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Karnataka VAO Recruitment 2026 Notification Released for 572 Vacancies

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially announced the recruitment for the position of Village Accountant, also known as Village Administrative Officer (VAO), with a total of 572 available posts. This recruitment initiative, known in official documentation as VA Recruitment 2026 and Grama Aadalitha Adhikari Recruitment 2026, invites applications exclusively online from July 11, 2026, to August 20, 2026, via the KEA website at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.

On July 10, 2026, KEA released two distinct notifications inviting candidates to apply for the Village Accountant position, designated in the official notification as "Grama Aadalitha Adhikari". The recruitment will fill 572 positions under the Revenue Department, divided into 505 vacancies under the General/RPC cadre across 21 districts, and 67 vacancies for the Kalyana-Karnataka region, as stipulated under Article 371(J). Interested applicants must have completed a Pre-University Course (PUC) or an equivalent qualification to be eligible.

KEA VAO Notification PDF Links

It is crucial for candidates to thoroughly review the complete official notification prior to application submission, which contains important information regarding eligibility criteria, reservation policies, and examination regulations. The two notifications issued for this recruitment cycle include: one pertaining to the General/RPC cadre (Notification No. ED/KEA/26/NEV/2026(RPC)) and another covering the Kalyana-Karnataka cadre (Notification No. ED/KEA/27/NEV/2026(KK)), both released on July 10, 2026.

• Download KEA General / RPC Cadre Notification PDF
• Download KEA Kalyana-Karnataka Cadre Notification PDF
• Extended PDF Notification

Overview of KEA VAO Recruitment 2026

The Karnataka Examinations Authority has made available two notifications dated July 10, 2026, regarding the recruitment of 572 Village Accountant posts under the Revenue Department. The distribution of vacancies includes 505 posts designated for the General/RPC cadre across 21 districts and 67 posts specifically for the Kalyana-Karnataka region under Article 371(J). The application period runs from July 11, 2026, to August 20, 2026.

Important Dates for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026

All applicants must complete the entire application process, including the payment of fees, within the specified timeframe. No modifications will be permitted after submission, so candidates should be mindful of the following important dates:

KEA VAO Vacancy Distribution 2026

The 572 vacancies are allocated across two different cadres according to region. Candidates are permitted to apply for only one district within their respective cadre; applications for multiple districts are not accepted.

General / RPC Cadre - District-wise Vacancies (505 Posts)

Kalyana-Karnataka Cadre - District-wise Vacancies (67 Posts)

Note: It's important to understand that the figures related to vacancies and categories may be adjusted by the relevant district or revenue authorities periodically. Therefore, candidates are encouraged to consult the corrigendum of the respective district authority before finalizing their district preference.

Eligibility Criteria for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026

Applicants must meet both nationality and educational qualification requirements as detailed in the notification.

• Must be a citizen of India.
• Individuals with multiple spouses cannot be appointed unless they have prior Government approval.
• Applicants must be fit both mentally and physically to fulfill their job responsibilities.

Educational Qualification

Candidates interested in the Village Accountant role should have completed PUC (equivalent to Class 12) or possess a qualification acknowledged as equivalent by the Government of Karnataka. Accepted equivalents include:

• Class 12 from CBSE or ICSE.
• Class 12 from other State Government pre-university boards.
• Advanced vocational courses/NSDC-affiliated programs conducted through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).
• A two-year ITI course, conditional upon passing one language subject and one general topic at a pre-degree level examination.
• A three-year diploma from a technical education department institution before 2015, with a requirement to pass Kannada at SSLC level.

Candidates with higher qualifications than PUC can also apply, provided they satisfy other eligibility conditions.

Age Limit for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026

The minimum age requirement is 18 years as of the application closing date, in accordance with the Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977. The maximum age for direct recruitment, along with applicable relaxations granted as per the Government Order dated January 29, 2026, is as follows:

Age Relaxation

Further age relaxations beyond the stated limits are available for certain categories as outlined in the notification, such as:

• Current employees of Karnataka Government, local bodies, State/Central statutory bodies, or PSU services—relaxation equal to years of service or a maximum of 10 years.
• Ex-servicemen—relaxation based on length of service plus an additional three years.
• NCC full-time supervisors—relaxation equal to years of service.
• Persons employed under the rural self-employment scheme—relaxation equal to years of service.
• Special Chetana candidates (persons with disabilities)—10 years additional relaxation.
• Government of India census organization employees in Karnataka—relaxation equal to years of service or five years, whichever is lesser.
• Widows and legally divorced women who are not remarried—10 years of relaxation with necessary proof.
• Retrenched employees who have returned retrenchment compensation per the Karnataka Retrenched Employees Act/1957—10 years of relaxation with proof.
• Transgender/third-gender candidates—1% horizontal reservation with corresponding age relaxation in line with the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

Individuals seeking any of the above relaxations must present the original supporting certificate during document verification.

Salary Structure for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026

Appointed candidates for the Village Accountant position will receive the following state government pay scale along with benefits from the National Pension Scheme (NPS). All successful candidates will undergo a probationary period of two years from their regular appointment date.

Pay Scale: ₹34,100 - 800 - 35,700 - 900 - 39,300 - 1,000 - 43,300 - 1,125 - 47,800 - 1,250 - 52,800 - 1,375 - 58,300 - 1,500 - 64,300 - 1,650 - 67,600

Application Fee for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026

Fees must be paid exclusively online when submitting forms. Once paid, the fees are non-refundable.

Selection Procedure for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026

Selections for the Village Accountant role will be determined solely by a competitive written exam; no separate interview phase is mentioned. The selection process is organized as follows:

• Candidates will participate in a competitive written examination conducted offline using OMR sheets.
• A minimum qualifying score of 35% is required in the competitive exam; those scoring below this threshold will be disqualified.
• Candidates requesting exemption from the Kannada language exam must have previously studied Kannada at SSLC level or achieve at least 50 marks in a qualifying Kannada language test (150 marks total); this test will not be included in merit calculation.
• District-specific merit lists will be created and submitted by KEA to the respective District Magistrates for appointment purposes.

Exam Pattern for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026

The written examination comprises two papers, each worth 100 marks and lasting two hours. There will be a penalty of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer.

Each question contains four answer choices, with only one correct option. A minimum qualifying score of 35% is required in the competitive examination.

Steps to Apply for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026

Applicants must complete their applications online through the KEA CET portal. Use the following steps to apply:

1. Visit the official KEA website: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.
2. Click on the application link for VAO Recruitment 2026 corresponding to your cadre (General/RPC or Kalyana-Karnataka).
3. Register by entering your basic details to generate your login credentials.
4. Fill out the online application form with personal information, educational details, and select a single district preference.
5. Upload a recent passport-size photograph (JPEG format, 50KB-200KB) and your signature (JPEG format, 50KB-70KB) in the specified format.
6. Double-check all entered information carefully; no corrections will be allowed after submission.
7. Pay the required application fee online and complete the submission.
8. Download a printout of the submitted application along with the fee payment receipt for future reference.

Important Instructions for KEA VAO Applicants

• Applications will only be accepted online; no offline or postal applications will be considered.
• Each candidate may apply for only one district; applications for multiple districts will not be accepted.
• Original documents must be available at the time of document verification as proof of eligibility, age, and category claims. Failure to present valid original documents will result in the cancellation of candidature.
• Candidates are responsible for understanding all eligibility criteria before applying; any incomplete or erroneous information may lead to rejection at any stage.
• Impersonation, submission of counterfeit documents, or use of dishonest means during the examination or selection process will result in disqualification and potential legal action.
• An Aadhaar Card is mandatory for the submission of applications.

Important Links for KEA Village Administrative Officer Recruitment

• Extended PDF: Click Here
• Apply Online: Click Here
• Official KEA General / RPC Cadre Notification PDF
• Official KEA Kalyana-Karnataka Cadre Notification PDF
• Official Website: Click Here

KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the last date to apply for VAO Recruitment 2026 Karnataka?

The cutoff date for online applications is August 20, 2026, with the fee payment deadline extending to August 21, 2026.

How many total vacancies are there in KEA VAO Recruitment 2026?

A total of 572 vacancies are available, consisting of 505 positions under the General/RPC cadre and 67 positions under the Kalyana-Karnataka cadre.

What is the educational qualification required for KEA VAO 2026?

Applicants must have passed PUC or possess an equivalent qualification recognized by the Government of Karnataka.

What is the age limit for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026?

The upper age limit is set at 40 years for the General category, 43 years for Categories 2A/2B/3A/3B, and 45 years for SC/ST/Category-1, along with applicable relaxations. The minimum age is 18 years.

Can a candidate apply for more than one district?

No, candidates are restricted to applying for only one district within their respective cadre. Submissions for multiple districts will not be accepted.

What is the application fee for KEA VAO Recruitment 2026?

The application fees are ₹750 for General/2A/2B/3A/3B candidates, ₹500 for SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-Servicemen/Third Gender candidates, and ₹250 for Special Chetana (PwBD) candidates.

When is the KEA VAO written exam scheduled?

The examination for General/RPC cadre districts is scheduled for October 4, 2026, while Kalyana-Karnataka cadre districts will have their exam on October 25, 2026, with two papers each day.

Is there an interview after the written exam?

According to the notification, the selection will be solely based on the competitive written examination and district-specific merit list; no separate interview round is indicated.

Is a Kannada language paper compulsory?

Candidates who have not studied Kannada as a first or second language up to SSLC must pass a required qualifying Kannada language test with a minimum of 50 marks out of 150; those exempted based on previous Kannada study do not need to take this test.

What is the pay scale for the Village Accountant post?

The selected individuals will receive a salary structure of ₹34,100 - ₹67,600 and will also enjoy benefits from the National Pension Scheme, serving a 2-year probation period.

In conclusion, the KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 offers a significant opportunity for eligible candidates seeking a government position in Karnataka. It is vital for all applicants to stay informed about the application process, eligibility criteria, and important dates to ensure successful participation in this recruitment cycle.