The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has announced a massive recruitment drive for 750 Land Surveyor (Bhoomapaka) posts under the Department of Land Records, Survey Settlement and Land Records, Government of Karnataka. This is an excellent opportunity for candidates with engineering, science, or diploma backgrounds to secure a Group-C government position in Karnataka. The online application process is now open, and interested candidates are advised to submit their applications before the deadline.
KEA Land Surveyor Recruitment 2026: Overview
The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), an autonomous body under the Government of Karnataka, has issued two separate notifications for direct recruitment to the post of Surveyor (Bhoomapaka), Group-C. The recruitment covers 750 vacancies, divided into two cadres:
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Regular/State Cadre (RPC): 560 posts
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Kalyana-Karnataka Local Cadre (KK): 190 posts (under Article 371(J))
Selected candidates will be placed in the 2024 Revised State Pay Scale of ₹37,500 – ₹76,100 per month, with applicable allowances as per state government norms.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
| Recruiting Department | Department of Land Records, Survey Settlement and Land Records |
| Post Name | Surveyor (Bhoomapaka) |
| Post Category | Group-C |
| Total Vacancies | 750 (560 Regular + 190 Kalyana-Karnataka) |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Pay Scale (2024 Revised) | ₹37,500 – ₹76,100 per month |
| Job Location | Karnataka (including Kalyana-Karnataka region) |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
Important Dates
The application timeline is crucial for all aspirants. The online registration process commenced along with the notification release. Here are the key dates to remember:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 11 July 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 11 July 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 07 August 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 10 August 2026 |
| Paper-II (Specific Paper) Exam Date | 03 October 2026 (Saturday), 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
| Paper-I (General Knowledge) Exam Date | 04 October 2026 (Sunday), 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM |
Vacancy Details
The 750 Surveyor vacancies are split across two separate cadres, each with its own category-wise reservation breakup as notified by KEA.
Regular Cadre (RPC) – 560 Posts
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| General Merit (GM) | 280 |
| SC (Category-A) | 30 |
| SC (Category-B) | 29 |
| SC (Category-C) | 25 |
| ST | 17 |
| Category-1 | 23 |
| Category-2A | 84 |
| Category-2B | 22 |
| Category-3A | 22 |
| Category-3B | 28 |
| Total | 560 |
Within these 560 posts, horizontal reservation is also provided as follows: Women – 186, Rural candidates – 140, Ex-servicemen – 56, Kannada medium students – 26, Project-displaced persons – 25, Persons with Disabilities (PWD) – 30, Transgender candidates – 7.
Kalyana-Karnataka Local Cadre (KK) – 190 Posts
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| General Merit (GM) | 95 |
| SC (Category-A) | 10 |
| SC (Category-B) | 10 |
| SC (Category-C) | 8 |
| ST | 6 |
| Category-1 | 8 |
| Category-2A | 28 |
| Category-2B | 8 |
| Category-3A | 7 |
| Category-3B | 10 |
| Total | 190 |
Within these 190 posts, horizontal reservation includes: Women – 61, Rural candidates – 49, Ex-servicemen – 17, Kannada medium students – 7, PWD candidates – 11, Transgender candidates – 2.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must fulfil nationality, educational, and age criteria as prescribed in the official notification. Only candidates meeting all conditions on the prescribed date can apply.
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Candidate must be an Indian citizen.
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Candidate must be mentally and physically fit to discharge the duties of the post.
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A male candidate with more than one living spouse, and a female candidate married to such a person, is not eligible for appointment unless specifically exempted by the government.
Educational Qualification for KEA Land Surveyor Post
Applicants must possess any one of the following qualifications from a recognized university or AICTE-approved institution:
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A degree in Civil Engineering or Technology, or any Engineering/Technology degree, or an AMIE qualification in any Engineering/Technology stream; OR
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A degree in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Information Technology, Instrumentation, Electronics & Communication, or Agriculture (B.Sc.); OR
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A Diploma in any branch of Engineering/Technology from an AICTE-approved institution.
Age Limit
Age is calculated as on the last date of online application submission (07 August 2026). As per Government Order, a one-time relaxation of 5 years has been added to the standard upper age limit under Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977.
| Category | Maximum Age Limit |
|---|---|
| General/Unreserved candidates | 40 years |
| Category 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B | 43 years |
| SC, ST and Category-1 | 45 years |
Minimum age required is 18 years. Additional age relaxation is available for government/local-body employees, ex-servicemen, National Cadet Corps full-time supervisors, Gram Samuha Parishilakar (village survey supervisor) candidates, special pay candidates, and widows.
Application Fee
Fee must be paid online only; fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General and other categories (2A/2B/3A/3B) | ₹750 |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-servicemen / Third Gender | ₹500 |
| Special Pay (PWD) candidates | ₹250 |
Selection Process
Selection to the post of Surveyor is based on a competitive written examination followed by a qualifying language test and a probationary departmental training period.
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Competitive Written Examination – Offline OMR-based test consisting of Paper-I (General Knowledge) and Paper-II (Specific Paper).
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Kannada Language Test – Qualifying in nature (150 marks, minimum 50 marks required) for candidates who have not studied Kannada as first or second language up to SSLC level. Marks from this test are not counted in the final merit.
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Document Verification – As per merit and category-wise reservation.
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Probation and Departmental Training – Selected candidates will be on probation for 2 years and must pass the departmental “Kadaya Tharabeti” (Survey Training) examination within a 6-month training period, securing a minimum of 35% in the theoretical test and 40% in the practical test.
Exam Pattern
The written examination consists of two papers, each of 100 marks and 2 hours duration:
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Knowledge (current affairs, daily science, Indian Constitution basics, Karnataka & Indian history, Indian geography with reference to Karnataka, state/regional issues, Panchayat Raj and rural development schemes, Karnataka’s economic issues) | 100 | 100 | 2 hours |
| Paper-II | Specific Paper (Surveyor subject syllabus – separately notified) | 100 | 100 | 2 hours |
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Minimum qualifying marks in the competitive exam is 35% for general category candidates; category-wise cutoffs apply as per rules for reserved categories.
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Negative marking: Each question has 4 options; 0.25 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer.
How to Apply for KEA Land Surveyor Recruitment 2026
Follow these steps to complete your online application successfully:
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Visit the official KEA CET online portal: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
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Locate the recruitment link: Find the link for Surveyor Recruitment 2026 (Regular cadre or Kalyana-Karnataka cadre, as applicable) and register with your basic details.
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Fill in the online application form: Carefully enter personal, educational, and category details.
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Upload documents: Upload your photograph and signature as per the specified format and size.
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Pay the application fee: Pay the applicable application fee online through the payment gateway.
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Review and submit: Review all entered details before final submission, as no correction is allowed after submission.
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Download and print: Download and print a copy of the submitted application and fee payment receipt/challan for future reference.
Important Links
| Link Description | URL |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
| RPC Official Notification (PDF) | rpc official pdf |
| KK Official Notification (PDF) | kk official pdf |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How many total vacancies are there in KEA Surveyor Recruitment 2026?
There are 750 total vacancies for the post of Surveyor – 560 posts under the Regular cadre and 190 posts under the Kalyana-Karnataka local cadre.
Q2. What is the last date to apply online for KEA Surveyor Recruitment 2026?
The online application window closes on 07 August 2026, and the fee payment deadline is 10 August 2026.
Q3. What is the educational qualification required for the Surveyor post?
Candidates need a degree or diploma in Civil Engineering/Technology, or a degree in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, IT, Instrumentation, Electronics & Communication, or Agriculture (B.Sc.), from a recognized institution.
Q4. What is the age limit for KEA Surveyor Recruitment 2026?
The minimum age is 18 years. The maximum age is 40 years for General category, 43 years for Category 2A/2B/3A/3B, and 45 years for SC/ST/Category-1.
Q5. What is the application fee for KEA Surveyor 2026?
The fee is ₹750 for General and 2A/2B/3A/3B candidates, ₹500 for SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-servicemen/Third gender candidates, and ₹250 for special pay (PWD) candidates.
Q6. When is the KEA Surveyor written exam scheduled?
Paper-II (Specific paper) will be held on 03 October 2026, and Paper-I (General Knowledge) will be held on 04 October 2026 for the Regular cadre. The Kalyana-Karnataka cadre examination is scheduled for 24-25 October 2026.
Q7. What is the salary for KEA Land Surveyor posts?
Selected candidates will receive a salary of ₹37,500 – ₹76,100 per month under the revised Karnataka State Pay Scale.
Q8. Is there negative marking in the KEA Land Surveyor exam?
Yes, 0.25 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer in both Paper-I and Paper-II.
Final Words
The KEA Land Surveyor Recruitment 2026 is a golden chance for engineering and science graduates to enter the Karnataka state government services. With 750 vacancies and a transparent selection process, candidates from all categories have a fair opportunity. Make sure to read the official notification thoroughly, check your eligibility, and submit your application well before 07 August 2026. Start your preparation early, focus on both General Knowledge and the specific surveyor syllabus, and give it your best shot. Best of luck!
