KEA VAO Answer Key 2026 Out for RPC Exam: Raise Objection by 8 October — Latest Update
Answer Key Update: KEA has published the provisional answer key for the VAO exam held on 4 October 2026 for the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) only. Check the key for your own version code and object online before 10:30 AM on 8 October 2026.
How to Check KEA VAO Answer Key 2026 and Raise Objection?
| Answer Key Detail | What the KEA Note Says |
|---|---|
| Exam covered | VAO competitive exam held on 4 October 2026 — Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) only |
| Paper-1 | General Knowledge (RPC) — Questions 1 to 100 |
| Paper-2 | Kannada, English & Computer Knowledge (RPC) — Questions 1 to 100 |
| Version codes in the key | A1, B1, C1, D1, A2, B2, C2, D2, A3, B3, C3, D3 |
| Key published | 6 October 2026 |
| Last date to raise objections | 8 October 2026, before 10:30 AM |
| How to object | Online, through the portal provided on the KEA website |
| Objection fee | ₹25 per objection (not refunded) |
| What to submit | Paper details, exam date, version code, question number and supporting documents in PDF form |
| Objections not considered | Without question number or version code, incomplete or baseless, or without the fee paid |
| Final key | The Subject Experts Committee examines the objections, and the key answers it decides on will be final |
| Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) cadre | Not part of this key — the KK exam is on 25 October 2026 |
KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026 Out: Admit Card Download and Exam Dates — Latest Update
Hall Ticket Update: The KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026 is out. If you applied, download your admit card through the candidate login on the KEA exam portal. The two cadres write the exam on different dates, so check the date printed on your own hall ticket.
| Cadre | Paper-1 (General Knowledge) | Paper-2 (Kannada, English, Computer) |
|---|---|---|
| Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) — 505 posts | 4 October 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM | 4 October 2026, 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM |
| Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) Cadre — 67 posts | 25 October 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM | 25 October 2026, 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM |
| Exam-Day Rule | What the Notification Says |
|---|---|
| Documents to carry | Downloaded hall ticket + one original photo ID (PAN card, driving licence, Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID or government employee ID) |
| Without hall ticket and ID | Entry to the exam centre will not be allowed |
| Change of exam centre | Not allowed for any reason |
| Unattempted question on OMR | Shade the fifth option; a question with no option shaded loses 0.25 marks |
| Wrong answer | 0.25 marks deducted |
| Compulsory Kannada Language Test | Date to be announced later |
No new PDF was released with this update — the hall ticket is downloaded only through the candidate login.
KEA VAO 2026 Notification Out for 572 Village Administration Officer Posts
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released the Village Administration Officer (VAO) recruitment notification to fill 572 Group-C posts in the Revenue Department of the Government of Karnataka. The posts are notified through two notifications — 505 posts in the residual (original) cadre and 67 posts in the Kalyana-Karnataka local cadre. If you are looking for Karnataka government jobs, this is one to grab.
The online application window ran from 11 July 2026 to 30 July 2026 and has closed. The competitive exam for the Residual Parent Cadre was held on 4 October 2026, and the Kalyana-Karnataka cadre exam is scheduled for 25 October 2026. Candidates who had passed PUC or an equivalent qualification and were at least 18 years old were eligible to apply.
What are the Key Highlights of KEA VAO 2026?
The Village Administration Officer is a village-level Group-C post in the Revenue Department. Each candidate could apply for only one district.
- Recruiting Body: Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Revenue Department
- Post Name: Village Administration Officer (VAO), Group-C
- Total Vacancies: 572 (505 Residual Cadre + 67 Kalyana-Karnataka)
- Pay Scale: ₹34,100 – ₹67,600
- Exam Date: 4 October 2026 (Residual Parent Cadre, held); 25 October 2026 (Kalyana-Karnataka Cadre)
- Last Date to Apply: 30 July 2026 (closed)
How Many Vacancies Are There in KEA VAO 2026?
The vacancies are notified district-wise under two separate cadres. Each candidate could apply for one district only. The residual (original) cadre has 505 posts across 21 districts.
| District (Residual Cadre) | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Bengaluru Urban | 20 |
| Bengaluru Rural | 29 |
| Bengaluru South | 30 |
| Chitradurga | 15 |
| Chikkaballapur | 21 |
| Tumakuru | 50 |
| Shivamogga | 18 |
| Kolar | 22 |
| Mysuru | 45 |
| Mandya | 50 |
| Hassan | 35 |
| Udupi | 10 |
| Dakshina Kannada | 20 |
| Chamarajanagar | 31 |
| Chikkamagaluru | 10 |
| Belagavi | 48 |
| Bagalkot | 16 |
| Gadag | 14 |
| Haveri | 15 |
| Bidar | 4 |
| Raichur | 2 |
| Total | 505 |
The Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) local cadre has 67 posts across 3 districts, filled under the Article 371(J) local reservation.
| District (Kalyana-Karnataka Cadre) | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Kalaburagi | 40 |
| Bidar | 17 |
| Raichur | 10 |
| Total | 67 |
What is the Eligibility for KEA VAO 2026?
The required qualification had to be held as on the last date of application.
Educational Qualification
You must have passed PUC (Pre-University Course / 10+2) or an equivalent qualification from a recognised board. Equivalent qualifications include CBSE / ICSE Class 12, other state board Class 12, NIOS senior secondary, a 3-year Diploma, certain vocational (JOC) courses, and a 2-year ITI with the required NIOS / PU Board subjects. This makes it a great opening for 12th pass government job seekers. Candidates awaiting their result are not eligible — you must have the marksheet by the last date.
Age Limit
The minimum age is 18 years as on the last date of application. The maximum age (including a one-time 5-year relaxation announced by the government) is given below.
| 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 any age relaxation you qualify for. →
Additional relaxations apply for Persons with Disability (10 years), ex-servicemen, widows and certain in-service candidates as per Karnataka Civil Services rules.
What is the Salary for KEA VAO 2026?
The Village Administration Officer is a Group-C post with a good Karnataka government pay scale and pension benefits.
- Pay Scale: ₹34,100 – ₹67,600
- Starting Basic Pay: ₹34,100 per month
- Probation Period: 2 years
- Pension: National Pension System (NPS) applicable
What is the Selection Process for KEA VAO 2026?
Selection is through a competitive examination conducted by KEA in offline OMR mode. There are two papers, both held on the same day.
- Paper-1: General Knowledge — 100 questions, 100 marks, 2 hours (morning session).
- Paper-2: General Kannada, General English and Computer Knowledge — 100 questions, 100 marks, 2 hours (afternoon session).
Negative Marking and Qualifying Marks
Each question has four options, and 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer. A candidate must score a minimum of 35% marks in the competitive exam to qualify for selection. Candidates who do not reach the minimum marks are not considered.
Mandatory Kannada Language Test
Candidates who did not study Kannada as first or second language in SSLC or higher, nor in Kannada medium, nor pass an earlier compulsory Kannada test, must pass a Compulsory Kannada Language Test of 150 marks, scoring at least 50 marks. This test is only qualifying and its marks are not counted for merit. You can review general exam syllabus and preparation tips on GovtJobsAlert.in.
How to Apply Online for KEA VAO 2026?
Applications were accepted online only on the KEA website, and the window closed on 30 July 2026. The steps are kept here for reference — each candidate could apply for a single district, and no changes were allowed after submission.
- Visit the official KEA website (link given in Essential Links below).
- Select the VAO recruitment link and start a new online application.
- Fill in your personal, educational, category and district details correctly.
- Upload your photo, signature and required documents in the given format.
- Pay the application fee online and submit the form.
- Download and save the submitted application for future reference.
What is the KEA VAO Exam Date 2026 and Other Important Dates?
Both notifications shared the same application schedule, but the exam dates differ by cadre.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Starts | 11 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 July 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 31 July 2026 |
| Exam Date — Residual Parent Cadre (Paper-1 & Paper-2) | 4 October 2026 (held) |
| Exam Date — Kalyana-Karnataka Cadre (Paper-1 & Paper-2) | 25 October 2026 |
| Compulsory Kannada Language Test | To be announced later |
| Hall Ticket | Out — download through the KEA candidate login |
| Provisional Answer Key — Residual Parent Cadre | 6 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Answer Key Objections (RPC) | 8 October 2026, before 10:30 AM |
What is the Application Fee for KEA VAO 2026?
The fee must be paid online only. The fee amount depends on your category.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General & Category 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | ₹750 |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-Servicemen / Transgender | ₹500 |
| Persons with Disability (PwBD) | ₹250 |
The fee, once paid, was non-refundable.
Essential Links — KEA VAO 2026
- Download Residual Cadre Notification PDF
- Download Kalyana-Karnataka Notification PDF
- Download KEA VAO RPC Provisional Answer Key and Objection Note PDF (6 October 2026)
- Raise Objection Online for KEA VAO RPC Answer Key
- Download Admit Card for KEA VAO Hall Ticket 2026 Out
- Visit KEA VAO Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Karnataka Government Jobs Telegram Channel
The KEA VAO recruitment is a wonderful chance to secure a stable Group-C government job in your own district with just a PUC qualification. RPC candidates should check the answer key and object before 10:30 AM on 8 October 2026; Kalyana-Karnataka candidates should download the hall ticket for the 25 October 2026 exam. For more Karnataka government job notifications and results, keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in.