KEA Agriculture Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 945 AO & AAO Vacancies

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially announced a massive recruitment drive for agriculture professionals in the state. Aspiring candidates looking to build a stable and highly respected career with the Government of Karnataka can now apply for the positions of Agriculture Officer (AO) and Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO). This recruitment drive offers an exceptional opportunity for agriculture graduates to play an active role in strengthening the state's farming infrastructure and public services.

With a total of 945 vacancies across different regions, including the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) and the Kalyana Karnataka (KK) region, this is one of the most anticipated agricultural job notifications in recent times. The online application process is scheduled to commence on 22nd May 2026, with the final submission deadline set for 20th June 2026.

Eligible candidates are encouraged to review the recruitment criteria carefully and submit their online applications through the official KEA portal before the closing date.

About the Recruiter

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) is the premier government body responsible for conducting joint entrance tests and direct recruitment examinations for various public departments in Karnataka. Known for its rigorous and merit-based selection processes, KEA ensures transparency and equal opportunity for all aspirants. For this specific drive, KEA is conducting the competitive examinations on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka, to recruit qualified personnel for Group-B administrative and field-level cadres.

Posts and Breakdown: Qualification, Age, & Salary Overview

The vacancy distribution, educational requirements, age limits, and pay scales for the recruitment drive are structured as follows:

1. Vacancy Distribution

• Agriculture Officer (AO): Structured under Sre-85 (85% quota) and Sre-15 (15% quota) across RPC and Kalyana Karnataka regions.

• Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO): Divided similarly to cater to general candidates and those with specialized agricultural allied degrees.

2. Educational Qualifications

The educational requirements are split to accommodate both pure agriculture graduates and allied science graduates:

• For Sre-85 Posts (85% Seats): Candidates must possess a B.Sc. (Agriculture) or B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture degree from an ICAR/AICTE recognized university or institution.

• For Sre-15 Posts (15% Seats): Candidates must hold a graduation degree in allied fields such as:

  • B.Tech. (Food Science & Technology / Food Technology / Agricultural Engineering)

  • B.Sc. (Sericulture / Cooperation, Agricultural Marketing & Cooperation)

  • B.Sc. (Hons) Agri-Business Management

  • B.Sc. (Agricultural Biotechnology) or equivalent qualifications approved by the government.

3. Age Limit (as of the last date of application)

• Minimum Age: 18 Years

• Maximum Age Limits:

  • General Merit (Unreserved): Up to 40 Years

  • OBC Categories (Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B): Up to 43 Years

  • SC / ST / Category-1: Up to 45 Years

4. Salary Structure (State Pay Commission)

These positions are offered under highly lucrative state government pay scales with standard allowances:

• Agriculture Officer (AO): ₹69,250 – ₹1,34,200 per month

• Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO): ₹65,950 – ₹1,24,900 per month

Detailed Overview of the Job Profile

Candidates selected under this drive will find themselves at the forefront of Karnataka's rural and agricultural development. The day-to-day responsibilities of the officers include:

• Field Inspections & Advisory: Providing critical technical support to local farmers regarding modern crop management, soil health, pest control, and sustainable cultivation techniques.

• Government Scheme Implementation: Executing state and central government initiatives (such as crop insurance, organic farming promotion, and micro-irrigation subsidies) directly at the grassroots level.

• Administrative Management: Maintaining rigorous statistical data on local crop yields, seasonal rain patterns, seed distribution, and fertilizer supplies.

• Reporting & Leadership: Assisting senior block-level and district-level agricultural officers in strategic planning and addressing rural farmer grievances.

Important Dates

Candidates must strictly keep track of the following timeline to avoid missing out on key events:

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted exclusively via the online portal. Follow these steps to register and complete your application:

1. Visit the Portal: Open your browser and go to the official KEA website: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.

2. Access Recruitment Link: Locate and click on the link titled "AO & AAO Recruitment 2026 - Online Application".

3. Primary Registration: Complete the registration process utilizing your active Mobile Number, Email ID, and Aadhaar/DigiLocker verification.

4. Fill up Details: Fill in all personal, educational, communication, and reservation category details carefully.

5. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your passport-size photograph (50–200 KB) and signature (50–70 KB) in JPG/JPEG format, along with requisite academic certificates.

6. Pay the Fee: Make the online fee payment via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.

7. Preview and Submit: Review your entire application draft carefully to ensure there are no spelling or structural errors.

8. Print Receipt: Click on Submit and download/print a hard copy of the final application form and fee payment receipt for future selection rounds.

Application Fees

• General Merit / OBC (Cat 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B): ₹750

• SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-Servicemen: ₹500

• Differently-Abled (PwD) Candidates: ₹250 (Processing fee only)

Selection Process

The selection protocol implemented by KEA is strictly based on performance across consecutive phases:

• Phase 1: Kannada Language Test

  • A mandatory qualifying paper designed to test the candidate’s basic reading, writing, and comprehension skills in the regional language of Kannada. Candidates must achieve a minimum qualifying score of 50 marks.

• Phase 2: Competitive Written Examination (Offline-OMR)

  • An objective-type multiple-choice examination split into Paper-1 (General Studies) and Paper-2 (Specific Agricultural Sciences).

  • Negative Marking: A penalty of 0.75 marks will be deducted for every incorrect response.

  • Minimum Qualifying Criteria: Candidates must score a minimum of 35% marks overall in this competitive examination to find a place on the eligibility merit list.

• Phase 3: Document Verification (DV)

  • Original administrative, identity, academic, and category/reservation certificates will be thoroughly checked for authenticity before final placement.

Important Links

Use the links below to access the official portals directly:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the total number of vacancies announced for KEA AO & AAO Recruitment 2026?

Ans. A total of 945 vacancies have been announced by the Karnataka Examinations Authority for both Agriculture Officer (AO) and Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO) posts across the state.

Q2. What is the difference between Sre-85 and Sre-15 posts under this recruitment?

Ans. Sre-85 represents 85% of the total vacancies which are reserved strictly for candidates possessing a core B.Sc. (Agriculture) or B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture degree. Sre-15 comprises 15% of the vacancies, which are open to graduates of agriculture-allied branches like Food Science, Agricultural Engineering, Sericulture, and Biotechnology.

Q3. Can candidates from states other than Karnataka apply for this recruitment?

Ans. While candidates from other states may apply, they must meet the mandatory regional language eligibility criteria, which includes passing the official KEA Kannada Language Test to qualify for subsequent rounds.

Q4. What is the maximum age limit for general merit candidates?

Ans. The maximum age limit for general merit (UR) candidates is 40 years. However, age relaxations of up to 43 years for OBC candidates and 45 years for SC/ST/Category-1 candidates are applicable.

Q5. What is the salary scale for an Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO) in Karnataka?

Ans. An AAO receives a handsome monthly pay scale ranging from ₹65,950 to ₹1,24,900, alongside other standard state government allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA) and House Rent Allowance (HRA).

Q6. Is there a negative marking system in the KEA AO & AAO competitive written examination?

Ans. Yes. There is a penalty of 0.75 marks for every incorrect answer marked on the OMR sheet in the competitive written examination. No marks are deducted for unattempted questions.

Q7. What are the passing criteria for the mandatory Kannada Language Test?

Ans. The Kannada Language Test is qualifying in nature. Candidates must secure a minimum of 50 marks out of the designated total marks to pass this test and have their competitive exam sheets evaluated.

Q8. What is the last date to submit the online application form and pay the registration fee?

Ans. The last date to submit your online application form is 20th June 2026. The online payment portal remains active for submitting fees until 22nd June 2026.

Q9. Can I make corrections to my online application once it is submitted?

Ans. No. KEA does not allow modifications once the application has been finalized and submitted. Ensure you double-check all information before clicking on the final submit button.

Q10. What documents must be brought to the final Document Verification round?

Ans. Candidates must bring their printed online application form, educational transcripts (B.Sc./B.Tech marks cards and convocation certificate), caste/income certificates (if claiming reservation), Hyderabad-Karnataka (HK) region certificates (if applicable), and valid photo identification proof (such as Aadhaar, Voter ID, or PAN card).