Karnataka State Horticulture Department (KSHD), Assistant Directors and Assistant Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online

Karnataka Examination Authority (KSHD) Recruitment 2026 Notification :
The Karnataka Examination Authority, KEA, on behalf of the Karnataka State Horticulture Department, KSHD, has released the official KSHD Recruitment 2026 Notification for the recruitment of Assistant Horticulture Officer and Assistant Horticulture Director posts. A total of 85 vacancies have been announced under the general recruitment and Kalyana-Karnataka recruitment notifications.

The official notification was released on 04 August 2026. Eligible candidates can submit their applications through the official Karnataka Examination Authority website. The online application process starts on 05 August 2026 and the last date to submit the application form is 30 August 2026. The last date for payment of the application fee is 31 August 2026.
The recruitment offers an important career opportunity for candidates having qualifications in horticulture. Candidates with a B.Sc. in Horticulture can apply for Assistant Horticulture Officer posts, while candidates with a Postgraduate Degree in Horticulture along with B.Sc. in Horticulture can apply for Assistant Horticulture Director posts.

Karnataka Examination Authority (KSHD) Recruitment 2026 Notification Overview :
The Karnataka Horticulture Department Recruitment 2026 is being conducted through the Karnataka Examination Authority. The recruitment is for Group-B posts under the Horticulture Department, Government of Karnataka.
Organization: Karnataka Examination Authority, on behalf of Karnataka Horticulture Department.
Recruitment Name: KSHD Recruitment 2026.
Post Names: Assistant Horticulture Officer and Assistant Horticulture Director.
Total Vacancies: 85 posts.
General Recruitment: 80 posts.
Kalyana-Karnataka Recruitment: 5 posts.
Notification Date: 04 August 2026.
Application Start Date: 05 August 2026.
Last Date to Apply: 30 August 2026.
Last Date for Fee Payment: 31 August 2026.
Application Mode: Online.
Selection Process: Competitive Examination.
Official Website: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.

Karnataka Examination Authority (KSHD) Recruitment 2026 Notification Vacancy Details :
A total of 85 Assistant Horticulture Officer and Assistant Horticulture Director vacancies have been announced through two separate notifications.

General Recruitment – 80 Posts :
The general recruitment notification covers 80 vacancies across Karnataka.
Assistant Horticulture Officer: 75 posts.
Assistant Horticulture Director: 5 posts.
Total: 80 posts.
The department has stated that the post-wise and category-wise vacancy details are provisional and may be revised according to applicable Government Orders.

Kalyana-Karnataka Recruitment – 5 Posts :
A separate notification has been issued for candidates belonging to the Kalyana-Karnataka region under Article 371(J).
Assistant Horticulture Director: 5 posts.
Total Kalyana-Karnataka Vacancies: 5 posts.
Candidates claiming the Kalyana-Karnataka reservation must satisfy the applicable local candidate and eligibility requirements mentioned in the notification.

Karnataka Examination Authority (KSHD) Recruitment 2026 Notification Educational Qualification :
Candidates must possess the prescribed educational qualification for the post they are applying for. The qualification should be obtained from a recognized institution as specified in the recruitment notification.

Assistant Horticulture Officer Qualification :
Candidates applying for the Assistant Horticulture Officer post must :
Hold a Graduate Degree in Horticulture.
The degree must be from a University established by law in India.
The qualification must be accredited by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, ICAR.

Assistant Horticulture Director Qualification :
Candidates applying for the Assistant Horticulture Director post must :
Hold a Postgraduate Degree in Horticulture.
Also possess a B.Sc. Degree in Horticulture.
The qualifications must be from a University established by law in India.
The institution or qualification must satisfy the ICAR accreditation requirement mentioned in the notification.
Candidates should verify their educational qualification carefully before submitting the application.

Karnataka Examination Authority (KSHD) Recruitment 2026 Notification Age Limit :
The age criteria for KSHD Recruitment 2026 are prescribed according to the Karnataka Civil Services rules and the applicable Government Orders.
Candidates must be at least 18 years old as on the last date for submission of applications.
The maximum age limit is :
General Merit: 40 years.
Category 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B: 43 years.
SC, ST and Category-I: 45 years.
Additional age relaxation of up to 10 years may be available to eligible categories such as widows, ex-servicemen, government employees and other specified categories according to the applicable rules.
Candidates claiming age relaxation must possess valid supporting documents.

Karnataka Examination Authority (KSHD) Recruitment 2026 Notification Salary Structure :
Selected candidates for the Assistant Horticulture Officer and Assistant Horticulture Director posts will receive salary according to the prescribed Karnataka Government pay scales.
Assistant Horticulture Officer Salary :
The pay scale for Assistant Horticulture Officer is :
₹65,950 – 1,24,900 per month, according to the applicable pay progression.
Assistant Horticulture Director Salary :
The pay scale for Assistant Horticulture Director is :
₹69,250 – 1,34,200 per month, according to the applicable pay progression.
Selected candidates will be appointed on probation for a period of two years from the date of regular appointment. Candidates will also be covered under the National Pension System, NPS, as applicable.

Karnataka Examination Authority (KSHD) Recruitment 2026 Notification Application Fee :
Candidates are required to pay the prescribed application fee through online mode.
The category-wise fee structure is :
General Merit and 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B: ₹750, including ₹500 application fee and ₹250 processing fee.
SC, ST, Category-I, Ex-Servicemen and Third Gender: ₹500, including ₹250 application fee and ₹250 processing fee.
Persons with Disabilities: ₹250 processing fee only.
The application fee must be paid through the prescribed online payment facility. Once paid, the fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
Candidates should complete the payment before the specified deadline to ensure successful completion of the application process.

Karnataka Examination Authority (KSHD) Recruitment 2026 Notification Important Dates :
Candidates should carefully remember all important dates related to the recruitment.
Notification Release Date: 04 August 2026.
Online Application Start Date: 05 August 2026.
Last Date for Online Application: 30 August 2026.
Last Date for Fee Payment: 31 August 2026.
Competitive Examination Date: To be announced later.
The examination timetable will be published separately by the Karnataka Examination Authority. Candidates should regularly check the official KEA website for examination-related updates.

Karnataka Examination Authority (KSHD) Recruitment 2026 Notification Selection Process :
The selection of candidates will be based on a Competitive Examination conducted by the Karnataka Examination Authority.
The examination may be conducted in Computer Based Test, CBT, or Offline OMR mode, as decided by KEA.
The examination consists of two papers.

Paper 1 – General Knowledge :
Paper 1 will contain :
Current Affairs.
General Science.
Karnataka History.
Indian History.
Karnataka Geography.
Indian Geography.
Indian Constitution.
General Intellectual Ability.
Other topics prescribed by the authority.
Paper 1 consists of :
100 Questions.
300 Marks.
Duration: 2 Hours.

Paper 2 – Horticulture :
Paper 2 will contain questions related to the subject of Horticulture.
100 Questions.
300 Marks.
Duration: 2 Hours.
The detailed syllabus for the subject-specific paper will be notified separately.

Qualifying Marks and Negative Marking :
Candidates must secure a minimum of 35% marks in the competitive examination to qualify.
There will also be negative marking. 0.75 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer, as each question contains four options.
Candidates should therefore answer questions carefully during the examination.

Karnataka Examination Authority (KSHD) Recruitment 2026 Notification Kannada Language Test :
Candidates who have not studied Kannada as the first or second language up to SSLC level, or an equivalent or higher examination, must appear for the qualifying Kannada Language Test.
Important details include :
Total Marks: 150.
Minimum Qualifying Marks: 50.
The Kannada Language Test is qualifying in nature.
Marks obtained in the Kannada Language Test will not be counted for the final merit list.
Candidates who are required to appear for the Kannada Language Test must qualify in it.
Failure to appear for the required Kannada Language Test will result in disqualification.
Candidates should carefully check whether the Kannada Language Test applies to them before appearing for the recruitment examination.

Documents Required for Karnataka Examination Authority (KSHD) Recruitment 2026 Notification :
Candidates should keep all required documents ready while completing the online application and during document verification.
Important documents include :
Aadhaar Card.
SSLC or equivalent certificate showing date of birth.
Birth certificate, where applicable.
Educational qualification certificates.
Marks cards for all required semesters or examinations.
Caste certificate, where applicable.
Income and caste certificate, where applicable.
Rural reservation certificate, if applicable.
Kannada medium study certificate, if applicable.
Ex-servicemen discharge certificate or pension book, where applicable.
Proof of dependency for eligible candidates.
Third gender certificate issued by the District Magistrate, where applicable.
Kalyana-Karnataka, 371(J), eligibility and local candidate certificate, where applicable.
Recent passport-size photograph.
Scanned signature.
Other certificates required according to the candidate's category or reservation claim.
Candidates should ensure that all certificates are valid and issued by the competent authority.

How to Apply Online for Karnataka Examination Authority (KSHD) Recruitment 2026 Notification :
Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the official Karnataka Examination Authority website.
The application procedure is as follows :
Visit the official KEA website.
Open the recruitment section.
Find the Assistant Horticulture Officer and Assistant Horticulture Director Recruitment 2026 notification.
Read the official notification carefully.
Complete the online registration process.
Enter personal information, educational details and other required information.
Select the appropriate post and recruitment category.
Upload the recent passport-size photograph in the prescribed JPEG format.
Upload the scanned signature according to the prescribed size and format.
Check all entered information carefully.
Pay the applicable application and processing fee through the online payment facility.
Download and save the fee payment receipt or challan.
Submit the completed application form before 30 August 2026.
Complete the fee payment by 31 August 2026.
Download and retain a printout of the submitted application for future reference.
Candidates should carefully verify all details before final submission because corrections are not permitted after the application is submitted.

Karnataka Examination Authority (KSHD) Recruitment 2026 Notification Important Instructions :
Candidates should follow all instructions issued by KEA while applying for the recruitment.
Only applications submitted through the prescribed online process will be considered.
Candidates must satisfy all educational and age eligibility requirements.
No correction will be allowed after final submission of the application.
Photograph and signature must be uploaded in the prescribed format and file size.
Candidates must pay the applicable fee within the specified deadline.
Original documents must be produced during document verification whenever required.
Candidates should regularly check the official KEA website for examination updates.
The recruitment notification itself does not guarantee appointment.
Candidates must qualify in the prescribed competitive examination.
Candidates required to appear for the Kannada Language Test must qualify in the test.
Providing false information or using unfair means can result in cancellation of candidature.
Impersonation or submission of false documents may lead to disciplinary or legal action.
Eligibility conditions will be governed by the applicable Karnataka Civil Services Rules and Government Orders.

Why Apply for Karnataka Examination Authority (KSHD) Recruitment 2026 Notification :
The KSHD Assistant Horticulture Officer Recruitment 2026 and Assistant Horticulture Director Recruitment 2026 provide an important opportunity for horticulture graduates and postgraduate candidates seeking a career in the Karnataka Government Horticulture Department.
The major benefits of this recruitment include :
85 total vacancies.
Group-B government positions.
Opportunities for horticulture graduates and postgraduate candidates.
Recruitment conducted through KEA.
Attractive Karnataka Government pay scales.
Opportunities under both general and Kalyana-Karnataka recruitment.
Transparent competitive examination process.
Government service benefits according to applicable rules.
Two-year probation period.
National Pension System coverage for selected candidates.
Career opportunities in the Horticulture Department.
Candidates who meet the prescribed eligibility requirements should complete their online application before the closing date. Applicants are also advised to read the official notification carefully, keep all supporting documents ready, and regularly visit the official KEA website for examination dates, admit card updates, syllabus information and other recruitment-related announcements.