The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially announced the syllabus for the Surveyor (Bhoomapaka) post in 2026, covering essential details related to exam structure, subject-wise topics, and the selection process. A total of 750 vacancies have been opened for this Group-C position, as per the notification released on 11 July 2026. To excel in this competitive exam, candidates must have a thorough understanding of the KEA Land Surveyor Syllabus 2026 alongside the exam pattern, as the written assessment plays a crucial role in determining the final merit list.
Overview of KEA Land Surveyor Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
| Recruiting Department | Department of Survey Settlement and Land Records, Government of Karnataka |
| Post Name | Surveyor (Bhoomapaka), Group-C |
| Total Vacancies | 750 (560 Regular/RPC cadre + 190 Kalyana-Karnataka cadre) |
| Exam Stages | Paper-I (General Knowledge) + Paper-II (Specific Paper), including a Kannada Language Test if needed |
| Total Questions | 200 (100 in Paper-I + 100 in Paper-II) |
| Total Marks | 200 (100 + 100); the Kannada Language Test is a separate qualifying assessment worth 150 marks |
| Duration | 2 hours for each paper |
| Negative Marking | A deduction of 0.25 marks will occur for each wrong answer |
| Exam Mode | Offline, OMR-based |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
KEA Land Surveyor Selection Process 2026
The recruitment process for the KEA Land Surveyor position consists of multiple stages. Each candidate must clear one stage to proceed to the next.
- Competitive Written Examination: This offline, OMR-based test comprises Paper-I (General Knowledge) and Paper-II (Specific Paper). The final merit list will be based on the scores from this examination.
- Kannada Language Test: This is a qualifying examination worth 150 marks. Aspirants who have not studied Kannada as either a first or second language up to the SSLC level or an equivalent Kannada course must take this test, which requires a minimum score of 50 marks for passing. Note that the results of this test do not contribute to the overall merit ranking.
- Document Verification: Conducted for shortlisted candidates according to their merit rank and relevant category reservations.
- Probation and Departmental Training: The selected candidates will undergo a 2-year probationary period. For those in the Kalyana-Karnataka cadre, a 6-month Basic Survey Training ("Kadaya Tharabeti") is mandatory, during which they must achieve at least 35% in theory and 40% in practical assessments.
KEA Land Surveyor Exam Pattern 2026
The written examination consists of two distinct papers, both of which are objective-type and will be administered offline on different days.
Paper-I Exam Pattern (General Knowledge)
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I (General Knowledge) | 100 | 100 | 2 hours |
Paper-II Exam Pattern (Specific Paper)
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-II (Specific Paper) | 100 | 100 | 2 hours |
Marking Scheme and Qualifying Criteria
Each question carries a single mark, and four answer options are provided. A penalty of 0.25 marks applies for each incorrect response. The minimum qualifying score is set at 35% for general candidates, with specific cutoffs determined for reserved categories according to Karnataka Government regulations, though exact percentages have not been specified in the official announcement.
KEA Land Surveyor Syllabus 2026
The syllabus is divided into two primary papers: Paper-I emphasizes general knowledge, while Paper-II addresses subject-specific topics pertinent to the Surveyor role. Below is a detailed breakdown of the syllabus as outlined in the KEA notification.
1. Paper-I: General Knowledge Syllabus
- Current affairs (national and international)
- Daily science
- Fundamentals of the Indian Constitution
- History of Karnataka and India
- Geography of India, with emphasis on Karnataka
- State and local issues
- Panchayat Raj and rural development initiatives
- Karnataka's economic challenges
2. Paper-II: Specific Paper Syllabus
The content for Paper-II is defined by the Recruitment Committee in consultation with the appointing authority, with the following subject-wise weightage:
| Subject | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | 40% |
| Modern Methods of Surveying | 20% |
| Computer Applications | 20% |
| Physics | 10% |
| Geography | 10% |
(A) Mathematics (40%)
- Arithmetic: number systems, roots, set theory, sequences, matrices, permutations, combinations, statistics, HCF, and LCM
- Algebra: basic concepts, linear and quadratic equations, factors, coordinate geometry
- Geometry: axioms, postulates, theorems, polygons, triangles, congruence, quadrilaterals, areas, volumes, similarity theorems
(B) Modern Methods of Surveying (20%)
- Photogrammetry and aerial surveys
- Satellite imagery
- Drone (UAV) imagery
- Remote sensing technologies
- GPS, GIS, DGPS, GNSS, and RTK surveying along with the Karnataka State CORS Network
(C) Computer Applications (20%)
- MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- AutoCAD, including DXF operations for cadastral data
- GIS software and applications
- Introduction to software solutions and land records IT (SDLC, web/mobile app development, APIs)
(D) Physics (10%)
- Magnetism
- Electricity
- Electromagnetic radiation
- Electronics
- Dynamics
- Heat, light, and sound
- Gravitation
(E) Geography (10%)
- The Earth
- The lithosphere
- Map reading and interpretation
- Physical features of India
3. Kannada Language Test Syllabus (Qualifying)
This test is designed at the SSLC level. It is mandatory only for candidates who have not studied Kannada as either their first or second language until the SSLC level or in an equivalent higher-level Kannada examination. The Kannada Language Test is worth 150 marks, requiring candidates to score a minimum of 50 marks to qualify, although these marks do not contribute to the final merit ranking.
Preparation Tips for the KEA Land Surveyor Exam 2026
- Focus on Mathematics: With a significant weightage of 40% in Paper-II, a strong foundation in arithmetic, algebra, and geometry is essential before moving on to other topics.
- Combine Modern Surveying and Computer Applications: Together, these sections account for 40% of Paper-II. Understanding GPS/GIS/remote sensing concepts alongside practical applications like AutoCAD and MS Office is beneficial.
- Stay Updated on Current Affairs: Develop a habit of following daily news relevant to Karnataka, including Panchayat Raj schemes and economic issues, as they form the basis of Paper-I.
- Practice Time Management: Conduct timed mock tests under exam conditions with a strict 2-hour limit for both papers to develop accuracy and speed.
- Revise Weak Areas: For the broader subjects like Physics and Geography, create concise revision notes for quick recalls before the exam.
- Review Previous Papers: Engage in practice with past KEA/KPSC format papers to familiarize yourself with the OMR format and negative marking.
Important Links
KEA Land Surveyor Syllabus 2026 - FAQs
What is the KEA Land Surveyor Syllabus 2026?
The syllabus encompasses two papers: Paper-I focuses on General Knowledge (covering current affairs, daily science, basics of the Constitution, history and geography of Karnataka and India, Panchayat Raj, and economic issues), while Paper-II covers Mathematics, Modern Methods of Surveying, Computer Applications, Physics, and Geography.
What is the exam pattern for KEA Land Surveyor 2026?
The examination consists of two objective-type papers, each featuring 100 questions and carrying 100 marks, with a 2-hour duration for each paper. Paper-I (General Knowledge) is scheduled for 04 October 2026, followed by Paper-II (Specific Paper) on 03 October 2026.
How many questions are asked in the KEA Land Surveyor exam?
In total, there are 200 questions across both papers, with 100 questions in Paper-I and another 100 in Paper-II.
Is there negative marking in the KEA Land Surveyor exam?
Yes, there is negative marking. Each question has four answer choices, and 0.25 marks will be deducted for each incorrect answer in both papers.
What is the minimum qualifying mark for the KEA Land Surveyor exam?
For candidates in the general category, the minimum qualifying score is established at 35%. Different cutoffs will apply to reserved categories, though specific percentages for each category are not defined in the official notification.