KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Exam Date 2026 – Check Revised Schedule
Official Source
Quick answer
Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru has released KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Exam Date 2026. Check the exam schedule and your centre details on the official website (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in).
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Notice details
| Name of post | KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Exam Date 2026 – Check Revised Schedule |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
| Job location | All India |
| Total vacancies | 233 posts |
| Last date to apply | 30 August 2026 |
| Selection process | Mandatory Kannada Language Test, where applicable → Competitive Examination → Document Verification → Selection is through a competitive examination conducted by KEA, in CBT or offline OMR mode. The stages listed are: |
| Posted on | 27 Oct 2026 |
| Last updated | 27 Oct 2026 |
Read from the official notice. Always confirm dates, fees and eligibility on the official website.
Important Dates
- Notification Released06 August 2026
- Online Application Begins07 August 2026
- Last date to apply30 August 2026
- Last Date for Fee Payment31 August 2026
- Written Exam31 October 2026
- Pharmacy Officer RPC Paper 231 October 2026
Application Fee
- General Merit, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3BTotal Fee: ₹750; Breakdown: ₹500 application fee + ₹250 processing fee
- SC, ST, Category-1, Ex-Servicemen, TransgenderTotal Fee: ₹500; Breakdown: ₹250 application fee + ₹250 processing fee
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD)Total Fee: ₹250; Breakdown: Processing fee only
The fee is the same for both cadres. It is paid online and is non-refundable.
Age Limit
- Extra relaxation applies to eligible Ex-Servicemen, NCC full-time instructors, certain government employees, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities, widows and released bonded labourers, as per the notification.
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities, widows and released bonded labourers get 10 years of additional relaxation, subject to the required certificates.
- The minimum age is 18 years as on the last date of application. The upper limits below include the one-time five-year relaxation under the Government Order dated 29 January 2026.
- Category : Maximum Age
- General Merit (GM) : 40 years
- 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B : 43 years
- SC, ST, Category-1 : 45 years
Total Post
233 Posts
Vacancy Details
| Post name | No. of posts |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Officer | 92 |
| Nursing Officer | 72 |
| Total | 233 |
Is the KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Exam Today?
- Yes, for the papers scheduled on 27 October 2026. Paper 1 (General Knowledge) is for both Nursing Officer and Pharmacy Officer candidates. Nursing Officer Paper 2 is in the afternoon shift the same day. Pharmacy Officer RPC Paper 2 is on 31 October 2026.
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Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
| Departments | ESI Scheme Medical Services Department and other concerned government institutions |
| Posts | Nursing Officer and Pharmacy Officer (Group-C) |
| Total Vacancies | 233 |
| General/RPC Cadre Vacancies | 188 |
| Kalyana-Karnataka Cadre Vacancies | 45 |
| Notification Numbers | ED/KEA/34/Recruitment/2026(RPC) and ED/KEA/35/Recruitment/2026(KK) |
| Recruitment Type | Direct Recruitment |
| Selection Method | Competitive Examination |
| Exam Mode | CBT or Offline OMR |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/ |
188 Posts
- The RPC cadre includes direct vacancies, Article 371(J) roster adjustment vacancies and backlog vacancies.
Vacancy Details · 45 Posts
| Department/Institution | Post | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society | Nursing Officer | 23 (17 + 06 Backlog) |
| Employees State Insurance Scheme Medical Services | Pharmacy Officer | 11 (06 + 05 Backlog) |
| Employees State Insurance Scheme Medical Services | Nursing Officer | 11 (Shortfall/Roster Balance) |
| Total | - | 45 |
RPC Cadre
| Post | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Officer | Diploma in Pharmacy from an institution recognised by the Government of Karnataka, plus registration with the Karnataka Pharmacy Council |
| Nursing Officer | Diploma in General Nursing from an authority authorised by the Government of Karnataka, plus registration with the Karnataka Nursing Council |
Kalyana-Karnataka Cadre
| Post | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Officer (ESIS) | Diploma in Pharmacy from a Government of Karnataka-recognised institution, plus Karnataka Pharmacy Council registration |
| Nursing Officer (ESIS) | Diploma in General Nursing from an authority authorised by the Government of Karnataka, plus Karnataka Nursing Council registration |
| Nursing Officer (Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society) | B.Sc Nursing from a recognised university or institution recognised by the Indian/Karnataka State Nursing Council, OR PUC/equivalent plus GNM from a recognised institution |
- For the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society Nursing Officer post, candidates must also have studied Kannada as a language in SSLC, PUC, a bachelor's degree or a postgraduate degree, or hold a Diploma in Kannada or a Kava/Jana/Rathna certificate.
- Candidates still waiting for their results on the last date of application are not eligible. All marks cards and certificates must have been obtained on or before the application deadline.
KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Exam Pattern 2026
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Knowledge | 100 | 100 | 2 hours |
| Paper 2 | Specific Subject | 100 | 100 | 2 hours |
- studied Kannada as the first or second language in SSLC or an equivalent or higher qualification,
- passed SSLC in Kannada medium, or
- have already passed the mandatory Kannada exam conducted by KEA or KPSC.
- Candidates are exempt if they:
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Check the paper, date and shift printed on your hall ticket. Do not rely only on the general schedule.
- Pharmacy Officer RPC candidates should note that Paper 2 has moved to 31 October 2026.
- Check the official KEA website regularly for updates.
More Details
- KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Important Dates 2026
- KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Vacancy 2026
- KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Eligibility 2026
- KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Age Limit 2026
- KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Application Fee 2026
- KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Selection Process 2026
Mode of Selection
- Mandatory Kannada Language Test, where applicable
- Competitive Examination
- Document Verification
- Selection is through a competitive examination conducted by KEA, in CBT or offline OMR mode. The stages listed are:
How to Apply for KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official KEA website.
- Open the Nursing Officer and Pharmacy Officer recruitment application link.
- Select the applicable cadre and post.
- Register with the required details.
- Enter personal, educational, category and other information.
- Upload the photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee online.
- Verify all details carefully.
- Submit the application.
- The online application window ran from 7 August to 30 August 2026, with fee payment until 31 August 2026. The application window has closed. The steps below are for reference.
Important Links
| Official Website (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/) | Click Here cetonline.karnataka.gov.in |
|---|---|
| Particulars | Details |
| Conducting Authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
| Departments | ESI Scheme Medical Services Department and other concerned government institutions |
| Posts | Nursing Officer and Pharmacy Officer (Group-C) |
| Total Vacancies | 233 |
| General/RPC Cadre Vacancies | 188 |
| Kalyana-Karnataka Cadre Vacancies | 45 |
| Notification Numbers | ED/KEA/34/Recruitment/2026(RPC) and ED/KEA/35/Recruitment/2026(KK) |
| Recruitment Type | Direct Recruitment |
| Selection Method | Competitive Examination |
| Exam Mode | CBT or Offline OMR |
Frequently asked questions
When does the application for KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Exam Date 2026 start?
Online Application Begins: 07 August 2026.
What is the last date to apply for KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Exam Date 2026?
The last date to apply is 30 August 2026.
How many vacancies are there in KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Exam Date 2026?
There are 233 posts in total.
What is the age limit for KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Exam Date 2026?
Extra relaxation applies to eligible Ex-Servicemen, NCC full-time instructors, certain government employees, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities, widows and released bonded labourers, as per the notification; Persons with Benchmark Disabilities, widows and released bonded labourers get 10 years of additional relaxation, subject to the required certificates; The minimum age is 18 years as on the last date of application. The upper limits below include the one-time five-year relaxation under the Government Order dated 29 January 2026; Category : Maximum Age; General Merit (GM) : 40 years; 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B : 43 years; SC, ST, Category-1 : 45 years.
What is the application fee for KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Exam Date 2026?
General Merit, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B: Total Fee: ₹750; Breakdown: ₹500 application fee + ₹250 processing fee; SC, ST, Category-1, Ex-Servicemen, Transgender: Total Fee: ₹500; Breakdown: ₹250 application fee + ₹250 processing fee; Persons with Disabilities (PwD): Total Fee: ₹250; Breakdown: Processing fee only.
What qualification is needed for KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Exam Date 2026?
Pharmacy Officer: Diploma in Pharmacy from an institution recognised by the Government of Karnataka, plus registration with the Karnataka Pharmacy Council | Nursing Officer: Diploma in General Nursing from an authority authorised by the Government of Karnataka, plus registration with the Karnataka Nursing Council | Pharmacy Officer (ESIS): Diploma in Pharmacy from a Government of Karnataka-recogni…
What is the selection process for KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Exam Date 2026?
Mandatory Kannada Language Test, where applicable, Competitive Examination, Document Verification, Selection is through a competitive examination conducted by KEA, in CBT or offline OMR mode. The stages listed are:.
What is the official website for KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Exam Date 2026?
The official website is https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/.