KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026: 5431 Group C posts in Karnataka (RPC + Kalyana Karnataka). Apply 30 Oct to 25 Nov 2026. Eligibility, fee, exam dates.
KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026
Notification Out – 5,431 FDA, SDA & Equivalent Posts, Eligibility, Exam Pattern & Apply Online
Karnataka has not seen a clerical recruitment this size in a while, and the KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026 notification finally puts First Division Assistant, Second Division Assistant and similar posts from 33 departments into one common exam. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) released four notifications on 29 October 2026 for 5,431 posts: degree-level and PUC-level posts, each split between the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) and the Kalyana Karnataka (KK) local cadre. If you live in the border districts like Bidar, Kalaburagi or Raichur, many of you grew up between Telugu and Kannada, and this is a real chance for you, provided your Kannada is exam-ready. I read the official RPC and KK PDFs on the KEA website, so here is the clean, practical version.
KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
| Notification Date | 29 October 2026 (four separate notifications) |
| Posts | First Division Assistant, Second Division Assistant, Accounts Assistant and other equivalent Group C posts in 33 departments |
| Total Vacancies | 5,431 |
| Cadres | Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) and Kalyana Karnataka (KK) |
| Exam Mode | Offline, OMR-based written exam |
| Job Location | Karnataka |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
KEA FDA SDA 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | 29 October 2026 |
| Online application starts | 30 October 2026 |
| Last date to apply online | 25 November 2026 |
| Last date to pay fee | 26 November 2026 |
| Correction window | To be notified |
| Compulsory Kannada language test | 8 January 2027 (3:00 PM to 5:00 PM) |
| KK FDA-level written exam (Paper 1 & 2) | 9 January 2027 |
| RPC FDA-level written exam (Paper 1 & 2) | 10 January 2027 |
| RPC SDA-level written exam (Paper 1 & 2) | 17 January 2027 |
| KK SDA-level written exam | As per the KK SDA notification (exam window 8–17 January 2027) |
| Admit card | To be notified |
KEA FDA SDA Vacancy 2026 – Cadre-wise
The split below comes straight from the four official notifications. Department-wise and category-wise numbers run for several pages in each PDF, so open the one for your cadre before choosing posts.
| Notification | Level | Pay Scale (main posts) | Posts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) | Degree level (FDA & equivalent) | Rs.44,425–83,700 | 2,163 |
| Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) | PUC level (SDA & equivalent) | Rs.34,100–67,600 | 2,070 |
| Kalyana Karnataka (KK) | Degree level (FDA & equivalent) | Rs.44,425–83,700 | 563 |
| Kalyana Karnataka (KK) | PUC level (SDA & equivalent) | Rs.34,100–67,600 | 635 |
| Total | 5,431 |
A handful of degree-level posts carry higher scales such as Rs.49,050–92,500, Rs.54,175–99,400 and Rs.61,300–1,12,900. The exact scale for each post is listed against it in the notification.
KEA FDA SDA 2026 Eligibility & Age Limit
- FDA-level posts: A bachelor's degree from a recognised university. Some posts need a particular degree, for example B.Com/BBM/BBA for accounts posts and a computer science or computer application qualification for computer-related posts.
- SDA-level posts: 2nd PUC or an equivalent qualification. Accounts-type SDA posts need PUC in Commerce with Accountancy.
- Minimum age: 18 years.
- Maximum age: General Merit 40 years; Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B 43 years; SC, ST, Category-1 45 years. These limits already include the one-time 5-year relaxation ordered by the Karnataka government on 29 January 2026.
- Kalyana Karnataka posts: Only candidates holding the prescribed local-cadre eligibility certificate can claim KK posts.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General Merit, Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B | Rs.750 |
| SC, ST, Category-1, Ex-servicemen, Transgender | Rs.500 |
| Persons with disabilities | Rs.250 |
Pay online only, and keep the payment receipt. The fee window closes on 26 November 2026.
Selection Process
- Compulsory Kannada language test (qualifying) for candidates who are not exempted under the rules.
- Competitive written exam with Paper 1 and Paper 2 (offline OMR).
- Merit list prepared from the written exam marks; candidates need at least 35% marks to be considered.
- Document verification of shortlisted candidates, then final selection.
There is no interview and no physical test for these posts.
KEA FDA SDA Exam Pattern 2026
| Paper | Subjects | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Knowledge: Indian and Karnataka history, geography, polity, economy, science, current affairs and related topics | As per notification | 100 | 2 hours |
| Paper 2 | General Kannada, General English, Computer Knowledge | As per notification | 100 | 2 hours |
| Total | 200 | 4 hours |
Negative Marking & Qualifying Marks
- Each question has four options. 0.25 mark is deducted for every wrong answer.
- Leaving a bubble blank or marking more than one option is also treated as a wrong answer and attracts the same 0.25 penalty, so do not darken anything you are unsure of.
- Minimum 35% marks in the written exam is required to enter the merit list.
Physical Test
Not applicable. These are office posts, so there is no PET or PST.
How to Apply for KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026
- Go to the official KEA website cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea and download the notification for your cadre.
- Open the KEA recruitment portal for FDA and SDA posts and register (new candidates register through DigiLocker).
- Fill in personal, educational, category and local-cadre details exactly as on your certificates.
- Upload a recent photo (JPEG, white background, 50–200 KB) and signature (JPEG, 50–70 KB).
- Choose your posts and pay the fee online by 26 November 2026.
- Submit before 25 November 2026 and save a printout.
KEA FDA SDA Syllabus at a Glance
- Paper 1 (General Knowledge): history of India and Karnataka, Indian and Karnataka geography, Indian Constitution and polity, economy, general science, Karnataka-specific schemes and current affairs, mental ability.
- Paper 2 (Language & Computer): Kannada grammar and comprehension, English grammar, vocabulary and comprehension, basic computer knowledge.
- Kannada language test: qualifying, for candidates not exempted.
The topic list in the official PDF is the final word, so match your notes against it.
Preparation Tip
KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions
How many posts are there in KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026?
5,431 posts: RPC degree level 2,163, RPC PUC level 2,070, KK degree level 563 and KK PUC level 635.
What is the last date to apply?
25 November 2026. The fee can be paid till 26 November 2026.
What is the age limit?
18 to 40 years for General Merit, up to 43 years for 2A/2B/3A/3B, and up to 45 years for SC/ST/Category-1.
What is the salary of KEA FDA and SDA?
SDA-level posts carry Rs.34,100–67,600 and FDA-level posts Rs.44,425–83,700, with higher scales for some posts.
When is the KEA FDA SDA exam?
Between 8 and 17 January 2027: Kannada test on 8 Jan, KK FDA on 9 Jan, RPC FDA on 10 Jan and RPC SDA on 17 Jan 2027.
Is there negative marking?
Yes. 0.25 mark is cut for every wrong answer, and an unanswered question is also treated as wrong.
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Quick Summary
| Recruitment | KEA FDA, SDA & equivalent posts 2026 |
| Vacancies | 5,431 (RPC 4,233 + KK 1,198) |
| Apply Online | 30 Oct 2026 to 25 Nov 2026 |
| Fee | Rs.750 / Rs.500 / Rs.250 |
| Exam | 8–17 Jan 2027, offline OMR |
| Selection | Written exam + document verification |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
All four official notifications: RPC FDA level | RPC SDA level | KK FDA level | KK SDA level