Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Principal Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online

Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) Principal Recruitment 2026 :
The Karnataka Examinations Authority, Bengaluru, has released the KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 notification on behalf of the Department of School Education, Pre-University Education, Government of Karnataka. The recruitment drive is being conducted to fill 247 Principal vacancies in Government Pre-University Colleges across Karnataka.
The recruitment consists of two separate notifications dated 03 September 2026. A total of 31 vacancies are available under the Kalyana-Karnataka Local Cadre, while 216 vacancies are available under the Residual Parent Cadre. Both recruitment notifications have the same application dates, pay scale, examination pattern and fee structure.

Importantly, KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 is not an open recruitment for fresh graduates or the general public. Only serving Lecturers working in Government Pre-University Colleges under the School Education Department, who satisfy the prescribed service conditions, are eligible to apply.
The online application process will begin on 07 September 2026 and the last date to submit the application is 04 October 2026. Candidates can pay the prescribed application fee up to 05 October 2026.

Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) Principal Recruitment 2026 Overview :
Recruiting Authority: Karnataka Examinations Authority, Bengaluru.
Recruiting Department: Department of School Education, Pre-University Education, Government of Karnataka.
Post Name: Principal, Government Pre-University Colleges.
Total Vacancies: 247 posts.
Kalyana-Karnataka Local Cadre Vacancies: 31 posts.
Residual Parent Cadre Vacancies: 216 posts.
Notification Numbers: ED/KEA/29/Recruitment/2026-KK and ED/KEA/28/Recruitment/2026-RPC.
Notification Date: 03 September 2026.
Application Mode: Online only.
Application Start Date: 07 September 2026.
Application Last Date: 04 October 2026.
Fee Payment Last Date: 05 October 2026.
Pay Scale: ₹90,200 – ₹1,59,200.
Job Location: Government Pre-University Colleges across Karnataka.
KK Cadre Location: Government Pre-University Colleges in the Kalyana-Karnataka region.
Eligible Candidates: Serving Lecturers of Government Pre-University Colleges satisfying the prescribed service conditions.
Selection Process: Competitive Examination.
Examination Mode: Online CBT or Offline OMR, as decided by KEA.

Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) Principal Recruitment 2026 Important Dates :
Candidates should carefully note the important dates related to the KEA Principal Recruitment 2026.
Notification Date: 03 September 2026.
Online Application Start Date: 07 September 2026.
Online Application Last Date: 04 October 2026.
Last Date for Application Fee Payment: 05 October 2026.
Competitive Examination Date: To be announced by KEA.
Papers 1, 2 and 3 will be conducted as part of the competitive examination.
Candidates should regularly check the KEA website for examination admission tickets, centre details and other updates.

Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) Principal Recruitment 2026 Vacancy :
The KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 offers 247 vacancies under two different cadres.

Kalyana-Karnataka Local Cadre Vacancy :
There are 31 Principal vacancies under the Kalyana-Karnataka Local Cadre.
General Merit: 15 posts.
SC-A: 2 posts.
SC-B: 2 posts.
SC-C: 1 post.
ST: 1 post.
Category-1: 2 posts.
Category-2A: 5 posts.
Category-2B: 1 post.
Category-3A: 1 post.
Category-3B: 1 post.
Total KK vacancies: 31 posts.
Candidates applying under the KK Local Cadre must satisfy the applicable Kalyana-Karnataka local-cadre requirements and possess the prescribed certificate.

Residual Parent Cadre Vacancy :
There are 216 Principal vacancies under the Residual Parent Cadre.
General Merit: 108 posts.
SC-A: 12 posts.
SC-B: 11 posts.
SC-C: 10 posts.
ST: 7 posts.
Category-1: 9 posts.
Category-2A: 32 posts.
Category-2B: 9 posts.
Category-3A: 8 posts.
Category-3B: 10 posts.
Total RPC vacancies: 216 posts.
Horizontal reservation will also apply within the notified vacancies for eligible women, rural candidates, ex-servicemen, Kannada-medium candidates, Persons with Disabilities and transgender candidates, according to the applicable roster and Government rules.

Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) Principal Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria :
The most important point regarding KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 is that the recruitment is restricted to serving Lecturers.
The applicant must currently be working as a Lecturer in the Lecturer cadre of Government Pre-University Colleges under the School Education Department.
The candidate must have completed at least 10 years of service in the Lecturer cadre.
The candidate must have satisfactorily completed the probation period in the Lecturer post.
The prescribed educational and service qualifications must be fulfilled by the last date fixed for submission of applications.
Candidates who do not possess the required qualification or service eligibility may have their candidature rejected.
Eligibility may be verified by the Government, Department or KEA at any stage of the recruitment process.
Candidates should carefully verify their service records before submitting the application.
Fresh candidates, private college lecturers and applicants who do not satisfy the prescribed Government service conditions should not apply.

Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) Principal Recruitment 2026 Age Limit :
No upper age limit has been prescribed for this recruitment.
No separate maximum age limit applies to eligible serving Lecturers.
The exemption from an upper age limit is connected with the nature of the recruitment, which is conducted from among serving Lecturers who have completed the required 10 years of service.
Candidates must nevertheless satisfy all other eligibility and service conditions prescribed in the notification.
The absence of an age limit does not mean that candidates outside the specified Lecturer cadre can apply.

Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) Principal Recruitment 2026 Salary :
Selected candidates will be appointed to the Principal post in the revised Karnataka State Pay Scale.
Pay Scale: ₹90,200 – ₹1,59,200.
Revised 2024 Karnataka State Pay Scale: ₹90,200-2,300-99,400-2,700-1,15,600-3,100-1,34,200-3,500-1,55,200-4,000-1,59,200.
The applicable allowances and service benefits will be governed by Karnataka Government rules.
Pension benefits for officers appointed as Principal will continue to be governed by the pension rules applicable to their original appointment as Lecturer.
Candidates should refer to the applicable Government service rules for detailed information regarding pension and other benefits.

Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) Principal Recruitment 2026 Application Fee :
The application fee varies according to the candidate category.
General Merit candidates: ₹1,500.
Category-2A candidates: ₹1,500.
Category-2B candidates: ₹1,500.
Category-3A candidates: ₹1,500.
Category-3B candidates: ₹1,500.
SC candidates: ₹1,000.
ST candidates: ₹1,000.
Category-1 candidates: ₹1,000.
Ex-servicemen candidates: ₹1,000.
Third Gender candidates: ₹1,000.
Persons with Disabilities under the specified special category: ₹500.
The fee must be paid through the prescribed online payment facility.
Once paid, the application fee will not be refunded.

Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) Principal Recruitment 2026 Selection Process :
Selection for the Principal post will be conducted through a competitive examination organized by KEA.
The examination may be conducted in Computer Based Test mode or Offline OMR mode, as decided by the Authority.

Paper 1 – Kannada Language Test :
Subject: Kannada Language Test.
Number of Questions: 150.
Maximum Marks: 150.
Duration: 3 hours.
Paper 1 is qualifying in nature.
Candidates must secure at least 50 marks to qualify.
Marks obtained in Paper 1 will not be counted for preparation of the final merit list.

Paper 2 – General Studies :
Number of Questions: 150.
Maximum Marks: 150.
Duration: 3 hours.
Major areas include History and Cultural Heritage.
Social and Political Perspective.
Indian Economy.
Indian Constitution.
Public Administration.
Science and Technology.
Environment and Ecology.
Ethics.
Aptitude.
Paper 3 – Department and Administrative Subjects
Number of Questions: 150.
Maximum Marks: 150.
Duration: 3 hours.
Karnataka Civil Service Rules.
Classification, Control and Appeal Rules, 1957.
Karnataka Civil Services Conduct Rules.
Karnataka Treasury Code.
Karnataka Financial Code.
Recruitment Rules.
Karnataka Education Act, 1983.
Educational Psychology.
Other allied topics prescribed by KEA.
Merit and Negative Marking
Only Paper 2 and Paper 3 marks will be considered for preparing the merit list.
Paper 1 Kannada is qualifying only.
Candidates must obtain the prescribed minimum qualifying marks in Paper 1.
Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies for every wrong answer in Papers 2 and 3.
Papers 2 and 3 are conducted in bilingual Kannada and English format.
Candidates may be shortlisted for document verification at a 1:2 ratio against the vacancies in each category.
Shortlisting will be based on the marks obtained in Papers 2 and 3.

Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) Principal Recruitment 2026 Reservation Policy :
Reservation will be implemented according to the Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977, and applicable Government orders.
The important reservation codes used in the recruitment include :
GM: General Merit.
SC-A, SC-B and SC-C: Scheduled Caste categories.
ST: Scheduled Tribe.
Cat-1: Category-1.
2A: Category-2A.
2B: Category-2B.
3A: Category-3A.
3B: Category-3B.
XMP: Ex-Servicemen.
Rural: Rural Candidate.
KMS: Kannada Medium Student.
Wom: Woman Candidate.
TG: Transgender.
KK: Kalyana-Karnataka Local Cadre.
Horizontal reservations will operate in addition to the applicable vertical category reservations, subject to the recruitment notification and Government rules.

Documents Required for Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) Principal Recruitment 2026 :
Candidates should keep all required documents ready before completing the online application.
Aadhaar Card.
SSLC certificate or equivalent document showing date of birth.
Service certificate confirming appointment as Lecturer.
Certificate showing completion of probation.
Service records confirming the required 10 years of service.
Caste certificate for SC, ST, Category-1, 2A, 2B, 3A or 3B candidates, wherever applicable.
Relevant caste certificate should contain the required RD number.
Income and caste or creamy-layer certificate for eligible Category-2A, 2B, 3A and 3B candidates, wherever applicable.
Rural candidate certificate in the prescribed Form-2, where applicable.
Kannada-medium study certificate, where applicable.
Ex-servicemen or dependent certificate, where applicable.
Disability certificate or UDID, where applicable.
Third-gender certificate issued by the District Magistrate, where applicable.
Kalyana-Karnataka local candidate certificate under Article 371-J, applicable to KK-cadre applicants.
Recent passport-size photograph in JPEG format, generally within the prescribed 50 KB to 200 KB size range.
Scanned signature in JPEG format, generally within the prescribed 50 KB to 70 KB size range.
Candidates should ensure that every certificate is valid and available in the prescribed format.

How to Apply for Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) Principal Recruitment 2026 :
Eligible serving Lecturers can apply online through the KEA recruitment portal.
Visit the official Karnataka Examinations Authority website.
Locate the Principal Recruitment 2026 notification.
Identify the relevant notification for KK Local Cadre or Residual Parent Cadre.
Read the complete notification carefully.
Open the online application link.
Enter personal information accurately.
Enter educational qualification details wherever required.
Enter Lecturer service details, including the required service period and probation information.
Select the applicable category and reservation details.
Upload the photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
Upload the required service, caste, rural, Kannada-medium, disability or other certificates, wherever applicable.
Candidates applying for KK vacancies should provide the prescribed 371-J certificate.
Verify every detail before final submission.
Pay the prescribed application fee online.
Submit the application before 04 October 2026.
Complete fee payment within the prescribed deadline of 05 October 2026.
Download and retain a copy of the submitted application.
Save the fee payment receipt for future reference.
No correction or modification should be expected after final submission, so candidates must check all information carefully before submitting the form.

Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) Principal Recruitment 2026 Important Instructions :
The recruitment is only for eligible serving Lecturers in Government Pre-University Colleges under the School Education Department.
General public candidates cannot apply for the Principal posts.
Candidates must have completed the prescribed minimum 10 years of Lecturer service.
Satisfactory completion of probation is mandatory.
Applications are accepted only through online mode.
No other method of application submission will be accepted.
Once the application is submitted, corrections or modifications are not permitted.
Candidates should carefully select their cadre and category.
Incorrect, incomplete or false information can result in rejection at any stage.
Candidates must carry a valid original photograph identity card to the examination centre.
Acceptable identity documents include Aadhaar, PAN Card, Driving Licence, Passport, Voter ID and Government employee ID, as prescribed.
Candidates must carry the examination admission ticket along with the required original photo ID.
Requests for changing the examination centre will not be entertained.
Candidates claiming reservation must possess the required certificate in the prescribed format.
Candidates applying under the KK Local Cadre must satisfy the applicable Article 371-J conditions.
The Authority may reject applications if the required service or qualification conditions are not satisfied.
Fraudulent practices, false information or suppression of facts may lead to disqualification and disciplinary or legal action.
Candidates should regularly check the KEA website for examination dates, admission tickets, results and other updates.

Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) Principal Recruitment 2026 Key Highlights :
KEA has announced 247 Principal vacancies.
There are 31 vacancies under the Kalyana-Karnataka Local Cadre.
There are 216 vacancies under the Residual Parent Cadre.
The recruitment is conducted on behalf of the Department of School Education, Pre-University Education.
Only serving Government Pre-University College Lecturers are eligible.
Candidates must have at least 10 years of Lecturer service.
Satisfactory completion of probation is mandatory.
No upper age limit is prescribed.
The Principal pay scale is ₹90,200 – ₹1,59,200.
The application process is completely online.
Applications begin on 07 September 2026.
The last date to apply is 04 October 2026.
Fee payment can be completed up to 05 October 2026.
Selection is through a three-paper competitive examination.
Paper 1 Kannada is qualifying in nature.
Paper 2 and Paper 3 marks are considered for the merit list.
Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies in Papers 2 and 3.
Shortlisting for document verification is conducted at a 1:2 ratio against vacancies, category-wise.
Reservation benefits are available according to Karnataka Government rules.
Candidates should verify all service and category documents before applying.