KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 Notification Out for 247 Vacancies, Apply Online and Registration Fees

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released the official notification for the recruitment of Principals in Government Pre-University Colleges under the Department of School Education. The recruitment drive covers 247 vacancies through two separate notifications, one for the general cadre and one for the Kalyana-Karnataka local cadre. Online applications for this recruitment will open on 07.09.2026 and close on 04.10.2026. This article covers all the important details of the KEA Principal Recruitment 2026, including eligibility, application process, fees, and selection procedure.

KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 Out

KEA has issued two separate notifications dated 03.09.2026 for the recruitment of Principals in Government Pre-University Colleges. One notification covers 31 posts under the Kalyana-Karnataka local cadre, and the other covers 216 posts under the general/parent cadre. Only lecturers working in Government Pre-University Colleges with the required teaching experience are eligible to apply for these posts. Interested and eligible lecturers can apply online through the official KEA website.

KEA Principal Notification 2026: Overview

KEA Principal Vacancy

KEA Principal Vacancy have been split across two separate notifications based on cadre, one meant for the local candidates of the Kalyana-Karnataka region and the other for the general cadre spread across the state.

Important Dates

Candidates planning to apply for the KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 should keep track of the application timeline to avoid missing the deadline.

KEA Principal Eligibility Criteria

KEA Principal recruitment is meant only for internal promotion; KEA has not invited applications from outside candidates. Applicants who take part in the process despite lacking the required qualification will have their candidature cancelled at any stage of the recruitment, even after appearing for the exam.

KEA Principal Selection Process

Selection for the Principal post by KEA will be carried out through a written competitive examination conducted in either online (CBT) or offline (OMR) mode, spread across three separate papers of equal weightage.

• Candidates must score at least 50 marks in Paper-1 (Kannada Language) to qualify, though these marks are not counted for merit.
• Only marks scored in Paper-2 and Paper-3 are used to prepare the merit list.
• Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies for every wrong answer in Paper-2 and Paper-3.
• Final selection is made based on combined marks in Paper-2 and Paper-3, along with applicable reservation and roster rules.

KEA Principal Apply Online Link 2026

Candidates can apply for the KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 only through the official online portal of the Karnataka Examinations Authority. Candidates are advised to keep their documents ready before starting the application process, as no changes can be made once the form is submitted.

Apply Link of KEA Principal Recruitment 2026

How to Apply for KEA Principal Recruitment 2026?

Eligible candidates need to follow the steps mentioned below to complete their online application for the Principal post.

• Visit the official KEA website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
• Click on the KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 application link.
• Fill in personal, educational, and service-related details carefully.
• Upload the required documents, photograph, and signature in the prescribed format.
• Pay the application fee through the online payment mode.
• Submit the form and download a copy for future reference.

KEA Principal Application Fees

The application fee for the KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 must be paid only through the online mode, and once paid, it will not be refunded under any circumstances.

KEA Principal Salary 2026

The promotional appointment of the principal by KEA will get service-related benefits such as a pension to continue to be calculated from the candidate’s original date of joining as a lecturer rather than from the date of promotion.