KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 – 247 Vacancies, Apply Online Before 4 October

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released the KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 notification for 247 Principal posts in Government Pre-University Colleges. Serving Lecturers with 10 years of service can apply online at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in from 7 September to 4 October 2026.

KEA Principal Recruitment 2026

jobyaari.com

KEA Principal Recruitment Overview

KEA Principal Recruitment Important Dates

You May Also Check: ESIC Kalaburagi Recruitment 2026

KEA Principal Recruitment Application Fee

Age Limit (with Relaxation)

There is no upper age limit for KEA Principal Recruitment 2026. Since this recruitment is open only to serving Lecturers who have already completed 10 years of departmental service, the government has not fixed a separate age ceiling for this post.

Vacancy Details & Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a serving Lecturer in a Government Pre-University College under the School Education Department.
• Must have completed a minimum of 10 years of service in the Lecturer cadre.
• Must have satisfactorily completed probation as a Lecturer.
• Must hold the qualification as on the last date fixed for application submission.

This drive is not open to fresh graduates or the general public — only in-service Lecturers may apply.

KEA Principal Recruitment Selection Process

Selection is through a competitive written exam conducted by KEA (CBT or OMR mode, to be confirmed):

1. Paper 1 – Kannada Language Test: 150 questions, 150 marks, 3 hours. Qualifying in nature (minimum 50 marks); does not count toward merit.
2. Paper 2 – General Studies: 150 questions, 150 marks, 3 hours. Covers history, culture, polity, economy, Constitution, public administration, science, environment, ethics, and aptitude.
3. Paper 3 – Service Rules & Administration: 150 questions, 150 marks, 3 hours. Covers Karnataka Civil Service Rules, CCA Rules 1957, KCS Conduct Rules, Treasury Code, Financial Code, the Karnataka Education Act 1983, and educational psychology.

Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer in Papers 2 and 3.

Candidates are shortlisted for document verification at a 1:2 ratio against vacancies, category-wise, based on combined Paper 2 and Paper 3 scores.

Salary / Pay Scale

Selected Principals will be placed in the revised 2024 Karnataka state pay scale of Rs90,200 – Rs1,59,200, along with Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other applicable allowances. Pension continues to be governed by the rules applicable to the candidate's original Lecturer appointment.

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

1. Visit the official website.
2. Open the online application link for your applicable notification — RPC or KK.
3. Register and fill in personal, educational, and service details.
4. Upload photograph and signature in the specified format and size.
5. Upload required certificates and supporting documents.
6. Pay the application fee online through the available payment gateway.
7. Recheck all details carefully — corrections are not allowed after final submission.
8. Download and save the submitted application and fee receipt for future reference.

Important Links

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the last date to apply for KEA Principal Recruitment 2026?

The online application closes on 4 October 2026, and the fee can be paid until 5 October 2026.

Q2. How many vacancies are there in KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 apply online process?

There are 247 vacancies in total — 216 under the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) and 31 under the Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) Local Cadre.

Q3. What is the KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 eligibility criteria?

Only serving Lecturers in Government Pre-University Colleges with at least 10 years of service and completed probation can apply. It is not open to fresh candidates.

Q4. What is the KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 application fee?

Rs1,500 for General Merit/2A/2B/3A/3B, Rs1,000 for SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-servicemen/Third Gender, and Rs500 for Persons with Disabilities.

Q5. What is the KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 salary pay scale?

Selected candidates will be placed in the pay scale of Rs90,200 – Rs1,59,200 as per the revised 2024 Karnataka state pay matrix.