Job Description
Overview
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has initiated a recruitment drive to fill 247 Principal positions within Government Pre-University Colleges. This process is conducted on behalf of the Department of School Education (Pre-University Education), Government of Karnataka. The vacancies are divided into two distinct cadres: 31 posts for the Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) Local Cadre and 216 posts for the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC). This opportunity is exclusively for internal candidates currently serving as Lecturers.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the daily academic and administrative operations of Government Pre-University Colleges.
- Ensure strict adherence to the Karnataka Education Act and departmental guidelines.
- Manage faculty performance, student discipline, and institutional infrastructure maintenance.
- Coordinate with the Department of School Education for curriculum implementation and examination schedules.
- Maintain accurate financial records and ensure compliance with the Karnataka Financial Code.
- Foster a positive learning environment and address the academic needs of students and staff.
Why Apply
Selected candidates will step into leadership roles with a competitive pay scale and significant professional growth within the state education system. This position offers the chance to shape academic standards and institutional culture across Karnataka.
Important Dates
- Application Start: 07 September 2026
- Application End: 04 October 2026
- Fee Payment Deadline: 05 October 2026
Quick Facts
- Total Vacancies: 247
- Pay Scale: Rs. 90,200 – Rs. 1,59,200
- Location: Karnataka
- Category: Other Jobs
KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 Overview
Registration Date
07 Sep 2026 –
04 Oct 2026
Salary
Rs. 90,200 – Rs. 1,59,200
Vacancies
247
Eligibility
Serving Lecturer with 10 years service
Application Link
Vacancy Details
- Principal (KK Local Cadre): 31 Posts
- Principal (Residual Parent Cadre): 216 Posts
How to Apply
- Visit the official KEA portal at https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/.
- Select the relevant link for the Principal Recruitment notification.
- Complete the registration process by providing accurate personal and service details.
- Upload a recent passport-sized photograph and signature in the specified digital format.
- Attach all required service and educational certificates as requested.
- Process the application fee payment through the online gateway.
- Review all information thoroughly before final submission, as no corrections are permitted later.
- Download and print the final application form and payment receipt for your records.
Cutoff Marks
Qualifying marks for Paper 1 (Kannada) is 50. Final merit is based on Papers 2 and 3.
Application Fee
General Merit and Categories 2A/2B/3A/3B: Rs. 1,500. SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-servicemen/Third Gender: Rs. 1,000. Persons with Disabilities: Rs. 500. Payment must be made online.
Age Limit
No age limit is prescribed for this recruitment as it is restricted to serving departmental Lecturers.
Selection Process
The selection process involves a competitive examination consisting of three papers. Paper 1 is a Kannada Language test which is qualifying in nature, requiring a minimum of 50 marks. Papers 2 and 3 are the core components, covering General Studies and administrative/legal rules respectively. A negative marking of 0.25 applies to incorrect answers in these papers. Final merit lists are prepared based solely on the scores obtained in Papers 2 and 3, followed by a document verification stage at a 1:2 ratio.
Exam Pattern
The exam includes three papers, each with 150 questions and a 3-hour duration. Paper 1 covers Kannada Language. Paper 2 focuses on General Studies including History, Economy, Constitution, and Science. Paper 3 covers Karnataka Civil Service Rules, Financial Codes, and Educational Psychology.
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Organization
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially released the KCET UGCET 2026 results. Candidates who appeared for the entrance examination can now download their scorecards from the official website using their application number and the first four letters of their name.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a recruitment drive by the Karnataka Examinations Authority, on behalf of the School Education Department, to fill 247 Principal posts in Government Pre-University Colleges across Karnataka through a competitive examination for serving Lecturers.
There are 247 vacancies in total – 31 under the Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) Local Cadre and 216 under the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC).
Only serving Lecturers in Government Pre-University Colleges under the School Education Department, with a minimum of 10 years' service and satisfactory completion of probation, are eligible. It is not open to fresh candidates or the general public.
The online application window closes on 4 October 2026, and the fee can be paid until 5 October 2026.
Rs. 1,500 for General Merit and Category 2A/2B/3A/3B candidates; Rs. 1,000 for SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-servicemen/Third Gender candidates; and Rs. 500 for persons with disabilities.
Selected candidates will draw pay in the scale of Rs. 90,200 – Rs. 1,59,200 as per the revised 2024 Karnataka state pay scale.
Applications must be submitted online through the KEA website (https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/) before the last date; no offline applications are accepted.
Both are for the same Principal post and pay scale, announced on the same date with identical dates, fee, and exam pattern. The KK notification covers 31 posts restricted to the Kalyana-Karnataka local cadre, while the RPC notification covers 216 posts under the residual parent cadre for the rest of the state.
