Applications are open. Apply before 30 Aug 2026 — 15 days left. Read the official notification in full before you submit the form.
About This Recruitment
Karnataka Examinations Authority has notified recruitment for 85 posts under ADE/KEA/32/NEV/2026 (RPC) and ADE/KEA/33/NEV/2026 (KK). Applications are accepted online from 05 Aug 2026 to 30 Aug 2026. The prescribed qualification is A degree in Horticulture from an ICAR-accredited university, with a postgraduate degree for the Assistant Director posts, and the age limit is 18 to 40 years before category relaxation is applied. The vacancies are spread across 3 distinct posts, and the category-wise split for each is set out in the vacancy table below.
Selection is made through Competitive examination, Kannada language test and Document verification, followed by the remaining stages set out below. Selected candidates are placed in the pay scale of ₹65,950 – ₹1,24,900 for Assistant Horticulture Officer; ₹69,250 – ₹1,34,200 for Assistant Horticulture Director. The place of posting is Karnataka Horticulture Department, including the Kalyana-Karnataka region.
The application fee is ₹750 for General Merit and Categories 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B. The entire process is completed online, from registration through to fee payment and the final printout of the confirmation page. Check the notification for whether a correction window is offered, because most fields cannot be amended once the form is submitted.
Read the official notification in full before you begin the form. Eligibility, fees and dates are revised through corrigenda more often than candidates expect, and an application submitted against the wrong criteria is rejected at document verification rather than at submission — by which point the cycle is over.
Key Highlights
- 85 vacancies notified
- Qualification: A degree in Horticulture from an ICAR-accredited university, with a postgraduate degree for the Assistant Director posts
- Age limit: 18 to 40 years, with relaxation by category
- Pay scale: ₹65,950 – ₹1,24,900 for Assistant Horticulture Officer; ₹69,250 – ₹1,34,200 for Assistant Horticulture Director
- Application fee: ₹750 for General Merit and Categories 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B
- Last date to apply: 30 Aug 2026
- Application mode: online
Quick Overview
The notification's own particulars, at a glance.
- Organization
- Karnataka Examinations Authority
- Advertisement No.
- ADE/KEA/32/NEV/2026 (RPC) and ADE/KEA/33/NEV/2026 (KK)
- Total Vacancies
- 85
- Job Location
- Karnataka Horticulture Department, including the Kalyana-Karnataka region
- Qualification
- A degree in Horticulture from an ICAR-accredited university, with a postgraduate degree for the Assistant Director posts
- Age Limit
- 18 – 40 years
- Salary
- ₹65,950 – ₹1,24,900 for Assistant Horticulture Officer; ₹69,250 – ₹1,34,200 for Assistant Horticulture Director
- Application Mode
- Online
- Official Website
- cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea
Important Dates
Every date below is taken from the official notification. Portals close at the time stated in the notification, not at midnight, and the fee payment window often closes a day after the form does.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | 04 Aug 2026 |
| Online application opens | 05 Aug 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 30 Aug 2026 |
| Last date to pay the fee | 31 Aug 2026 |
| Examination | To be announced with the timetable |
Application Fee
Fee is paid on the official portal only. Category-wise exemptions are applied automatically once the category is declared correctly in the form.
| Category | Fee | Payment Mode |
|---|---|---|
| General Merit and Categories 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B | ₹750 | Online |
| SC, ST, Category 1, Ex-Servicemen and third gender | ₹500 | Online |
| Persons with Disabilities | ₹250 | Online |
Vacancy Details
Vacancy counts are provisional and are revised through corrigenda. The category-wise split determines the cut-off you will actually be measured against.
| Post Name | Total |
|---|---|
| Assistant Horticulture Officer — regular cadre | 75 |
| Assistant Horticulture Director — regular cadre | 5 |
| Assistant Horticulture Director — Kalyana-Karnataka cadre | 5 |
| Total | 85 |
Educational Qualification
The qualification must be held on or before the cut-off date stated in the notification. Final-year candidates should check whether provisional applications are permitted for this recruitment.
| Post | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| Assistant Horticulture Officer | A graduate degree in Horticulture from a university established by law in India and accredited by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. |
| Assistant Horticulture Director | A postgraduate degree in Horticulture together with a B.Sc. in Horticulture, both from a university established by law in India and accredited by ICAR. |
- The degree must be from an ICAR-accredited university — this is checked at verification.
- Negative marking is heavy at 0.75 a question against 3 marks for a correct answer.
- The Assistant Director posts need a postgraduate degree in Horticulture on top of the B.Sc.
- The fee is not refundable in any circumstance.
Age Limit & Relaxation
Upper age limits are relaxed by category. Read the row that applies to you before you conclude you are ineligible.
| Category | Upper Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| General Merit | Upper age 40 years |
| Categories 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B | Upper age 43 years |
| SC, ST and Category 1 | Upper age 45 years |
| Widows, Ex-Servicemen and government employees | Up to 10 years, as specified in the notification |
The upper limit is 40 years for General Merit, 43 for Categories 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B, and 45 for SC, ST and Category 1.
Pay Scale
Figures are the pay scale, not take-home pay. Dearness allowance, house rent allowance and other allowances are paid over and above the basic pay shown.
| Post | Pay Scale |
|---|---|
| Assistant Horticulture Officer | ₹65,950 – ₹1,24,900 |
| Assistant Horticulture Director | ₹69,250 – ₹1,34,200 |
Selection Process
Each stage is qualifying for the next. Clearing a stage does not carry marks forward unless the notification says so.
- 1Competitive examination — two papers in computer-based or offline OMR mode
- 2Kannada language test — for candidates who did not study in Kannada medium; qualifying only
- 3Document verification
- 4Probation — two years, with National Pension System coverage
Exam Pattern
Understanding the marking scheme is worth as much as the syllabus — attempt strategy depends on the negative marking below.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I — General Knowledge | 100 | 300 | 2 hours |
| Paper II — Horticulture subject paper | 100 | 300 | 2 hours |
Each question carries three marks and **0.75 is deducted for a wrong answer**, so a wrong answer costs a quarter of a right one. The qualifying mark is 35%. A **Kannada language test of 150 marks is compulsory for candidates who did not study in Kannada medium** — 50 marks are needed to qualify and the score does not count towards merit.
How to Apply
Complete the form in one sitting where possible, and check the preview page carefully. Most fields cannot be changed once submitted, except during the correction window.
- 1Open the KEA website and find the KSHD recruitment link.
- 2Register and complete the online application form.
- 3Upload a photograph on a white background (JPEG, 50–200 KB) and your signature (JPEG, 50–70 KB).
- 4Pay the applicable fee through the online gateway.
- 5Download and keep the payment receipt.
- 6Submit before 30 August 2026.
Important Links
Official Links
Links go to the recruiting body’s own website- Apply onlineApply Online
- Karnataka Examinations AuthorityVisit
Verify before you apply. Eligibility, vacancy counts, fees and dates change through corrigenda. Job Times 24 is an information service, not a recruiter, and never charges candidates. Always confirm every detail in the official notification above.