KEA AO AAO Exam Date 2026 Released: Check Official Schedule for 945 Agriculture Officer Posts

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released the formal notification for the recruitment of 945 Agriculture Officer (Krushi Adhikari) and Assistant Agriculture Officer (Sahayaka Krushi Adhikari) positions across both Inland (KK) and Rural Pay Commission (RPC) cadres.

Following the conclusion of the application window, the KEA is preparing to conduct the OMR-based Competitive Written Exam and the mandatory Kannada Language Test. The Kannada Language Test is scheduled for 19th July 2026, with the primary written examinations confirmed for 25th July and 9th August 2026.

KEA AO AAO Recruitment 2026 – Quick Overview

KEA AO AAO Exam Date 2026 Out

The Karnataka Examinations Authority has finalized the schedule for the OMR-based written tests and the Kannada Language Proficiency test for all qualified applicants vying for the 945 Agriculture Officer (AO) and Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO) roles. The Kannada Language Test will be held on 19th July 2026, followed by the OMR-based Written Exam on 25th July and 9th August 2026.  Detailed information regarding exam venues, reporting times, and essential instructions will be provided upon the issuance of the official admit cards.

KEA AO AAO Vacancy 2026

The vacancies announced under the KEA AO AAO recruitment drive are distributed across two distinct cadres, categorized by Pay Level (Agriculture Officer scale and Pay Level 15). Please review the following details for the complete vacancy breakdown.

For Inland / KK Cadre (Notification No. KE09/2026)

For Rural Pay Commission (RPC) Cadre (Notification No. KE08/2026)

KEA AO AAO Notification 2026 PDF

In accordance with the latest Government Order, KEA has issued updated notifications superseding the initial advertisements from April and May 2026. While the core eligibility criteria and pay structures remain consistent across both cadres, candidates should note the specific variations in vacancy counts and designated examination dates outlined in the updated documentation.

Download KEA Agriculture Officer Official Notification PDF (Inland / KK Cadre)

Download KEA Agriculture Officer Official Notification PDF (RPC Cadre)

KEA AO AAO Eligibility Criteria 2026

Below are the post-specific educational and professional eligibility requirements as stipulated in the official KEA notification.

For Agriculture Officer & AAO (Pay Level Rs. 85) – Candidates must possess a B.Sc. degree in Agriculture or B.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture from a recognized educational institution.

For Agriculture Officer & AAO (Pay Level Rs. 15): Applicants must hold one of the following recognized qualifications:

1. B.Tech (Food Science and Technology)
2. B.Tech (Food Technology)
3. B.Sc. (Agri. Marketing and Cooperation)
4. B.Sc. (Hons.) Agri. Marketing and Cooperation
5. B.Sc. (Hons.) Agri Business Management
6. B.Sc. (Agri. Biotech.)
7. B.Tech (Biotech.)
8. B.Sc. / B.Tech (Agricultural Engineering)

Age Limit (Calculated as of 29th January 2026):

• Minimum age- 18 years (UR)
• Maximum age- 40 years (UR)
• One-time relaxation of 5 years in the upper age limit for unreserved categories

KEA AO AAO Exam Pattern 2026

Competitive Written Examination

The recruitment examination will be conducted in an offline, OMR-based format. To remain eligible for further selection, candidates must achieve a minimum of 35% aggregate marks. Please note that a negative marking scheme of 0.25 marks (1/4 mark) will be applied for each incorrect response.

Paper 1 – General Paper

Paper 2 – Specific Subject Paper

Kannada Language Test

Candidates who successfully pass the written examination will be required to participate in the mandatory Kannada Language Test unless they qualify for an official exemption.

Exemption Criteria for the Kannada Language Test

Exemptions from the Kannada Language Test are granted to candidates based on specific educational criteria documented in the notification.

• Studied Kannada as 1st or 2nd language in SSLC or higher education.
• Studied in Kannada medium from Class 1 to 10.
• Have already passed a government-recognized Kannada language examination.