KEA Principal Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 247 Government PU College Principal Posts

Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru, has released two recruitment notifications dated 03/09/2026 on behalf of the Department of School Education for 247 Principal posts in Government Pre-University Colleges. 216 posts fall under Residual Parent Cadre (RPC – Advt ED/KEA/28/Recruitment/2026-RPC) and 31 posts under Kalyana-Karnataka Local Cadre (KK – Advt ED/KEA/29/Recruitment/2026-KK). Online applications open from 07/09/2026 to 04/10/2026 (fee payment till 05/10/2026) at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea. KEA Principal recruitment 2026, 247 posts, last date 04 Oct 2026. Official Notification PDF: Download KEA Principal Official Notification PDF (RPC)

Recruitment Name: KEA Principal – ED/KEA/28/Recruitment/2026-RPC & ED/KEA/29/Recruitment/2026-KK

247 Principal Posts – 216 Residual Parent Cadre + 31 Kalyana-Karnataka Local Cadre

Short Summary: KEA recruiting 247 Principals for Govt PU Colleges (216 RPC + 31 KK). Apply online by 04/10/2026; fee till 05/10/2026. Selection via competitive exam (Papers 1–3). Pay scale ₹90,200–1,59,200.

Important Dates – KEA Principal 2026

Notification Date:03/09/2026 (ED/KEA/28-RPC & ED/KEA/29-KK)
Online Application Begin:07/09/2026
Last Date for Apply Online:04/10/2026
Last Date to Pay Application Fee:05/10/2026
Competitive Exam (Papers 1, 2 & 3):To be announced on KEA website

Application Fee

General Merit / Cat 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B:₹1,500/-
SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-servicemen / Third Gender:₹1,000/-
Persons with Disabilities:₹500/-
Payment Mode:Online only (non-refundable)
Pay the examination fee online via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or as per options available on the official portal.

📺 KEA Principal 2026 – Form Filling & Exam Guide

Watch our video guide covering eligibility, important dates, fee, vacancy details, and how to apply online.

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Important Links

Apply Online: Apply Online – cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea
Download Official Notification PDF: Download KEA Principal Official Notification PDF (RPC)
Official Website: Visit KEA Official Website
Watch Updates on YouTube: Sarkari Job Selection YouTube
Join Our Channels for Live Updates:

Cadre-wise Vacancy (Total: 247)

S. No.Cadre / PostPostsCategory Snapshot
1Principal – Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) Local Cadre31 GM-15, SC-A-2, SC-B-2, SC-C-1, ST-1, Cat-1-2, 2A-5, 2B-1, 3A-1, 3B-1
2Principal – Residual Parent Cadre (RPC)216 GM-108, SC-A-12, SC-B-11, SC-C-10, ST-7, Cat-1-9, 2A-32, 2B-9, 3A-8, 3B-10
Grand Total247

Horizontal reservations (women, rural, Ex-SM, Kannada-medium, PwD, transgender) apply as per roster tables in the official PDFs. KK PDF: ED/KEA/29-KK.


Eligibility (summary)

Recruitment fills Principal vacancies from among serving Lecturers in Government Pre-University Colleges who have completed 10 years of service under the School Education Department. Apply only to the cadre (KK or RPC) for which you are eligible. See official notification roster and service conditions for full criteria.


Age Limit

No upper age limit is prescribed for this Principal recruitment (service-based entry from eligible Lecturers).


KEA Principal Karnataka Pay Scale 2024 In-Hand Salary

7th Pay Matrix Level 7 Basic Pay: ₹90,200 DA: 55% Active
X Cities (Metro)

₹136,467

Net Monthly Take-Home
Y Cities (Urban)

₹128,341

Net Monthly Take-Home
Z Cities (Rural/Small)

₹122,136

Net Monthly Take-Home
Compensation Component X Cities (Tier 1) Y Cities (Tier 2) Z Cities (Tier 3)
Part 1: Monthly Earnings & Allowances (Gross Additions)
+Basic Pay ₹90,200 ₹90,200 ₹90,200
+Dearness Allowance (DA @ 55%) ₹49,610 ₹49,610 ₹49,610
+House Rent Allowance (HRA) ₹27,060 (30%) ₹18,040 (20%) ₹9,020 (10%)
+Transport Allowance (TPT + DA) ₹5,580 ₹2,790 ₹2,790
Total Gross Monthly Salary ₹172,450 ₹160,640 ₹151,620
Part 2: Government Deductions (Monthly Recoveries)
-NPS Contribution (10% Basic + DA) ₹13,981 ₹13,981 ₹13,981
-CGHS (Medical Benefits) ₹450 ₹450 ₹450
-CGEGIS (Insurance Fund) ₹60 ₹60 ₹60
-Estimated Monthly Income Tax (TDS) ₹21,492 ₹17,808 ₹14,993
Total Monthly Deductions ₹35,983 ₹32,299 ₹29,484
Net In-Hand Salary (Take Home) ₹136,467 ₹128,341 ₹122,136

Selection / Exam Pattern

Selection is through a competitive examination with Papers 1, 2 and 3. Exact dates and detailed syllabus will be notified on the KEA website.


How to Apply Online

  1. Visit https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/.
  2. Open the online application for the relevant Principal notification (KK or RPC).
  3. Register and fill personal, educational and service details carefully.
  4. Upload photograph, signature and required certificates.
  5. Pay the fee online (last date for fee: 05/10/2026) and submit before 04/10/2026.
  6. Print the application and fee receipt for future reference.

KEA Principal 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the last date for KEA Principal Recruitment 2026?
Online applications close on 04/10/2026; fee payment is allowed till 05/10/2026.
How many Principal vacancies are there?
Total 247 (216 Residual Parent Cadre + 31 Kalyana-Karnataka Local Cadre).
What is the application fee?
₹1,500 (GM/2A/2B/3A/3B), ₹1,000 (SC/ST/Cat-1/Ex-SM/Third Gender), ₹500 (PwD).
What is the pay scale?
Revised 2024 Karnataka scale ₹90,200 – ₹1,59,200.
KEA Principal 2026 – Important Candidate Instructions (Prevent Rejection!)

Ensure strict compliance with the following directives:

  • Cadre: Apply only under KK or RPC as per your eligibility; do not mix cadres.
  • Service: Ensure 10 years Lecturer service proof is ready for verification.
  • Fee: Pay online only; fee is non-refundable.
  • Updates: Watch cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea for exam date and admit card.

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