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. For 12th (PUC) pass candidates in Karnataka, this is a big and stable government job opportunity close to home. If you are looking for Karnataka government jobs, this is one to grab.
The online application window is open from 11 July 2026 to 30 July 2026, and the competitive exam is scheduled for 4 October 2026. Any candidate who has passed PUC or an equivalent qualification and is at least 18 years old can apply. In this GovtJobsAlert.in guide, we explain the district-wise vacancies, eligibility, pay scale, fee, exam pattern and important dates in very simple words so you can apply correctly for your chosen district.
Key Highlights — KEA VAO 2026
The Village Administration Officer works at the village level under the Revenue Department and handles land records and local administration. KEA conducts the competitive exam and sends the district-wise merit list to the government, after which the respective Deputy Commissioner makes the appointments. Remember, you can 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
- Last Date to Apply: 30 July 2026
Vacancy Breakdown — KEA VAO 2026
The vacancies are notified district-wise under two separate cadres. Choose your district carefully — one candidate can 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 |
Eligibility Criteria — KEA VAO 2026
The eligibility for this post is simple, which is why it is very popular. Make sure you hold the required qualification 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, and certain vocational (JOC) courses as per government orders. 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 SC / ST / OBC / PwBD age relaxation. →
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
Along with the basic pay, you get Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and other Karnataka government allowances, which make the total in-hand salary attractive for a village-level posting.
This is a respected, secure job in your own district with a steady salary and clear career growth in the Revenue Department.
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 their first or second language in SSLC (or did not study in Kannada medium) must also pass a Compulsory Kannada Language Test of 150 marks, in which a minimum of 50 marks is required. 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 are accepted online only on the KEA website. Apply for a single district and fill the form carefully, because no changes are 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.
Please read the full notification carefully before applying, as details once submitted cannot be edited at any stage.
Important Dates — KEA VAO 2026
Note these dates and apply early. Both notifications share the same schedule.
| 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 (Paper-1 & Paper-2) | 4 October 2026 |
Application Fees — 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 |
Before paying the fee, carefully check your qualification, reservation category and age so that your application is not rejected later.
Essential Links — KEA VAO 2026
- Download Residual Cadre Notification PDF
- Download Kalyana-Karnataka Notification PDF
- Apply Online for KEA VAO 2026
- Visit KEA 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. With 572 posts on offer, prepare well for the 4 October exam and apply before 30 July 2026. For more Karnataka government job notifications and results, keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in and give your best to secure this wonderful opportunity.