KEA FDA, SDA & Group-C Recruitment 2026 – 5,431 Posts

The Karnataka Examinations Authority has issued four notifications, dated 29 October 2026, for 5,431 Group-C posts in Karnataka government departments, boards and corporations. The posts include First Division Assistant, Second Division Assistant, Accounts Assistant, hostel warden posts and village panchayat secretaries. The posts are split between the Rest of Karnataka (RPC) and Kalyana Karnataka (KK) cadres.

The degree-level (FDA) notifications cover 2,726 posts and the PUC-level (SDA) notifications cover 2,705 posts. Applications are online on the KEA website from 30 October to 25 November 2026, and the fee can be paid until 26 November. The offline OMR written exam is scheduled for 10 January 2027.

Post-wise vacancies

- Degree-level posts (FDA group), Rest of Karnataka: 2,163
- Degree-level posts (FDA group), Kalyana Karnataka: 563
- PUC-level posts (SDA group), Rest of Karnataka: 2,070
- PUC-level posts (SDA group), Kalyana Karnataka: 635
The largest single blocks in the Rest of Karnataka degree-level notice are Accounts Assistants in the State Accounts and Audit Department (488 + 2 backlog), Wardens (men) in Social Welfare (294), and First Division Assistants in district courts (249).

Eligibility in detail

The degree-level posts in the KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026 need a bachelor's degree. Some posts ask for a specific subject: for example, the Tourism post needs a degree in Tourism, Communication, Journalism or a related subject, or a hotel-management diploma. The PUC-level posts need a pass in PUC/Class 12 or an equivalent recognised in Karnataka's rules. The Junior Accounts Assistant post needs PUC in Commerce with Accountancy. Age is counted on the last date of application: the minimum is 18 and the maximum is 40 years for General Merit, 43 for Categories 2A/2B/3A/3B, and 45 for SC/ST/Category-1. These limits already include a one-time 5-year relaxation.

Selection process

The competitive exam is offline (OMR). For the degree-level posts there are two papers of 100 marks each on 10 January 2027. Paper-1 runs from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM and Paper-2 from 2:30 to 4:30 PM. A compulsory Kannada language test is held on 8 January 2027 for candidates who do not have the required Kannada qualification. Wrong answers carry negative marks.

Important points

• There are four separate notifications (RPC and KK, FDA and SDA), each with its own vacancy tables. Check which cadre you are eligible for before you apply on the KEA website.
• Candidates who paid the fee for KEA notification No. ED/KEA/07/2026 (19 May 2026, First Division Assistant) are exempt from the fee for the degree-level notice.
• The fee is not refunded. Details cannot be corrected after you submit the application.