KEA KSHD Recruitment 2026 for 85 Assistant Horticulture Officer & Assistant Horticulture Director Posts
Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), on behalf of the Karnataka State Horticulture Department (KSHD), Government of Karnataka
The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), on behalf of the Karnataka State Horticulture Department (KSHD), has invited online applications for 85 Group-B posts of Assistant Horticulture Officer and Assistant Horticulture Director. Eligible candidates can submit their online applications from 05 August 2026 to 30 August 2026 through the official KEA portal.
Vacancy Details
| Organization Name | Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), on behalf of the Karnataka State Horticulture Department (KSHD), Government of Karnataka |
| Examination Name | KSHD Recruitment 2026 |
| Advertisement No. | ADE/KEA/32/NE.V/2026 (RPC) and ADE/KEA/33/NE.V/2026 (KK) |
| Post Name |
|
| Total Vacancies | 85 Posts |
| Job Type | Government Jobs |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Location | Karnataka |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 04 August 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 05 August 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 30 August 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 31 August 2026 |
| Exam Date | — |
Eligibility Criteria
Qualification: Assistant Horticulture Officer: B.Sc. in Horticulture from a University established by law in India and accredited by ICAR. Assistant Horticulture Director: Post Graduate Degree in Horticulture along with B.Sc. in Horticulture from a University established by law in India and accredited by ICAR.
Educational Qualification Assistant Horticulture Officer Must possess a Graduate Degree (B.Sc.) in Horticulture from a University established by law in India. The degree must be accredited by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Assistant Horticulture Director Must possess a Post Graduate Degree in Horticulture. Must also possess a B.Sc. in Horticulture from an ICAR-accredited University established by law in India. Age Limit Candidates must have attained 18 years as on the last date of application. Maximum age limits: General Merit – 40 Years Category 2A, 2B, 3A & 3B – 43 Years SC / ST / Category-1 – 45 Years The upper age limit includes the relaxation granted for this recruitment cycle as per the applicable Government Order.
Age Limit & Relaxation
Minimum: 18 Years Maximum: General Merit: 40 Years Category 2A/2B/3A/3B: 43 Years SC/ST/Category-1: 45 Years
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| General Merit | Maximum Age 40 Years |
| Category 2A/2B/3A/3B | Maximum Age 43 Years |
| SC/ST/Category-1 | Maximum Age 45 Years |
| Widows | Additional relaxation up to 10 years (as per notification) |
| Ex-Servicemen | Additional relaxation up to 10 years (as per notification) |
| Government Employees | Additional relaxation up to 10 years (as per notification) |
| Other Specified Categories | Additional relaxation up to 10 years (as per notification) |
Salary Structure
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Assistant Horticulture Officer | ₹65,950-1650-74,200-1900-85,600-2300-99,400-2700-1,15,600-3100-1,24,900 |
| Assistant Horticulture Director | ₹69,250-1650-74,200-1900-85,600-2300-99,400-2700-1,15,600-3100-1,34,200 |
| Probation Period | 2 Years |
| Pension | National Pension System (NPS) |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General Merit & Category 2A/2B/3A/3B | ₹750 |
| SC | ₹500 |
| ST | ₹500 |
| Category-1 | ₹500 |
| Ex-Servicemen | ₹500 |
| Third Gender | ₹500 |
| Persons with Disabilities | ₹250 |
| Fee Payment Mode | Online Only |
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- SSLC or Equivalent Marks Card / Birth Certificate (Proof of Date of Birth)
- B.Sc. in Horticulture Marks Cards and Degree Certificate
- Post Graduate Degree in Horticulture Certificate (For Assistant Horticulture Director)
- All Semester Marks Cards
- Caste Certificate (SC/ST/Category-1/2A/2B/3A/3B, if applicable)
- Income and Caste Certificate (where applicable)
- Rural Reservation Certificate (where applicable)
- Kannada Medium Study Certificate (where applicable)
- Ex-Servicemen Discharge Certificate / Pension Book / Dependency Certificate (where applicable)
- Third Gender Certificate issued by District Magistrate (where applicable)
- Kalyana-Karnataka (371-J) Eligibility & Local Candidate Certificate (where applicable)
- Recent Passport Size Photograph
- Scanned Signature
Selection Process
- 1Competitive Examination (CBT/Offline OMR)
- 2Kannada Language Test (where applicable)
- 3Merit List Preparation
- 4Document Verification
- 5Final Appointment
Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | 100 | 300 | 2 Hours |
| Horticulture (Subject Specific) | 100 | 300 | 2 Hours |
| Kannada Language Test (Qualifying) | Not Mentioned | 150 | Not Mentioned |
The recruitment examination consists of two objective papers carrying 300 marks each. Candidates who have not studied Kannada as their first or second language up to SSLC level must qualify the Kannada Language Test. The minimum qualifying marks in the competitive examination are 35%, and 0.75 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer. The Kannada Language Test is qualifying in nature and its marks are not included in the final merit list
Syllabus
The official notification prescribes two competitive examination papers. Paper-I covers general subjects, while Paper-II focuses on Horticulture. The detailed subject syllabus for the Horticulture paper will be notified separately by the Karnataka Examination Authority. Candidates required to appear for the Kannada Language Test must qualify it to remain eligible for selection.
How To Apply
Visit the official Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) website. Open the online application link for KSHD Recruitment 2026. Register using the required personal details. Carefully complete the online application form. No corrections will be allowed after submission. Upload a recent passport-size photograph in JPEG format (50 KB–200 KB) with a white background. Upload the scanned signature in JPEG format (50 KB–70 KB). Pay the prescribed application fee through the online payment gateway. Download and save the payment receipt/challan. Submit the application on or before 30 August 2026. Complete the fee payment by 31 August 2026 and keep a printout of the submitted application for future reference.
Important Instructions
Submit the application only through the official online portal. No correction or modification is permitted after final submission of the application form. Upload the photograph and signature strictly in the prescribed format and file size. Original certificates must be produced during document verification. Candidates must regularly visit the official KEA website and check their registered mobile number and email for recruitment updates. Furnishing false information, impersonation or use of unfair means will lead to cancellation of candidature and may invite legal action. Eligibility and recruitment conditions will be governed by the Karnataka Civil Services Rules and applicable Government Orders. Mere submission of the application does not guarantee appointment. Candidates must qualify all prescribed stages of recruitment.
Job Description
Introduction The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), on behalf of the Karnataka State Horticulture Department (KSHD), has released the official notification for KEA KSHD Recruitment 2026. The recruitment drive is being conducted to fill 85 Group-B vacancies for the posts of Assistant Horticulture Officer and Assistant Horticulture Director. Eligible candidates possessing the prescribed educational qualifications can submit their online applications within the notified schedule through the official KEA portal. Vacancy Overview A total of 85 vacancies have been announced under two separate recruitment notifications. Vacancy Details Post Name Vacancies Assistant Horticulture Officer 75 Assistant Horticulture Director (General Notification) 5 Assistant Horticulture Director (Kalyana-Karnataka Quota) 5 Total 85 The notification mentions that post-wise and category-wise vacancy distribution is provisional and may be revised in accordance with Government orders, if required. Eligibility Candidates must satisfy the educational qualification prescribed for the respective post. Assistant Horticulture Officer Must possess a B.Sc. Degree in Horticulture. The degree should be awarded by a University established by law in India. The University must be accredited by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Assistant Horticulture Director Must possess a Post Graduate Degree in Horticulture. Must also possess a B.Sc. in Horticulture. Both qualifications should be from a University established by law in India and accredited by ICAR. Candidates should ensure that they fulfill all eligibility conditions before submitting the application. Age Limit The minimum age required for all applicants is 18 years as on the last date for submission of applications. The upper age limit is as follows: General Merit: 40 Years Category 2A, 2B, 3A & 3B: 43 Years SC / ST / Category-1: 45 Years Additional age relaxation of up to 10 years is available for widows, ex-servicemen, government employees and other eligible categories as specified in the notification. Salary Selected candidates will receive salary according to the prescribed Karnataka Government pay scales. Post Pay Scale Assistant Horticulture Officer ₹65,950 – ₹1,24,900 Assistant Horticulture Director ₹69,250 – ₹1,34,200 Additional Information: Probation Period: 2 Years Pension Scheme: National Pension System (NPS) Selection Process The recruitment process consists of the following stages: Competitive Examination (CBT/Offline OMR). Kannada Language Test (where applicable). Evaluation of examination performance. Document Verification. Preparation of Final Merit List. Appointment of selected candidates. Candidates must secure the prescribed qualifying marks and satisfy all eligibility conditions to be considered for final selection. Application Process Candidates should complete the online application by following these steps: Visit the official KEA website. Open the KSHD Recruitment 2026 online application portal. Register using the required details. Fill in the online application form carefully. Upload the passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format. Pay the applicable application fee through the online payment gateway. Download and preserve the payment receipt. Submit the completed application before 30 August 2026. Ensure that the application fee is paid on or before 31 August 2026. Keep a printed copy of the submitted application for future reference. Important Dates Event Date Notification Release 04 August 2026 Online Application Start 05 August 2026 Online Application Last Date 30 August 2026 Last Date for Fee Payment 31 August 2026 Examination Date Not Mentioned Important Documents Applicants should keep the following documents ready while applying: Aadhaar Card SSLC/Birth Certificate for Date of Birth Proof Educational Qualification Certificates Semester Marks Cards Caste Certificate (if applicable) Income Certificate (where applicable) Rural Reservation Certificate (if applicable) Kannada Medium Study Certificate (if applicable) Ex-servicemen Certificate (where applicable) Third Gender Certificate (where applicable) Kalyana-Karnataka Eligibility Certificate (where applicable) Passport-size Photograph Signature Scan Conclusion The KEA KSHD Recruitment 2026 provides a valuable opportunity for qualified horticulture graduates and postgraduates to join the Karnataka State Horticulture Department in Group-B positions. Interested candidates should carefully review the eligibility conditions, complete the online application within the prescribed dates, upload all required documents correctly and prepare for the competitive examination. Regularly checking the official KEA website will help applicants stay informed about examination schedules and further recruitment updates.