KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 Notification Out - Apply Online for 247 Posts
Official Source
Quick answer
KEA Principal has released the KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 Notification notification for 247 posts. Applications are open from 07 September 2026 to 10 November 2026. The application fee is ₹ 1,500/- for General Merit and other categories (2A / 2B / 3A / 3B). Apply only through the official website (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in).
Last checked: 09 Nov 2026, 1:31 pmLatest change: Details updated on 09 Nov 2026
Get updates like this first, free:Join on WhatsApp Join on Telegram
Important details
| Name of post | KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 Notification Out - Apply Online for 247 Posts |
|---|---|
| Organisation | KEA Principal |
| Advertisement no. | ED/KEA/29/Recruitment/2026-KK) |
| Job location | All India |
| Total vacancies | 247 posts |
| Last date to apply | 10 November 2026 |
| Pay / salary | Selected candidates will draw pay in the scale of Rs. 90,200 – Rs. 1,59,200 as per the revised 2024 Karnataka state pay scale. |
| Selection process | A minimum of 50 marks in Paper 1 (Kannada) is required to qualify, but Paper 1 marks are not counted while preparing the merit list – qualifying nature only. → Only marks scored in Papers 2 and 3 are used to prepare the final merit list. → Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies for each wrong answer in Papers 2 and 3 (bilingual Kannada/English question papers). → Shortlisting for document verification is done at 1:2 ratio against vacancies, category-wise, based on Paper 2 & 3 scores. → Selection is through a competitive examination conducted by KEA, either in Online (CBT) mode or Offline (OMR) mode. The exam consists of three papers. |
| Posted on | 05 Sept 2026 |
| Last updated | 09 Nov 2026 |
Read from the official notice. Always confirm dates, fees and eligibility on the official website.
Important Dates
- Online application start date07 September 2026
- Last date to apply10 November 2026
- Last date to pay application fee05 October 2026
- Competitive examination date (Papers 1, 2 & 3)Not specified – to be announced later on the KEA website
Application Fee
- General Merit and other categories (2A / 2B / 3A / 3B)₹ 1,500/-
- SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-servicemen / Third Gender₹ 1,000/-
- Persons with Disabilities (Special Category)₹ 500/-
The fee must be paid online only, and once paid, it will not be refunded under any circumstances.
Category : Fee
Rs. 1,500 for General Merit and Category 2A/2B/3A/3B candidates; Rs. 1,000 for SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-servicemen/Third Gender candidates; and Rs. 500 for persons with disabilities.
Age Limit
- No age limit is prescribed for KEA Principal Recruitment 2026. The notification states that since this recruitment fills vacancies in the Principal post from among serving Lecturers in Government Pre-University Colleges who have completed 10 years of service under the School Education Department, no upper age limit applies.
Total Post
247 Posts
About this notice
KEA Principal has published the KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 Notification recruitment notice for 247 posts. The largest are Principal – Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) (216) and Principal – Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) Local Cadre (31).
Candidates need KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 is not open to the general public or fresh candidates. Only Lecturers currently working in Government Pre-University Colleges under the School Education Department are eligible, subject to the qualification and service conditions below, The applicant must be a serving Lecturer in the Lecturer cadre of Government Pre-University Colleges under the School Education Department and The applicant must have completed a minimum of 10 years of service in the Lecturer cadre. Age: No age limit is prescribed for KEA Principal Recruitment 2026. The notification states that since this recruitment fills vacancies in the Principal post from among serving Lecturers in Government Pre-University Colleges who have completed 10 years of service under the School Education Department, no upper age limit applies. Check the official notification for category-wise relaxation and the exact cut-off date.
The application fee is ₹ 1,500/- for General Merit and other categories (2A / 2B / 3A / 3B), ₹ 1,000/- for SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-servicemen / Third Gender and ₹ 500/- for Persons with Disabilities (Special Category). Pay: Selected candidates will draw pay in the scale of Rs. 90,200 – Rs. 1,59,200 as per the revised 2024 Karnataka state pay scale.
Applications are accepted from 07 September 2026 to 10 November 2026; the exam is scheduled for Not specified – to be announced later on the KEA website.
Selection is made through a minimum of 50 marks in paper 1 (kannada) is required to qualify, but paper 1 marks are not counted while preparing the merit list – qualifying nature only, only marks scored in papers 2 and 3 are used to prepare the final merit list, negative marking of 0.25 marks applies for each wrong answer in papers 2 and 3 (bilingual kannada/english question papers), shortlisting for document verification is done at 1:2 ratio against vacancies, category-wise, based on paper 2 & 3 scores and selection is through a competitive examination conducted by kea, either in online (cbt) mode or offline (omr) mode. the exam consists of three papers.
हिंदी में जानकारी
KEA Principal ने KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 Notification 247 पदों के लिए अधिसूचना जारी की है। आवेदन की अंतिम तिथि 10 November 2026 है। आवेदन शुल्क: General Merit and other categories (2A / 2B / 3A / 3B) के लिए ₹ 1,500/-। आवेदन केवल आधिकारिक वेबसाइट से करें।
Vacancy Details
| Post name | No. of posts |
|---|---|
| Principal – Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) Local Cadre | 31 |
| Principal – Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) | 216 |
| Total | 247 |
Salary / Pay Scale
- Selected candidates will draw pay in the scale of Rs. 90,200 – Rs. 1,59,200 as per the revised 2024 Karnataka state pay scale.
KEA Principal Vacancy 2026 – Post Details
- A total of 247 Principal posts are being filled through this recruitment, split across two cadres. Category-wise vacancy breakups are given below.
- Within each vertical category above, horizontal reservations also apply for women, rural candidates, ex-servicemen, Kannada-medium candidates, persons with disabilities, and transgender candidates, as detailed in the official notification's roster tables.
KEA Principal Eligibility Criteria
- KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 is not open to the general public or fresh candidates. Only Lecturers currently working in Government Pre-University Colleges under the School Education Department are eligible, subject to the qualification and service conditions below.
KEA Principal Qualification
- The applicant must be a serving Lecturer in the Lecturer cadre of Government Pre-University Colleges under the School Education Department.
- The applicant must have completed a minimum of 10 years of service in the Lecturer cadre.
- The applicant must have satisfactorily completed the probation period in the Lecturer post.
- The notification specifies that if an applicant participates in the recruitment process without holding the required educational/service qualification, their candidature may be rejected at any stage by the Government, the Department, or the Authority.
- The prescribed qualification must be held as on the last date fixed for submission of applications.
KEA Principal Salary
- Selected candidates will be placed in the revised 2024 Karnataka state pay scale of Rs. 90,200 – Rs. 1,59,200 (90200-2300-99400-2700-115600-3100-134200-3500-155200-4000-159200). Pension benefits for officers appointed as Principal will continue to be governed by the pension rules applicable to their original appointment as Lecturer.
KEA Principal Selection Process
| Paper | Subject | No. of Questions | Max. Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Kannada Language Test (qualifying only) | 150 | 150 | 3 hours |
| Paper 2 | General Studies (History & Cultural Heritage, Social & Political Perspective, Indian Economy, Constitution, Public Administration, Science & Technology, Environment & Ecology, Ethics, Aptitude) | 150 | 150 | 3 hours |
| Paper 3 | Karnataka Civil Service Rules, Classification, Control & Appeal Rules 1957, KCS (Conduct) Rules, Karnataka Treasury Code, Karnataka Financial Code, Recruitment Rules, Karnataka Education Act 1983, Educational Psychology and allied topics | 150 | 150 | 3 hours |
KEA Principal Reservation Policy
| Code | Category |
|---|---|
| GM | General Merit |
| SC (Cat-A/B/C) | Scheduled Caste (Category A/B/C) |
| ST | Scheduled Tribe |
| Cat-1 | Category-1 |
| 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | Category 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B |
| XMP | Ex-Servicemen |
| Rural | Rural Candidate |
| KMS | Kannada Medium Student |
| Wom | Woman Candidate |
| TG | Transgender |
| KK | Kalyana-Karnataka (local cadre, applicable to the 31-post notification only) |
- Reservation is provided as per Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977 and related government orders. Category codes used in the notification are listed below.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- SSLC certificate or equivalent proof of date of birth
- Service certificate confirming Lecturer appointment, probation completion, and years of service
- Caste certificate (SC/ST/Cat-1/2A/2B/3A/3B) bearing an RD number, where applicable
- Income and caste (creamy-layer) certificate for Category 2A/2B/3A/3B candidates, where applicable
- Rural candidate certificate (Form-2), where applicable
- Kannada-medium study certificate, where applicable
- Ex-servicemen or dependent certificate, where applicable
- Disability certificate (UDID), where applicable
- Third-gender certificate from the District Magistrate, where applicable
- Kalyana-Karnataka local candidate certificate under Article 371(J) (Annexure-A), applicable only for KK-cadre posts
- Recent passport-size photograph (JPEG, 50KB–200KB) and signature (JPEG, 50KB–70KB)
KEA Principal Important Instructions
- Applications will be accepted only through the online mode; no other method of submission is allowed.
- No changes or corrections are permitted in the application once submitted.
- Candidates must carry a valid original photo ID (PAN card, driving licence, Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, or government employee ID) along with the exam admission ticket to the exam centre.
- Exam centre changes will not be entertained under any circumstances.
- Applications found to have incorrect, insufficient, or false information will be rejected at any stage.
- Providing false information or engaging in fraudulent practices may lead to disqualification and legal/disciplinary action.
- For queries, candidates can call the KEA helpline: 080-23460460 (10:00 AM to 6:00 PM).
More Details
- KEA Principal Important Dates
- KEA Principal Age Limit
- KEA Principal Application Fee
Mode of Selection
- A minimum of 50 marks in Paper 1 (Kannada) is required to qualify, but Paper 1 marks are not counted while preparing the merit list – qualifying nature only.
- Only marks scored in Papers 2 and 3 are used to prepare the final merit list.
- Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies for each wrong answer in Papers 2 and 3 (bilingual Kannada/English question papers).
- Shortlisting for document verification is done at 1:2 ratio against vacancies, category-wise, based on Paper 2 & 3 scores.
- Selection is through a competitive examination conducted by KEA, either in Online (CBT) mode or Offline (OMR) mode. The exam consists of three papers.
How to Apply for KEA Principal Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official KEA website: https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/
- Click on the online application link for the relevant Principal Recruitment notification (KK or RPC, as applicable).
- Register and fill in personal, educational, and service details carefully.
- Upload the photograph and signature as per the specified format and size.
- Upload the required certificates and supporting documents.
- Pay the prescribed application fee online.
- Verify all entered details before final submission – no correction or modification is allowed after submission.
How to prepare
- Selection for this notice: A minimum of 50 marks in Paper 1 (Kannada) is required to qualify, but Paper 1 marks are not counted while preparing the merit list – qualifying nature only → Only marks scored in Papers 2 and 3 are used to prepare the final merit list → Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies for each wrong answer in Papers 2 and 3 (bilingual Kannada/English question papers) → Shortlisting for document verification is done at 1:2 ratio against vacancies, category-wise, based on Paper 2 & 3 scores → Selection is through a competitive examination conducted by KEA, either in Online (CBT) mode or Offline (OMR) mode. The exam consists of three papers.
- The written exam for government job exams usually covers General Awareness, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English or Hindi and a section on the post's own subject, with questions around class 10 level.
- There is a physical test: start running practice now, it takes weeks to build up and it is pass or fail.
Full guide: How to prepare for Government job exams · Previous year papers
Important Links
| Apply Online | Click Here cetonline.karnataka.gov.in |
|---|---|
| Official Website | Click Here cetonline.karnataka.gov.in |
Frequently asked questions
When does the application for KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 Notification start?
Online application start date: 07 September 2026.
What is the last date to apply for KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 Notification?
The last date to apply is 10 November 2026.
How many vacancies are there in KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 Notification?
There are 247 posts in total.
What is the age limit for KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 Notification?
No age limit is prescribed for KEA Principal Recruitment 2026. The notification states that since this recruitment fills vacancies in the Principal post from among serving Lecturers in Government Pre-University Colleges who have completed 10 years of service under the School Education Department, no upper age limit applies.
What is the application fee for KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 Notification?
General Merit and other categories (2A / 2B / 3A / 3B): ₹ 1,500/-; SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-servicemen / Third Gender: ₹ 1,000/-; Persons with Disabilities (Special Category): ₹ 500/-.
What qualification is needed for KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 Notification?
KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 is not open to the general public or fresh candidates. Only Lecturers currently working in Government Pre-University Colleges under the School Education Department are eligible, subject to the qualification and service conditions below. | The applicant must be a serving Lecturer in the Lecturer cadre of Government Pre-University Colleges under the School Education De…
What is the selection process for KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 Notification?
A minimum of 50 marks in Paper 1 (Kannada) is required to qualify, but Paper 1 marks are not counted while preparing the merit list – qualifying nature only, Only marks scored in Papers 2 and 3 are used to prepare the final merit list, Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies for each wrong answer in Papers 2 and 3 (bilingual Kannada/English question papers), Shortlisting for document verification is done at 1:2 ratio against vacancies, category-wise, based on Paper 2 & 3 scores, Selection is through a competitive examination conducted by KEA, either in Online (CBT) mode or Offline (OMR) mode. The exam consists of three papers.
What is the official website for KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 Notification?
The official website is https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/.
When is the KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 Notification exam?
The exam is scheduled for Not specified – to be announced later on the KEA website. Dates can change; check the admit card and the official website (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in).
Where do I apply for KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 Notification?
Apply only on the official website (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in). Govt Recruitment is a private information site and never takes applications or fees.