Karnataka KEA Horticulture Recruitment 2026 is officially out — and if you hold a degree in Horticulture, this is one of the better Karnataka state government job opportunities you’ll find this year. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released two separate notifications on behalf of the Department of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka, advertising 85 Group-B vacancies for the posts of Assistant Horticulture Officer (AHO) and Assistant Horticulture Director (AHD).
Applications are open online from 5 August 2026, and the last date to apply is 30 August 2026. The fee payment window stays open one extra day, closing on 31 August 2026. If you’ve been looking for a permanent state government post with a solid pay scale and career growth in Karnataka’s agriculture sector, you’ll want to read every section of this article before you click “Apply.”
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📌 Also Read: Latest Karnataka State Government Jobs Notification all in One Place
Table of Contents
Karnataka KEA Horticulture Recruitment 2026 – Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
| Department | Horticulture Department, Government of Karnataka |
| Post Names | Assistant Horticulture Officer (AHO), Assistant Horticulture Director (AHD) |
| Total Vacancies | 85 (80 General + 5 Kalyana Karnataka) |
| Notification Type | Two notifications — RPC (General) & KK (Kalyana Karnataka) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 5 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Pay Fee | 31 August 2026 |
| Selection Process | Written Exam (CBT/OMR) → Kannada Language Test → Document Verification |
| Job Location | Karnataka (including Kalyana Karnataka region) |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
Important Dates for KEA Horticulture Recruitment 2026
Don’t let a missed deadline cost you this opportunity. Save these dates right now.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Published | 4 August 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | 5 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 30 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Pay Application Fee | 31 August 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced |
| Written Examination Date | To be announced |
| Document Verification | After written exam |
⚠️ Don’t wait for the last day! Government portals slow down near deadlines. Government portals often experience high traffic in the final two days. Apply by 25 August to be safe.
KEA Karnataka Horticulture Vacancy 2026 – Post-wise Breakdown
KEA has released two separate notifications for this recruitment. Here’s exactly how the 85 vacancies are distributed across posts and notification types:
| Post | RPC Notification (All Karnataka) | KK Notification (Kalyana Karnataka) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Horticulture Officer (AHO) | 75 | — | 75 |
| Assistant Horticulture Director (AHD) | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| Total | 80 | 5 | 85 |
What is the KK (Kalyana Karnataka) Notification? The 5 vacancies under the KK notification are reserved exclusively for candidates from the Kalyana Karnataka region under Article 371(J) of the Constitution of India. These are the six backward districts of Hyderabad-Karnataka: Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, and Ballari. If you belong to this region, you may be eligible to apply under both the RPC and KK notifications — but check the official notification carefully before doing so.
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Eligibility Criteria for Karnataka KEA Horticulture Recruitment 2026
Educational Qualification
Your degree must be from a university established by law in India and accredited by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Make sure this is the case before you apply.
| Post | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| Assistant Horticulture Officer (AHO) | Graduate degree (B.Sc.) in Horticulture from an ICAR-accredited university |
| Assistant Horticulture Director (AHD) | Post Graduate degree in Horticulture + B.Sc. in Horticulture, both from an ICAR-accredited university |
✅ Candidates who have completed their Horticulture degree from an unaffiliated or non-ICAR-accredited university will not be eligible. Verify this with your university before applying.
Age Limit (as on the notification date: 4 August 2026)
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| General Merit (GM) | 40 years |
| Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B (OBC) | 43 years |
| SC / ST / Category-1 | 45 years |
There is no minimum age specified in the notification — check the official notification for any further relaxations for Ex-Servicemen or persons with disabilities (PwBD).
Application Fee for KEA Horticulture Recruitment 2026
Fees must be paid online only through the KEA payment gateway. No offline payment is accepted.
| Category | Fee Breakup | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|
| General Merit & Categories 2A/2B/3A/3B | ₹500 (application) + ₹250 (processing) | ₹750 |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-Servicemen / Third Gender | ₹250 (application) + ₹250 (processing) | ₹500 |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwBD / Special-abled) | Processing fee only | ₹250 |
💡 Pro Tip: Pay your fee before the last-minute rush on 31 August. Payment gateway failures are common on the final day of any government recruitment.
Karnataka Horticulture Salary 2026 – What Will You Earn?
This is one of the most important sections — let’s break it down clearly.
Both posts come with a time-scale pay structure (not a fixed pay level) as part of the Karnataka state government’s pay matrix. Selected candidates will be placed on 2-year probation and covered under the National Pension Scheme (NPS).
| Post | Pay Scale (Starting → Maximum) |
|---|---|
| Assistant Horticulture Officer (AHO) | ₹65,950 → ₹1,24,900 (incremental scale) |
| Assistant Horticulture Director (AHD) | ₹69,250 → ₹1,34,200 (incremental scale) |
What does this mean in practice?
- The AHO role starts at a basic pay of approximately ₹65,950 per month, with annual increments stepping up to ₹1,24,900 over the course of the pay scale.
- The AHD role starts higher at approximately ₹69,250 per month due to the additional PG qualification requirement.
- In addition to basic pay, you’ll receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Travel Allowance (TA), and other state government allowances — which will add a meaningful amount to your monthly take-home.
✅ These are permanent Group-B state government posts, which means NPS benefits, medical coverage, and all standard Karnataka state service perks.
Selection Process for Karnataka Horticulture Recruitment 2026
The selection follows a three-stage process. All stages must be cleared in sequence:
- Competitive Written Examination — The primary exam, conducted as an Online CBT (Computer-Based Test) or Offline OMR-based exam depending on KEA’s logistics. This covers subject knowledge in Horticulture, general studies, and related topics. Exact paper pattern and syllabus will be published separately by KEA.
- Kannada Language Test — A qualifying exam in Kannada. Candidates who hold an SSLC-level Kannada certificate (or equivalent) may be exempt — check the official notification for the exemption conditions.
- Document Verification — Shortlisted candidates after the written exam will be called for document verification. Original certificates for qualification, age proof, caste (if applicable), and Karnataka domicile will be checked.
⚠️ There is no interview stage in this recruitment. Your rank on the merit list depends entirely on your written exam score.
How to Apply for Karnataka KEA Horticulture Recruitment 2026
Follow these steps to apply online. Have your documents ready before you begin — the portal does not allow saving drafts.
- Go to the official KEA website: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea
- On the homepage, find the link for “Horticulture Department Recruitment 2026” — there will be separate links for the RPC and KK notifications.
- Click “Register” and create a new account using a valid mobile number and email ID. Keep these credentials safe — you’ll need them to log back in.
- Log in and fill in the application form with your personal details, educational qualifications, and category information. Double-check everything — the portal does not allow corrections after final submission.
- Upload your scanned photograph (JPEG format, white background, 50 KB–200 KB) and scanned signature (JPEG format, 50 KB–70 KB). If your files are too large, compress them before uploading.
- Pay the applicable fee online through the KEA payment gateway. Save the payment confirmation receipt.
- Review the completed application once more, then submit it.
- Download and print the final submitted application form and the fee payment receipt. Store them safely — you’ll need these at document verification.
💡 Pro Tip: Have your photo (white background, passport size) and signature scanned and saved to your device before you start filling the form. It makes the process faster and prevents session timeouts.
Direct Apply Online: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/FE_Recr_Ser_ind2026/login
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Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification – RPC (General) | Download PDF |
| Official Notification – KK (Kalyana Karnataka) | Download PDF |
| Apply Online | Apply Here |
| Official KEA Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
| Exam Syllabus | To be announced — check official website |
| Admit Card | To be announced — check official website |
Frequently Asked Questions – Karnataka KEA Horticulture Recruitment 2026
Q1. How many total vacancies are there in Karnataka KEA Horticulture Recruitment 2026?
A total of 85 vacancies have been announced. Of these, 80 are under the general RPC notification (open to candidates from all over Karnataka), and 5 are under the Kalyana Karnataka (KK) notification reserved for the Hyderabad-Karnataka region under Article 371(J).
Q2. What is the last date to apply for Karnataka KEA Horticulture Recruitment 2026?
The online application window closes on 30 August 2026. The last date to pay the application fee is 31 August 2026. Don’t wait for the final days — apply early to avoid any portal-related issues.
Q3. What is the salary for Assistant Horticulture Officer under KEA Karnataka 2026?
The starting basic pay for the AHO post is approximately ₹65,950 per month, rising up to ₹1,24,900 with increments. Add DA, HRA, and TA on top of this for the actual monthly take-home pay. The AHD post starts at ₹69,250 per month and goes up to ₹1,34,200.
Q4. Can SC/ST candidates from outside Karnataka apply for this KEA horticulture recruitment?
The recruitment is for Karnataka state government posts, so candidates must typically meet Karnataka domicile requirements. Check the official notification for the exact domicile and local candidate conditions before applying.
Q5. Is there an interview for the Karnataka Horticulture Recruitment 2026 selection process?
No. The selection process consists of a written examination, a qualifying Kannada language test, and document verification. There is no personal interview stage. Your merit rank in the written exam determines your selection.
Q6. What is the application fee for General category candidates in the KEA Karnataka Horticulture Recruitment?
General Merit and OBC category candidates (2A, 2B, 3A, 3B) need to pay ₹750 in total (₹500 application fee + ₹250 processing fee). SC/ST and Category-1 candidates pay ₹500, and PwBD candidates pay only ₹250 as a processing fee.
Q7. Can I apply for both the RPC and KK notifications if I belong to the Kalyana Karnataka region?
Candidates from the Kalyana Karnataka region who meet the eligibility conditions for Article 371(J) may be eligible for both notifications. However, you must read both official notifications carefully to understand the exact conditions and whether separate applications are required for each.
Summing up…
The Karnataka KEA Horticulture Recruitment 2026 is a genuine opportunity for horticulture graduates and postgraduates who want a stable, well-paying Karnataka state government job. With 85 vacancies, a transparent selection process, and no interview stage, your effort goes directly into the written exam — which is where it should be. The application window is open until 30 August 2026, and the process is entirely online.
Read both official notifications thoroughly, confirm your eligibility (especially ICAR accreditation of your university), and apply early. With a starting salary touching ₹66,000 per month and all state government benefits, this is worth your time.
Stay ahead of application deadlines — follow Govtserviceinfo.com for daily Sarkari Naukri alerts, pay commission news, and government job updates across Karnataka and India.
Disclaimer: All information in this article has been sourced from the official recruitment notifications published by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) on behalf of the Horticulture Department, Government of Karnataka. GovtServiceInfo.com is not a recruiting authority and does not accept job applications. We strongly recommend reading both official notifications in full before applying, and verifying all details — especially dates, eligibility, and fees — directly at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. We are not responsible for any changes made by the recruiting authority after the date of publication.
