KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026: 5,431 Posts, Apply by 25 November

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has opened applications for 5,431 Group-C vacancies in various state government departments, boards and corporations. The posts are equivalent to First Division Assistant (FDA) and Second Division Assistant (SDA), and they are split between the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) and the local Kalyana Karnataka (KK) cadre.

The notification is dated 29 October 2026, and the online application window opened on 30 October. Candidates have until 25 November 2026 to submit the form and until 26 November to pay the fee. KEA has published four separate detailed notifications (RPC degree level, RPC PUC level, KK degree level and KK PUC level), so pick the one that matches your qualification and cadre before you start.

KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026: Overview

Important Dates

On each exam day, Paper 1 runs from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm and Paper 2 from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Exam centre details and admit card dates will be announced later on the KEA website.

KEA FDA SDA Vacancy 2026

Not all 5,431 posts carry the FDA or SDA title. The figure covers every Group-C post that sits at the same level, such as Accounts Assistant, Warden, Hostel Superintendent, Village Panchayat Secretary and Rural Development Assistant Grade-1, and FDA cum Computer Operator. The cadre-wise split is shown below.

Some of the larger blocks in the RPC degree-level notification include 488 (+2 backlog) Accounts Assistant posts in the State Accounts and Audit Department, 294 Warden posts in the Social Welfare Department and 249 FDA posts in the Judiciary. Department-wise and district-wise tables are in the detailed notifications.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

A few posts ask for more than a plain degree, for example a commerce background for accounts posts or computer skills for computer operator posts. You must hold the required qualification on the last date for applications. Candidates still waiting for results are not eligible.

Age Limit

The minimum age is 18 years on the last date for applications. The upper limits below already include the one-time 5-year relaxation ordered by the state government on 29 January 2026.

Further relaxation applies to some groups. Persons with disabilities and widows get 10 more years, ex-servicemen get their service period plus 3 years, and existing state government employees get relaxation equal to their service or 10 years, whichever is less.

Kalyana Karnataka Cadre

KK posts are reserved under Article 371(J) for local candidates from the Kalyana Karnataka region. To claim them, you need a valid local-cadre eligibility certificate in the prescribed format. Read the KK notification closely before choosing those posts.

Application Fee

The fee can only be paid online and is not refundable. Candidates who applied and paid for KEA’s earlier FDA notification dated 19 May 2026 are exempt from paying the fee for this RPC degree-level notification.

Exam Pattern and Selection Process

Selection is through a competitive written exam, followed by document verification and online post preference entry after results.

• Each wrong answer costs one-quarter of a mark.
• The OMR sheet has a fifth circle for questions you choose not to attempt. Leaving a question fully blank also attracts the 1/4 mark penalty.
• Candidates who did not study Kannada as a first or second language up to SSLC level must clear the Kannada Language Test on 8 January 2027.
• After results, eligible candidates enter post preferences online, and posts are allotted based on rank and preference.

How to Apply for KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026

1. Open the KEA website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea, and go to the recruitment section.
2. Download and read the notification that fits you: RPC or KK, degree level or PUC level.
3. Click the Group-C FDA and SDA “Apply Now” link and register with a working mobile number and email ID.
4. Log in and fill in personal, educational, reservation and cadre details.
5. Upload your photograph, signature and the certificates asked for.
6. Pay the fee online by 26 November 2026.
7. Check every entry, submit the form and download the confirmation page.

Be careful at the last step. The notification says that once the application is submitted, no detail can be changed at any stage. KEA has also warned that it is not responsible for server problems close to the deadline.

Documents to Keep Ready

• Recent passport-size photograph and signature in the required format
• SSLC (Class 10) marks card for date of birth and Kannada medium or subject proof
• Second PUC marks card
• Degree marks cards and certificate, for FDA-level posts
• Caste and income certificate in the prescribed reservation format, if claiming reservation
• Kalyana Karnataka local-cadre certificate, if applying for KK posts
• Rural, Kannada medium, PwD or ex-servicemen certificates, where applicable

If you are preparing for other government exams alongside this one, see our coverage of RRB NTPC Graduate Recruitment 2026. The exam windows are different, so you can plan for both.

FAQs

Official Links: KEA FDA SDA Recruitment 2026

About the author

Ishlin Mittal

Ishlin Mittal is a Senior Editor at MVM Times with six years of writing behind her. She edits our coverage of board and competitive exams, government schemes and the economy. Read full profile →

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