA Agriculture Officer & Assistant Agriculture Officer Recruitment 2026
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).
Q9. Is Rural Candidate (Grameen) reservation available and what proof is required?
Yes. Rural reservation is available for candidates who have studied and passed from Class 1 to Class 10 in rural areas of Karnataka, as per Government Order No. 59 Shashana 2000 dated 06-01-2001. General merit candidates seeking Rural reservation must submit a Form-1 certificate from the Tahsildar, attested by the Head Master and Field Education Officer of the relevant school. SC / ST / OBC / PwD candidates seeking Rural reservation must submit a Form-2 certificate in the same manner. Both certificates must be submitted before the last date of application.
Q10. Can candidates currently employed in a Government job apply for this recruitment?
Yes, candidates currently in Government service can apply. However, if selected, they must produce a No Objection Certificate (NOC) / Service Permission Certificate / Service Certificate from the employing recruitment authority before the date of appointment. Service details must be accurately entered in the online application. Failure to produce the NOC / service certificate will result in disqualification at the time of appointment. Candidates should not enter false service information as it will lead to cancellation of candidature.