Diploma holders in Karnataka have a fresh government opening to plan around this month. The Karnataka Examinations Authority, or KEA, has opened applications for 218 Group-C technical posts, covering Junior Engineer roles and Assistant City Planner posts across state departments and public bodies. Applications opened on 31 October 2026, and the last date to submit the online form is 26 November 2026.
The recruitment runs through two notifications: 187 vacancies under the Residual Parent Cadre, or RPC, and 31 under the Kalyana Karnataka local cadre. Post lists, reservation rules and eligibility differ between them, so match your certificates to the right notification before applying.
Where the 218 posts are
The headline number hides an important split. More than half of all vacancies are for one post, Assistant City Planner, which accounts for 119 posts across urban planning bodies. Junior Engineer (Civil) posts across six bodies add up to 93, with the Greater Bengaluru Authority alone taking 50 of them. The remaining posts are spread in smaller numbers across other departments and a Draughtsman post.
- Assistant City Planner, Urban and Regional Planning: 119 posts (105 RPC, 14 Kalyana Karnataka)
- Junior Engineer (Civil), Greater Bengaluru Authority: 50 posts (46 RPC, 4 Kalyana Karnataka)
- Junior Engineer (Civil), Karnataka Housing Board: 20 posts (15 RPC, 5 Kalyana Karnataka)
- Junior Engineer (Civil), Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited: 15 posts (12 RPC, 3 Kalyana Karnataka)
- Other Junior Engineer and Draughtsman posts: 14 posts across the Ground Water Directorate, Mines and Geology, Karnataka State Minerals Corporation, Karnataka Kalyagiri Development Board and the Agricultural Marketing Department
That split matters for planning. A Civil diploma holder who applies only for Junior Engineer roles is competing for roughly 93 seats, while opting for Assistant City Planner as well, where allowed, widens the pool. Qualifications are post-specific, so check the official tables first.
Who can apply
Most posts ask for a diploma in Civil Engineering from a recognised institution. Some posts accept other prescribed diplomas, such as Landscape Architecture, Transportation Planning, Structural Engineering, Planning Engineering, Civil Engineering Draughtsmanship or Architectural Assistantship, but those alternatives apply to specific posts only. The official notification is the final word on which diploma fits which post.
The reported age limits start at 18 years. The maximum age is reported as 40 years for General Merit candidates, 43 years for applicable backward categories, and 45 years for SC, ST and Category-I candidates. Other relaxations may apply under Karnataka Government recruitment rules, so confirm your own limit in the notification PDF before applying.
The reported pay scale for the advertised posts is Rs 54,175 to Rs 99,400 per month, plus allowances under Karnataka Government rules. The exact scale can differ by department and post, so check it against your chosen post in the notification.
Important dates and fees
- Applications opened: 31 October 2026
- Last date to apply online: 26 November 2026
- Last date for fee payment: 27 November 2026, as reported, to be confirmed on the portal
- Kannada language examination: 8 January 2027, as reported
- Written examination: January 2027, with the full schedule to be confirmed by KEA
The reported application fee is Rs 750 for General, OBC and EWS candidates and Rs 250 for SC and ST candidates, with other concessions listed in the official notification. Pay online and save the receipt, because an unpaid application is treated as incomplete. Treat the exam schedule as provisional until KEA publishes it, and do not leave your application for the final week on the strength of a reported date alone.
How selection works
Selection is based on a competitive written examination, followed by a merit list, online counselling for post and department preferences, document verification and final appointment. The summaries reviewed mention no interview stage, so your rank in the written examination drives the allotment. Keep Class 10 and diploma certificates, ID proof, photograph, signature and category certificates ready in advance.
To apply, visit the official KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea, find the Group-C Technical Recruitment 2026 notification for RPC or Kalyana Karnataka, and complete the form and fee payment within the deadlines. Download the confirmation and receipt after submission. This is separate from KEA’s non-technical FDA and SDA drive, which covers different posts, so compare exam dates if you qualify for both.
FAQs
How many vacancies are there in KEA JE Recruitment 2026?
There are 218 Group-C technical vacancies in total, with 187 under the Residual Parent Cadre notification and 31 under the Kalyana Karnataka notification.
What is the last date to apply?
The last date to submit the online application is 26 November 2026, and the reported last date for fee payment is 27 November 2026. Confirm both dates on the official portal.
What qualification is needed for KEA Junior Engineer posts?
Most posts need a diploma in Civil Engineering from a recognised institution, while some posts accept other prescribed diplomas. Qualifications are post-specific, so check the notification table.
Which post has the most vacancies?
Assistant City Planner has the most, with 119 posts. Among Junior Engineer (Civil) posts, the Greater Bengaluru Authority has the most, with 50 posts.
When is the KEA JE exam?
The written examination is reported for January 2027, with a Kannada language examination reported for 8 January 2027. Treat the schedule as provisional until KEA confirms it.
Candidates should verify every detail, including eligibility, reservation and fee rules, in the official KEA notification before applying. Dates and schedules reported here are subject to confirmation on the official portal.
