KEA Pharmacy Officer Answer Key 2026 Out: Paper 2 Key Answers — Objection Window Closed
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has published the key answers for Paper-2 (Specific Paper) of the Pharmacy Officer exam in the ESIS Medical Services Department (Residual Parent Cadre), held on 31 October 2026. The notice is dated 31 October 2026, and the objection window closed on 2 November 2026 at 10:30 AM.
How to Check the KEA Pharmacy Officer Paper 2 Answer Key 2026?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam | Pharmacy Officer, Paper-2 (Specific Paper), held 31 October 2026 |
| Key published | 31 October 2026, on the KEA website |
| Key sheet | 100 questions, four options each, versions A1, B1, C1 and D1 |
| Objections | Online only, through the KEA portal — objection window closed on 2 November 2026 (10:30 AM) |
| Objection fee | Rs. 25 per objection, non-refundable |
| Final key | A subject expert committee reviews the objections; the key it decides is final |
Check your own question-paper version code (A1 to D1) before matching answers, because the sequence of correct options differs from one version to the next. Paper-2 carries 100 questions for 100 marks, with 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer, and the competitive exam has a minimum qualifying mark of 35%. Objections without a question number or version code, incomplete or baseless objections, and those without the fee were not to be considered. After the written exam, the marks list goes to the ESIS Medical Services Department, which conducts the rest of the recruitment process.
This notice covers the Pharmacy Officer exam only; it does not give a key for Nursing Officer, and the Kannada language test and Paper-1 dates are not given in it.
🔗 Important links for this update:
Karnataka ESI Pharmacy & Nursing Officer 2026: Vacancy, Pay Scale & Exam Pattern
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has invited online applications for 188 Group-C posts — 98 Pharmacy Officer and 90 Nursing Officer — in the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme (Medical) Services Department, Government of Karnataka. Eligibility is strictly a Diploma in Pharmacy or a Diploma in General Nursing plus registration with the matching Karnataka council. Nursing Officers earn ₹54,175 – ₹99,400; Pharmacy Officers ₹44,425 – ₹83,700.
Applications ran from 7 August to 30 August 2026 (fee payment until 31 August 2026) and are now closed. Selection runs through a compulsory Kannada language exam and two written papers carrying negative marking. Below are the vacancies, the exact qualification wording, age limits, fee slabs and the full exam pattern. For all Karnataka government job updates, keep GovtJobsAlert.in handy.
Key Highlights — KEA Pharmacy Officer & Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Department | ESI Scheme (Medical) Services Dept., Govt of Karnataka |
| Post Names | Pharmacy Officer, Nursing Officer (Shushrushadhikari) |
| Total Vacancies | 188 (98 Pharmacy + 90 Nursing) |
| Pay Scale | ₹44,425 – ₹99,400 |
| Post Classification | Group-C |
| Job Location | ESI institutions across Karnataka |
| Notification Date | 6 August 2026 |
| Application Window | 7 August – 30 August 2026 (closed) |
Rural, Kannada-medium, project-displaced and third-gender reservations also apply, and each needs its own certificate obtained by the last date (30 August 2026); PwBD reservation is 5% and needs a disability of not less than 40%. A strong opening for anyone pursuing medical and healthcare government jobs.
How Many Vacancies Are There in KEA Pharmacy & Nursing Officer 2026?
| Post Name | Vacancies | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Officer | 98 (92 regular + 5 Kalyana-Karnataka + 1 backlog) | ₹44,425 – ₹83,700 |
| Nursing Officer | 90 (72 regular + 11 Kalyana-Karnataka + 7 backlog) | ₹54,175 – ₹99,400 |
| Total | 188 | — |
Kalyana-Karnataka (Article 371-J) and backlog posts are already inside these totals. KEA does not publish a caste or category-wise vacancy split — the ESI department releases that separately and it is subject to revision.
What is the Eligibility for KEA Pharmacy & Nursing Officer 2026?
Educational Qualification
| Post | Qualification Required | Registration Required |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Officer | Diploma in Pharmacy from an institution recognised by the Government of Karnataka | Karnataka Pharmacy Council |
| Nursing Officer | Diploma in General Nursing from an authority authorised by the Government of Karnataka | Karnataka Nursing Council |
⚠️ There is no B.Pharm, Pharm.D, B.Sc. Nursing or Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing alternative — only the two diplomas above qualify, and no work experience is asked for. Candidates whose qualifying result is not published by the last date (30 August 2026) are not eligible. A clean opening for diploma holders seeking government jobs. You must also be an Indian citizen, not permanently debarred by any Public Service Commission, KEA or university, and not convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude.
Age Limit
Minimum age is 18 years; the maximum is reckoned as on 30 August 2026.
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| General Merit | 40 years |
| Category 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | 43 years |
| SC / ST / Category-1 | 45 years |
🎂 Not sure if you meet the age criteria? Use our free Age Calculator for Government Exams to find your exact age on the cut-off date and instantly check your eligibility — including SC / ST / OBC / PwBD age relaxation. →
⚠️ These ceilings already include the one-time 5-year relaxation (Government Order dated 29 January 2026) — do not add 5 years again. The relaxations below come on top of them.
| Category | Additional Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Differently-abled (PwBD) candidates | 10 years |
| Widows (widowhood and non-remarriage certificate) | 10 years |
| Released bonded labourers (District Magistrate’s certificate) | 10 years |
| Ex-servicemen | Period of service rendered plus 3 years |
| Serving/former Karnataka Government, local authority or State/Central-Act corporation employees | Years served, or 10 years, whichever is less |
| Released full-time NCC Cadet Instructors | Years served as Cadet Instructor |
| Village Group Supervisors (State Rural Industrialisation scheme) | Years served |
| Serving/former Census organisation employees in Karnataka | Years served, or 5 years, whichever is less |
| Dependants of ex-servicemen who died or were permanently disabled in service | Nil — reservation only, no age relaxation |
Kannada Language Requirement
| Kannada Exam | Rule |
|---|---|
| Who must appear | Every candidate who is not exempted |
| Exempt | Studied Kannada as first or second language up to SSLC or higher |
| Exempt | Studied in Kannada medium and passed those examinations |
| Exempt | Already passed a compulsory Kannada exam of the Commission or another selection authority |
| Standard | Kannada as a first language, SSLC level; multiple choice |
| Marks | 150 maximum, minimum 50 to qualify |
| If absent or below 50 | Removed from the selection process entirely |
| Merit | Marks are not counted for merit or seniority |
What is the Salary for KEA Pharmacy Officer & Nursing Officer 2026?
| Post | Full Pay Scale (₹) |
|---|---|
| Nursing Officer | 54,175 – 1375 – 58300 – 1500 – 64300 – 1650 – 74200 – 1900 – 85600 – 2300 – 99,400 |
| Pharmacy Officer | 44,425 – 1125 – 47800 – 1250 – 52800 – 1375 – 58300 – 1500 – 64300 – 1650 – 74200 – 1900 – 83,700 |
| Probation | Two years for direct recruits |
| Pension | National Pension Scheme (NPS), both posts |
The Nursing Officer scale is higher than the Pharmacy Officer scale at every stage — roughly ₹9,750 more at entry — so weigh that when choosing which post to apply for.
What is the Selection Process for KEA Pharmacy & Nursing Officer 2026?
Compulsory Kannada exam (above) → two-paper competitive written exam → document verification → medical board.
| Paper | Pattern | Syllabus |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-1 — General Knowledge | 100 questions, 100 marks, 2 hours | Current events; everyday observation; outline of the Constitution of India; History and Geography of India with special reference to Karnataka; State and regional administration; Karnataka’s economy, rural development and Panchayat Raj; environmental problems in Karnataka |
| Paper-2 — Specific Paper | 100 questions, 100 marks, 2 hours | Post-specific; syllabus published separately |
| Qualifying marks | Minimum 35% in the competitive examination | Below this, out of selection |
| Negative marking | 0.25 (one-fourth) mark deducted per wrong answer | Four alternatives per question |
| Exam mode | The advertisement allows Online (CBT) or Offline-OMR | Paper-2 (Pharmacy Officer) was held on 31 October 2026 |
⚠️ In an OMR paper, a question left with no circle shaded at all also loses 0.25 — the sheet carries a fifth “not answered” circle and five extra minutes after the final bell, so shade it for everything you skip. Track syllabus and exam pattern updates for the Paper-2 syllabus. Shortlisted candidates then produce originals at document verification, and PwBD candidates must clear a medical board.
How to Apply Online for KEA Pharmacy & Nursing Officer 2026?
Applications were accepted online only and closed on 30 August 2026; the steps below are kept for reference.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the KEA application link given in Essential Links below |
| 2 | Fill the online form with personal, educational and category details |
| 3 | Upload photo (JPEG, white background, 50–200 KB) and signature (black ink on white paper, JPEG, 50–70 KB) — applications without these are rejected |
| 4 | Check every entry; no information can be changed or corrected after submission |
| 5 | Pay the fee online on or before 31 August 2026 |
| 6 | Download the submitted application and preserve the fee challan |
⚠️ Only caste and income certificates obtained for employment are accepted — those obtained for education or other benefits are rejected. SC, ST and Category-1 certificates stay valid until cancelled, but Category 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B certificates are valid for 5 years and yours must be current as on the last date. Keep ready your Aadhaar, all marks cards, convocation certificate or PDC, SSLC certificate for date of birth, and every caste certificate in the prescribed form (D, E or F) with its RD number entered online — all obtained by the last date (30 August 2026).
What Are the Important Dates for KEA Pharmacy & Nursing Officer 2026?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 6 August 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 7 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 30 August 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 31 August 2026 |
| Age Reckoned As On | 30 August 2026 |
The fee deadline falls one day after the application deadline — do not assume you can still submit the form on the 31st. Paper-2 for Pharmacy Officer was held on 31 October 2026 (see the update above), and the other test dates are not given in the notices; carry the admission ticket plus one original photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, passport, voter ID or driving licence), and note that the exam centre will not be changed.
What is the Application Fee for KEA Pharmacy & Nursing Officer 2026?
| Category | Fee | Break-up |
|---|---|---|
| General Merit and Category 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | ₹750 | ₹500 application + ₹250 processing |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-servicemen / Third gender | ₹500 | ₹250 application + ₹250 processing |
| Differently-abled (PwBD) candidates | ₹250 | ₹250 processing only |
The fee is payable through online mode only and is non-refundable, so check every detail before paying.
Essential Links — KEA Pharmacy Officer & Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Apply Online for KEA Pharmacy & Nursing Officer 2026
- Visit KEA Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Karnataka Government Jobs Telegram Channel
- KEA Notice on Paper 2 Key Answers, 31 October 2026 (Kannada PDF)
- Download Answer Key for KEA Pharmacy Officer Answer Key 2026 Out – Paper 2 Provisional Key Answers (ESI Medical Services)
With 188 Group-C healthcare posts and a pay scale reaching ₹99,400, this was a substantial opening for Karnataka diploma holders. The application window ran from 7 to 30 August 2026 and is closed. Pharmacy Officer Paper-2 was held on 31 October 2026 and its key answers are out, so check the update at the top of this page for the key and the final-key process. Keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in for more government job notifications from Karnataka and admit card alerts.