The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru, has released two separate notifications on behalf of the Revenue Department, Government of Karnataka, for the engagement of Village Accountant (ಗ್ರಾಮ ಆಡಳಿತ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿ / Grama Adalitha Adhikari) on a Group-C, direct recruitment basis. Together, the two notifications cover a combined total of 572 vacancies across 24 districts of Karnataka, including a dedicated allocation for the Kalyana-Karnataka region under Article 371(J) of the Constitution.
Eligible PUC (Class 12) pass candidates can apply online through KEA’s official portal from 11 July 2026 to 30 July 2026. This is one of the most keenly awaited Group-C recruitment drives in Karnataka this year, since Village Accountant posts are a stable entry point into state government service for PUC-qualified candidates. Here is a complete, detailed breakdown of both notifications — vacancy details, eligibility, exam pattern, fee, and the full application process.
1. KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Recruitment Component | Official Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru, on behalf of the Revenue Department |
| Post Name | Village Accountant (ಗ್ರಾಮ ಆಡಳಿತ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿ) |
| Post Category | Group-C, Direct Recruitment |
| Notification 1 (RPC) | No. ಇಡಿ/ಕೆಇಎ/26/ನೇ.ವಿ./2026(ಆರ್ಪಿಸಿ), dated 10 July 2026 — covers 21 general districts |
| Notification 2 (KK) | No. ಇಡಿ/ಕೆಇಎ/27/ನೇ.ವಿ./2026(ಕೆಕೆ), dated 10 July 2026 — covers Kalyana-Karnataka region under Article 371(J) |
| Total Combined Vacancies | 572 (505 under RPC notification + 67 under KK notification) |
| Application Mode | Online only, through cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
| Districts Eligible | Only one district per candidate; multi-district applications not allowed |
| Selection Basis | Competitive Offline-OMR examination |
2. Why Two Separate Notifications? Understanding RPC vs. KK
Candidates should clearly understand why KEA has issued two distinct notifications for the same post:
- RPC Notification (ಆರ್ಪಿಸಿ) covers the regular vacancy allocation across 21 districts of Karnataka under the normal reservation policy.
- KK Notification (ಕೆಕೆ) covers vacancies specifically reserved for local candidates of the Kalyana-Karnataka region (Kalaburagi, Bidar, and Raichuru districts) under the special provisions of Article 371(J) of the Indian Constitution, which grants additional employment and educational reservation to this historically backward region.
Interestingly, Bidar and Raichuru districts appear in both notifications — this is not a duplication. The RPC notification’s Bidar (4 posts) and Raichuru (2 posts) vacancies are filled under the general/regular quota framework, while the KK notification’s Bidar (17 posts) and Raichuru (10 posts) vacancies are filled separately under the Kalyana-Karnataka local-candidate reservation. Candidates from these two districts should carefully check which notification and category they are eligible to apply under, and apply to only one as applicable.
3. KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 10 July 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 11 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Online Application | 30 July 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 31 July 2026 |
| Exam Date – RPC Notification (21 Districts) | 4 October 2026 |
| Exam Date – KK Notification (Kalyana-Karnataka) | 25 October 2026 |
| Exam Timing – Paper 1 | 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM |
| Exam Timing – Paper 2 | 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM |
Note that the two notifications have different examination dates — candidates applying under the RPC notification will write their exam on 4 October 2026, while candidates applying under the KK notification (Kalaburagi, Bidar, Raichuru local-candidate quota) will write their exam on 25 October 2026.
4. KEA VAO Vacancy Details 2026 (District-Wise)
RPC Notification – 505 Vacancies Across 21 Districts
| S.No | District | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bengaluru Urban | 20 |
| 2 | Bengaluru Rural | 29 |
| 3 | Chitradurga | 15 |
| 4 | Chikkaballapur | 21 |
| 5 | Tumakuru | 50 |
| 6 | Shivamogga | 18 |
| 7 | Kolar | 22 |
| 8 | Bengaluru South | 30 |
| 9 | Mysuru | 45 |
| 10 | Mandya | 50 |
| 11 | Hassan | 35 |
| 12 | Udupi | 10 |
| 13 | Dakshina Kannada | 20 |
| 14 | Chamarajanagar | 31 |
| 15 | Chikkamagaluru | 10 |
| 16 | Belagavi | 48 |
| 17 | Bagalkote | 16 |
| 18 | Gadag | 14 |
| 19 | Haveri | 15 |
| 20 | Bidar | 4 |
| 21 | Raichuru | 2 |
| Total | 505 |
KK Notification – 67 Vacancies Across 3 Kalyana-Karnataka Districts
| S.No | District | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kalaburagi | 40 |
| 2 | Bidar | 17 |
| 3 | Raichuru | 10 |
| Total | 67 |
Combined Total Vacancies (RPC + KK): 572
Tumakuru and Mandya carry the highest vacancy share (50 each) under the RPC notification, while Kalaburagi leads the KK notification with 40 posts. Category-wise (General Merit/SC/ST/Category-1/2A/2B/3A/3B) reservation within each district will be notified separately by the respective District Collectors, as per the notification.
5. KEA VAO Eligibility Criteria 2026
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed the Pre-University Course (PUC/Class 12) or an equivalent qualification. As detailed in the notification, the following are treated as equivalent to PUC for this recruitment:
- Class 12 examinations conducted by CBSE and ICSE boards
- Class 12 examinations conducted by other State Government Boards of Education
- Senior Secondary examination conducted by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)
- Two-year ITI courses (NSQF-aligned) combined with either a distance-mode language course or a pre-degree board examination clearing one language and one subject, as per applicable government orders
- Three-year Diploma holders under specified conditions relating to direct recruitment or promotional posts requiring technical education qualifications
- For candidates who completed a three-year Diploma from a Technical Education Department institution before 2015, an additional Kannada language test requirement applies alongside the general district-wise exam
Age Limit
Candidates must be a minimum of 18 years of age as on the last date of application submission. The maximum age limit, inclusive of the special 5-year relaxation granted vide Government Order CI 262 SNE 2025 dated 29 January 2026, is as follows:
| Category | Maximum Age Limit |
|---|---|
| General/Unreserved Candidates | 40 years |
| Category 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B Candidates | 43 years |
| Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe / Category-1 Candidates | 45 years |
Additional age relaxation is also available for specific categories such as Ex-Servicemen, National Cadet Corps (NCC) whole-time instructors, Anganwadi survey workers engaged under government-recognised rural employment schemes, Special Chetana (PwBD) candidates, widows who have not remarried, employees of government/statutory bodies/local authorities, and workers who lost employment due to closure of jeetha (bonded labour) practices — each carrying its own specific relaxation period as detailed in the official notification.
Kannada Language Requirement
Candidates must either have studied Kannada as a first or second language up to SSLC (Class 10) level, or have studied in a Kannada-medium school, or must clear a compulsory Kannada Language Proficiency Test (ಕಡ್ಡಾಯ ಕನ್ನಡ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆ) conducted by the Department of Public Instruction. This qualifying test carries 150 marks, with a minimum of 50 marks required to pass; however, marks scored in this test are not added to the final merit ranking, and it exists purely as a mandatory qualifying requirement for candidates without a Kannada-medium educational background.
6. KEA VAO Selection Process 2026
Selection is based entirely on performance in a single competitive written examination, conducted in Offline-OMR format:
| Stage | Nature | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Competitive Written Examination | Offline, OMR-based, two papers | Determines the merit list for selection |
| District-Wise Merit List | Prepared and forwarded to respective District Collectors | Final appointment authority rests with the District Collector of the concerned district |
The appointing authority for the Village Accountant post is the District Collector of the district concerned, and KEA’s role is limited to conducting the competitive examination and forwarding the district-wise merit/rank list to the respective District Collectors for final appointment.
7. KEA VAO Exam Pattern 2026
The examination consists of two papers, conducted on the same day:
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Knowledge (current affairs, everyday science, Indian Constitution, Karnataka history and geography, state/regional development, Panchayat Raj institutions and rural cooperative societies, Karnataka’s economic development, and environmental issues) | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Paper 2 | General Kannada, General English, and Computer Knowledge | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours |
Qualifying Marks: Candidates must secure a minimum of 35% marks in the competitive examination to be considered for the merit list.
Negative Marking: Each question carries four options with only one correct answer. A deduction of 0.25 marks applies for every wrong answer. If a candidate marks more than one answer for a single question in the OMR sheet, or leaves an answer ambiguous even after any correction window, that response is also treated as incorrect and attracts the same 0.25 mark deduction.
8. KEA VAO Application Fee 2026
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General Merit and Category 2A/2B/3A/3B Candidates | Rs. 750 (Rs. 500 application fee + Rs. 250 processing fee) |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-Servicemen / Third Gender Candidates | Rs. 500 (Rs. 250 application fee + Rs. 250 processing fee) |
| Special Chetana (PwBD) Candidates | Rs. 250 (Processing fee only) |
The fee must be paid online only. KEA has clearly stated that once paid, the application fee will not be refunded under any circumstances, so candidates should verify their eligibility, category, and age criteria carefully before making payment.
9. How to Apply Online for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026
Follow these steps to complete your application through the official KEA portal:
- Visit the official website: Go to the KEA portal at https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/ and locate the online application link for Village Accountant recruitment.
- Choose the correct notification: Select either the RPC notification or the KK notification based on your eligible district and category — remember that you may apply to only one district under one notification.
- Register and fill the application: Complete your registration and fill in personal, educational, and category details accurately. Once submitted, no changes or modifications are permitted at any stage.
- Upload photograph and signature: Upload a recent passport-size photograph in JPEG format (file size between 50 KB and 200 KB) and your signature in JPEG format (file size between 50 KB and 70 KB), scanned as per the specified format.
- Pay the application fee: Complete the online fee payment before the deadline of 31 July 2026, keeping in mind that the fee is non-refundable.
- Download and print: After successful submission and payment, download and print a copy of your application form for future reference.
Candidates must ensure their mobile number and email ID entered in the application are active and remain accessible throughout the entire recruitment process, since these will be used for all official communication.
10. Documents Required for KEA VAO Application
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| PUC/Class 12 (or equivalent) Marksheet and Certificate | Core educational qualification proof |
| SSLC (Class 10) Certificate | Age and Kannada-medium/language proof |
| Aadhaar Card | Mandatory identity proof |
| Category Certificate (Caste/Income) | For SC/ST/Category-1/2A/2B/3A/3B candidates claiming reservation |
| Rural Candidate Certificate | For candidates claiming rural reservation benefit |
| Kannada Medium Study Certificate | For candidates claiming Kannada-medium candidate reservation |
| Ex-Servicemen Certificate | For Ex-Servicemen candidates claiming reservation/age relaxation |
| Disability Certificate/UDID | For Special Chetana (PwBD) candidates |
| Kalyana-Karnataka Local Candidate Certificate | For candidates applying under the KK notification, as per Article 371(J) provisions |
| Passport-Size Photograph and Signature (JPEG) | Application form requirement |
11. Official Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| RPC Notification PDF (21 Districts) | Click Here |
| KK Notification PDF (Kalyana-Karnataka) | Click Here |
| Official KEA Application Portal | https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/ |
| KEA Helpline (Information Centre) | 080-23460460 (10:00 AM to 6:00 PM) |
12. KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How many total vacancies have been announced under KEA VAO Recruitment 2026?
A combined total of 572 vacancies have been announced — 505 under the RPC notification covering 21 districts, and 67 under the KK notification covering Kalaburagi, Bidar, and Raichuru districts under the Kalyana-Karnataka quota.
Q2: What is the last date to apply for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026?
The online application window is open from 11 July 2026 to 30 July 2026, with the fee payment deadline on 31 July 2026.
Q3: What is the educational qualification required?
Candidates must have passed PUC (Class 12) or an equivalent qualification as detailed in the official notification, which includes CBSE/ICSE Class 12, other state board Class 12, NIOS Senior Secondary, and specified ITI/Diploma equivalences.
Q4: What is the age limit for this recruitment?
The maximum age limit is 40 years for General category, 43 years for Category 2A/2B/3A/3B, and 45 years for SC/ST/Category-1 candidates, inclusive of the special 5-year relaxation applicable this cycle. The minimum age is 18 years.
Q5: When is the KEA VAO exam scheduled?
Candidates under the RPC notification will write their exam on 4 October 2026, while candidates under the KK notification will write their exam on 25 October 2026. Both exams follow the same Paper 1 (10:30 AM–12:30 PM) and Paper 2 (2:30 PM–4:30 PM) timing structure.
Q6: What is the application fee for KEA VAO 2026?
The fee is Rs. 750 for General/2A/2B/3A/3B candidates, Rs. 500 for SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-Servicemen/Third Gender candidates, and Rs. 250 for Special Chetana (PwBD) candidates.
Q7: Can I apply for more than one district? No. Candidates are permitted to apply for only one district under one notification. Applying to multiple districts is not allowed.
Q8: Is there a Kannada language requirement for non-Kannada-medium candidates?
Yes. Candidates who did not study Kannada up to SSLC level or in a Kannada-medium school must clear a compulsory Kannada Language Proficiency Test carrying 150 marks, with a minimum of 50 marks required to qualify. This score does not count toward the final merit list.
Q9: What is the minimum qualifying mark in the competitive exam?
Candidates must secure at least 35% marks in the competitive examination to be eligible for the merit list.
Q10: Is there negative marking in the KEA VAO exam?
Yes. A deduction of 0.25 marks applies for every wrong answer in both Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Q11: Who is the appointing authority for the Village Accountant post?
The District Collector of the concerned district is the appointing authority. KEA is responsible only for conducting the competitive examination and forwarding the district-wise merit list.
Disclaimer: All dates, vacancy figures, and eligibility details mentioned in this article are based on the official notifications issued by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) on 10 July 2026. Candidates are strongly advised to download and read both complete notifications from the official KEA website before applying, and to verify all details directly from the source.
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