The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released the KEA Recruitment 2026 notification for the recruitment of 247 Principal posts in Government Pre-University Colleges under the Department of School Education (Pre-University Education), Government of Karnataka. The recruitment is being conducted through two notifications covering 216 Principal posts under the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) and 31 Principal posts under the Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) Local Cadre. Eligible candidates can submit the KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 application form online through the official KEA website.

The online application process starts on 7 September 2026, while the last date to submit the application is 4 October 2026. The last date for payment of the application fee is 5 October 2026.

KEA Recruitment 2026 – Overview

The notification was issued on 3 September 2026 under separate RPC and KK recruitment notifications.

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KEA Principal Vacancy 2026

A total of 247 Principal vacancies have been announced.

The RPC vacancies are intended for the applicable cadre across Karnataka, while the 31 KK vacancies are associated with the Kalyana-Karnataka Local Cadre.

KEA Principal Vacancy – RPC (216 Posts) – Category-Wise Breakdown

Horizontal Reservations (RPC)

• Women: 33% of each category

• Ex-Servicemen: 3% of each category

• PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities): 3% of each category

• Rural Candidates: 15% of each category

• Kannada Medium Candidates: 15% of each category

KEA Principal Vacancy – Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) (31 Posts) – Category-Wise Breakdown

Horizontal Reservations (KK)

• Women: 33% of each category

• Ex-Servicemen: 3% of each category

• PwBD: 3% of each category

• Rural Candidates: 15% of each category

• Kannada Medium Candidates: 15% of each category

• 📌 Note: Candidates should carefully check the official vacancy and reservation tables before applying.

 KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates

KEA Principal Eligibility Criteria 2026

KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 is not an open recruitment for all graduates or teachers. Candidates must satisfy the service conditions prescribed in the official notification.

 Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants are serving Lecturers in Government Pre-University Colleges under the Department of Pre-University Education, subject to the required service conditions.

Candidates are required to have:

• Served as a Lecturer in the prescribed cadre.

• Completed a minimum of 10 years of service as a Lecturer.

• Completed probation satisfactorily.

• Not have any major penalties or disciplinary actions pending against them.

• Fulfilled all other conditions mentioned in the KEA recruitment notification.

Service Eligibility – Detailed Clauses

Age Limit

No separate upper age limit is prescribed for this recruitment because the Principal vacancies are being filled from eligible serving Lecturers who meet the prescribed departmental service requirements. Candidates should nevertheless verify their eligibility against the official notification before submitting the application.

 KEA Principal Salary 2026

Selected candidates for the Principal post will receive the revised Karnataka State Government pay scale of:

₹90,200 – ₹1,59,200 (Level 14 of the Pay Matrix)

The post carries the applicable benefits and service conditions of Karnataka Government employees as prescribed by the department, including:

• Dearness Allowance (DA)

• House Rent Allowance (HRA)

• Medical Benefits

• Pension/Gratuity (under the applicable pension scheme)

• Other allowances as per government rules

KEA Principal Application Fee 2026

Candidates have to pay the prescribed application fee online through the payment gateway.

KEA Principal Selection Process 2026

The selection process includes a competitive written examination followed by the applicable selection/document verification procedures.

The examination consists of three papers:

Paper 1 – Kannada Language

• Nature: Qualifying Paper

• Minimum Qualifying Marks:

  • General Merit / Category-1 / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B: 40%

  • SC / ST: 35%

  • PwBD: 30%

• Important: The marks obtained in Paper 1 are not counted for preparation of the merit list.

 Paper 2 – General Studies (Detailed Syllabus)

The syllabus covers the following areas:

1. History of India and Karnataka – Ancient, Medieval, and Modern periods; Freedom struggle; Karnataka unification movement.

2. Indian and Karnataka Constitution – Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Amendments, Panchayati Raj, Urban Local Bodies.

3. Geography – Physical, economic, and social geography of India and Karnataka.

4. Science and Technology – Recent developments, space technology, defense technology, environment, and ecology.

5. Ethics and Integrity – Moral values, work ethics, administrative ethics, corruption issues.

6. General Aptitude – Logical reasoning, analytical ability, data interpretation, problem-solving.

7. Current Affairs – National and international events of the last 12 months.

8. Economics – Indian economy, Karnataka economy, budget, taxation, banking, and financial institutions.

Paper 3 – Departmental Rules and Administration (Detailed Syllabus)

Paper 3 focuses on subjects relevant to Government administration and education department service, including:

1. Karnataka Civil Service Rules – Classification, appointment, leave, pension, conduct rules.

2. Karnataka Civil Services (Classification and Control) Rules – Disciplinary proceedings, penalties, appeals.

3. Karnataka Treasury Code – Financial management, treasury operations, withdrawals.

4. Karnataka Budget Manual – Budget preparation, allocation, expenditure control.

5. Karnataka Education Rules – PUE department regulations, service conditions of lecturers.

6. Karnataka Government Servants Conduct Rules – Code of conduct, integrity, and ethics.

7. Karnataka Financial Code – Financial powers, delegation, contracts, and purchases.

8. Karnataka Pension Rules – Retirement benefits, family pension, commutation.

9. Office Procedure and Administration – File management, correspondence, official memoranda.

10. Right to Information Act, 2005 – Procedure for seeking information, appellate authorities.

📌 Negative Marking: According to available recruitment details, 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in Papers 2 and 3.

KEA Principal Exam Pattern 2026

• Paper 1 is qualifying in nature.

• Papers 2 and 3 are considered for merit preparation.

• All papers contain multiple-choice questions (MCQs) .

KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 – Documents Required

 Document Upload Specifications

How to Apply for KEA Principal Recruitment 2026?

Step 1

Visit the official Karnataka Examinations Authority website:
https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/

Step 2

Click on the “KEA Principal Recruitment 2026” application link on the homepage.

Step 3

Select the appropriate recruitment notification:

• RPC Notification (for 216 vacancies)

• Kalyana-Karnataka Notification (for 31 vacancies)

Step 4

Complete the registration/application process by clicking on “New Registration”.

Step 5

Enter your:

• Personal details (Name, DOB, Gender, etc.)

• Service details (Department, College name, Service period)

• Educational details (Qualifications, specializations)

• Category information (GM/SC/ST/Category-1/2A/2B/3A/3B)

• Reservation claims (Rural, Kannada Medium, Ex-Servicemen, PwBD, etc.)

• Contact details (Email, Mobile, Address)

Step 6

Upload your:

• Recent passport-size photograph

• Signature

• All required certificates (PDF format)

Step 7

Pay the applicable application fee online through:

• Credit Card / Debit Card

• Net Banking

• UPI

Step 8

Carefully verify all information before submitting the application.

Step 9

Click on “Submit” to finalize the application.

Step 10

Download and save a copy of the:

• Completed application form

• Fee payment receipt

 KEA Principal Exam Centers 2026

The written examination will be conducted in the following major cities across Karnataka:

Candidates must select their preferred exam center during the application process. Allotment will be done on a first-come-first-served basis.

 KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 – Helpline & Support

Important Links

KEA Recruitment 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many vacancies are available in KEA Principal Recruitment 2026?

A total of 247 Principal posts are available, including 216 RPC vacancies and 31 Kalyana-Karnataka vacancies.

2. When does the KEA Principal application process start?

The online application process starts on 7 September 2026.

3. What is the last date to apply for KEA Principal Recruitment 2026?

The last date to submit the online application is 4 October 2026.

4. What is the last date to pay the KEA Principal application fee?

The last date for fee payment is 5 October 2026.

5. Who can apply for KEA Principal Recruitment 2026?

The recruitment is intended for serving Lecturers in Government Pre-University Colleges under the Department of Pre-University Education who satisfy the prescribed 10 years of service and probation requirements.

6. What is the salary of a KEA Principal?

The pay scale is ₹90,200 to ₹1,59,200 (Level 14 of the Pay Matrix).

7. Is there an age limit for KEA Principal Recruitment 2026?

No separate upper age limit is prescribed for this recruitment, subject to the eligibility conditions applicable to serving Lecturers.

8. What is the KEA Principal selection process?

Selection is through a three-paper competitive written examination, followed by document verification.

9. Is KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 open to fresh candidates?

No. This recruitment is for eligible serving Lecturers in Government Pre-University Colleges who meet the prescribed departmental service requirements.

10. Is there negative marking in the KEA Principal exam?

Yes. 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in Papers 2 and 3. Paper 1 (Kannada) has no negative marking.

11. What is the minimum qualifying marks for Paper 1?

• General / Category-1 / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B: 40%

• SC / ST: 35%

• PwBD: 30%

12. Can I make corrections after submitting the application?

Yes, KEA provides a correction window from 6 October to 8 October 2026 for limited modifications.

13. When will the admit card be released?

The admit card will be released approximately 10–15 days before the examination date.

14. Where can I find the official notification?

You can download the official notification from the KEA website: https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/

15. What documents are required for verification?

You will need your appointment order, service certificate, probation certificate, caste/category certificates, SSLC mark sheet, PwBD certificate (if applicable), and KK local certificate (if applicable) .