- Recruitment drive by Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) for Group-C posts under Government of Karnataka.
- Two separate notifications released for Kalyana-Karnataka cadre and General/Open cadre (ESI Scheme).
- Posts include Nursing Officer (Shushrushadhikari) and Pharmacy Officer in medical services and educational institutions.
- Competitive examination conducted for selection; probation period of 2 years for selected candidates.
- National Pension Scheme (NPS) benefits applicable for selected candidates.
KEA
🔒 Closed
🎓 Diploma
🎓 B.Sc. Nursing
🎓 GNM
KEA Recruitment 2026: Nursing Officer & Pharmacy Officer Posts
Karnataka Examination Authority
Total Vacancies
222
Job Location
Various departments/institutions under Government of Karnataka (Kalyana-Karnataka region and ESI Scheme Medical Services Department).
Apply Start
07 Aug 2026
Apply Deadline
30 Aug 2026
🚫 Applications Closed
📄 View PDF Notification
📋 Recruitment Overview
| Organization | Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) |
| Job Category | Medical |
| Eligibility Qualification | Diploma (diploma), B.Sc. Nursing (bsc-nursing), GNM (gnm) |
| Number of Vacancies | 222 Posts |
| Salary / Pay Scale | ₹44,425 - ₹99,400 Per Month |
| Age Limits | 18 to 45 Years |
| Gender Eligibility | both |
| Experience Required | None |
| Application Fee | - General Merit & Other Categories (2A/2B/3A/3B): ₹750 (₹500 application fee + ₹250 processing fee). - SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-servicemen/Third Gender: ₹500 (₹250 application fee + ₹250 processing fee). - PWD Candidates: ₹250 (processing fee only). - Fee payment must be made online; no refunds issued. - Last date to pay fee: 31-08-2026. |
📄 Details & Description
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a citizen of India.
- For Pharmacy Officer: Diploma in Pharmacy from a Karnataka-recognized institution and registration with Karnataka Pharmacy Council.
- For Nursing Officer: Diploma in General Nursing (or B.Sc Nursing/PUC+GNM for KREIS posts) from a Karnataka-recognized institution and registration with Karnataka Nursing Council.
- For KREIS Nursing Officer: B.Sc Nursing degree or PUC+GNM with Kannada language subject/certificate.
- Age limit: Minimum 18 years as of last application date; upper age limit relaxed to 40-45 years based on category.
- Candidates must be mentally and physically fit for efficient discharge of duties.
- Male candidates with more than one living spouse and female candidates married to men with a living spouse are ineligible unless prior government approval is obtained.
- For Pharmacy Officer: Diploma in Pharmacy from a Karnataka-recognized institution and registration with Karnataka Pharmacy Council.
- For Nursing Officer: Diploma in General Nursing (or B.Sc Nursing/PUC+GNM for KREIS posts) from a Karnataka-recognized institution and registration with Karnataka Nursing Council.
- For KREIS Nursing Officer: B.Sc Nursing degree or PUC+GNM with Kannada language subject/certificate.
- Age limit: Minimum 18 years as of last application date; upper age limit relaxed to 40-45 years based on category.
- Candidates must be mentally and physically fit for efficient discharge of duties.
- Male candidates with more than one living spouse and female candidates married to men with a living spouse are ineligible unless prior government approval is obtained.
⚙️ Selection Process
- Selection based on competitive written examination (CBT or OMR mode).
- Kannada Language Test mandatory for candidates not exempted; minimum 50 marks required to qualify.
- Examination includes Paper-1 (General Knowledge) and Paper-2 (Subject-specific).
- Minimum 35% marks required in competitive examination to qualify.
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer or multiple shaded options.
- Final selection based on examination performance and document verification.
- Kannada Language Test mandatory for candidates not exempted; minimum 50 marks required to qualify.
- Examination includes Paper-1 (General Knowledge) and Paper-2 (Subject-specific).
- Minimum 35% marks required in competitive examination to qualify.
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer or multiple shaded options.
- Final selection based on examination performance and document verification.
🏷️ Category Eligibility & Reservations
All categories (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS) with age relaxation as per Karnataka Government rules.
📂 Required Documents
- Scanned passport-size photograph (JPEG, 50KB-200KB, white background).
- Scanned signature (JPEG, 50KB-70KB, black ink on white paper).
- Educational qualification certificates (Diploma/B.Sc Nursing/PUC+GNM as applicable).
- Registration certificates with Karnataka Pharmacy Council/Nursing Council.
- Kannada language certificate (if applicable for KREIS posts).
- Caste/income/PWD certificates (if applicable for reservation benefits).
- Ex-serviceman/NCC/other special category certificates (if applicable).
- Government-issued ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, etc.).
- Scanned signature (JPEG, 50KB-70KB, black ink on white paper).
- Educational qualification certificates (Diploma/B.Sc Nursing/PUC+GNM as applicable).
- Registration certificates with Karnataka Pharmacy Council/Nursing Council.
- Kannada language certificate (if applicable for KREIS posts).
- Caste/income/PWD certificates (if applicable for reservation benefits).
- Ex-serviceman/NCC/other special category certificates (if applicable).
- Government-issued ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, etc.).
💳 Application Fee Details
- General Merit & Other Categories (2A/2B/3A/3B): ₹750 (₹500 application fee + ₹250 processing fee).
- SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-servicemen/Third Gender: ₹500 (₹250 application fee + ₹250 processing fee).
- PWD Candidates: ₹250 (processing fee only).
- Fee payment must be made online; no refunds issued.
- Last date to pay fee: 31-08-2026.
- SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-servicemen/Third Gender: ₹500 (₹250 application fee + ₹250 processing fee).
- PWD Candidates: ₹250 (processing fee only).
- Fee payment must be made online; no refunds issued.
- Last date to pay fee: 31-08-2026.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q.
What is the KEA Pharmacy Officer & Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026?
It is a recruitment drive by the Karnataka Examinations Authority to fill Group-C posts of Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer across the ESI Scheme Medical Services Department and allied departments under the Kalyana-Karnataka notification.
Q.
How many vacancies are available for the KEA Pharmacy Officer & Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026?
A total of 233 vacancies are notified, with 188 under the General/Open cadre (ESI Scheme) and 45 under the Kalyana-Karnataka cadre.
Q.
What is the last date to apply for the KEA Pharmacy Officer & Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026?
The online application can be submitted until August 30, 2026, and the application fee must be paid by August 31, 2026.
Q.
What are the educational qualifications required for the Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer posts?
A Diploma in Pharmacy registered with the Karnataka Pharmacy Council is required for Pharmacy Officer. For Nursing Officer, a Diploma in General Nursing (or B.Sc Nursing/PUC+GNM for the KREIS post) registered with the Karnataka Nursing Council is required.
Q.
What is the age limit for applying to the KEA Pharmacy Officer & Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026?
The general age limit is 18 to 40 years. Relaxation is available up to 43 years for Category 2A/2B/3A/3B and up to 45 years for SC/ST/Category-1 candidates, as of the last date of application.