The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has opened a notification for 80 posts of Senior Horticulture Officer and Assistant Horticulture Officer under the Karnataka State Horticulture Development Department (KSHD). The online application window starts from 05 August 2026 to 30 August 2026. Interested candidates can apply online through the official website: https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
KEA KSHD Recruitment 2026: Those students who have a B.Sc. or a Postgraduate Degree in Horticulture are eligible for this post. The minimum age is 18, and the maximum age is 45 and age relaxation is provided as per Government rules. Candidates can check vacancy details, eligibility criteria, age limit, salary, exam pattern, negative marking, application fee, important dates, selection process and the online application process.
Application Status: The application window is now closed.
Overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Organization Name | Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), Horticulture Department, Government of Karnataka |
| Advertisement No. | ADE/KEA/32/NE.V/2026 (RPC) and ADE/KEA/33/NE.V/2026 (KK) |
| Post Name | Assistant Horticulture Officer – 75 Posts, Assistant Horticulture Director – 5 Posts |
| Total Vacancies | 80 Posts |
| Salary | Assistant Horticulture Officer: ₹65,950 – ₹1,24,900 per month, Assistant Horticulture Director: ₹69,250 – ₹1,34,200 per month |
| Job Location | Karnataka |
| Job Type | Regular |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
Important Dates
KEA KSHD Recruitment 2026 application form starts from 04 August 2026 and will remain open until 30 August 2026. The examination date has not been released yet.
Notification Released: 04 August 2026
Online Application Starts: 05 August 2026
Application Form Last Date: 30 August 2026
Fee Payment Last Date: 31 August 2026
Total Vacancies
The recruitment consists of two phases, with a total of 80 posts (General Recruitment, Kalyana-Karnataka Quota).
General Recruitment:
| Post Name | Vacancies |
| Assistant Horticulture Officer | 75 |
| Assistant Horticulture Director | 5 |
| Total | 80 |
Eligibility Criteria & Educational Qualification
According to the notification, different eligibility criteria have been provided for both posts. Candidates must apply based on their preferred educational qualification.
| Post Name | Education Qualification |
| Assistant Horticulture Director | Candidates should have a Post Graduate Degree in Horticulture from a recognised university and accredited by ICAR. |
| Assistant Horticulture Officer | Candidates should have a Graduate Degree in Horticulture from a recognised university and accredited by ICAR. |
Age Limit
Candidates must be 18 years old as on the last date of submitting the application form. Age relaxation will be provided as per the Government rules.
Minimum Age: 18 years
Maximum Age:
- General: 40 years
- 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B: 43 years
- SC / ST / Category-1: 45 years
Age Relaxation:
- Ex-Servicemen: Service period + 3 years
- PwD: 10 years
- Widow: 10 years
- Government employees: maximum 10 years
Salary Details
Selected candidates will get a salary based on their post. The pay scale for Senior Horticulture Officer is ₹65,950–₹1,24,900 and Assistant Horticulture Officer is ₹69,250–₹1,34,200.
| Post | Salary |
| Assistant Horticulture Officer | ₹65,950 – ₹1,24,900 |
| Assistant Horticulture Director | ₹69,250 – ₹1,34,200 |
Selection Process
Two written exams will be conducted for the KEA KSHD recruitment. Each paper will consist of 100 questions and 300 marks, with a time duration of 2 hours.
| Exam | Subjects | Total No. of Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
| Paper-1 | Current affairs, Indian Constitution, general science, General intellectual ability, Karnataka or Indian history and geography | 100 | 300 | 2 Hours |
| Paper-2 | Specialized Horticulture Paper | 100 | 300 | 2 Hours |
- Negative Marking: For a wrong answer, 0.75 marks will be deducted.
- Note: In the official PDF, KEA has also introduced negative marking in the exam. 0.75 marks will be deducted for each incorrect answer. Candidates must maintain accuracy while taking the exam. A candidate must score at least 35% marks to qualify for the exam.
Documents Required
- Educational certificates and marksheets
- Caste/Income certificate
- Age proof
- D proof (Aadhaar / Voter ID / Passport etc.
Application Fee
Application fees must be paid according to the candidate category. For General/2A/2B/3A/3B: ₹750, for SC/ST/PwBD: ₹500, and for ex-servicemen candidates: ₹250.
| Post | Application Fee |
| General/2A/2B/3A/3B | ₹750 (₹500 application fee + ₹250 processing charges) |
| SC/ST/Category-1 | ₹500 (₹250 application fee + ₹250 processing charges) |
| PwBD | ₹250 (₹250 processing charges) |
Apply Link
| Official Website | Click here |
| Official Notification | Click here |
| Application Status | The job is closed. Last Date: 30 August 2026 |
How To Apply Online
- Go to the official website: https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea
- Open the KSHD Assistant Horticulture Officer / Director Recruitment 2026 link.
- If a candidate is registered for the first time on the portal, they must complete the registration. Once the profile is submitted, no changes will be allowed.
- Upload a passport-size photograph in (JPEG, jpg) format with a white background. Image size and scanned signature image size should be (50 KB-200 KB), and a scanned signature size (50 KB-70 KB).
- The candidate will have to make the payment online through (Net Banking, UPI).
- Download the application form and keep a copy for your future reference.
Probation & Pension
- The candidates who are selected in the final stage will be placed on a two-year probationary period.
- This recruitment comes under the National Pension System (NPS).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the last date to apply for the Senior Horticulture Officer Recruitment?
30 August 2026 is the last date to apply for the Senior Horticulture Officer Recruitment.
2. How many vacancies are in the KEA recruitment?
There are 80 posts (75 posts for Assistant Horticulture Officer and 5 posts for Assistant Horticulture Director as shown in the official notification
3. What is the educational qualification?
Candidates must possess a B.Sc. and a Graduate Degree in Horticulture from a recognised university and accredited by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
4. What is the minimum age limit?
The minimum age prescribed is 18, and the maximum age is 45 as per the Govt. rules.
5. What is the selection process?
The exam will be conducted in two phases:
- Paper-1
- Paper-2
6. What is the application fee?
The application fee is as prescribed in the official notification. For General, 2A/2B/3A/3B: ₹750/- including charges; SC/ST/Category-1: ₹550/- including charges; PwBD: ₹250/- only including charges.
7. How to apply?
Visit the official website and make sure that if the candidate is a new user, then register a profile on the portal. Select the desired notification link and fill the form carefully. Please remember that once the form is submitted, candidates will not be allowed to make any changes.
8. What documents are required?
The required documents are: passport-size photograph, signature, educational qualification certificates, category certificate, and identity proof, etc.
Important Instructions
- Candidates will be selected after the completion of two phases of the exam.
- Candidates should check the eligibility criteria before applying.
- Once the application form has been submitted, the candidate cannot make any corrections or changes, so please fill out the application form carefully.
- Fill out the form accurately and pay the prescribed application fee before the deadline.
- Please carry only the original certificates for document verification; if duplicate copies or other certificates are presented, the candidate will be disqualified for the post.
