The Karnataka Examinations Authority has released 233 vacancies for Nursing and Pharmacy Officers. Explore the official pay structure, in-hand salary calculations, government allowances, key job responsibilities, and long-term career growth opportunities for the 2026 recruitment cycle.
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) is recruiting for Nursing Officer and Pharmacy Officer positions within the ESI Scheme Medical Services Department and other state government health institutions. As these are permanent Group-C government roles, appointees receive competitive pay scales, comprehensive government allowances, and essential service benefits. Below, you will find a breakdown of the 2026 salary structure, monthly in-hand pay, and career progression details.
KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Salary 2026
The compensation packages for these roles are defined by the official KEA recruitment notifications. While the Nursing Officer position follows a higher pay band, both roles provide access to standard Karnataka State Government service benefits. Refer to the data below for a comprehensive overview of the remuneration and recruitment terms.
| 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 |
| Job Type | Regular Government Service |
| Pay Structure | Karnataka State Government Pay Scale |
| Job Location | Karnataka |
KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Salary Structure 2026
Compensation varies based on the department and designated position. Nursing Officers earn a starting basic salary of ₹54,175, while Pharmacy Officers receive a starting basic pay of ₹44,425. Further details regarding increment structures and tier-based pay are outlined below.
| Post Name | Department / Organization | Pay Scale | Detailed Pay Scale with Increments |
| Nursing Officer (ಶುಶ್ರೂಷಾಧಿಕಾರಿ) | Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KREIS); ESI Scheme Medical Services Department | ₹54,175 – ₹99,400 | ₹54,175 – 1375 – 58,300 – 1500 – 64,300 – 1650 – 74,200 – 1900 – 85,600 – 2300 – 99,400 |
| Pharmacy Officer | ESI Scheme Medical Services Department | ₹44,425 – ₹83,700 | ₹44,425 – 1125 – 47,800 – 1250 – 52,800 – 1375 – 58,300 – 1500 – 64,300 – 1650 – 74,200 – 1900 – 83,700 |
KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer In-Hand Salary 2026
Your in-hand salary reflects the basic pay supplemented by government-mandated allowances, such as Dearness Allowance (DA) and House Rent Allowance (HRA), minus standard deductions like NPS and professional tax. The figures below are estimated using a 15.75% DA rate and a 10% HRA. Please note that actual take-home pay may fluctuate based on your specific posting location and individual tax obligations.
Nursing Officer In-Hand Salary
The Nursing Officer role carries a pay scale of ₹54,175–₹99,400. Below is an estimation of earnings at the entry-level and peak career stages within this scale.
| Salary Component | Initial Basic Pay (Start) | Final Basic Pay (Max) |
| Basic Pay | ₹54,175 | ₹99,400 |
| DA (15.75%) | ₹8,533 | ₹15,656 |
| HRA (10% assumed) | ₹5,418 | ₹9,940 |
| Gross Monthly Salary | ₹68,126 | ₹1,24,996 |
| NPS Deduction (10% of Basic + DA) | -₹6,271 | -₹11,506 |
| Professional Tax (PT) | -₹200 | -₹200 |
| Total Deductions | -₹6,471 | -₹11,706 |
| Estimated Net In-Hand Salary | ₹61,655 | ₹1,13,290 |
Pharmacy Officer In-Hand Salary
The Pharmacy Officer role carries a pay scale of ₹44,425–₹83,700. We have provided estimated starting and maximum salary projections, accounting for standard government deductions below.
| Salary Component | Initial Basic Pay (Start) | Final Basic Pay (Max) |
| Basic Pay | ₹44,425 | ₹83,700 |
| DA (15.75%) | ₹6,997 | ₹13,183 |
| HRA (10% assumed) | ₹4,443 | ₹8,370 |
| Gross Monthly Salary | ₹55,865 | ₹1,05,253 |
| NPS Deduction (10% of Basic + DA) | -₹5,142 | -₹9,688 |
| Professional Tax (PT) | -₹200 | -₹200 |
| Total Deductions | -₹5,342 | -₹9,888 |
| Estimated Net In-Hand Salary | ₹50,523 | ₹95,365 |
KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Allowances and Benefits
Beyond the basic salary, employees are entitled to various Karnataka Government allowances and perks, which are subject to departmental service rules and your specific location. Key benefits typically include:
- Dearness Allowance (DA): Provided as a percentage of basic pay and revised by the state government from time to time.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): Provided according to the applicable classification of the posting location.
- City Compensatory Allowance (CCA): Applicable to employees posted in designated major urban areas, subject to government rules.
- Medical Benefits: Employees may receive medical benefits or reimbursement facilities as applicable under state government rules.
- Nursing Allowance: Nursing Officers may receive applicable nursing-related allowances under the prevailing government rules.
- Uniform/Washing Allowance: Applicable nursing personnel may receive allowances towards mandatory uniform and maintenance requirements.
- Leave Travel Concession (LTC): Applicable service benefits may include travel reimbursement for eligible employees and their families.
- Children Education Allowance (CEA): Eligible employees may receive education-related assistance according to prevailing rules.
- National Pension System (NPS): Selected Nursing Officers and Pharmacy Officers are covered under the NPS as specified for the posts.
KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Probation & Pension
Direct recruits must successfully complete a mandatory probationary period to confirm their permanent status. The service terms also include long-term pension benefits under the state's retirement framework. Important conditions include:
| Service Condition | Details |
| Probationary Period | 2 Years |
| Pension Scheme | National Pension System (NPS) |
| Appointment Type | Regular Government Service |
| Applicable Rules | Karnataka State Government Service Rules |
KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Job Profile
Job duties are tailored to the institution and department. Nursing Officers are primarily tasked with delivering high-quality patient care, while Pharmacy Officers focus on medication management, inventory control, and the seamless operation of pharmaceutical services.
Nursing Officer Job Profile
Nursing Officers are assigned to specialized settings, including ESI hospitals or educational institutions under KREIS. Your daily responsibilities will align with the operational needs of these specific health facilities.
Nursing Officer Responsibilities: ESI Hospitals & Dispensaries
- Providing direct nursing care to patients.
- Administering prescribed medicines, injections, IV fluids, and blood transfusions.
- Monitoring vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen saturation.
- Maintaining patient progress and nursing records.
- Assisting doctors during ward rounds and clinical procedures.
- Performing wound dressing, catheterization, and other prescribed nursing procedures.
- Maintaining sterile equipment and infection-control practices.
- Attending emergency cases and supporting critical-care services.
- Working rotational shifts, including night duties where required.
- Maintaining admission, discharge, medicine, and ward equipment records.
Nursing Officer Responsibilities: KREIS Institutions
- Providing first aid and primary healthcare to residential students.
- Conducting routine health check-ups.
- Monitoring students’ nutritional status and general health.
- Maintaining student medical history and vaccination records.
- Supporting hygiene and health practices within residential campuses.
- Administering basic medicines as prescribed.
- Handling medical emergencies and coordinating hospital referrals.
- Monitoring growth and other relevant health indicators.
Pharmacy Officer Job Profile
Pharmacy Officers within the ESI Medical Services Department oversee the secure dispensing of medications, maintain precise drug inventories, and ensure all pharmacy protocols are strictly followed to support clinical standards.
- Verifying prescriptions issued by medical officers.
- Dispensing medicines with appropriate dosage instructions.
- Explaining medicine usage, precautions, and dosage schedules to patients.
- Receiving and storing medicines according to prescribed requirements.
- Monitoring drug stocks and expiry dates.
- Preparing medicine indents according to consumption requirements.
- Coordinating with medical stores to prevent stock shortages.
- Maintaining prescription, stock, and non-availability registers.
- Maintaining records for controlled medicines wherever applicable.
- Ensuring compliance with applicable drug-storage and documentation requirements.
KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Career Growth & Promotion
Both roles offer clear pathways for professional advancement. Growth is typically based on performance, seniority, relevant qualifications, and departmental vacancies. The potential career trajectories are outlined below.
Nursing Officer Career Progression
Nursing Officers can advance from primary patient care into clinical supervision and high-level administrative management roles as they accrue experience and meet eligibility requirements.
Nursing Officer → Senior Nursing Officer → Assistant Nursing Superintendent → Deputy Nursing Superintendent → Nursing Superintendent → Chief Nursing Officer/Director of Nursing
Pharmacy Officer Career Progression
Pharmacy Officers have a structured progression ladder, moving toward senior supervisory positions or lead pharmacy administrative roles, in accordance with departmental promotion policies.
Pharmacy Officer → Senior Pharmacy Officer → Supervisory/Head Pharmacist → Chief Pharmacist
FAQs
The Nursing Officer post operates within a pay scale of ₹54,175 to ₹99,400, strictly following the Karnataka government pay matrix.
The Pharmacy Officer post operates within a pay scale of ₹44,425 to ₹83,700.
The estimated starting in-hand salary for a Nursing Officer is approximately ₹61,655 per month, based on current DA and HRA projections.
The estimated starting in-hand salary for a Pharmacy Officer is approximately ₹50,523 per month.
At the top of the pay scale, a Nursing Officer can earn a maximum basic pay of ₹99,400, resulting in an estimated monthly net in-hand salary of approximately ₹1,13,290.
For a Pharmacy Officer, the maximum basic pay reaches ₹83,700, yielding an estimated net monthly in-hand salary of approximately ₹95,365.
Employees are eligible for diverse government benefits, including DA, HRA, CCA, medical coverage, LTC, and Children’s Education Allowance. Additionally, Nursing Officers receive specialized nursing and uniform/washing allowances.
All direct recruits are required to serve a mandatory 2-year probationary period before regular confirmation.