The KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Recruitment 2026 is officially open, and if you hold a nursing or pharmacy qualification in Karnataka, this is one of the better government job opportunities to land right now. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) released two separate recruitment notifications on 6 August 2026 — one covering 188 posts under the main cadre and another covering 45 posts under the Kalyana Karnataka (KK) cadre — bringing the total to 233 vacancies across two post categories: Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse) and Pharmacy Officer.
Applications opened on 7 August 2026 and the last date to apply online is 30 August 2026. Both posts come with a government pay scale, National Pension Scheme (NPS) coverage, and Karnataka state government allowances. Online applications are accepted at the KEA’s official portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
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If you’ve been waiting for a Karnataka health sector government job, read every section below before applying — eligibility rules differ between cadres, especially for the Nursing Officer post at the Kalyana Karnataka level.
Also Read: Latest Government Job Notifications 2026 – Complete List
Also Read: Latest Karnataka State Government Jobs Notification all in One Place
Table of Contents
KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Recruitment 2026 – Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Departments | ESIS Medical Services; Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society |
| Posts | Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse) & Pharmacy Officer |
| Notification Numbers | ID/KEA/34/Recruitment/2026(R.P.C) – Main Cadre; ID/KEA/35/Recruitment/2026(K.K) – KK Cadre |
| Total Vacancies | 233 (188 Main Cadre + 45 Kalyana Karnataka Cadre) |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 August 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 31 August 2026 |
| Age Limit | 18 to 40 years (relaxation for reserved categories) |
| Selection Process | Written Competitive Examination (CBT/OMR) |
| Probation Period | 2 Years |
| Job Location | Karnataka |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
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Join NowImportant Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 6 August 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | 7 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 30 August 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 31 August 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced |
| Exam Date | To be announced |
| Result Declaration | To be announced |
⚠️ Don’t wait for 30 August! Government portals tend to slow down as deadlines approach — fill and submit your form at least 3–4 days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
KEA Vacancy Details 2026
KEA has released 233 vacancies under two separate notifications. Here’s the post-wise and cadre-wise breakdown.
Main Cadre Vacancies (Notification No. 34/2026-RPC) — 188 Posts
| Post Name | Pay Scale (₹) | General | Article 371(J) Backlog | Departmental Backlog | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Officer | 44,425 – 83,700 | 92 | 05 | 01 | 98 |
| Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse) | 54,175 – 99,400 | 72 | 11 | 07 | 90 |
| Total | — | 164 | 16 | 08 | 188 |
Kalyana Karnataka Cadre Vacancies (Notification No. 35/2026-KK) — 45 Posts
| Department | Post Name | Pay Scale (₹) | Direct | Departmental Backlog | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society | Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse) | 54,175 – 99,400 | 17 | 06 | 23 |
| ESIS Medical Services | Pharmacy Officer | 44,425 – 83,700 | 06 | 05 | 11 |
| ESIS Medical Services | Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse) | 54,175 – 99,400 | — | 11 | 11 |
| Total | — | — | 23 | 22 | 45 |
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Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Eligibility requirements differ slightly depending on the post and the cadre you are applying under. Read your category carefully before applying.
| Department | Post | Required Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| ESIS Medical Services (Main & KK Cadre) | Pharmacy Officer | Diploma in Pharmacy from an institution recognised by the Government of Karnataka + registered with the Karnataka Pharmacy Council |
| ESIS Medical Services (Main & KK Cadre) | Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse) | Diploma in General Nursing from an authority recognised by the Government of Karnataka + registered with the Karnataka Nursing Council |
| Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KK Cadre only) | Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse) | B.Sc Nursing from a university/institution recognised by the Indian Nursing Council / Karnataka State Nursing Council; OR PUC (or equivalent) + GNM from an institution recognised by the Indian Nursing Council / Karnataka State Nursing Council. Additionally, candidates must have studied Kannada as a subject at PG/Degree/PUC/SSLC/Diploma level, or hold a Kannada proficiency certificate (Kavya/Jaana/Rathna) from the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board / Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Bengaluru |
✅ Candidates applying for ESIS Nursing Officer posts under both cadres can qualify with a General Nursing Diploma. Those applying to the Society post under the KK cadre must additionally meet the Kannada language requirement.
Age Limit (as on the Last Date of Application — 30 August 2026)
This age limit applies uniformly to both the main cadre and the Kalyana Karnataka cadre notifications. A one-time relaxation of 5 years has been granted to the upper age limit as per Government Order CiSaSu 262/SeNeVi/2025 dated 29 January 2026.
| Category | Upper Age Limit |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | 40 Years |
| Categories 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B | 43 Years |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) / Category 1 | 45 Years |
✅ Additional age relaxation is available for Ex-Servicemen, NCC full-time supervisors, widows and divorced women, persons with benchmark disabilities, and other categories as specified in the official notification PDF.
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Application Fee
The fee structure is the same across both the main cadre and KK cadre notifications. The fee is non-refundable once paid and cannot be carried forward to any other recruitment.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General & Other Categories (2A / 2B / 3A / 3B) | ₹750/- (₹500 application fee + ₹250 processing fee) |
| SC / ST / Category 1 / Ex-Servicemen / Transgender | ₹500/- (₹250 application fee + ₹250 processing fee) |
| Special Pay Candidates | ₹250/- (processing fee only) |
Payment must be completed online on or before 31 August 2026.
KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Salary 2026
The salary for both posts is fixed by the Karnataka Government pay scale and applies across all departments covered in these notifications.
| Post | Pay Scale (₹) | Approx. Entry-Level Basic Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse) | 54,175 – 99,400 | ₹54,175/month |
| Pharmacy Officer | 44,425 – 83,700 | ₹44,425/month |
In addition to the basic pay, selected candidates will receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance (TA) as applicable under Karnataka Government service rules. Selected candidates will be on probation for 2 years from the date of appointment, and will be covered under the National Pension Scheme (NPS).
💡 Pro Tip: Actual in-hand salary will vary based on posting location (HRA city category) and applicable deductions. Factor in the full CTC — not just the basic — when planning.
📌 Also Read: NPS Partial Withdrawal Rules – What Government Employees Need to Know
Selection Process
The KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer selection will be through a Written Competitive Examination — conducted in either Computer Based Test (CBT) or OMR (paper-based) format, depending on the notification.
- Written Competitive Examination — Objective-type questions covering the candidate’s subject knowledge (nursing or pharmacy), general knowledge, and reasoning. Candidates will be shortlisted based on merit in this exam.
- Document Verification — Shortlisted candidates must produce all original documents for verification. Any discrepancy will lead to disqualification.
- Medical Examination — A fitness test as per Karnataka Government norms before final appointment.
✅ There is no personal interview for these posts.
How to Apply for KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Recruitment 2026
Applications can only be submitted online through the official KEA portal. There is no provision for offline applications.
- Visit the Official Website — Go to cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea and look for the Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Recruitment 2026 link.
- Register Yourself — Create a new login ID with your mobile number and email address. Keep your credentials safe.
- Fill the Application Form — Enter your personal details, educational qualification details, and choose the cadre (Main or Kalyana Karnataka) and post you are applying for.
- Upload Documents — Upload your scanned photograph (as per specified dimensions and file size) and your scanned signature. Ensure both are clear.
- Pay the Application Fee — Pay online using debit card, credit card, or net banking. Note the transaction ID for your records.
- Submit and Save — Submit the form and download the confirmation page. Take a printout or PDF and keep it safe until the final appointment process.
💡 Before you start: Have your photograph (JPG, as per KEA specifications) and scanned signature ready. Also keep your qualification certificates, registration certificate (Karnataka Pharmacy Council or Karnataka Nursing Council), and category certificate scanned and within size limits — it saves time during form filling.
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Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF – Main Cadre (RPC) | Download PDF |
| Official Notification – Kalyana Karnataka Cadre (KK) | View Notification |
| Apply Online | Click to Apply |
| Official KEA Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
| Syllabus | To be announced |
| Admit Card | To be announced |
| Result | To be announced |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How many total vacancies are there in KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Recruitment 2026?
KEA has announced 233 total vacancies across two notifications — 188 posts under the main cadre (Notification No. 34/2026-RPC) and 45 posts under the Kalyana Karnataka cadre (Notification No. 35/2026-KK), spread across the ESIS Medical Services Department and the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society.
Q2. What is the last date to apply online for KEA Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application form is 30 August 2026. The last date for fee payment is 31 August 2026. Both deadlines apply to the main cadre as well as the Kalyana Karnataka cadre notifications.
Q3. What qualifications do I need for the Pharmacy Officer post?
You need a Diploma in Pharmacy from an institution recognised by the Government of Karnataka, and you must be registered with the Karnataka Pharmacy Council. This applies to both the main cadre and KK cadre notifications.
Q4. Is there any Kannada language requirement for these posts?
Yes — but only for the Nursing Officer post under the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society in the Kalyana Karnataka cadre. Candidates applying for that specific post must have studied Kannada at PG, Degree, PUC, SSLC, or Diploma level, or hold a Kannada proficiency certificate (Kavya/Jaana/Rathna) from the recognised authorities.
Q5. What is the age limit for reserved category candidates?
SC/ST and Category-1 candidates can apply up to 45 years of age. Categories 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B candidates can apply up to 43 years. The general upper age limit is 40 years. A one-time relaxation of 5 years has already been built into these limits.
Q6. What is the salary for a Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse) selected through KEA?
The pay scale for Nursing Officer is ₹54,175 – ₹99,400 per month as per the Karnataka Government pay scale. In addition, the selected candidate will receive DA, HRA, and TA, along with NPS coverage. The probation period is 2 years from the date of appointment.
Q7. Can candidates from outside Karnataka apply for KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Recruitment 2026?
The recruitment is conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority for posts within Karnataka state departments. Candidates must hold qualifications recognised by Karnataka-specific councils (Karnataka Pharmacy Council, Karnataka Nursing Council). Candidates from other states should carefully read the eligibility section before applying, especially the registration requirements.
Summing Up…
The KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Recruitment 2026 is a solid state government opportunity for nursing and pharmacy professionals looking for permanent employment in Karnataka. With 233 vacancies across two cadres, a structured pay scale of up to ₹99,400, NPS coverage, and a clear written exam selection process — this is worth applying for if you meet the qualification and council registration requirements.
The application window closes on 30 August 2026 — that’s just a few weeks away. Go through the official notifications carefully, especially if you’re applying under the Kalyana Karnataka cadre, since eligibility rules differ for the Society’s Nursing Officer post.
Stay ahead of application deadlines — follow Govtserviceinfo.com for daily Sarkari Naukri alerts on Karnataka and central government jobs.
