KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026: The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released four recruitment notifications dated 29 October 2026 for 5,431 vacancies across various Karnataka Government departments, boards and organizations. The recruitment includes First Division Assistant (FDA), Second Division Assistant (SDA), Accounts Assistant, Warden, Hostel Supervisor, Computer-related posts and other positions under the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) and Kalyana Karnataka (KK) cadre. Candidates with the prescribed 2nd PUC (12th Pass), Bachelor's Degree or post-specific equivalent qualifications can apply online from 30 October to 25 November 2026 through the official KEA website at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. The last date for fee payment is 26 November 2026.
KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026 - Overview
Important: The four recruitment notifications cover different cadres and qualification levels. Candidates must check the educational qualification, local-cadre eligibility, reservation rules and other requirements of their chosen post. Not all posts are open to candidates with the same qualification.
KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
The examinations will be conducted according to the post-wise and cadre-wise schedule announced by KEA. Applicants should check the official notification corresponding to their recruitment category to identify the applicable examination dates and papers.
KEA FDA SDA Vacancy 2026
KEA has announced 5,431 vacancies under four separate recruitment notifications. These include degree-level and PUC-level posts in the Residual Parent Cadre and Kalyana Karnataka cadre.
KEA FDA SDA Cadre-Wise Vacancy Details
KEA Degree-Level and PUC-Level Vacancies
The four notifications contain separate department-wise, post-wise and reservation-related vacancy details. Candidates must use the vacancy statement corresponding to the post and cadre for which they are eligible.
KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026 Post Details
The recruitment covers several administrative, accounts, welfare, education and support positions. The following are some of the post categories mentioned in the notifications.
Some vacancies are reserved for specified local cadres, while others fall under the Residual Parent Cadre. The complete department-wise and category-wise distribution is provided in the respective official notifications.
KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The minimum educational qualification depends on the advertised post. PUC-level positions generally require 2nd PUC or a recognized equivalent qualification, while degree-level posts require the prescribed Bachelor's degree or professional qualification.
KEA SDA Educational Qualification
Candidates applying for the Second Division Assistant and other PUC-level posts must possess the prescribed 2nd PUC, Class 12 or equivalent qualification recognized under the applicable recruitment rules.
Equivalent qualifications may include those recognized through Karnataka Government orders or the relevant education authorities, subject to the specific notification.
KEA FDA Educational Qualification
Candidates applying for First Division Assistant and other degree-level posts must hold a Bachelor's degree from a recognized university or satisfy the equivalent qualification prescribed for the relevant position.
Depending on the post, additional qualifications may include a specific degree discipline, professional training, computer knowledge or work experience.
KEA FDA SDA Post-Wise Qualification Requirements
Important Eligibility Notice: Candidates should not assume that a general Bachelor's degree qualifies them for every FDA-level vacancy or that 2nd PUC is sufficient for every SDA-level position. Certain posts require specific subjects or additional qualifications.
Kalyana Karnataka Cadre Eligibility
The Kalyana Karnataka notifications contain specific local-cadre reservation and eligibility provisions. Candidates claiming local-cadre benefits must satisfy the relevant conditions and possess the required supporting certificates.
Applicants should read the separate Kalyana Karnataka recruitment notification before claiming local reservation benefits.
KEA FDA SDA Age Limit 2026
The general minimum age for the advertised recruitment is 18 years. The upper age limit is 40 years for General Merit candidates, with relaxation for eligible reserved categories.
The notifications refer to the applicable Karnataka Civil Services recruitment rules and government amendments, including a one-time age relaxation provision under the prescribed conditions. Other special-category relaxation provisions may also apply.
Candidates should calculate their age using the cut-off date and relaxation rules applicable to the relevant notification.
KEA FDA SDA Application Fee 2026
The application fee varies by reservation and concession category. The notifications provide fee amounts of Rs. 750, Rs. 500 and Rs. 250 for different eligible groups.
Applicants should select the correct category in the online application and follow the fee displayed by the official KEA portal. The last date for fee payment is 26 November 2026.
KEA FDA SDA Salary 2026
The vacancies carry different Karnataka Government pay scales depending on the post, department and recruitment cadre. The notifications include pay ranges such as Rs. 34,100-67,600, Rs. 44,425-83,700 and higher scales for certain specialized posts.
The salary for each vacancy must be checked against the relevant post entry in the official notification. The pay scales are not equivalent to a fixed in-hand salary, as applicable allowances and deductions will affect the amount received.
What is the Full Form of FDA and SDA in KEA Recruitment 2026?
In the KEA SDA FDA Recruitment 2026, FDA stands for First Division Assistant, while SDA stands for Second Division Assistant. Both are administrative and clerical positions in various Karnataka government departments and corporations. FDA generally involves higher-level administrative responsibilities, whereas SDA focuses on routine clerical work, record maintenance, data entry and office support.
Difference Between FDA and SDA in Karnataka Government Jobs
Key Difference: FDA is generally a higher-level administrative post requiring a Bachelor's degree, while SDA is a lower-level clerical post generally requiring 2nd PUC (12th Pass). FDA positions typically offer higher pay and greater responsibilities than SDA positions. However, the exact qualifications, salary scales and duties depend on the department and specific post mentioned in the KEA SDA FDA Recruitment 2026 notification.
KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026 Selection Process
Selection will be conducted through a competitive examination followed by verification of certificates and eligibility, in accordance with the applicable recruitment rules.
- Competitive Written Examination: Candidates appear in the prescribed examination papers relevant to their recruitment category.
- Merit and Shortlisting: Examination marks and the applicable selection rules determine candidates considered for further stages.
- Document Verification: Candidates must produce original qualifications, identity documents and reservation or local-cadre certificates, as applicable.
- Final Selection: Recommendations will be made under the applicable post-wise and category-wise recruitment rules.
Certain positions may have additional qualification or eligibility requirements. Candidates should refer to the respective notification for the full selection procedure.
KEA FDA SDA Exam Pattern 2027
The notifications prescribe an offline OMR-based competitive examination. The general written examination includes two papers carrying 100 marks each, with a duration of two hours per paper.
The papers cover the subjects prescribed in the relevant notification, including General Knowledge and language-related components. Candidates should check the specific examination syllabus corresponding to their application category.
KEA FDA SDA Negative Marking
The notifications prescribe a penalty of 0.25 marks for an incorrect response in the objective examination, subject to the applicable question-paper instructions.
Applicants should follow the OMR marking and examination-day instructions issued by KEA.
KEA FDA SDA Exam Date 2027
KEA has scheduled the recruitment examinations during January 2027. The announced examination dates include 8, 9, 10, 16 and 17 January 2027 across the recruitment groups.
Candidates should refer to their relevant cadre notification and subsequent admission ticket for the exact examination date, session, reporting time and centre.
KEA FDA SDA Apply Online 2026
Eligible candidates can apply online through the Karnataka Examinations Authority website from 30 October 2026. The application closing date is 25 November 2026, and the fee payment deadline is 26 November 2026.
Apply Online: KEA Official Recruitment Portal
The link opens the official KEA website, where candidates should select the appropriate recruitment notification and application facility for the Residual Parent Cadre or Kalyana Karnataka cadre.
How to Apply Online for KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026?
- Visit the official KEA website at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
- Open the recruitment section for the notifications dated 29 October 2026.
- Identify the correct recruitment group: RPC Degree-Level, RPC PUC-Level, KK Degree-Level or KK PUC-Level.
- Download and read the applicable detailed notification.
- Open the online application facility for the selected recruitment category.
- Complete the required registration and enter personal details accurately.
- Provide educational qualification, reservation and local-cadre details, where applicable.
- Select the eligible post or application preferences as instructed by the portal.
- Upload the required photograph, signature and supporting documents in the prescribed formats.
- Review the entered details, including category, post eligibility and certificate information.
- Submit the online application by 25 November 2026.
- Pay the prescribed examination fee by 26 November 2026.
- Retain the submitted application and payment confirmation for future reference.
Important: Applicants should review all information before final submission. They must follow the rules concerning multiple applications, registration details and applicable corrections in the relevant notification.
Documents Required for KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026
Applicants should keep the following documents ready for the application and subsequent verification process, depending on the position and claimed reservation benefits.
- SSLC / Class 10 certificate and marksheet for date-of-birth proof.
- 2nd PUC / Class 12 or equivalent certificate, where applicable.
- Bachelor's degree certificate and marksheets for degree-level posts.
- Relevant professional, technical or computer qualification certificates, where required.
- Valid caste and income certificates, if claiming reservation.
- Kalyana Karnataka local-cadre eligibility documents, where applicable.
- Ex-Serviceman, disability or other special-category certificates, if applicable.
- Recent photograph and signature.
- Valid identification and supporting documents specified in the application instructions.
All qualifications and reservation claims must satisfy the conditions stated in the respective official recruitment notification.
KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026 Important Instructions
- The recruitment comprises four separate notification groups totaling 5,431 vacancies.
- Applicants must choose the correct degree-level or PUC-level recruitment category.
- RPC and Kalyana Karnataka posts have separate vacancy and reservation conditions.
- Post-specific educational qualifications must be checked before applying.
- Online applications are accepted until 25 November 2026.
- The examination fee must be paid by 26 November 2026.
- Category-based age relaxation and fee concessions require valid supporting documents.
- The competitive examinations are scheduled for January 2027.
- Examination admission and final appointment remain subject to eligibility verification.
- Candidates should regularly check the KEA website for corrigenda, hall tickets and recruitment updates.
KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF
The Karnataka Examinations Authority issued four separate recruitment notifications on 29 October 2026 covering 5,431 vacancies in the Residual Parent Cadre and Kalyana Karnataka cadre.
The notifications provide the department-wise and post-wise vacancies, educational qualifications, salary scales, age limits, fee details, examination schedule, reservation provisions and application instructions.
KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026 Important Links
