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The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru has released two separate notifications dated 06.08.2026 inviting online applications for Group-C posts of Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse). These posts are spread across the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Scheme Medical Services Department and, under a separate Kalyana-Karnataka notification, the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society and related departments. Eligible candidates must appear for the competitive examination conducted by KEA to qualify for these posts.
KEA Pharmacy Officer & Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
| Posts | Pharmacy Officer, Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse/Shushrushadhikari) |
| Total Vacancies | 233 (188 under RPC notification + 45 under Kalyana-Karnataka notification) |
| Notification Date | 06.08.2026 |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Application Start Date | 07.08.2026 |
| Application Last Date | 30.08.2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 31.08.2026 |
| Selection Process | Competitive written examination (Paper-1 and Paper-2) |
| Job Location | Karnataka |
| Official Website | https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/ |
KEA Pharmacy Officer & Nursing Officer Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application start date | 07.08.2026 |
| Online application last date | 30.08.2026 |
| Last date to pay application fee | 31.08.2026 |
| Written examination date | To be announced later on the official website |
KEA Pharmacy Officer & Nursing Officer Vacancy 2026
The vacancies have been notified separately as backlog/remaining posts under the ESI Scheme Medical Services Department (RPC notification) and as posts reserved for the Kalyana-Karnataka region under Article 371(J) (KK notification).
Vacancy Details - RPC Notification (ESI Scheme Medical Services Department)
| S. No. | Post Name | No. of Posts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pharmacy Officer | 98 (92 General + 05 Ex-servicemen + 01 Backlog) |
| 2 | Nursing Officer (Shushrushadhikari) | 90 (72 General + 11 Ex-servicemen + 07 Backlog) |
| Total | 188 | |
Vacancy Details - Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) Notification
| S. No. | Department | Post Name | No. of Posts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society | Nursing Officer | 23 (17 General + 06 Backlog) |
| 2 | ESI Scheme (Karmika Rajya Vima Yojane) | Pharmacy Officer | 11 (06 General + 05 Ex-servicemen) |
| 3 | ESI Medical Services Department | Nursing Officer | 11 (Ex-servicemen) |
| Total | 45 | ||
KEA Pharmacy Officer & Nursing Officer Eligibility Criteria
KEA Pharmacy Officer & Nursing Officer Qualification
Pharmacy Officer:
- Must possess a Diploma in Pharmacy from an institution recognized by the Government of Karnataka.
- Must be registered with the Karnataka Pharmacy Council.
Nursing Officer (RPC notification and ESI department under KK notification):
- Must possess a Diploma in General Nursing issued by an authority authorized by the Government of Karnataka.
- Must be registered with the Karnataka Nursing Council.
Nursing Officer (Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society post under KK notification):
- Must have passed a B.Sc Nursing degree from a recognized university and institution recognized by the Indian Nursing Council/Karnataka State Nursing Council, OR
- Must have passed PUC or an equivalent examination along with General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) courses from an institution recognized by the Indian Nursing Council/Karnataka State Nursing Council.
- Candidate must have studied Kannada as a language subject at PG, Bachelor's, PUC, SSLC, or Diploma level, or hold a Kannada certificate (Kavya/Jana/Rathna) issued by the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board or Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Bangalore.
KEA Pharmacy Officer & Nursing Officer Age Limit
Age is calculated as of the last date fixed for submission of the online application.
| Category | Maximum Age Limit |
|---|---|
| General/other eligible candidates | 40 years (minimum 18 years) |
| Category 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B | 43 years |
| SC / ST / Category-1 | 45 years |
Additional age relaxation of up to 10 years is available for certain government/local authority/central government employees, and specific relaxations apply for ex-servicemen, NCC full-time instructors, Grameena Kutumba Palakas, and widows, as detailed in the official notification.
Candidates should ensure that they fulfill the prescribed age criteria. Calculate your exact age using our Age Calculator before submitting your application to confirm your eligibility.
KEA Pharmacy Officer & Nursing Officer Salary
| Post | Pay Scale (₹) |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Officer | 44,425 – 83,700 |
| Nursing Officer (Shushrushadhikari) | 54,175 – 99,400 |
Selected candidates will be on probation for two years from the date of joining and are eligible for the National Pension Scheme (NPS) benefit.
KEA Pharmacy Officer & Nursing Officer Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General merit and other categories (2A/2B/3A/3B) | ₹750 (₹500 application fee + ₹250 processing fee) |
| SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-servicemen/Third gender | ₹500 (₹250 application fee + ₹250 processing fee) |
| Persons with Disability (Special Able) | ₹250 (processing fee only) |
Fees must be paid online only, and once paid are non-refundable. Candidates should verify their eligibility, qualification, age limit, and category before paying the fee.
KEA Pharmacy Officer & Nursing Officer Selection Process
Selection is based on a competitive written examination conducted in online (CBT) or offline (OMR) mode, as decided by KEA. The exam consists of two papers:
| Paper | Subject | Total Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-1 | General Knowledge | 100 | 100 | 2 hours |
| Paper-2 | Post-specific subject paper (syllabus published separately) | 100 | 100 | 2 hours |
- Each question carries 4 alternative answers; candidates must mark only one correct answer.
- Negative marking applies: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
- Candidates must score a minimum of 35% marks in the competitive examination to qualify. Candidates scoring below the minimum marks will be disqualified.
- A Kannada language test (SSLC-standard, 150 objective-type marks, minimum 50 marks required to pass) applies to candidates who have not studied Kannada as a first or second language up to SSLC/higher level, or who have not already cleared the "Kadaya Kannada" test conducted earlier. Candidates who fail to secure the minimum required marks or remain absent are disqualified from the recruitment.
Also Read: VAO Recruitment 2026 Karnataka - KEA Notification for 572 Village Accountant Posts
Required Documents
- Aadhaar card
- Marks cards/certificates for all educational qualifications and experience claimed
- SSLC marks card or equivalent as proof of date of birth
- Recent passport-size photograph in JPEG format, white background, 50KB–200KB
- Signature in JPEG format, 50KB–70KB
- Caste/category certificate (Category-A/B/C, Category-1/2A/2B/3A/3B) as applicable, with RD number entered in the online application
- Ex-servicemen discharge certificate or pension/gratuity proof, where applicable
- PWD/UDID certificate, where applicable
- Rural candidature, Kannada-medium study, or third-gender certificate, where applicable
- Income certificate, where applicable for married women candidates from Category 2A/2B/3A/3B claiming reservation under their husband's name
How to Apply for KEA Pharmacy Officer & Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official KEA website: https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/
- Click on the relevant recruitment application link.
- Register and fill in the online application form carefully, since no correction or modification is allowed after submission.
- Upload the required photograph and signature in the specified format and size.
- Pay the applicable application fee online before the last date.
- Download and keep a copy of the submitted application and the fee payment receipt for future reference.
Important Instructions
- Only online applications are accepted; the mode of application submission cannot be changed later.
- Candidates must ensure all eligibility, qualification, age, and category details are correct before submitting the application, as incorrect or false information will lead to rejection of candidature at any stage.
- Admission tickets for the written examination will be released for download from the official website; candidates must carry a valid original photo ID (PAN card/driving license/Aadhaar card/passport/voter ID/government service ID) to the exam center.
- No request for change of examination center will be entertained.
- KEA will not correspond with candidates over phone or in person; all communication will be through the mobile number/email entered in the application, which cannot be changed later.
- Candidates using fake documents, providing false information, or attempting any unfair means during the process are liable for disqualification and legal action.
Important Links
- Apply Online: Click here
- Official Notification PDF: Click here
- Official Website: Click here
- Join Arattai Channel: Click Here
- Join Telegram Channel: Click Here
- Join WhatsApp Channel: Click Here
- Sarkari Result: Click Here
- Download Mobile App: Click Here
Candidates who have completed their postgraduate degree in life sciences can also explore more Diploma Government Jobs and B.Sc Life Sciences Jobs available across India. Candidates looking for more research opportunities can also explore the latest Karnataka Government Jobs across various departments. Applicants searching for openings closer to the NCR region can check Faridabad Government Jobs for upcoming vacancies. Those holding a postgraduate degree in science can also browse more M.Sc Government Jobs and Medical Govt Jobs matching their qualification.