KEA Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 233 Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer Posts
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released a recruitment notification for the appointment of 233 Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse) Group-C posts across various departments in Karnataka. Candidates looking for government job opportunities in the medical and healthcare sector can make use of this recruitment drive.
The vacancies are available under the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Medical Services Department, Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KREIS), and Department of Medical Education. Eligible candidates with qualifications such as D.Pharm, GNM, or B.Sc Nursing can apply online through the official KEA website.
The online application process has started, and eligible candidates can submit their applications until August 30, 2026. The recruitment will be conducted through a competitive examination followed by document verification.
In this article, we provide complete information about the KEA Recruitment 2026, including vacancies, educational qualifications, age limit, salary, application fee, selection process, examination pattern, important dates, and how to apply online.
KEA Recruitment 2026 – Key Highlights
- Recruiting Organization: Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)
- Name of Posts: Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer
- Total Vacancies: 233
- Job Type: Karnataka Government Job
- Employment Type: Group-C
- Application Mode: Online
- Selection Process: Competitive Examination and Document Verification
- Job Location: Various locations across Karnataka
- Application Start Date: August 7, 2026
- Last Date to Apply: August 30, 2026
- Last Date for Fee Payment: August 31, 2026
Vacancy Details and Salary
A total of 233 vacancies have been announced for Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer posts under the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) and Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) cadre.
| Post Name | Cadre | Vacancies | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Officer | Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) | 98 | ₹44,425 – ₹83,700 |
| Nursing Officer | Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) | 90 | ₹54,175 – ₹99,400 |
| Pharmacy Officer | Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) | 11 | ₹44,425 – ₹83,700 |
| Nursing Officer | Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) | 34 | ₹54,175 – ₹99,400 |
| Total | 233 |
The selected candidates will receive salary according to the applicable government pay scale. In addition to basic pay, eligible employees may receive allowances and other benefits as per Karnataka government rules.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must possess the required educational qualification on or before the prescribed last date of application.
Pharmacy Officer
Candidates applying for the Pharmacy Officer post must:
- Have completed a Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) from an institution recognized by the Government of Karnataka.
- Be registered with the Karnataka Pharmacy Council as required under the applicable rules.
Candidates should ensure that their educational qualification and professional registration are valid before submitting the application.
Nursing Officer
Candidates applying for the Nursing Officer post must have completed either:
- General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM), or
- B.Sc Nursing from a recognized institution.
Candidates must also be registered with the Karnataka State Nursing Council.
For Nursing Officer posts under KREIS, candidates must have studied Kannada as one of the languages in SSLC, PUC, graduation, or postgraduate studies, or should have passed the relevant Kannada examination conducted by the Kannada Sahitya Parishat or the examination authority, as applicable.
Age Limit
Applicants must have completed at least 18 years of age as on the prescribed date.
As per the special government order dated January 29, 2026, a one-time relaxation of five years has been incorporated in the maximum age limit.
| Category | Maximum Age Limit |
| General Merit | 40 Years |
| Category 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B | 43 Years |
| SC, ST and Category-1 | 45 Years |
Additional age relaxation may be available to eligible candidates such as ex-servicemen, persons with disabilities, widows, and certain other categories according to the applicable government rules.
Candidates are advised to carefully check the official notification for category-wise age relaxation before applying.
Application Fee
Candidates are required to pay the prescribed application fee online.
- General Merit and 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B: ₹750
- Application Fee: ₹500
- Processing Fee: ₹250
- SC/ST, Category-1, Ex-Servicemen and Transgender Candidates: ₹500
- Application Fee: ₹250
- Processing Fee: ₹250
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD): ₹250
- Processing Fee only
The application fee must be paid through the available online payment gateway within the prescribed deadline.
Selection Process
The selection of candidates for Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer posts will be based on a competitive examination conducted by KEA, followed by document verification.
The examination may be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) or OMR-based format, as decided by KEA.
The selection process broadly consists of the following stages:
- Compulsory Kannada Language Test
- Competitive Examination
- Document Verification
Candidates must qualify at each applicable stage to be considered for appointment.
Examination Pattern
Compulsory Kannada Language Test
The compulsory Kannada language examination will carry 150 marks and will consist of multiple-choice questions.
Candidates are required to secure a minimum of 50 marks to qualify.
Candidates who have studied Kannada as their first or second language in SSLC or who have already qualified in the applicable Kannada language examination may be exempted, subject to the rules mentioned in the official notification.
Competitive Examination
The competitive examination consists of two papers:
Paper 1 – General Knowledge
- Number of Questions: 100
- Total Marks: 100
- Duration: 2 Hours
Paper 2 – Specific Subject
- Number of Questions: 100
- Total Marks: 100
- Duration: 2 Hours
The specific subject paper will be related to the post for which the candidate has applied.
Negative Marking
The examination will have negative marking. 0.25 marks (one-fourth mark) will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
Candidates should therefore read each question carefully and avoid making unnecessary guesses.
To qualify in the competitive examination, candidates must secure at least 35% marks, as prescribed by the recruitment rules.
How to Apply for KEA Recruitment 2026?
Eligible candidates can submit their applications online by following these steps:
Step 1: Visit the official Karnataka Examinations Authority website.
Step 2: Go to the Recruitment section and look for the Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026 notification/application link.
Step 3: Read the official recruitment notification and eligibility requirements carefully before beginning the application process.
Step 4: Complete the online registration by entering your personal, educational, reservation, caste and income certificate details, including the required RD number wherever applicable.
Step 5: Upload the required documents, including a recent passport-size photograph and signature, in the prescribed file size and format.
Step 6: Pay the application fee applicable to your category through the online payment gateway.
Step 7: Review all the information entered in the application form carefully and submit the application.
Step 8: Download and print a copy of the completed application form and payment confirmation for future reference.
Candidates should ensure that all information provided in the application is accurate. Any discrepancy in the details or documents may lead to rejection of the application during the recruitment process.
Important Dates
The important dates related to KEA Recruitment 2026 are as follows:
| Event | Date |
| Notification Date | August 6, 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | August 7, 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Application | August 30, 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | August 31, 2026 |
Candidates are advised not to wait until the last day to submit their applications. Completing the registration and fee payment well in advance can help avoid technical issues or payment-related problems.
Conclusion
The KEA Recruitment 2026 is a significant opportunity for candidates who have completed D.Pharm, GNM, or B.Sc Nursing and are looking for government employment in Karnataka’s healthcare sector. With 233 Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer vacancies, eligible candidates can apply through the online application process before the deadline.
Before applying, candidates should carefully verify their educational qualification, professional registration, age limit, category requirements, application fee, and examination pattern. It is also important to read the official KEA notification thoroughly for any updates or changes regarding the recruitment process.
Interested and eligible candidates should complete their online application by August 30, 2026, while the application fee can be paid until August 31, 2026.
KEA Notification Important Links
- Full PDF Notification for KEA (Pharmacy Officer, Nursing Officer (RPC) Posts): Click Here
- Full PDF Notification for KEA (Pharmacy Officer, Nursing Officer (KK) Posts): Click Here
- Apply Online: Click Here
- Official Website:Click here
“I’m Shrinivas, a Kannada blogger, digital marketer, and insurance advisor. I hold an MA degree and have 4+ years of experience in customer support and relationship management. I create simple and practical content on self-improvement, career growth, and government schemes to help people make better life and financial decisions.”