The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has prescribed the KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Syllabus 2026 for the Nursing Officer and Pharmacy Officer posts under the ESI Scheme Medical Services Department and other concerned government institutions. Candidates preparing for the competitive examination should understand the paper structure and subject-wise topics before beginning their preparation. The syllabus for both cadres is the same for the General Knowledge paper, while the Specific Paper syllabus differs according to the respective post.
KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Syllabus 2026
The KEA Nursing Officer and Pharmacy Officer examination consists of two papers: General Knowledge and a Specific Paper related to the respective post. Candidates applying for either cadre have to prepare the common General Knowledge syllabus, while Nursing Officers must study the prescribed GNM subjects and Pharmacy Officers must prepare the Diploma in Pharmacy syllabus.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
| Department/Institutions | ESI Scheme Medical Services Department & concerned Government institutions |
| Posts | Nursing Officer & Pharmacy Officer |
| Total Vacancies | 233 Posts |
| General/RPC Notification No. | ED/KEA/34/Recruitment/2026(RPC) |
| Kalyana-Karnataka Notification No. | ED/KEA/35/Recruitment/2026(KK) |
| Notification Date | 06 August 2026 |
| Selection Method | Competitive Examination |
| Exam Mode | CBT/Offline OMR |
KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Exam Pattern 2026
Before starting preparation, candidates should understand the examination structure, marking scheme, and duration. The competitive examination consists of two papers carrying 200 marks in total.
| Paper | Subject/Content | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Paper 1 | General Knowledge | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Paper 2 | Specific Paper – Nursing/Pharmacy | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours |
Compulsory Kannada Language Test
The Compulsory Kannada Language Test is a separate qualifying examination. It consists of multiple-choice questions at the SSLC First Language standard and carries 150 marks.
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam | Compulsory Kannada Language Test |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Standard | SSLC First Language |
| Total Marks | 150 |
| Qualifying Marks | 50 Marks |
| Nature | Qualifying only; marks are not counted for merit/ranking |
Candidates who have studied Kannada as a first or second language at SSLC or higher level, studied in Kannada medium, or previously passed the compulsory Kannada language test conducted by KPSC or another selection authority are exempted from this test.
KEA Syllabus 2026: General Knowledge
The General Knowledge syllabus is common to candidates applying for both Nursing Officer and Pharmacy Officer posts. It mainly covers current affairs, Indian Constitution, history, geography, Karnataka administration, economic development, rural development, and environmental issues.
| Subject | Topics Covered |
| Current Affairs | Current events and important developments |
| General Awareness | Everyday comprehension and observation |
| Indian Constitution | Overview of the Constitution of India |
| History | History of India, with special reference to Karnataka |
| Geography | Geography of India, with reference to Karnataka |
| Administration | State and regional administration |
| Karnataka Economy | Economic development of Karnataka |
| Rural Development | Rural development, Panchayat Raj institutions and rural co-operatives |
| Environment | Environmental issues and development related to Karnataka |
KEA Nursing Officer Syllabus 2026 Specific Paper
The Nursing Officer Specific Paper is based on the prescribed Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) curriculum. The syllabus covers subjects taught during the first, second, and third years of the diploma course.
First Year Nursing Subjects
The first-year syllabus covers the fundamental concepts of nursing, human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, psychology, sociology, nutrition, and community health.
| Subject | Major Topics Covered |
| Anatomy and Physiology | Organization of the human body, cells, tissues, skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, excretory, endocrine and reproductive systems; sense organs and fluid/electrolyte balance |
| Physics and Chemistry | Units and measurements, mechanics, pressure, heat, light, sound, electricity, ionizing radiation, physical and chemical changes, solutions, osmosis, ionization and basic chemistry of carbohydrates, fats and proteins |
| Microbiology | Classification and characteristics of microorganisms, sources of infection, immunity, sterilization and disinfection |
| Psychology | Human behaviour, emotions, personality, learning, thinking, reasoning and mental health |
| Sociology | Individual, family, society, community, rural and urban sociology and social problems |
| Fundamentals of Nursing | Basic nursing care, admission and discharge, hygiene, nutrition, therapeutic nursing care, patient assessment and first aid/emergency nursing |
| Personal and Environmental Hygiene | Physical and mental health, water, lighting, housing, environmental hazards and community organizations |
| Community Health Nursing-I | Health and disease, community health nursing, home visits, clinics and health assessment |
| Health Education and Communication Skills | Principles of health education, communication methods and audio-visual aids |
| Nutrition | Food constituents, caloric requirements, meal planning, cooking, preservation and diet therapy |
Second Year Nursing Subjects
The second-year syllabus focuses on medical-surgical nursing, mental health and psychiatric nursing, paediatric nursing, and related clinical areas.
| Subject | Major Topics Covered |
| Medical/Surgical Nursing-I & II including Pharmacology | Causes, symptoms and treatment of respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, genito-urinary, nervous, endocrine and skin disorders; operating theatre techniques, intensive care, oncology, communicable diseases, female reproductive disorders and special senses |
| Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing | History of psychiatric care, causes of mental illness, diagnosis, therapy, legal aspects and role of psychiatric nurses |
| Paediatric Nursing | Child growth and development, infant care and nursing management of childhood diseases |
Third Year Nursing Subjects
The third-year syllabus deals with advanced maternal and community health nursing, professional development, and nursing administration and management.
| Subject | Major Topics Covered |
| Midwifery and Gynaecological Nursing | Normal pregnancy, labour, puerperium, newborn care, complications, obstructed labour, operative procedures and domiciliary midwifery |
| Community Health Nursing-II | Health service organization, specialized community health services, vital statistics, human sexuality, family welfare and demography |
| Professional Adjustments and Trends | Professional nursing characteristics, personal and professional growth, continuing education, legislation and professional organizations such as WHO and UNICEF |
| Management and Supervision | Administrative principles, environmental maintenance, patient-care distribution, planning, records and ward teaching |
KEA Pharmacy Officer Syllabus 2026 Specific Paper
The Pharmacy Officer Specific Paper is based on the Diploma in Pharmacy Education Regulation, 1991. It covers pharmaceutical sciences, human anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, pharmaceutical legislation, hospital pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, and pharmacy management.
Diploma in Pharmacy Part-I Subjects
Part-I focuses on the foundational concepts of pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacognosy, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, and community pharmacy.
| Subject | Major Topics Covered |
| Pharmaceutics-I | Dosage forms, pharmacopoeias, packaging, size reduction, size separation, mixing, filtration, extraction, evaporation, distillation, sterilization, tablets, capsules and immunological products |
| Pharmaceutical Chemistry-I | Inorganic pharmaceutical compounds, acids, bases, buffers, gastrointestinal agents, topical agents, electrolytes, radiopharmaceuticals, limit tests and identification tests |
| Pharmacognosy | History and scope, crude drugs, classification, adulteration, alkaloids, terpenoids, laxatives, cardiotonics, carminatives and anatomical study of herbs |
| Biochemistry & Clinical Pathology | Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, blood components and urine |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology | Cells, tissues, skeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, digestive, endocrine and reproductive systems |
| Health Education & Community Pharmacy | Health, nutrition, demography, family planning, first aid, environmental health, microbiology, communicable and non-communicable diseases and epidemiology |
Diploma in Pharmacy Part-II Subjects
Part-II covers advanced pharmaceutical subjects, including dispensing pharmacy, pharmacology, toxicology, pharmaceutical law, pharmacy management, hospital pharmacy, and clinical pharmacy.
| Subject | Major Topics Covered |
| Pharmaceutics-II | Prescriptions, incompatibilities, posology, powders, monophasic and biphasic liquids, semi-solids, dental and cosmetic preparations and sterile dosage forms |
| Pharmaceutical Chemistry-II | Organic pharmaceutical compounds, antiseptics, sulfonamides, antileprotics, anti-tuberculars, antibiotics, antifungals, antimalarials, tranquillizers, hypnotics, anaesthetics, antidepressants, diuretics, cardiovascular drugs, hypoglycemic agents, analgesics, NSAIDs, steroids and anti-neoplastics |
| Pharmacology & Toxicology | Routes of administration, absorption, drug mechanisms, drugs acting on the nervous system, eye, cardiovascular system, blood, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract and kidney; hormones and chemotherapeutic agents |
| Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence | Pharmacy Act 1948, Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, Drugs and Magic Remedies Act 1954, NDPS Act 1985, Poisons Act, DPCO, Code of Pharmaceutical Ethics and Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act |
| Drug Store and Business Management | Commerce, business organization, drug-house management, inventory control, sales promotion, banking, bookkeeping, cash book, ledger and balance sheet |
| Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy | Hospital structure, hospital pharmacy functions, drug distribution, manufacturing, modern dispensing, pathophysiology, drug interactions, adverse drug reactions and poisoning management |
TNPSC Group 2 Syllabus 2026, Download Ex...
RRB Section Controller Syllabus 2026, Ch...
Punjab Patwari Syllabus 2026, Check Exam...
Adda247 Job portal has complete information about all Sarkari Jobs and Naukri Alerts, its latest recruitment notifications, from all state and national level jobs and their updates.
