KEA Principal Recruitment 2026: 247 Posts Apply Online
KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 Notification
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has announced recruitment for 247 Principal positions in Government Pre-University Colleges across Karnataka. This recruitment is being conducted on behalf of the Department of School Education (Pre-University Education), Government of Karnataka.
This drive includes two separate notifications: one for 31 posts under the Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) Local Cadre and another for 216 posts under the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC). Both notifications share the same application process, fee structure, and exam pattern.

Job Highlights
| Recruiting Authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
|---|---|
| Department | School Education Department (Pre-University Education), Govt. of Karnataka |
| Post Name | Principal, Government Pre-University Colleges |
| Total Vacancies | 247 (31 under KK Cadre + 216 under RPC Cadre) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Job Location | Government Pre-University Colleges across Karnataka |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application start date | 07.09.2026 |
| Online application last date | 04.10.2026 |
| Last date to pay application fee | 05.10.2026 |
| Competitive examination date | Not specified – to be announced later on the KEA website |
Vacancy Details
A total of 247 Principal posts are available, divided into two cadres:
| S. No. | Post Name | No. of Posts | Category Breakup (Example for KK Cadre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Principal – Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) Local Cadre | 31 | GM-15, SC-A-2, SC-B-2, SC-C-1, ST-1, Cat-1-2, 2A-5, 2B-1, 3A-1, 3B-1 |
| 2 | Principal – Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) | 216 | GM-108, SC-A-12, SC-B-11, SC-C-10, ST-7, Cat-1-9, 2A-32, 2B-9, 3A-8, 3B-10 |
Horizontal reservations for women, ex-servicemen, persons with disabilities, and other categories also apply as per the official notification.
Eligibility Criteria
This recruitment is specifically for serving Lecturers in Government Pre-University Colleges under the School Education Department. It is not open to the general public or fresh candidates.
Educational Qualification and Service Requirement- Must be a serving Lecturer in the Lecturer cadre of Government Pre-University Colleges under the School Education Department.
- Must have completed a minimum of 10 years of service in the Lecturer cadre.
- Must have satisfactorily completed the probation period in the Lecturer post.
The required qualifications and service conditions must be met as of the application deadline.
Age Limit
Not specified in the official notification.
The notification states that since this recruitment is for serving Lecturers with 10 years of service, no upper age limit applies.
Salary / Pay Scale
Selected candidates will be placed in the revised 2024 Karnataka state pay scale.
Pay Scale: Rs. 90,200 – Rs. 1,59,200
Pension benefits will be governed by the rules applicable to their original appointment as Lecturer.
Application Fee
The application fee must be paid online only.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General Merit and other categories (2A / 2B / 3A / 3B) | Rs. 1,500/- |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-servicemen / Third Gender | Rs. 1,000/- |
| Persons with Disabilities (Special Category) | Rs. 500/- |
The fee, once paid, is non-refundable.
Selection Process
Selection will be based on a competitive examination conducted by KEA. The examination may be held in Online (CBT) or Offline (OMR) mode.
The exam consists of three papers:
- Paper 1: Kannada Language Test (Qualifying only). A minimum of 50 marks is required to qualify. Marks from this paper are not counted for the merit list.
- Paper 2: General Studies (Covers History, Economy, Constitution, Science, Environment, Ethics, Aptitude).
- Paper 3: Karnataka Civil Service Rules and related topics (Includes KCS Rules, Treasury Code, Financial Code, Recruitment Rules, Karnataka Education Act 1983, Educational Psychology).
Marks from Paper 2 and Paper 3 will be used to prepare the final merit list. Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies for each incorrect answer in Papers 2 and 3.
Candidates will be shortlisted for document verification at a 1:2 ratio against vacancies, based on their scores in Papers 2 and 3.
How to Apply
Eligible and interested candidates must apply online through the KEA website. Ensure all details are filled correctly and the application fee is paid before the last date.
Documents Required
Candidates should have the following documents ready for the application process and verification:
- Proof of identity and address.
- Educational qualification certificates.
- Service records proving 10 years of service as a Lecturer.
- Probation completion certificate.
- Category certificates (if applicable).
- Other relevant documents as specified in the official notification.
Important Instructions
- Read the official notification carefully before applying.
- Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria, especially the service requirement.
- Apply online only through the KEA website.
- Pay the application fee within the stipulated time.
- Keep a copy of the application form and fee payment receipt for future reference.
FAQs
- Who can apply for the KEA Principal recruitment?
- Only serving Lecturers in Government Pre-University Colleges under the School Education Department who have completed a minimum of 10 years of service and satisfactorily completed probation are eligible.
- What is the last date to apply?
- The last date to apply online is 04.10.2026.
- Is there an age limit for this recruitment?
- No upper age limit is prescribed for this recruitment.
- How many vacancies are available?
- There are a total of 247 vacancies for the post of Principal.
- What is the selection process?
- Selection is based on a competitive examination consisting of three papers, followed by document verification.
Important Links
- Official Website → Click Here
- Notification PDF → Click Here
Job Summary
| Board | KEA |
| State | Karnataka |
| Qualification | Other |
| Salary | 05.10.2026 |
| Apply Mode | Online |
| Last Date | 05 Oct 2026 |
Related Sections
Note: While every effort is made to provide accurate and up-to-date information, candidates are strongly advised to verify all details, including eligibility criteria, important dates, application procedures, and official notifications, from the respective official government websites before applying.