KEA PU Principal Recruitment 2026: Exam Dates, Timings and Marking Scheme
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released the exam schedule for 216 Principal posts in the School Education Department (Pre-University), Government of Karnataka. These are Group-A posts in the Residual Parent Cadre, filled by direct recruitment. The schedule notice is dated 13 October 2026.
Candidates, mark your calendar now. Paper-1 (Kannada language test) is on 20 November 2026, and Paper-2 and Paper-3 are on 22 November 2026. Read this full article on GovtJobsAlert.in so you do not miss the marking rules, the OMR instruction and the reporting time. The notice is only a timetable, so for age, pay and fees please see the original notification.
What are the Key Highlights of KEA PU Principal Recruitment 2026?
This notice comes from KEA, the Karnataka state examinations body. It refers to the original recruitment notification dated 03 September 2026 and gives only the exam timetable and exam rules. Looking for more state jobs? See Karnataka government jobs and other teaching and faculty jobs.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Department | School Education (Pre-University) |
| Post | Principal (Residual Parent Cadre), Group-A |
| Total Vacancies | 216 |
| Notice Date | 13 October 2026 |
| Original Notification | 03 September 2026 |
| Job Location | Karnataka |
How Many Vacancies are there in KEA PU Principal Recruitment 2026?
| Post Name | Vacancies | Quota |
|---|---|---|
| Principal (Residual Parent Cadre), Group-A | 216 | Direct recruitment |
The notice does not give a category-wise split of these 216 posts. For reservation details, check the original notification.
What is the Eligibility for KEA PU Principal Recruitment 2026?
This schedule notice does not state the educational qualification, age limit or experience. These are given in the original notification dated 03 September 2026, so please read it on the KEA website (link in Essential Links below) before you rely on any eligibility claim.
One condition is stated in this notice. To qualify for the Principal post, a candidate must score at least 50 marks in the Kannada language test (Paper-1).
What is the Salary for KEA PU Principal Recruitment 2026?
The pay scale is not mentioned in this schedule notice. Please check the original notification of 03 September 2026 for the pay scale and allowances. We will not guess a figure here, because a wrong number can mislead you.
What is the Selection Process for KEA PU Principal Recruitment 2026?
The notice describes a competitive written examination of three papers. All three are objective, multiple choice papers. In Paper-2 and Paper-3, each question has four alternative answers, and you must choose only one. The notice does not describe any later stage, so check the original notification for what follows the written exam.
| Paper | Subject | Role in Selection |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-1 | Kannada language test | Qualifying only, minimum 50 marks |
| Paper-2 | General Studies | Counted for merit list |
| Paper-3 | Administrative subject | Counted for merit list |
Exam Pattern and Marking
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions per paper | 150 |
| Marks per paper | 150 |
| Duration | 3 hours each |
| Paper-1 marks | Not counted for the merit list |
| Paper-1 negative marking | None |
| Paper-2 and Paper-3 negative marking | 0.25 (one-fourth) of the question marks for each wrong answer |
Only the marks in Paper-2 and Paper-3 are counted for the merit list. Paper-1 is limited to qualifying. Want to prepare better? Keep an eye on our syllabus and exam pattern page.
The three papers are held in two days, so plan your rest and travel carefully. Paper-1 is on a Friday afternoon, and the next two papers are on the Sunday that follows, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Treat Paper-1 as a gate: the notice says you must score at least 50 marks in it to qualify.
OMR Sheet: the 5th Option Rule
The OMR answer sheets of Paper-2 and Paper-3 carry a 5th option (circle). For every question you leave unanswered, you must shade the 5th option. An extra 5 minutes is given after the final bell for this shading. If you shade no option at all for a question, 0.25 marks are deducted for that question, just like a wrong answer. Practise this rule in mock tests.
How to Apply for KEA PU Principal Recruitment 2026?
This notice does not open or reopen any application. It is a timetable for the exam. If you applied against the 03 September 2026 notification, there is nothing new to submit from this notice.
- Open the KEA website (link in Essential Links below).
- Read the original notification dated 03 September 2026 for eligibility, pay, fees and the application process.
- Check the exam schedule notice (PDF link in Essential Links below).
- Note your paper dates and timings from the table below.
- Reach the exam centre well before time, as explained below.
Read the OMR instructions on the day, keep your time for shading the 5th option, and avoid blind guessing, because each wrong answer costs 0.25 marks in Paper-2 and Paper-3.
Reporting Time and Entry
You must be inside the exam centre at least two hours before the exam. Entry is given only after frisking and face verification, so plan your travel with extra time.
What are the Important Dates for KEA PU Principal Exam 2026?
| Event | Date and Time |
|---|---|
| Original Notification | 03 September 2026 |
| Exam Schedule Notice | 13 October 2026 |
| Paper-1 (Kannada language test) | 20 November 2026 (Friday), 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM |
| Paper-2 (General Studies) | 22 November 2026 (Sunday), 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM |
| Paper-3 (Administrative subject) | 22 November 2026 (Sunday), 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM |
| Admit Card | Not announced in this notice |
| Last Date to Apply | Not given in this notice |
Keep checking the exam calendar for updates such as the admit card date once KEA announces it.
What is the Application Fee for KEA PU Principal Recruitment 2026?
The application fee is not mentioned in this schedule notice. Please see the original notification of 03 September 2026 for the fee for each category and the payment modes.
Essential Links — KEA PU Principal Recruitment 2026
- Download KEA Principal Exam Schedule Notice (13 Oct 2026) PDF
- Visit KEA PU Principal Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Karnataka Government Jobs Telegram Channel
Principal aspirants, you now have a clear date: 20 November for the Kannada qualifying paper and 22 November for the two merit papers. Start your revision plan today, practise the OMR 5th-option rule, and reach the centre two hours early. Keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in for the admit card and other updates on this recruitment.