KEA Assistant Horticulture Officer and Director Recruitment 2026
Karnataka Examination Authority — Horticulture Department
Age Eligibility & DOB Range for Assistant Horticulture Officer and Assistant Horticulture Director
Cut-off Date: 30 Aug 2026 — Candidates must be between 18 to 40 years (General category). Category-wise relaxation and exact DOB boundaries are shown below.
| Category | Min Age | Max Age | Relaxation | DOB Must Be Between |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 18 yrs | 40 yrs | — | 31 Aug 1986 to 30 Aug 2008 |
| EWS | 18 yrs | 40 yrs | — | 31 Aug 1986 to 30 Aug 2008 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 18 yrs | 43 yrs | +3 yrs | 31 Aug 1983 to 30 Aug 2008 |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 18 yrs | 45 yrs | +5 yrs | 31 Aug 1981 to 30 Aug 2008 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 18 yrs | 45 yrs | +5 yrs | 31 Aug 1981 to 30 Aug 2008 |
| PwD (General) | 18 yrs | 50 yrs | +10 yrs | 31 Aug 1976 to 30 Aug 2008 |
Check Your Age Eligibility — Interactive Calculator
Prescribed Age: 18–40 Years (As on 30 Aug 2026)
Executive Summary & Key Facts
The Karnataka Examination Authority has issued an official recruitment notification for Assistant Horticulture Officer and Assistant Horticulture Director, announcing a total of 85 vacancies located in Karnataka. The online application window opens on 05 August 2026 and closes on 30 August 2026. To be eligible, applicants must hold B.Sc in Horticulture or Post Graduate Degree in Horticulture from an ICAR accredited university. and be within the prescribed age limit of 18 to 40 years with category-based relaxations., with category relaxation applicable as per government guidelines. Selected candidates will receive an approved pay scale of Pay scale ranges from 65,950 to 1,34,200 depending on the post.. The selection procedure comprises Competitive examination consisting of two papers and a mandatory Kannada language test for non-Kannada speakers.. For complete guidelines, syllabus breakdown, and official notification PDF, refer to the verified information below on ApplySarkariJob.
📅 Assistant Horticulture Officer and Assistant Horticulture Director - Important Dates & Schedule
| Application Start | 05 Aug 2026 |
|---|---|
| Last Date to Apply |
30 Aug 2026
|
📋 Assistant Horticulture Officer and Assistant Horticulture Director - Eligibility Criteria & Vacancy Overview
| Post Name | Assistant Horticulture Officer and Assistant Horticulture Director |
|---|---|
| Total Vacancies | 85 |
| Qualification | B.Sc in Horticulture or Post Graduate Degree in Horticulture from an ICAR accredited university. |
| Age Limit | 18 to 40 years with category-based relaxations. |
| Salary | Pay scale ranges from 65,950 to 1,34,200 depending on the post. |
| Application Fee | General: 750 INR, Reserved: 500 INR, PwD: 250 INR. |
| Selection Process | Competitive examination consisting of two papers and a mandatory Kannada language test for non-Kannada speakers. |
📝 Assistant Horticulture Officer and Assistant Horticulture Director - Detailed Notification Guide
Overview of KEA Assistant Horticulture Officer & Director Recruitment 2026
The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has released the official notification for the recruitment of 85 Assistant Horticulture Officer and Assistant Horticulture Director positions on behalf of the Horticulture Department, Government of Karnataka. The recruitment process includes both General and Kalyana-Karnataka (Article 371-J) quotas.
| Post Name | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Assistant Horticulture Officer | 75 |
| Assistant Horticulture Director | 10 |
| Total | 85 |
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must ensure they meet the following educational and age requirements before applying:
- Assistant Horticulture Officer: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Horticulture from an ICAR-accredited university.
- Assistant Horticulture Director: Post Graduate Degree in Horticulture along with a B.Sc. in Horticulture from an ICAR-accredited university.
- Age Limit: 18 to 40 years for General Merit. Age relaxation is provided as per Karnataka Civil Services Rules (43 years for 2A/2B/3A/3B and 45 years for SC/ST/Cat-1).
Important Application Dates
- Online Application Start Date: 5 August 2026
- Online Application Last Date: 30 August 2026
- Last Date for Fee Payment: 31 August 2026
Application Fee Details
| Category | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| General Merit / 2A/2B/3A/3B | ₹750 |
| SC / ST / Cat-1 / Ex-Servicemen / Third Gender | ₹500 |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | ₹250 |
Selection Process and Exam Pattern
The selection will be based on a competitive examination, which may be conducted in CBT or OMR mode. The exam consists of two papers:
- Paper 1: General Knowledge (100 questions, 300 marks, 2 hours).
- Paper 2: Horticulture-specific subject (100 questions, 300 marks, 2 hours).
Note: A negative marking of 0.75 marks per wrong answer applies. Candidates who have not studied Kannada up to the SSLC level must qualify for a separate Kannada Language Test (150 marks, 50 required to qualify).
Steps to Apply
- Visit the official KEA website at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
- Select the link for KSHD Recruitment 2026.
- Complete the registration and fill in the application form accurately.
- Upload a scanned passport-size photograph and signature as per specified dimensions.
- Pay the application fee online and save the payment receipt for your records.