KEA Recruitment 2026: 233 Nursing, Pharmacy Posts

KEA Recruitment 2026 has opened applications for 233 Group-C vacancies for Nursing Officer and Pharmacy Officer posts in Karnataka. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru issued two notifications dated 06 August 2026, covering posts under the ESI Scheme Medical Services Department and the Kalyana-Karnataka region. Eligible candidates can submit their applications online from 07 August 2026 to 30 August 2026.

KEA Recruitment 2026 Overview

The recruitment covers 188 posts under the RPC notification and another 45 posts under the Kalyana-Karnataka notification. Candidates must qualify through the competitive examination conducted by KEA for the applicable posts.

KEA Nursing Officer and Pharmacy Officer Vacancy 2026

KEA has divided the vacancies between the RPC notification and the Kalyana-Karnataka notification. The RPC notification covers 98 Pharmacy Officer and 90 Nursing Officer posts, while the Kalyana-Karnataka notification contains 45 posts across the listed departments.

RPC Notification Vacancy Details

Kalyana-Karnataka Vacancy Details

The Kalyana-Karnataka vacancies specifically include posts reserved for the region under Article 371(J).

KEA Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The qualification requirements differ between Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer posts. Pharmacy Officer applicants need a recognised Pharmacy diploma and Karnataka Pharmacy Council registration, while Nursing Officer applicants need the nursing qualification and registration prescribed for their respective notification.

For the KREIS Nursing Officer post, candidates must also satisfy the specified Kannada-language requirement. They must have studied Kannada at one of the listed education levels or possess the specified Kannada certificate.

KEA Nursing Officer and Pharmacy Officer Age Limit

KEA calculates age as of the last date fixed for online application submission. The source specifies a minimum age of 18 years and different maximum ages according to category.

The notification also provides additional age relaxation for certain government and local-authority employees and specific categories such as ex-servicemen, NCC full-time instructors, Grameena Kutumba Palakas and widows.

KEA Recruitment 2026 Salary

The source lists separate pay scales for the two principal posts. Pharmacy Officer carries a pay scale of ₹44,425–83,700, while Nursing Officer (Shushrushadhikari) carries ₹54,175–99,400.

Selected candidates will remain on probation for two years from the date of joining and will receive the National Pension Scheme (NPS) benefit.

KEA Recruitment 2026 Important Dates

Applicants should keep the application deadline and fee-payment deadline separate because KEA gives different closing dates for these two stages. The written examination date will be announced later through the official website.

KEA Recruitment 2026 Application Fee

Candidates must pay the applicable fee online, and KEA does not refund the amount after payment. The fee varies according to category.

The ₹750 fee includes a ₹500 application fee and ₹250 processing fee. The ₹500 fee includes ₹250 application fee and ₹250 processing fee, while eligible Persons with Disability candidates pay the ₹250 processing fee only.

KEA Nursing Officer and Pharmacy Officer Selection Process

KEA will select candidates through a competitive written examination conducted either online through CBT or offline through OMR, as decided by the authority. The examination contains two papers, with one paper testing General Knowledge and the other testing the subject related to the post.

Each question provides four answer choices, and candidates must select one answer. KEA deducts 0.25 marks for every wrong answer, while candidates must secure at least 35% marks in the competitive examination to qualify.

A separate Kannada language test applies to candidates who have not studied Kannada as a first or second language up to SSLC or a higher level and who have not already cleared the specified Kadaya Kannada test. The test carries 150 objective-type marks, and candidates must score at least 50 marks to pass.

Preparation Tips for KEA Nursing Officer and Pharmacy Officer Exam

Candidates should divide preparation according to the two-paper structure rather than treating the examination as a single general test. Paper 1 requires General Knowledge, while Paper 2 directly tests the subject associated with the post.

Nursing Officer applicants should give particular attention to their nursing syllabus because Paper 2 is post-specific. Candidates applying for Pharmacy Officer should similarly concentrate their preparation on pharmacy-related subjects instead of relying only on General Knowledge practice.

The negative-marking rule makes accuracy important. Since KEA deducts 0.25 marks for every incorrect response, candidates should practise timed objective questions and avoid making guesses when they cannot confidently eliminate the wrong options.

Candidates who fall under the specified Kannada-test requirement should prepare separately for the SSLC-standard Kannada language paper. They need at least 50 marks in that test to qualify.

Documents Required for KEA Recruitment 2026

Candidates should keep the documents relevant to their qualification and category ready before starting the online application. KEA specifically requires prescribed educational, identity, category and other supporting documents where applicable.

• Aadhaar card
• Educational qualification marks cards and certificates
• SSLC marks card as date-of-birth proof
• Recent passport-size photograph in JPEG format
• Signature in JPEG format
• Applicable caste/category certificate with RD number
• Ex-servicemen discharge certificate or pension/gratuity proof, where applicable
• PwD/UDID certificate, where applicable
• Rural candidature, Kannada-medium study or third-gender certificate, where applicable
• Income certificate where required for the specified reservation claim

Candidates should also check the prescribed file sizes before uploading the photograph and signature. The source specifies 50KB–200KB for the photograph and 50KB–70KB for the signature.

How to Apply for KEA Recruitment 2026

KEA accepts applications online only. Candidates cannot change the application mode later, and the source states that applicants cannot make corrections or modifications after submitting the form.

1. Visit the official KEA website.
2. Open the recruitment application link.
3. Register and enter the required personal and eligibility details.
4. Upload the photograph and signature in the prescribed format and size.
5. Review the information carefully before submission.
6. Pay the applicable fee online by the specified deadline.
7. Submit the application.
8. Download the completed application and fee-payment receipt for future reference.

Candidates should enter an active mobile number and email address because KEA uses the contact details provided in the application for communication. The source states that candidates cannot change these details later.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in KEA Recruitment 2026

1. Choosing the wrong Nursing Officer qualification route: Check whether the application falls under the RPC/ESI requirement or the KREIS requirement before applying.
2. Ignoring Karnataka council registration: Pharmacy Officer candidates need Karnataka Pharmacy Council registration, while the specified Nursing Officer posts require Karnataka Nursing Council registration.
3. Uploading incorrectly sized files: Follow the specified JPEG size limits for photographs and signatures.
4. Waiting beyond the application deadline to pay the fee: KEA closes fee payment on 31.08.2026, one day after the application deadline.
5. Assuming the form can be edited later: KEA states that candidates cannot make corrections or modifications after submitting the application.
6. Missing the Kannada-test requirement: Candidates covered by the Kannada-test rule must meet its qualifying requirement.

KEA Recruitment 2026 Important Links

The source lists the KEA application portal, notification page and official website as the main recruitment links.

KEA Recruitment 2026 FAQs

What is KEA Recruitment 2026?

KEA Recruitment 2026 is a Group-C recruitment drive for Nursing Officer and Pharmacy Officer posts across the specified Karnataka departments and Kalyana-Karnataka vacancies.

How many vacancies are available in KEA Recruitment 2026?

KEA has notified 233 vacancies, including 188 posts under the RPC notification and 45 posts under the Kalyana-Karnataka notification.

What is the last date to apply for KEA Recruitment 2026?

Candidates can submit the online application until 30 August 2026. They can pay the applicable fee until 31 August 2026.

What qualification is required for the Pharmacy Officer post?

Candidates need a Diploma in Pharmacy from an institution recognised by the Government of Karnataka and registration with the Karnataka Pharmacy Council.

What qualification is required for the Nursing Officer post?

The qualification depends on the notification. The RPC/ESI Nursing Officer posts require a Diploma in General Nursing and Karnataka Nursing Council registration, while the KREIS post accepts the specified B.Sc Nursing or PUC/equivalent with GNM route.

What is the age limit for KEA Nursing Officer and Pharmacy Officer posts?

The minimum age is 18 years. The maximum age is 40 years for general and other eligible candidates, 43 years for Category 2A/2B/3A/3B candidates and 45 years for SC/ST/Category-1 candidates.

What is the KEA Recruitment 2026 application fee?

The fee is ₹750 for General Merit and specified other categories, ₹500 for SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-servicemen/Third Gender candidates, and ₹250 for eligible Persons with Disability candidates.

Is there negative marking in the KEA written examination?

Yes. KEA deducts 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer. Candidates also need at least 35% marks in the competitive examination to qualify.

Conclusion

KEA Recruitment 2026 offers 233 Group-C opportunities for Nursing Officer and Pharmacy Officer candidates across the specified Karnataka departments. Applicants should verify their exact qualification, council registration, category and Kannada-language requirements before submitting the online form. The application window closes on 30 August 2026, while fee payment remains open until 31 August 2026.