KEA VAO Recruitment 2026Â
Candidates looking for a secure Karnataka Government job now have an excellent opportunity as the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has announced the KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 notification. Through this recruitment drive, a total of 572 Village Administrative Officer (VAO) vacancies will be filled under the Revenue Department across different districts of Karnataka.
The recruitment has been divided into two categories: 505 vacancies under the General/RPC cadre and 67 vacancies under the Kalyana-Karnataka cadre. Village Administrative Officers play an important role in maintaining land records, assisting revenue administration, and supporting village-level governance. Because of the attractive salary package, career stability, and government benefits, this recruitment is expected to attract a large number of applicants.
The online application process started on 11 July 2026 and interested candidates can submit their forms until 30 July 2026 through the official KEA portal. The fee payment facility will remain active until 31 July 2026. Candidates are advised to complete the registration process well before the deadline and carefully review the eligibility conditions before applying.
Advisory: Read the official notification thoroughly before filling out the application form.
Advisory: Keep scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and educational certificates ready.
Advisory: Apply early to avoid website congestion during the final days of registration.
KEA VAO 2026 Overview
The Karnataka Village Administrative Officer Recruitment 2026 offers a promising opportunity for 12th-pass candidates seeking a government career in revenue administration.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization Name | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Post Name | Village Administrative Officer (VAO) |
| Total Vacancies | 572 |
| Qualification | PUC (12th Pass) or Equivalent |
| Salary | ₹34,100 – ₹67,600 |
| Age Limit | 18 to 40 Years |
| Application Last Date | 30 July 2026 |
| Apply Mode | Online |
| Job Type | Karnataka Government Job |
KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 Notification Details
KEA released the official Village Administrative Officer Recruitment Notification on 10 July 2026. The notification contains complete information regarding eligibility, district-wise vacancies, reservation rules, examination process, fee structure, and appointment conditions.
Candidates can apply for only one district under their respective cadre. Multiple applications for different districts may result in rejection.
KEA VAO Vacancy 2026 Details
General / RPC Cadre Vacancies (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 |
| Hassan | 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 Vacancies (67 Posts)
| District | Vacancies |
| Kalaburagi | 40 |
| Bidar | 17 |
| Raichuru | 10 |
| Total | 67 |
Eligibility Requirements
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed any one of the following:
- PUC (Pre-University Course)
- 12th Pass from CBSE Board
- 12th Pass from ICSE Board
- Senior Secondary from NIOS
- Equivalent qualification recognized by Karnataka Government
- Two-year ITI course along with required language and general subjects
Experience Requirement
No prior work experience is required. Fresh candidates meeting the qualification criteria are eligible to apply.
Also Read: BEST Mumbai Bus Vahak Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 364 Conductor Vacancies
Application Fee Details
Candidates must pay the prescribed fee online during the application process.
| Category | Fee |
| General / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | ₹750 |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-Servicemen / Third Gender | ₹500 |
| Special Chetana (PwD) | ₹250 |
Note: Application fees are non-refundable after payment.
Age Limit and Relaxation
The minimum age required is 18 years.
| Category | Maximum Age |
| General | 40 Years |
| 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | 43 Years |
| SC / ST / Category-1 | 45 Years |
Additional Age Relaxation
Special relaxation benefits are available for:
- Karnataka Government employees
- Ex-servicemen
- Persons with Disabilities
- Widows and Divorcees
- Third Gender candidates (up to 10 years)
- Census Organization employees
- Rural employment scheme surveyors
Relevant certificates must be produced during verification.
Salary Structure and Benefits
Selected candidates will receive salary under the Karnataka Government pay matrix along with additional allowances and retirement benefits.
| Component | Details |
| Pay Scale | ₹34,100 – ₹67,600 |
| Pension Benefit | National Pension Scheme (NPS) |
| Probation Period | 2 Years |
| Additional Benefits | Government Allowances as Applicable |
The salary package makes this one of the most attractive village-level government jobs in Karnataka.
Important Dates
Candidates should remember the following recruitment schedule.
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release | 10 July 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 11 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 July 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 31 July 2026 |
| General/RPC Exam Date | 04 October 2026 |
| Kalyana-Karnataka Exam Date | To Be Announced |
Selection Process Explained
The KEA VAO selection process is straightforward.
Step 1: Online Application
Eligible candidates must successfully submit the online application form.
Step 2: Written Examination
Applicants will appear in an Offline OMR-based competitive examination.
Step 3: Merit Preparation
Performance in the written exam will determine the merit ranking.
Step 4: Document Verification
Shortlisted candidates will be required to verify educational, category, and identity documents.
Step 5: Final Appointment
Candidates clearing all stages will receive appointment orders.
Who Should Apply?
This recruitment is ideal for:
- 12th-pass candidates seeking government jobs
- Aspirants preparing for Karnataka state-level examinations
- Candidates interested in village administration work
- Freshers looking for long-term career stability
- Individuals seeking government salary and pension benefits
Real Benefits of This Job
- Permanent government employment opportunity
- Attractive salary with future increments
- Pension benefits under NPS
- Opportunity to serve local communities
- Good work-life balance compared to many private-sector jobs
- Promotion opportunities within the Revenue Department
Preparation Tips for KEA VAO Exam
- Study Karnataka General Knowledge regularly.
- Focus on revenue administration basics and current affairs.
- Practice previous years’ OMR-based question papers.
- Improve time management through mock tests.
- Revise important state government schemes and policies.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Selecting the wrong district during registration.
- Uploading incorrect photo or signature format.
- Waiting until the last date to submit the form.
- Ignoring eligibility requirements before applying.
- Entering incorrect educational details.
- Forgetting to save the application confirmation page.
How to Apply for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official KEA website.
- Open the VAO Recruitment 2026 notification link.
- Complete new candidate registration.
- Generate login credentials.
- Fill in personal and educational details carefully.
- Choose only one district.
- Upload photograph and signature as prescribed.
- Verify all information before final submission.
- Pay the application fee online.
- Submit the application form.
- Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.
Also Read: Karnataka KEA Land Surveyor Recruitment 2026 Notification Out for 750
Important Links
| Description | Link Status |
| Official Notification | Available |
| Online Application Form | Active |
| KEA Official Website | Available |
| Exam Schedule Notice | To Be Updated |
| Admit Card | To Be Released |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can candidates from outside Karnataka apply for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026?
The notification primarily targets recruitment under Karnataka Revenue Department rules. Candidates should carefully review domicile, reservation, and language requirements mentioned in the official notification before applying.
2. Is graduation required for the Village Administrative Officer post?
No. Candidates who have passed PUC (12th standard) or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Karnataka Government are eligible to apply for this recruitment.
3. Can a candidate apply for multiple districts?
No. KEA has clearly stated that applicants can choose only one district. Multiple applications for different districts may lead to cancellation of candidature.
4. What type of examination will be conducted?
The recruitment examination will be conducted in offline mode using OMR answer sheets. Candidates should prepare accordingly and practice objective-type questions.
5. What happens after clearing the written examination?
Candidates who qualify based on merit will be called for document verification. Final selection will be made after successful verification of all required certificates.
6. Is this a permanent government job?
Yes. Selected candidates will be appointed under the Karnataka Government Revenue Department and will receive salary, allowances, and pension benefits as per applicable rules.
7. What makes this recruitment attractive for job seekers?
Apart from the large number of vacancies, the recruitment offers a respectable government position, stable career growth, pension benefits, and an opportunity to work at the grassroots level of administration.