The KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 notification is out for 572 vacancies. The application window is now open until the extended deadline of 20 August 2026. Explore eligibility, job profile, salary, exam schedule, and the selection process here.
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially extended the application deadline for the KEA VAO Recruitment 2026, offering 572 Village Administrative Officer (VAO) positions. Candidates who missed the initial window now have an extended opportunity to submit their applications. According to the latest official notice, the online portal remains open until 20 August 2026, with the final date for fee payment set for 21 August 2026.
Download KEA VAO Notification 2026 PDF – Direct Link
Before applying for these Village Accountant roles, aspirants should download the detailed official notification PDF linked below. This document contains vital information regarding eligibility requirements (educational qualifications & age limits), the multi-stage selection process, key application dates, vacancy distribution, and the updated exam pattern to ensure a smooth application experience.
| Notification | Download Links |
| VAO KK Notification 2026 | Download PDF |
| VAO RPC Notification 2026 | Download PDF |
KEA Recruitment 2026 – Overview
This recruitment is an excellent opportunity for PUC (Class 12) graduates to secure a stable government position. Applicants must complete their Village Accountant registration online by 20 August 2026. The selection procedure consists of several rigorous stages, including a competitive written examination, a mandatory Kannada language proficiency test, and comprehensive document verification.
| KEA VAO Recruitment 2026: Key Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Event | Details |
| Recruiting Body | Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), Bangalore |
| Post Name | Village Administrative Officer (VAO) / ಗ್ರಾಮ ಆಡಳಿತ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿ |
| Department | Revenue Department, Government of Karnataka |
| Total Vacancies | 572 |
| General/RPC Vacancies | 505 |
| Kalyana Karnataka Vacancies | 67 |
| Job Level | Group-C |
| Educational Qualification | PUC (10+2) or equivalent |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Application Start Date | 11 July 2026 |
| Extended Last Date to Apply | 20 August 2026 |
| Extended Last Date to Pay Fee | 21 August 2026 |
| Official Website | www.cetonline.karnataka.gov.in |
Last date to submit the VAO Application 2026 Form?
Candidates can submit their online Village Accountant application form through the official KEA portal at ctetkarnataka.gov.in. Please ensure you monitor the extended deadlines closely to avoid missing the final submission date of 20 August 2026. Refer to the table below for a complete timeline of all recruitment-related events.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 11 July 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 20 August 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 21 August 2026 |
| Kannada Language Test Date | To be notified later |
| Competitive Exam Date (Notification A) | 04 October 2026 |
| Competitive Exam Date (Notification B) | 25 October 2026 |
KEA Village Accountant Vacancy 2026 – Post-Wise
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has confirmed 572 total vacancies for the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) post within the Karnataka Revenue Department. These openings are split into 505 positions for the General/RPC Cadre and 67 reserved vacancies specifically for the Kalyana Karnataka (Article 371J) region.
General / RPC Cadre – District-wise Vacancies (505 Posts)
| Sl. No. | District | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bengaluru Urban | 20 |
| 2 | Bengaluru Rural | 29 |
| 3 | Chitradurga | 15 |
| 4 | Chikkaballapura | 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 | Chamarajanagara | 31 |
| 15 | Chikkamagaluru | 10 |
| 16 | Belagavi | 48 |
| 17 | Bagalkote | 16 |
| 18 | Gadag | 14 |
| 19 | Haveri | 15 |
| 20 | Bidar | 04 |
| 21 | Raichur | 02 |
| Total | 505 |
Kalyana-Karnataka Cadre – District-wise Vacancies (67 Posts)
| Sl. No. | District | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kalaburagi | 40 |
| 2 | Bidar | 17 |
| 3 | Raichuru | 10 |
| Total | 67 |
Eligibility Criteria for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026
To ensure your application is successful, please verify that you fulfill all prescribed eligibility criteria before submission. Carefully reviewing your credentials beforehand will help prevent disqualification at any stage of the KEA recruitment process.
For VAO RPC :
| Qualification Required | PUC (10+2) or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Accepted Equivalents | 1. CBSE/ICSE Class 12 2. Other State Board Class 12 3. NIOS Senior Secondary/HSC 4. 2-year ITI + 1 language + 1 subject (NIOS or PUC Board) 5. GOC courses (competitive exams only) 6. 3-year Diploma (direct recruitment/compassionate appointment only) |
For VAO KK :
| Qualification Required | PUC (10+2) or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Accepted Equivalents | CBSE/ICSE, State Boards, NIOS, ITI + NIOS, GOC, 3-year Diploma |
Age Limit
All applicants for the KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 must adhere to the age limits specified in the official notification. Generally, candidates must be at least 18 years of age, with an upper age limit of 35 years for the General category. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories as per state government policy.
| Category | Upper Age Limit (Direct Recruitment) |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | 40 years |
| Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B | 43 years |
| SC / ST / Category-1 | 45 years |
What is the Application Fee?
Candidates are required to pay the specified application fee online to finalize their registration. Be sure to complete the transaction through the secure payment gateway before the deadline. Please consult the official notification for a detailed breakdown of category-wise application fees.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | ₹750 (₹500 Application Fee + ₹250 Processing Fee) |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-Servicemen / Transgender | ₹500 (₹250 Application Fee + ₹250 Processing Fee) |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | ₹250 (Processing Fee only) |
KEA VAO Apply Online 2026
The online application process for Village Accountant positions is currently live on the official website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. All prospective candidates are encouraged to submit their VEO application form well before the 20 August 2026 deadline. We have provided a direct link to the application portal below for your convenience.
How to Apply for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026?
Eligible candidates can apply for the KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 by visiting the official Karnataka Examinations Authority website and following the step-by-step registration instructions provided.
- Visit the official KEA recruitment portal www.cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
- Click on the “KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 Apply Online” link available on the homepage.
- Register yourself using a valid mobile number and email ID, if you are a new user.
- Log in with your registration credentials and complete the online application form with the required personal, educational, and communication details.
- Select the appropriate cadre/district as per your eligibility and preference. Candidates are allowed to apply for only one district.
- Upload the scanned copies of your passport-size photograph, signature, and other required documents in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee through the available online payment modes.
- Review all the entered details carefully and submit the application form.
- Download and print the submitted application form and payment receipt for future reference.
Important: According to KEA guidelines, each candidate may apply for only one district within their chosen cadre. Submitting applications for multiple districts will lead to automatic rejection, so choose your preference carefully before finalizing your form.
Documents Required for KEA VAO Application Form
Ensure you have all necessary documentation ready before applying for the Village Administrative Officer post. A complete checklist of required documents for the online application is provided below.
- SSLC (10th) marks card
- PUC/12th marks card (or equivalent qualifying exam certificate)
- Recent passport‑size photograph (as per KEA specifications)
- Scanned signature in the prescribed format
- Aadhaar card or any other valid photo identity proof
- Caste/Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC, etc.), if applicable
- Income certificate for reservation/fee concession, if required
- Kannada‑medium or Kannada‑language eligibility certificate, where applicable
- PwBD (disability) certificate, if claiming PwBD reservation
- Any other document mentioned specifically in the official KEA VAO notification
KEA VAO Exam Date 2026
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released the official exam schedule for the 2026 cycle. The General/RPC Cadre written examination is scheduled for 4 October 2026, while the Kalyana Karnataka (KK) Cadre exam will take place on 25 October 2026. The date for the mandatory Kannada Language Test will be announced separately by KEA.
What are the Selection Process?
The selection process for the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) position comprises three primary stages: written examination, language proficiency test, and document verification.
- Written examination
- Kannada Language Test
- Document Verification
What are the Salary Package?
The Village Administrative Officer (VAO) role offers an attractive pay scale ranging from ₹34,100 to ₹67,600, supplemented by standard government allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA) and House Rent Allowance (HRA) as per Karnataka state regulations.
As a Group-C government position, the role provides a competitive starting salary of ₹34,100 per month. Compensation is subject to periodic increases through annual increments, dearness allowance revisions, and career progression opportunities over time.
Why Apply for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026?
This position offers long-term job security, a professional career path in the Karnataka Revenue Department, and excellent benefits. With the application window extended until 20 August 2026, interested applicants have a renewed opportunity to apply for these 572 coveted government jobs.
FAQs
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially invited applications for 572 Village Accountant (VAO) vacancies.
The online application deadline has been extended to 20 August 2026, and the last date for completing the application fee payment is now 21 August 2026.
Applicants must possess a PUC (Class 12) pass certificate or an equivalent qualification recognized by the relevant educational board.