The KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026 details essential educational qualifications, age limits, professional registrations, and cadre-specific guidelines for 233 Group-C posts under the ESI Scheme Medical Services and allied state departments.
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru, has officially announced the eligibility criteria for 233 Group-C vacancies, comprising Nursing Officer and Pharmacy Officer positions within the ESI Scheme Medical Services Department and participating state institutions. This recruitment drive covers 188 Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) posts and 45 Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) posts.
KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026 Overview
Eligibility standards vary based on the specific job role and administrative cadre. The recruitment encompasses 188 vacancies dedicated to the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) and 45 vacancies reserved for the Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) Cadre.
| 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 Cadre Vacancies | 188 Posts |
| Kalyana-Karnataka Cadre Vacancies | 45 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 |
| Recruitment Type | Direct Recruitment |
| Selection Method | Competitive Examination |
| Exam Mode | CBT/Offline OMR |
| Online Application Starts | 07 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 August 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Job Type | Group-C Government Posts |
What Are the Core Eligibility Requirements?
Applicants must fulfill all mandatory educational qualifications on or before the final submission deadline. Requirements vary depending on the chosen post and the specific institution associated with the vacancy.
Educational Qualification – RPC Cadre
For the RPC cadre, applicants for the Pharmacy Officer role must hold a Diploma in Pharmacy, while Nursing Officer candidates are required to possess a recognized GNM qualification alongside active professional registration.
| Post | Educational Qualification | Registration |
| Pharmacy Officer – ESIS Medical Services Department | Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) from an institution recognized by the Government of Karnataka | Karnataka Pharmacy Council |
| Nursing Officer – ESIS Medical Services Department | Diploma in General Nursing (GNM) issued by an authority authorized by the Government of Karnataka | Karnataka Nursing Council |
- Candidates awaiting their final examination results on the last date of application are not eligible. All required mark sheets, passing certificates, and educational documents must be obtained on or before the application deadline.
Educational Qualification – KK Cadre
Qualifications for Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer positions under the ESIS Medical Services Department remain consistent within the KK cadre. However, Nursing Officer posts under KREIS feature expanded educational alternatives.
| Post/Institution | Required Qualification |
| Pharmacy Officer – ESIS Medical Services Department | Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) from an institution recognized by the Government of Karnataka |
| Nursing Officer – ESIS Medical Services Department | Diploma in General Nursing (GNM) issued by an authority authorized by the Government of Karnataka |
| Nursing Officer – KREIS | B.Sc. Nursing from a recognized university/institution recognized by INC or KSNC OR PUC/equivalent along with GNM from an institution recognized by INC/KSNC |
- For Pharmacy Officer posts, candidates must be registered with the Karnataka Pharmacy Council. Nursing Officer candidates under ESIS must have registration with the Karnataka Nursing Council.
- Candidates whose final results are awaited on the closing date of applications will not be considered eligible.
KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit
Age criteria apply uniformly across both RPC and KK cadre applications. Candidate age is calculated as of the last date for online application submission, incorporating the approved one-time five-year general age relaxation.
| Category | Maximum Age Limit |
| Minimum Age | 18 Years |
| General Merit (GM) | 40 Years |
| 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B | 43 Years |
| SC, ST, Category-1 | 45 Years |
Upper Age Relaxation Guidelines
Additional upper age relaxations are extended to candidates belonging to reserved categories and specific government service sectors as per official guidelines.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| Karnataka State Government/Corporation/Local Body Employees | Number of years in service or 10 years, whichever is less |
| Ex-Servicemen | Military service period + 3 years |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | 10 years |
| Widows | 10 years |
| Released Bonded Labourers | 10 years |
| Full-time NCC Cadet Instructors | Number of years served as instructor |
| Census Department Employees in Karnataka | Number of years in service or 5 years, whichever is less |
| Village Group Inspectors under Rural Industrialization Scheme | Number of years in service |
KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026: Domicile Requirements
Aspirants must carefully review the cadre-specific residential and local status rules before applying, as RPC and KK cadres enforce distinct regional eligibility prerequisites.
RPC Cadre Domicile Norms
- The Residual Parent Cadre is open to candidates who fulfill the prescribed eligibility conditions.
- There is no separate local eligibility certificate requirement for applying under the RPC cadre.
KK Cadre Domicile Norms
- Candidates claiming reservation or local cadre benefits under the Kalyana-Karnataka quota must fulfill the requirements under Article 371(J).
- They must possess a valid Eligibility Certificate (Annexure-A / ನಮೂನೆ ‘ಎ’) issued by the Assistant Commissioner of the concerned Revenue Sub-Division.
Other Important Eligibility Prerequisites
Beyond educational credentials and age boundaries, candidates must fulfill all standard administrative and legal eligibility conditions stipulated by KEA for both RPC and KK positions.
| Eligibility Condition | Requirement |
| Citizenship | Candidate must be an Indian citizen |
| Health & Physical Fitness | Must be of sound mental and bodily health and free from physical defects likely to interfere with duties |
| Result Awaited | Candidates awaiting final examination results on the last date of application are not eligible |
| Debarment | Candidates debarred by UPSC, KPSC, KEA, or any University may be disqualified |
| Criminal Conviction | Candidates convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude are ineligible |
| Male Candidates | A male candidate having more than one living spouse is ineligible without prior government permission |
| Female Candidates | A female candidate who has married a person already having a living wife is ineligible without prior government permission |
Compulsory Kannada Language Test Eligibility
- The Compulsory Kannada Language Examination requirement depends on the candidate’s previous Kannada language qualification. Certain candidates are exempted from appearing in the examination.
- Candidates who have studied Kannada as a first or second language in SSLC or an equivalent/higher examination, studied in Kannada medium, or previously passed the departmental/KEA/KPSC Compulsory Kannada Examination are exempted.
- Candidates who are not exempted must appear for the 150-mark Compulsory Kannada Language Examination and secure a minimum of 50 marks to qualify for selection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the educational qualification for KEA Pharmacy Officer 2026?
Candidates must hold a Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) from a board/institution recognized by the Government of Karnataka and maintain valid registration with the Karnataka Pharmacy Council.
What is the qualification required for KEA Nursing Officer 2026?
Candidates are required to have a Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) certified by a competent authority recognized by the Government of Karnataka along with active registration with the Karnataka Nursing Council.
What is the qualification for Nursing Officer under KREIS?
Applicants must possess either a B.Sc. Nursing degree approved by INC/KSNC or a PUC/equivalent qualification combined with GNM from an institution recognized by INC/KSNC.
What is the minimum age limit for KEA Nursing and Pharmacy Officer posts?
The minimum age requirement for application is 18 years.
What is the maximum age limit for KEA Nursing and Pharmacy Officer 2026?
The upper age limit is set at 40 years for General Merit candidates, 43 years for 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B categories, and 45 years for SC, ST, and Category-1 applicants.