KEA Assistant Horticulture Director Recruitment 2026

Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) is hiring 5 Assistant Horticulture Directors for the Kalyana-Karnataka cadre of the state Horticulture Department. If you hold a Post Graduate Degree in Horticulture with a B.Sc. in Horticulture from an ICAR-accredited university, you can apply online. The last date to apply is 30 August 2026, and the fee payment window closes a day later on 31 August 2026. Selected candidates will draw a salary starting from Rs. 69,250 per month going up to Rs. 1,34,200.

Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) Assistant Horticulture Director Recruitment 2026 - 5 Posts

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), on behalf of the state Horticulture Department, has released a notification dated 4 August 2026 for 5 vacant Assistant Horticulture Director posts reserved exclusively for candidates from the Kalyana-Karnataka (Hyderabad-Karnataka) region under Article 371(J) of the Constitution. This drive is part of a wider push by the Horticulture Department to fill 85 Group-B vacancies across Karnataka this year — 80 posts through a separate general (RPC) notification and 5 posts through this Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) notification. This listing covers only the 5 KK-quota posts. The department has noted that the number of vacancies can increase or decrease before the final selection, so keep checking the official website for updates. If you belong to this region and hold the right postgraduate qualification in Horticulture, this is a solid Group-B government opportunity worth applying for.

Who Can Apply?

• Qualification: You need a Post Graduate Degree in Horticulture along with a B.Sc. in Horticulture from a university established by law in India and accredited by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR).
• Region: This recruitment is reserved for candidates belonging to the Kalyana-Karnataka (Hyderabad-Karnataka) region under Article 371(J) of the Constitution.
• Language: You must clear a qualifying Kannada language test unless you have already studied Kannada up to SSLC level or hold an equivalent exemption.
• Citizenship: You must be an Indian citizen and medically fit to perform the duties of the post.
• Character: Male candidates should not have more than one living spouse, and female candidates should not be married to a man who already has a wife, except with prior government permission.

Age Limit

• You should be at least 18 years old as on the last date fixed for submitting your application.
• General Merit candidates: maximum age is 40 years.
• Category 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B candidates: maximum age is 43 years.
• SC, ST and Category-1 candidates: maximum age is 45 years.
• Age Relaxation: Government employees, ex-servicemen, widows, NCC instructors, and other special categories get additional relaxation of 3 to 10 years as per the Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977.

Salary

• Selected Assistant Horticulture Directors will get a salary in the range of Rs. 69,250 to Rs. 1,34,200 per month (Pay Scale: 69,250-1,650-74,200-1,900-85,600-2,300-99,400-2,700-1,15,600-3,100-1,34,200).
• You will also get DA, HRA, TA and other allowances as per Karnataka Government rules.
• Selected candidates are covered under the National Pension Scheme (NPS), and the probation period for direct recruits is 2 years.

Application Fee

• General / Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B: Rs. 750 (Rs. 500 application fee + Rs. 250 processing fee)
• SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-servicemen / Third Gender: Rs. 500 (Rs. 250 application fee + Rs. 250 processing fee)
• Candidates eligible for special age relaxation: Rs. 250 (processing fee only)
• Payment mode: Online only. The fee once paid is non-refundable, so check your category carefully before paying.

Selection Process

The selection will be done in the following stages:

1. Kannada Language Test (Qualifying): Required only for candidates who have not studied Kannada up to SSLC level. You need at least 50 out of 150 marks to qualify. This test does not count towards your merit score.
2. Written Exam - Paper 1 (General Knowledge): 100 questions for 300 marks in 2 hours, covering current affairs, general science, Karnataka and Indian history/geography, the Indian Constitution, general mental ability, and related topics.
3. Written Exam - Paper 2 (Subject Paper): 100 questions for 300 marks in 2 hours, based on a Horticulture syllabus that KEA will publish separately.
4. Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates must bring original certificates for verification. Any mismatch or false information can lead to rejection at any stage, even after appointment.

You need to score at least 35% marks in the competitive exam to qualify for the merit list. The exam carries negative marking of 0.75 marks for every wrong answer.

How to Apply

1. Go to the KEA portal at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
2. Find the online application link for the Assistant Horticulture Director (Kalyana-Karnataka) recruitment.
3. Fill in your personal, educational, and category details carefully.
4. Upload your photograph, signature, and required certificates.
5. Pay the application fee online through the prescribed mode.
6. Submit the form and save a copy for your records.

Note: Once you submit your application, no changes can be made, so double-check every detail before you click submit.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 4 August 2026
• Online Application Start: 5 August 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 30 August 2026
• Last Date for Fee Payment: 31 August 2026
• Exam Date: To be announced

• Plan and supervise horticulture development programs across the assigned taluk or district
• Guide farmers on scientific cultivation techniques for fruits, vegetables, and flowers
• Monitor nursery operations, plant protection measures, and irrigation schemes
• Implement government horticulture schemes and subsidy programs for farmers
• Prepare technical reports, budgets, and progress updates for the department
• Coordinate with district officials on horticulture infrastructure projects
• Conduct field visits and training sessions for farmers and field staff