KEA Village Administrative Officer (VAO) Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026
Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) — Revenue Department
Executive Summary & Key Facts
The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has issued an official recruitment notification for Village Administrative Officer (VAO), announcing a total of 572 vacancies located in Karnataka. The closing date for submission of online application forms is 30 July 2026. To be eligible, applicants must hold SSLC/10th Standard or equivalent and be within the prescribed age limit of As per official government norms, with category relaxation applicable as per government guidelines. Selected candidates will receive an approved pay scale of As per Karnataka State Government pay scale. The selection procedure comprises Qualifying Kannada Language Test, Written Examination (Paper 1 & 2), and Document Verification.. For complete guidelines, syllabus breakdown, and official notification PDF, refer to the verified information below on ApplySarkariJob.
📅 Important Dates & Schedule
📝 Detailed Notification Guide
Overview of KEA VAO Examination 2026
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) is conducting the recruitment for the post of Village Administrative Officer (VAO). Candidates must align their preparation with the official exam structure, which includes a mandatory qualifying Kannada Language Test followed by a merit-based written examination consisting of two papers.
KEA VAO Exam Pattern 2026
The selection process is categorized into three distinct stages: a qualifying Kannada Language Test, a two-part Written Examination, and Document Verification. The exam is conducted in an offline, OMR-based format.
Kannada Language Test
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Marks | 150 |
| Qualifying Marks | 50 |
| Purpose | Qualifying (Not added to merit) |
Written Examination Structure
Both papers carry 100 marks each with a 2-hour duration per paper. A negative marking of 0.25 is applicable for every incorrect response.
| Paper | Subjects | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Knowledge | 100 | 100 |
| Paper 2 | General Kannada, English & Computer Knowledge | 100 | 100 |
Detailed Syllabus for KEA VAO Written Exam
Paper 1: General Knowledge
- Current Affairs: National and international events, government schemes, and sports.
- General Science: Basic concepts of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- Indian Constitution: Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, and government structure.
- History: Ancient, medieval, and modern history with a strong emphasis on Karnataka heritage.
- Geography: Physical features of Karnataka, river systems, soil types, and natural resources.
- Administration: Karnataka Government structure, Panchayat Raj, and land record maintenance (RTC, Pahani).
- Economy: Rural development schemes, agriculture, and cooperative institutions.
Paper 2: General Kannada, English, and Computer Knowledge
- General Kannada: Grammar (Vyakarana), vocabulary, comprehension, and literature.
- General English: Tenses, prepositions, active/passive voice, direct/indirect speech, and error spotting.
- Computer Knowledge: Fundamentals, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), networking, internet basics, and cybersecurity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kannada Language Test score considered for the final merit list?
No, the Kannada Language Test is purely qualifying in nature and the marks obtained are not counted for the final merit list.
What is the negative marking criteria for the KEA VAO exam?
A penalty of 0.25 marks is deducted for each incorrect answer marked in the written examination (Paper 1 and Paper 2).
Are there specific topics for Karnataka-related GK?
Yes, candidates must focus on Karnataka history, geography, economy, and administrative systems as they carry significant weightage in Paper 1.
