KEA Recruitment 2026 for 233 Nursing Officer, Pharmacy Officer Posts, Apply Online –>
KEA Recruitment 2026: 233 Group-C Posts of Nursing Officer and Pharmacy Officer in Karnataka – Apply Online by 30 August
Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru – 233 Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer Posts, ESI Scheme Medical Services Department, Apply at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru has released two separate notifications dated inviting online applications for Group-C posts of Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse/Shushrushadhikari). These posts are spread across the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Scheme Medical Services Department and, under a separate Kalyana-Karnataka notification, the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society and related departments. A total of 233 vacancies are notified — 188 under the RPC notification and 45 under the Kalyana-Karnataka notification.
The online application process started on and the last date to submit the application is . The last date to pay the application fee is . Selection is based on a competitive written examination conducted by KEA, consisting of two papers — General Knowledge (100 marks) and Post-specific subject (100 marks). Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies for each wrong answer. Candidates must score a minimum of 35% marks in the examination to qualify.
For the Pharmacy Officer post, candidates must possess a Diploma in Pharmacy recognized by the Government of Karnataka and be registered with the Karnataka Pharmacy Council. For Nursing Officer, a Diploma in General Nursing or B.Sc Nursing (for KREIS post) with Karnataka Nursing Council registration is required. The salary ranges from Rs. 44,425 to Rs. 83,700 for Pharmacy Officer and Rs. 54,175 to Rs. 99,400 for Nursing Officer. Selected candidates will be on probation for two years and are eligible for the National Pension Scheme (NPS).
Key Details
- Organization: Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru
- Posts: Pharmacy Officer, Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse/Shushrushadhikari)
- Total Vacancies: 233 (188 RPC + 45 Kalyana-Karnataka)
- Notification Date:
- Application Start:
- Application Last Date:
- Fee Payment Last Date:
- Application Mode: Online only at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
Eligibility and Salary
- Pharmacy Officer: Diploma in Pharmacy + Karnataka Pharmacy Council registration
- Nursing Officer: Diploma in General Nursing / B.Sc Nursing + Karnataka Nursing Council registration
- Age Limit: 18 to 40 years (General), up to 43 years (2A/2B/3A/3B), up to 45 years (SC/ST/Category-1)
- Salary (Pharmacy Officer): Rs. 44,425 to Rs. 83,700
- Salary (Nursing Officer): Rs. 54,175 to Rs. 99,400
- Job Location: Karnataka
- Selection: Competitive Written Exam (Paper-1 GK + Paper-2 Subject)
- Official Website: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/
KEA Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates and Application Fee
Online Application: 07 August to 30 August 2026 — Fee Payment by 31 August 2026
The online application process for KEA Recruitment 2026 opened on and the last date to submit the application is . The last date to pay the application fee is . The written examination date will be announced later on the official website.
Important Dates
- Notification Date:
- Online Application Start:
- Online Application Last Date:
- Last Date to Pay Fee:
- Written Examination Date: To be announced later
Application Fee
- General / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B: Rs. 750 (Rs. 500 application + Rs. 250 processing)
- SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-servicemen / Third Gender: Rs. 500 (Rs. 250 application + Rs. 250 processing)
- PWD (Special Able): Rs. 250 (processing fee only)
- Fee must be paid online only — non-refundable once paid
KEA Recruitment 2026 – Vacancy Details and Eligibility
233 Group-C Posts — 188 RPC + 45 Kalyana-Karnataka — Diploma/B.Sc Nursing or Diploma Pharmacy Required
KEA has notified 233 vacancies across two separate notifications — the RPC notification (188 posts under ESI Scheme Medical Services Department) and the Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) notification (45 posts under various departments). The vacancies are for Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse/Shushrushadhikari) Group-C posts.
RPC Notification (ESI Scheme) — 188 Posts
- Pharmacy Officer: 98 posts (92 General + 05 Ex-servicemen + 01 Backlog)
- Nursing Officer (Shushrushadhikari): 90 posts (72 General + 11 Ex-servicemen + 07 Backlog)
- Total RPC: 188 posts
Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) Notification — 45 Posts
- KREIS Nursing Officer: 23 posts (17 General + 06 Backlog)
- ESI Pharmacy Officer: 11 posts (06 General + 05 Ex-servicemen)
- ESI Nursing Officer: 11 posts (Ex-servicemen)
- Total KK: 45 posts
Eligibility Criteria
- Pharmacy Officer: Diploma in Pharmacy from institution recognized by Govt of Karnataka + Registration with Karnataka Pharmacy Council
- Nursing Officer (RPC): Diploma in General Nursing issued by authority authorized by Govt of Karnataka + Registration with Karnataka Nursing Council
- Nursing Officer (KREIS): B.Sc Nursing from recognized university OR PUC plus GNM from INC/KSNC recognized institution + Kannada language studied at PG/Bachelor's/PUC/SSLC/Diploma level or Kannada certificate
- Age Limit (as on last date of application): General: 18–40 years; Category 2A/2B/3A/3B: up to 43 years; SC/ST/Category-1: up to 45 years
- Additional age relaxation for Govt employees (up to 10 years), ex-servicemen, NCC instructors, and other categories as per notification
KEA Recruitment 2026 – Selection Process and Exam Pattern
Competitive Written Exam: Paper-1 (GK) + Paper-2 (Subject) — 100 Marks Each, 0.25 Negative Marking
Selection is based on a competitive written examination conducted by KEA in online (CBT) or offline (OMR) mode. The exam consists of two papers — General Knowledge (100 questions, 100 marks, 2 hours) and Post-specific subject paper (100 questions, 100 marks, 2 hours). Each question carries 4 alternative answers; candidates must mark only one correct answer. Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies for each wrong answer. Candidates must score a minimum of 35% marks to qualify.
Exam Pattern
- Paper-1: General Knowledge — 100 questions, 100 marks, 2 hours
- Paper-2: Post-specific subject — 100 questions, 100 marks, 2 hours
- Total: 200 questions, 200 marks, 4 hours
- Marking: 1 mark per correct answer
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer
- Minimum Qualifying: 35% marks in the competitive examination
- Mode: Online (CBT) or Offline (OMR) as decided by KEA
Kannada Language Test
- Applies to candidates who have not studied Kannada as first/second language up to SSLC/higher level
- Also applies to candidates who have not cleared the Kadaya Kannada test earlier
- Format: SSLC-standard, 150 objective-type marks
- Minimum to Pass: 50 marks
- Candidates failing to secure minimum marks or remaining absent are disqualified
- Carry valid original photo ID (PAN/Aadhaar/Passport/Voter ID/DL/Govt ID) to exam center
- No request for change of examination center will be entertained
KEA Recruitment 2026 – Salary and Job Profile
Rs. 44,425 to Rs. 99,400 Pay Scale — 2-Year Probation, NPS Eligible
Selected candidates will receive a competitive pay scale with the Nursing Officer post offering higher remuneration than the Pharmacy Officer post. Both posts carry Group-C classification under the Karnataka government. Selected candidates will be on probation for two years from the date of joining and are eligible for the National Pension Scheme (NPS) benefit.
Salary Structure
- Pharmacy Officer: Rs. 44,425 to Rs. 83,700 per month
- Nursing Officer (Shushrushadhikari): Rs. 54,175 to Rs. 99,400 per month
- Probation Period: 2 years from date of joining
- Pension: National Pension Scheme (NPS) eligible
- Nature: Permanent Government Group-C posts
Job Profile
- Pharmacy Officer: Dispensing medicines, maintaining pharmacy records, inventory management at ESI hospitals/ dispensaries in Karnataka
- Nursing Officer: Patient care, administering medications, maintaining nursing records at ESI hospitals/dispensaries in Karnataka
- Posting across ESI Scheme Medical Services Department and allied departments in Karnataka
- Working hours and duties as per Karnataka government rules
KEA Recruitment 2026 – How to Apply
Apply Online at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in by 30 August 2026 — No Correction After Submission
The application process for KEA Recruitment 2026 is completely online through the official KEA website. Candidates must register, fill in the application form carefully, upload required documents, pay the fee online, and submit before the deadline. No correction or modification is allowed after submission. Only online applications are accepted.
How to Apply
- Step 1: Visit the official KEA website at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/
- Step 2: Click on the relevant recruitment application link for Nursing Officer/Pharmacy Officer
- Step 3: Register and fill in the online application form carefully (no correction allowed after submission)
- Step 4: Upload recent passport-size photograph (JPEG, white background, 50KB–200KB) and signature (JPEG, 50KB–70KB)
- Step 5: Pay the applicable application fee online before the last date
- Step 6: Download and keep a copy of the submitted application and fee payment receipt
Important Instructions
- Only online applications accepted — mode of submission cannot be changed later
- No correction or modification allowed after submission — verify all details before submitting
- Incorrect or false information leads to rejection at any stage
- Admit cards will be released on the official website — carry valid original photo ID to exam center
- No request for change of exam center entertained
- KEA will not correspond over phone or in person — all communication via mobile/email in application
- Fake documents or unfair means lead to disqualification and legal action
KEA Recruitment 2026 – Documents Required
Documents for Application
- Aadhaar Card
- SSLC Marks Card: Proof of date of birth
- Educational Certificates: All qualification marks cards/certificates
- Photograph: Recent passport-size, JPEG, white background, 50KB–200KB
- Signature: JPEG format, 50KB–70KB
- Pharmacy Council Registration: For Pharmacy Officer candidates
- Nursing Council Registration: For Nursing Officer candidates
Additional Documents (If Applicable)
- Caste/Category Certificate: With RD number entered in online application
- Ex-servicemen Certificate: Discharge certificate or pension/gratuity proof
- PWD/UDID Certificate: For PWD candidates
- Rural Candidature Certificate: If applicable
- Kannada Medium Study Certificate: If applicable
- Income Certificate: For married women from Category 2A/2B/3A/3B claiming reservation
- Valid Photo ID: For exam day (PAN/Aadhaar/Passport/Voter ID/DL/Govt ID)
KEA Recruitment 2026 – Important Links and Follow Us
Official Recruitment Links
- Official Notification PDF – Download PDF
- Apply Online – cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/
- Official Website – KEA – cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/
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- Telegram Channel – Join Channel
- Facebook Page – Follow Page
- Twitter / X – Follow Updates
- Blogs – Visit Blog
KEA Recruitment 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is KEA Recruitment 2026?
It is a recruitment drive by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) to fill 233 Group-C posts of Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer across the ESI Scheme Medical Services Department and allied departments in Karnataka.
Q2. How many vacancies are available?
A total of 233 vacancies — 188 under the RPC notification and 45 under the Kalyana-Karnataka notification.
Q3. What is the last date to apply?
The online application closes on . Fee payment deadline is .
Q4. What is the qualification required?
Pharmacy Officer: Diploma in Pharmacy + Karnataka Pharmacy Council registration. Nursing Officer: Diploma in General Nursing / B.Sc Nursing + Karnataka Nursing Council registration.
Q5. What is the age limit?
General: 18 to 40 years. Category 2A/2B/3A/3B: up to 43 years. SC/ST/Category-1: up to 45 years. Additional relaxation for Govt employees and other categories.
Q6. What is the application fee?
General/2A/2B/3A/3B: Rs. 750. SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-servicemen/Third gender: Rs. 500. PWD: Rs. 250.
Q7. What is the selection process?
Selection is based on a competitive written exam — Paper-1 (GK, 100 marks) + Paper-2 (Subject, 100 marks). 0.25 negative marking. Minimum 35% to qualify.
Q8. What is the salary?
Pharmacy Officer: Rs. 44,425 to Rs. 83,700. Nursing Officer: Rs. 54,175 to Rs. 99,400. 2-year probation, NPS eligible.
Q9. Can I edit my application after submission?
No, no correction or modification is allowed after submission. Verify all details carefully before submitting.
Q10. Is Kannada language test mandatory?
Only for candidates who have not studied Kannada as first/second language up to SSLC/higher level, or who have not cleared the Kadaya Kannada test earlier. 150 marks, minimum 50 to pass.
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