KEA AO AAO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out - Apply Online for 945 Agriculture Officer, Assistant Agriculture Officer Posts

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released a major recruitment notification for Agriculture Officer and Assistant Agriculture Officer positions in the state agriculture department. This recruitment drive offers 945 vacancies across two distinct cadres - the Inland (KK) Cadre and Rural Pay Commission (RPC) Cadre, providing significant opportunities for agriculture graduates seeking government employment in Karnataka.

The online application process commenced on 30 May 2026 and will remain open until 20 June 2026. Candidates with B.Sc Agriculture, B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture, or specified B.Tech degrees in agriculture-related fields are eligible to apply for these positions which offer attractive salary packages under the Revised State Pay Scale 2024.

Quick Facts

Organisation	Karnataka Government, Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru
Post Name	1. Agriculture Officer (Krushi Adhikari) | 2. Assistant Agriculture Officer (Sahayaka Krushi Adhikari)
Advertisement / Notification No.	ಇಡಿ/ಕೆಇಎ09/ನೇ.ವಿ./2026(ಕಕೆ) [Inland/KK Cadre] & ಇಡಿ/ಕೆಇಎ08/ನೇ.ವಿ./2026(ಆರ್‌ಪಿಸಿ) [RPC Cadre] dated 30/05/2026
Total Vacancies	257
Application Mode	online
Application Start Date	2026-05-30
Application Last Date	2026-06-20
Age Limit	18–40 years for General candidates, 43 years for OBC candidates, and 45 years for SC/ST/Category-1 candidates.
Educational Qualification	B.Sc. (Agriculture), B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture, B.Tech (Food Technology/Food Science/Agricultural Engineering/Biotechnology) and other specified agriculture-related degrees.
Application Fee	₹750 for General/OBC candidates, ₹500 for SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-Servicemen, and ₹250 for PwD candidates.
Salary / Pay Scale	Agriculture Officer: Rs. 69,250 – 1,34,200 (Revised State Pay Scale 2024) | Assistant Agriculture Officer: Rs. 65,950 – 1,24,900
Selection Process	General Merit (UR) Candidates | General Merit (UR) and Other Categories (Cat-2A / 2B / 3A / 3B)
Job Location	Karnataka
Official Notification	Download Notification
Apply Online	Apply Here
Official Website	Visit Website

About the recruitment

This recruitment drive by the Karnataka Examinations Authority aims to fill 945 positions in the state's agriculture department through a transparent competitive process. The recruitment is conducted under two separate notifications - one for the Inland/KK Cadre (Notification No. ಇಡಿ/ಕೆಇಎ09/ನೇ.ವಿ./2026(ಕಕೆ)) and another for the RPC Cadre (Notification No. ಇಡಿ/ಕೆಇಎ08/ನೇ.ವಿ./2026(ಆರ್‌ಪಿಸಿ)), both dated 30 May 2026.

The positions are divided between Agriculture Officer (Krushi Adhikari) and Assistant Agriculture Officer (Sahayaka Krushi Adhikari) roles, with different pay scales and eligibility requirements. Successful candidates will undergo a two-year probation period as per Karnataka government rules for direct recruitment appointments.

Important Dates

Candidates must carefully note the following important dates for the KEA AO AAO recruitment process. The online application window opened on 30 May 2026 and will close on 20 June 2026, giving applicants approximately three weeks to complete their applications.

The fee payment deadline is 22 June 2026, two days after the application closure date. The written examination for KK Cadre posts is scheduled for 25 July 2026, while RPC Cadre posts will be examined on 26 July 2026. Both examinations will consist of two papers - Paper 1 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM and Paper 2 from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM on their respective dates.

Vacancy Details

The recruitment offers a total of 945 vacancies plus 18 additional positions reserved for Persons with Disability (PwD), making it one of the largest agriculture department recruitments in recent times. The vacancies are distributed across two cadres with different pay structures and responsibilities.

For the Inland/KK Cadre, there are 257 regular vacancies plus 16 PwD positions. This includes 29+8 PwD Agriculture Officer posts, 5 additional Agriculture Officer positions, 189+8 PwD Assistant Agriculture Officer posts, and 34 additional Assistant Agriculture Officer positions.

The RPC Cadre offers 670 regular vacancies plus 2 PwD positions, comprising 71+2 PwD Agriculture Officer posts, 13 additional Agriculture Officer positions, 498 Assistant Agriculture Officer posts, and 88 additional Assistant Agriculture Officer positions. The PwD reservations are horizontal reservations within the overall vacancy count.

Eligibility

Educational qualification requirements vary based on the specific post and pay level being applied for. For Agriculture Officer positions at Pay Level Rs. 85, candidates must possess a B.Sc (Agriculture) or B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture degree from a recognized university.

For Agriculture Officer positions at Pay Level Rs. 15 and all Assistant Agriculture Officer positions, eligible qualifications include B.Tech (Food Science and Technology), B.Tech (Food Technology), B.Sc (Agri. Marketing and Cooperation), B.Sc (Hons) Agri. Marketing and Cooperation, B.Sc (Hons) Agri Business Management, B.Sc (Agri. Biotech), B.Tech (Biotech), B.Sc (Agricultural Engineering), or B.Tech (Agricultural Engineering).

All degrees must be from universities or institutes recognized by ICAR (Indian Council of Agriculture Research) or AICTE. Degrees from institutions offering distance education programs, even if accredited by UGC or AICTE, will not be considered valid for this recruitment. Only Indian citizens are eligible to apply, and all eligibility conditions must be fulfilled as of the last date for application submission.

Age Limit

The age criteria for this recruitment follow the Karnataka State Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules 1977 with additional relaxations provided through Government Order No. DPAR (Services-2) 262 Sehime 2025 dated 29 January 2026. The minimum age requirement is 18 years as of the last date for application submission.

After availing the one-time relaxation of 5 years in the upper age limit, the maximum age limits are 40 years for General Merit (UR) candidates, 43 years for Category 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B (OBC) candidates, and 45 years for SC (Cat-A, Cat-B, Cat-C), ST, and Category-1 candidates.

Additional age relaxations are available for specific categories including candidates who have served in Karnataka State Government/State Authority (number of years served or 10 years, whichever is lower), ex-servicemen (3 years plus military service period), full-time Cadet Supervisors in NCC (years of service), and Village Group Supervisors under state government rural employment schemes.

Selection Process

The selection process consists of a comprehensive two-stage evaluation to identify the most suitable candidates for the agriculture department positions. The first stage involves a Competitive Written Examination conducted in offline OMR format, followed by a Kannada Language Test for qualified candidates.

For both Agriculture Officer and Assistant Agriculture Officer positions at Pay Level Rs. 85, the written examination comprises two papers. Paper 1 is a General Paper covering Current Affairs, General Science, Karnataka History & Geography, Indian History & Geography, Social Science, General Mental Ability, Indian Constitution, Public Administration & Rural Development, Science & Technology, International Relations and Economy, Environmental Science, Logical Reasoning, Day-to-day Consumer topics, and Practical Knowledge from previously passed examinations, carrying 300 marks with a 2-hour duration.

Paper 2 is a Specific Paper with syllabus to be announced separately, also carrying 300 marks with a 2-hour duration. For Pay Level Rs. 15 posts, the examination pattern is similar but may have variations in the specific paper content. Final selection is subject to document verification and eligibility confirmation of the shortlisted candidates.

How to Apply

The application process is exclusively online through the Karnataka Examinations Authority portal, and no other modes of application will be accepted. Candidates must carefully follow the step-by-step process to ensure their application is complete and accurate.

First, visit the official KEA recruitment portal at https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kearecruitment2026app/login and register as a new user by providing basic details. After registration, log in to the application system using the credentials received.

Fill in all required personal, educational, and category details accurately as per supporting documents. Upload scanned copies of all required documents in the specified formats and sizes. Review the application thoroughly before finalizing to ensure all information is correct.

Proceed to pay the application fee through the available online payment options. After successful payment, download and print the application form and payment receipt for future reference. Keep track of application status through the portal and check for any updates or corrections required.

Documents Required

Candidates must prepare scanned copies of several essential documents before starting the online application process. These documents are crucial for verification and eligibility assessment at various stages of the recruitment process.

The mandatory documents include Aadhaar Card for identity verification, consolidated marksheet or all subject-wise semester marksheets and photo-certificate (PDF format) of the highest qualifying degree obtained, and SSLC or equivalent certificate or school leaving certificate or birth certificate showing date of birth.

Category-specific documents include SC/ST/Cat-1/Cat-2A/Cat-2B/Cat-3A/Cat-3B caste reservation certificate in prescribed current format, rural reservation certificate (Format-1 for General candidates and Format-2 for reserved category candidates), Kannada Medium study certificate if applicable, third gender certificate issued by District Magistrate if applicable, Kalyana Karnataka region (Article 371(J)) reservation-related certificate if applicable, and for ex-servicemen, discharge certificate and pension/gratuity certificate or certificate of being killed in action or permanently disabled while in service.

All documents must be clear, legible, and in the specified file formats as mentioned in the official notification. Candidates should ensure that all uploaded documents are authentic and match the information provided in the application form.

Why this matters

This recruitment drive represents a significant opportunity for agriculture graduates to secure stable government employment with attractive compensation packages and job security. The positions offer the Revised State Pay Scale 2024, with Agriculture Officers receiving ₹69,250 – ₹1,34,200 and Assistant Agriculture Officers receiving ₹65,950 – ₹1,24,900, making these among the better-paying entry-level government positions in the agricultural sector.

The large number of vacancies across multiple categories ensures fair representation and opportunities for candidates from diverse backgrounds. The transparent selection process through competitive examination ensures merit-based selection while the inclusion of rural and special category reservations addresses social equity concerns. This recruitment also supports the Karnataka government's initiatives to strengthen agricultural extension services and modernize farming practices across the state.

Summary

The KEA AO AAO Recruitment 2026 presents an excellent opportunity for agriculture graduates to build a rewarding career in government service. With 945 vacancies offering competitive salaries and job security, eligible candidates should carefully review the official notification and submit their applications before the 20 June 2026 deadline. The transparent selection process ensures equal opportunity for all qualified applicants. For detailed information and to apply, visit the official KEA portal at https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kearecruitment2026app/login

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