Applications opened today for one of the biggest Karnataka government recruitment drives of the year. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has invited online applications for 5,431 posts of First Division Assistant (FDA), Second Division Assistant (SDA) and other Group C roles across Karnataka government departments, boards and organisations. The online window runs from 30 October to 25 November 2026, and the fee can be paid till 26 November 2026.
The recruitment covers 33 state government departments. It is being run under four separate notifications dated 29 October 2026, covering the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) and the Kalyana Karnataka (KK) cadre. For thousands of aspirants who have been waiting for a state government opening, this is the notification that matters most this week, because it combines a large number of posts with eligibility that starts at the 12th pass level for several roles.
5,431 posts: how the vacancies break up
The total of 5,431 posts splits into 2,726 FDA posts and 2,705 SDA posts. The FDA figure includes 2,163 posts in the Residual Parent Cadre and 563 posts in the Kalyana Karnataka cadre. The SDA figure includes 2,070 posts in the Residual Parent Cadre and 635 posts in the Kalyana Karnataka cadre. Alongside FDA and SDA, the drive includes posts such as Accounts Assistant, Warden, Hostel Supervisor and computer related roles, with post wise details given in the individual notifications.
Candidates should read the notification for their specific post carefully before applying, because qualification, age limit and other conditions vary by post. Broadly, candidates with 2nd PUC (12th pass), a bachelor’s degree or a post specific equivalent qualification can apply, depending on the role they choose.
Important dates to remember
- Notifications issued: 29 October 2026 (four notifications)
- Online applications open: 30 October 2026
- Last date to apply online: 25 November 2026
- Last date for fee payment: 26 November 2026
- Competitive examination dates: 8, 9, 10, 16 and 17 January 2027, as applicable to the recruitment schedule
The examination dates are spread across five days in January 2027, with different papers scheduled on different dates as per the recruitment schedule. KEA will publish the detailed exam timetable and admit card information on its official portal in due course, so applicants should keep checking the portal after submitting their forms.
Who can apply
The drive is open to candidates who meet the qualification prescribed for the post they apply for. Several SDA level roles accept 2nd PUC, while FDA and other roles generally require a degree or an equivalent qualification. Because this is a multi department recruitment, the same post title can carry slightly different conditions in different departments, which is why the official notification for that post is the final word, not any summary or social media post.
Applicants should also check the cadre they are applying under. Posts are divided between the Residual Parent Cadre and the Kalyana Karnataka cadre, and candidates must choose correctly at the time of application, since cadre related eligibility and reservation rules apply.
How to apply online
- Visit the official KEA website at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
- Open the FDA and SDA recruitment 2026 notification relevant to your post and cadre.
- Read the eligibility, age limit, fee and document requirements in full.
- Fill the online application form with correct personal, qualification and cadre details.
- Upload the required documents in the prescribed format and size.
- Pay the fee online on or before 26 November 2026 and submit the form before 25 November 2026.
- Save a copy of the submitted form and the fee receipt for future reference.
Do not wait for the last day. Government application portals often slow down near the deadline, and a form submitted after 25 November 2026 will not be accepted. Double check every entry before final submission, because corrections after submission are allowed only if KEA opens a correction window, and that is not guaranteed.
What to watch out for
With a recruitment this large, fake notices and paid application scams tend to appear quickly. Apply only through the official KEA portal, and do not pay anyone who promises a post, a hall ticket or a selection in exchange for money. KEA selects candidates through the competitive examination process, and no agent or middleman can influence it.
FAQs
How many posts are open in KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026?
There are 5,431 posts in total, including 2,726 FDA posts and 2,705 SDA posts across Karnataka government departments.
When do KEA FDA SDA applications open and close?
Online applications opened on 30 October 2026 and close on 25 November 2026. The last date for fee payment is 26 November 2026.
What is the qualification for KEA FDA and SDA posts?
Qualification depends on the post. Several roles accept 2nd PUC (12th pass), while others require a bachelor’s degree or a post specific equivalent qualification. Check the notification for your post.
When will the KEA FDA SDA exam be held?
The competitive examinations are scheduled for 8, 9, 10, 16 and 17 January 2027, as applicable to the recruitment schedule.
Where do I apply for KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026?
Apply online only through the official KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea, after reading the official notification for your post and cadre.
For aspirants in Karnataka, this is a rare window where one application process covers thousands of posts across 33 departments. Get the notification, check your eligibility, and apply well before 25 November 2026.
