KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Recruitment 2026
Job highlights
| Organisation | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
|---|---|
| Location | Karnataka |
| State | 💻 Karnataka |
| Employment type | Full Time |
| Vacancies | 227 |
| Salary | INR 44,125 – 99,400 / year |
| Posted | Aug 6, 2026 |
| Apply by | Aug 30, 2026 |
| Education | Diploma in Pharmacy (recognized by Government of Karnataka) with Karnataka Pharmacy Council registration; Diploma in General Nursing (authorized by Government of Karnataka) with Karnataka Nursing Council registration. |
| Age limit | Minimum 18 years as on the last date of application. Upper age ceilings: General/Unreserved 40 years; Category 2A/2B/3A/3B 43 years; SC/ST/Category-1 45 years. One-time relaxation of 5 years to upper age limit as per Government Order CiSaSu 262/SeNeVi/202 |
| Application fee | Online fee (non-refundable): General/Other (2A/2B/3A/3B) 750 (500 + 250 processing); SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-Servicemen/Transgender 500 (250 + 250 processing); Special Pay candidates 250 (processing fee only). |
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released the Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Recruitment 2026 notification for backlog vacancies. The recruitment is intended to fill Group-C posts in the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme (ESIS) Medical Services Department and the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society. Eligible candidates can apply online and should complete the application process before the last date.
This recruitment drive is announced for a total of 227 vacancies, comprising 188 posts under the main ESIS Medical Services Department notification and 39 additional posts reserved through Kalyana Karnataka (Article 371-J) roster points. Online applications are open from 2026-08-07 to 2026-08-30, with fee payment required by 2026-08-31. Selection will be based on a written competitive examination conducted by KEA, as per the notification details.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification release date | 2026-08-06 |
| Online application start date | 2026-08-07 |
| Last date to apply online | 2026-08-30 |
| Last date for fee payment | 2026-08-31 |
Vacancy Details
The KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Recruitment 2026 is for backlog roster points across two components: (1) the main ESIS Medical Services Department notification and (2) Kalyana Karnataka (Article 371-J) region roster points, which also cover the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society. The total vacancies are distributed as shown below.
KEA Main Notification Vacancy 2026 (ESIS Medical Services)
| Post Name | Pay Scale (Rs.) | General | Backlog (Cat) | Hindu Undivided (HO) | Total Posts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Officer | 44,425 – 83,700 | 92 | 05 | 01 | 98 |
| Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse) | 54,175 – 99,400 | 72 | 11 | 07 | 90 |
| Subtotal | — | 164 | 16 | 08 | 188 |
KEA Kalyana Karnataka Region Vacancy 2026
| Department | Post Name | Pay Scale (Rs.) | Roster Type | Total Posts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society | Nursing Officer (Kalyana Karnataka Cadre) | 54,175 – 99,400 | General Roster Classification | 17 |
| ESIS Medical Services | Nursing Officer (Kalyana Karnataka Cadre) | 54,175 – 99,400 | 11 Backlog Roster Points | 11 |
| ESIS Medical Services | Pharmacy Officer (Kalyana Karnataka Cadre) | 44,425 – 83,700 | 5 Backlog Roster Points | 5 |
| ESIS Medical Services | Pharmacy Officer (Kalyana Karnataka Cadre) | 44,425 – 83,700 | Kalyana Karnataka Points | 6 |
| Subtotal | — | — | — | 39 |
KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Grand Total 2026
| Component | Total Posts |
|---|---|
| Main ESIS Notification (Pharmacy Officer + Nursing Officer) | 188 |
| Kalyana Karnataka (371-J) Region Roster Points | 39 |
| Grand Total | 227 |
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed by KEA before submitting the application. Eligibility includes educational qualification and age criteria as per the notification.
Educational Qualification
Pharmacy Officer: Candidates must possess a Diploma in Pharmacy from an institution recognized by the Government of Karnataka. They must also be registered with the Karnataka Pharmacy Council.
Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse): Candidates must possess a Diploma in General Nursing issued by an authority authorized by the Government of Karnataka. They must also be registered with the Karnataka Nursing Council.
Age Limit
As per Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977, candidates must have completed a minimum of 18 years of age as on the last date fixed for submission of applications. A one-time relaxation of 5 years has been provided to the upper age limit as per Government Order CiSaSu 262/SeNeVi/2025 dated 29.01.2026, subject to the ceiling mentioned in the notification.
| Category | Direct Recruitment Upper Age Limit |
|---|---|
| General/Unreserved Candidates | 40 Years |
| Category 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B Candidates | 43 Years |
| Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe / Category-1 Candidates | 45 Years |
Application Fee
The application fee is payable online at the time of submitting the online application form. The fee is non-refundable and will not be adjusted or reserved for 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 can be made online only. Once paid, the fee will not be refunded under any circumstances.
How to Apply
- Visit the official KEA online application portal for this recruitment: https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/nurkk2026.
- Complete the registration process as required on the portal.
- Log in and fill the online application form for the Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse) and/or Pharmacy Officer posts as per your eligibility.
- Upload the required documents in the format specified on the application portal.
- Pay the application fee online before the fee payment deadline (2026-08-31).
- Submit the application form within the application window (last date to apply online: 2026-08-30) and keep a copy/printout of the submitted application for future reference.
Salary & Pay Scale
The salary is as per the Karnataka Government pay scales mentioned for each post. Selected candidates will be placed on probation for 2 years from the date of appointment. Employees will be covered under the National Pension Scheme (NPS) and will receive other allowances as per Karnataka Government rules.
| Post | Pay Scale (Rs.) |
|---|---|
| Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse) | 54,175 – 99,400 |
| Pharmacy Officer | 44,425 – 83,700 |
Selection Process
Selection will be carried out through a written competitive examination conducted by KEA. The exam pattern includes two papers with a total of 200 questions and 200 marks. A negative marking of 0.25 marks is applicable for every wrong answer. Candidates must secure at least 35% marks to qualify. Additionally, the notification mentions a Kannada Language Test: candidates who have not studied Kannada as a first or second language up to SSLC level, or have not passed a higher-level Kannada examination, must appear for the Kannada test. The Kannada test carries 150 marks and candidates must score a minimum of 50 marks; candidates absent for the test or scoring below 50 marks will be treated as ineligible.
Written exam pattern (as per notification):
| Paper | Subject | Total Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-1 | General Knowledge (Current Affairs, General Science, Indian Constitution, History & Geography of Karnataka, Rural Development, Karnataka Economy) | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Paper-2 | Specific Subject (subject-wise syllabus published separately) | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours |
Probation is 2 years from the date of appointment, as stated in the recruitment details.
Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements should submit their online application on or before 2026-08-30 and complete fee payment by 2026-08-31 to avoid rejection.
Important links
- Official apply portal: https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/nurkk2026
- Official notification PDF (RPC): https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/keawebentry456/nurrpc2026/NUR_REC_1_RPC_07082026english.pdf
- KEA recruitment page (KK): https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/nurkk2026
Frequently asked questions
How many vacancies are there in KEA Nursing & Pharmacy Officer Recruitment 2026? +
There are 227 vacancies in total: 188 posts under the main ESIS Medical Services Department notification (98 Pharmacy Officer and 90 Nursing Officer) and 39 posts under Kalyana Karnataka (Article 371-J) roster points.
What is the last date to apply online for this recruitment? +
The last date to submit the online application is 2026-08-30.
When is the last date for fee payment? +
The last date for fee payment is 2026-08-31.
What is the application fee and is it refundable? +
The fee is non-refundable. It is 750 for General/Other categories (2A/2B/3A/3B), 500 for SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-Servicemen/Transgender, and 250 for Special Pay candidates (processing fee only).
What educational qualification is required for Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse)? +
Pharmacy Officer requires a Diploma in Pharmacy (recognized by the Government of Karnataka) and registration with the Karnataka Pharmacy Council. Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse) requires a Diploma in General Nursing (authorized by the Government of Karnataka) and registration with the Karnataka Nursing Council.
How will candidates be selected? +
Selection is through a written competitive examination (two papers) with negative marking of 0.25 for wrong answers and a minimum of 35% marks to qualify. Candidates who do not meet the Kannada study/passing criteria must also appear for the Kannada Language Test and score at least 50 marks.