KEA AO AAO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out for 890 Vacancies

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released the revised KEA AO AAO Recruitment 2026 Notification for the recruitment of Agriculture Officer (AO) and Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO) posts in the Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka. Through this recruitment drive, a total of 945 vacancies have been announced across Kalyana Karnataka (KK) and RPC cadres, including horizontal reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PwD).

Candidates seeking government jobs in the agriculture sector can submit their applications online through the official KEA portal. The revised notification includes updated vacancies, eligibility criteria, application dates, exam schedule, selection process, and reservation details.

Download KEA AO AAO Notification PDF

The revised KEA AO AAO Notification PDF contains complete information regarding vacancies, eligibility, reservation policies, examination scheme, application procedure, and recruitment guidelines. Candidates are advised to read the official notification carefully before submitting their applications.

KEA AO AAO Notification PDF Download (RPC)

KEA AO AAO Notification PDF Download (KK)

KEA AO AAO Notification 2026 Overview

The revised KEA AO AAO Recruitment 2026 offers an excellent opportunity for agriculture graduates to secure a Group-B government position in Karnataka. Selected candidates will receive attractive pay scales, job security, and benefits under the National Pension System (NPS).

KEA AO AAO Vacancy 2026

The revised notification has significantly increased the number of vacancies. A total of 945 posts have been notified, including regular, backlog, and horizontal reservation vacancies.

Total Vacancies: 945 Posts (927 Regular/Backlog + 18 PwD Vacancies)

Important Dates

Candidates must complete the application process within the prescribed timeline.

KEA AAO Apply Online Link

The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has activated the online application link for the Agriculture Officer (AO) and Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO) Recruitment 2026. Eligible candidates can submit their applications through the official KEA portal from 30 May 2026 to 20 June 2026. Applicants are advised to complete the registration process well before the deadline and ensure that all required documents are uploaded correctly to avoid last-minute issues. The application fee can be paid online until 22 June 2026.

KEA AAO Apply Online Link (Active)

KEA AO AAO Application Process 2026

Applications must be submitted online through the official KEA portal before the deadline.

1. Visit the official KEA website.
2. Complete registration using valid details.
3. Fill out the online application form carefully.
4. Upload photograph, signature, and required documents.
5. Pay the application fee online.
6. Submit the application form.
7. Download and print the application confirmation page.

KEA AO AAO Eligibility Criteria 2026

Candidates must satisfy the prescribed educational qualifications and age criteria before submitting the application form.

Educational Qualification

The degree must be obtained from a university recognized by ICAR or AICTE. Distance education or correspondence technical degrees will not be accepted.

For 85% Category Posts (AO & AAO)

Candidates must possess:

• B.Sc. Agriculture, OR
• B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture

For 15% Category Posts (AO & AAO)

Candidates must possess any one of the following:

• B.Tech Food Science & Technology
• B.Tech Food Technology
• B.Tech Biotechnology
• B.Tech Agricultural Engineering
• B.Sc. Agricultural Marketing & Cooperation
• B.Sc. (Hons.) Agricultural Marketing & Cooperation
• B.Sc. (Hons.) Agri-Business Management
• B.Sc. Agri-Biotechnology
• Agricultural Engineering Degree

Note: Candidates awaiting final semester or final year results are not eligible to apply.

Age Limit

The age limits below already include the one-time relaxation of 5 years provided by the Government.

Minimum Age: 18 Years

Additional Age Relaxation

• Persons with Disabilities (PwD): Up to 10 Years
• Widows: Up to 10 Years
• Ex-Servicemen: As per service rendered
• Government Employees: As per applicable rules

KEA AO AAO Selection Process 2026

The selection process consists of three stages.

Stage 1: Competitive Written Examination

The written examination will be conducted in offline OMR mode. Candidates must secure at least 35% aggregate marks to qualify for further stages.

Paper 1 – General Paper

Paper 2 – Specific Subject Paper

Negative Marking

• 0.75 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
• If a question is left unanswered and the candidate does not mark the fifth OMR option (void answer circle), 0.75 marks will also be deducted for that question.

Stage 2: Kannada Language Test

Candidates qualifying the written examination must appear for the Kannada Language Test unless exempted.

Exemption from Kannada Test

Candidates are exempted if they:

• Studied Kannada as 1st or 2nd language in SSLC or higher education.
• Studied in Kannada medium from Class 1 to 10.
• Have already passed a government-recognized Kannada language examination.

Note: Marks obtained in the Kannada Language Test will not be considered for final merit ranking.

Stage 3: Document Verification

Candidates who qualify all prescribed stages will be called for document verification before final appointment.

KEA AO AAO Salary 2026

Selected candidates will receive salary and benefits as per Karnataka Government pay scales.

• Probation Period: Candidates appointed through this recruitment will undergo a probation period of 2 years.
• Pension Scheme: Selected candidates will be covered under the National Pension System (NPS).

KEA AO AAO Helpline Number

Candidates facing issues related to registration, application submission, fee payment, admit card download, or examination can contact the KEA helpdesk.

Applicants are advised to complete the application process well before 20 June 2026 to avoid last-minute technical issues and payment failures.