KEA Recruitment 2026: The Karnataka Medical Education Service has announced a recruitment drive for eligible candidates for Pharmacist and Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse) positions. The recruitment notification was issued on August 6, 2026, and eligible applicants can submit their applications through the prescribed online process.
The main recruitment notification contains 188 vacancies, including 98 Pharmacist posts and 90 Nursing Officer posts. A separate notification for the Kalyana-Karnataka region mentions an additional 45 vacancies.
Candidates interested in these government healthcare positions should carefully check the educational qualification, registration requirements, age criteria, examination pattern, application fee and important dates before applying.
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KEA Recruitment 2026: Overview Table
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Karnataka Medical Education Service |
| Notification Date | August 6, 2026 |
| Posts | Pharmacist, Nursing Officer |
| Total Main Vacancies | 188 |
| Pharmacist Vacancies | 98 |
| Nursing Officer Vacancies | 90 |
| Kalyana-Karnataka Vacancies | 45 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Selection Method | Written Examination |
| Application Start Date | August 7, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | August 30, 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | August 31, 2026 |
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Vacancy Details
According to the main notification, vacancies are available for the following positions:
| Post | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist | 98 |
| Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse) | 90 |
| Total | 188 |
The separate Kalyana-Karnataka notification provides 45 posts under the specified regional recruitment.
Educational Qualification
Pharmacist
Applicants for the Pharmacist position should have a Diploma in Pharmacy obtained from an institution recognised by the Government of Karnataka.
Candidates are also required to have registration with the Karnataka Pharmacy Council.
Nursing Officer
For the Nursing Officer post, candidates should possess the required nursing qualification from a recognised institution.
The notification provides for recognised nursing qualifications such as Diploma in General Nursing/GNM and B.Sc Nursing, subject to the conditions specified in the notification. Candidates must also satisfy the applicable nursing registration requirements.
The notification further specifies a Kannada-language qualification requirement for the relevant Nursing Officer recruitment.
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Age Limit
The notification specifies different maximum age limits based on the candidate’s category.
The upper age limits mentioned include:
- General category: 35 years
- Category 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B: 38 years
- SC/ST and Category-1 candidates: 40 years
Candidates belonging to other eligible categories should check the applicable provisions in the official notification before applying.
Application Fee
Candidates are required to pay the prescribed application fee according to their category.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General and applicable categories | ₹750 |
| Applicable reserved categories | ₹500 |
| Ex-servicemen | ₹250 |
The notification provides the detailed fee structure and applicable components. Candidates should verify the amount shown during the online application before completing payment.
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Selection Process
The recruitment process includes a written examination as prescribed by the Karnataka authorities.
The examination consists of two papers. Candidates need to prepare for both the general paper and the post-related subject paper.
The notification provides the examination structure as follows.
Exam Pattern
Paper 1
Paper 1 is the General Paper.
- Total Questions: 100
- Total Marks: 100
- Duration: 2 hours
The syllabus includes the prescribed general subjects, including areas related to general knowledge, Karnataka, Indian Constitution, history, geography, current affairs and other topics mentioned in the notification.
Paper 2
Paper 2 is the subject-specific paper.
- Total Questions: 100
- Total Marks: 100
- Duration: 2 hours
The questions in this paper are related to the relevant subject and are intended to assess the candidate’s professional knowledge.
Negative Marking
Candidates should be careful while answering questions because the examination includes negative marking.
As mentioned in the notification, 0.25 marks will be deducted for an incorrect answer under the applicable examination conditions.
Therefore, candidates should focus on accuracy instead of making unnecessary guesses.
Kannada Language Requirement
Candidates should pay special attention to the Kannada-language eligibility condition.
The notification specifies the acceptable ways of satisfying the Kannada requirement based on the candidate’s educational background and recognised Kannada qualifications.
Applicants should make sure that they satisfy this condition before submitting the application.
Application Dates
The online application schedule mentioned in the notification is:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | August 6, 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | August 7, 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Application | August 30, 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | August 31, 2026 |
Candidates are advised to complete the application well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical or payment-related issues.
How to Apply Online
Eligible candidates can apply through the online application system specified by the Karnataka Examinations Authority.
The general application procedure is as follows:
- Visit the official KEA application portal mentioned in the recruitment notification.
- Find the Karnataka Medical Education Service recruitment link.
- Read all instructions carefully.
- Complete the candidate registration.
- Enter personal and educational information.
- Select the appropriate post and category.
- Upload the required photograph, signature and supporting documents.
- Check all entered information carefully.
- Pay the applicable application fee.
- Submit the application form.
- Download and save the completed application for future reference.
The notification also provides instructions regarding the photograph and other uploaded documents, so candidates should follow the prescribed specifications carefully.
Documents to Keep Ready
Candidates should keep the following documents available while applying:
- Educational qualification certificates
- Diploma or degree certificate
- Pharmacy/Nursing registration certificate
- Karnataka Pharmacy Council registration, where applicable
- Karnataka Nursing Council registration, where applicable
- Date of birth proof
- Category certificate, if applicable
- Kannada-related certificate, where applicable
- Other reservation certificates, if applicable
- Recent photograph
- Signature
- Other documents required under the recruitment rules
Candidates should make sure that all certificates used for eligibility or reservation claims are valid and applicable.
Exam Preparation Tips
Candidates preparing for the recruitment examination should give equal importance to both papers.
For Paper 1, candidates can concentrate on Karnataka-related general knowledge, Indian Constitution, current affairs, history, geography and other prescribed general topics.
For Paper 2, preparation should be based on the professional syllabus related to the post. Pharmacist candidates should focus on their pharmacy subjects, while Nursing Officer applicants should concentrate on the prescribed nursing syllabus.
Because the examination has negative marking, practising objective questions and mock tests can help candidates improve both speed and accuracy.
Important Instructions for Candidates
Applicants should keep the following points in mind:
- Check eligibility before applying.
- Ensure that the required educational qualification is recognised.
- Maintain valid professional registration wherever required.
- Enter personal details carefully.
- Select the correct category while applying.
- Upload documents according to the prescribed specifications.
- Pay the application fee before the deadline.
- Save the final application form.
- Keep the payment receipt safely.
- Regularly check official recruitment updates for examination-related information.
The notification contains additional conditions concerning eligibility, certificates, reservations and the recruitment process, so candidates should read the complete official notification before applying.
Important Links
- Apply Online: Click here
- Official Notification 1: Click here
- Official Notification 2: Click here
- Official Website: Click here
Karnataka Medical Education Service Recruitment 2026 – FAQs
1. How many vacancies are available in the main recruitment?
There are 188 vacancies in the main recruitment, comprising 98 Pharmacist and 90 Nursing Officer posts.
2. How many Pharmacist posts are available?
The notification lists 98 Pharmacist vacancies.
3. How many Nursing Officer vacancies are announced?
There are 90 Nursing Officer vacancies in the main recruitment.
4. What is the qualification for Pharmacist?
Candidates should possess the prescribed Diploma in Pharmacy and registration with the Karnataka Pharmacy Council.
5. What is the last date to apply?
The online application can be submitted up to August 30, 2026.
6. What is the last date for fee payment?
The prescribed fee can be paid up to August 31, 2026.
7. Is there negative marking?
Yes. The notification specifies a 0.25-mark penalty for an incorrect answer under the stated examination rules.
8. How many questions are asked in Paper 1?
Paper 1 contains 100 questions for 100 marks, with a duration of two hours.
9. How many questions are asked in Paper 2?
Paper 2 also contains 100 questions carrying 100 marks, with two hours allotted for the paper.
10. Is there a separate Kalyana-Karnataka recruitment?
Yes. A separate notification provides 45 vacancies under the Kalyana-Karnataka region.