Karnataka Examinations Authority
— Directorate of Municipal Administration, Government of Karnataka
📌
Executive Summary & Key Facts
Verified Fact Sheet
The Karnataka Examinations Authority has issued an official recruitment notification for Water Supply Operator, Electrician Grade-1, Assistant Water Supply Operator, Electrician Grade-2, announcing a total of 210 vacancies located in Karnataka. The online application window opens on 16 September 2026 and closes on 30 September 2026. To be eligible, applicants must hold SSLC / 10th Pass with ITI (Electrical/Fitter Trade) and NTC, with NAC for some posts. and be within the prescribed age limit of Minimum 18 years. Maximum 40 years for General Merit, 43 years for Cat 2A/2B/3A/3B, and 45 years for SC/ST/Category-1 as on 30.09.2026., with category relaxation applicable as per government guidelines. Selected candidates will receive an approved pay scale of Water Supply Operator & Electrician Grade-1: Rs. 37,500-76,100; Assistant Water Supply Operator & Electrician Grade-2: Rs. 34,100-67,600.. The selection procedure comprises Competitive written examination (Paper-1 General Knowledge, Paper-2 Post-specific subject), with a qualifying Kannada language paper if applicable. Negative marking applies.. For complete guidelines, syllabus breakdown, and official notification PDF, refer to the verified information below on ApplySarkariJob.
KEA Kalyana Karnataka Recruitment 2026: Apply for 210 Group C Operator & Electrician Posts
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), on behalf of the Directorate of Municipal Administration, Government of Karnataka, has released an official notification for the recruitment of Group-C posts in urban local bodies across the Kalyana-Karnataka region. This recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 210 vacancies for Water Supply Operator, Electrician Grade-1, Assistant Water Supply Operator, and Electrician Grade-2 positions. Eligible candidates who have passed SSLC and hold the relevant ITI trade certificate, along with apprenticeship training for some posts, can apply online. The application window opens on September 16, 2026, and concludes on September 30, 2026. Selection will be based on a competitive written examination conducted by KEA.
KEA Kalyana Karnataka Recruitment 2026 - Important Dates
| Event |
Date |
| Online Application Start Date |
16.09.2026 |
| Online Application Last Date |
30.09.2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment |
01.10.2026 |
| Competitive Examination (Tentative) |
November 2026 (Detailed schedule to be announced) |
Vacancy Details
A total of 210 Group-C vacancies are available across four distinct posts. Candidates should note that the number of vacancies is provisional and may be subject to revision by the Directorate of Municipal Administration.
| S. No. |
Post Name |
Pay Scale (Rs.) |
Number of Posts |
| 1 |
Water Supply Operator (Neeru Sarabaraju Operator) |
37,500 – 76,100 |
80 |
| 2 |
Electrician Grade-1 |
37,500 – 76,100 |
03 |
| 3 |
Assistant Water Supply Operator (Sahayaka Neeru Sarabaraju Operator) |
34,100 – 67,600 |
122 |
| 4 |
Electrician Grade-2 |
34,100 – 67,600 |
05 |
| Total |
|
210 |
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality & Other Conditions
- Candidates must be citizens of India.
- Marital status rules apply as per Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977.
- Applicants must be physically and mentally fit to perform the duties of the respective posts.
- Candidates dismissed for cheating or impersonation from any examination conducted by Union/State Public Service Commissions, KEA, or universities are ineligible.
- Debarred candidates are ineligible for the entire debarment period.
Educational Qualifications (as on 30.09.2026)
| Post Name |
Required Qualification |
| Water Supply Operator |
- Passed SSLC or equivalent examination; AND
- Holds an ITI two-year course certificate in Electrical or Fitter Trade (NTC); AND
- Completed one year of Apprenticeship Training (NAC).
|
| Electrician Grade-1 |
- Passed SSLC or equivalent examination; AND
- Passed a two-year course in Electrical Trade (NTC); AND
- Completed one year of Apprenticeship Training (NAC).
|
| Assistant Water Supply Operator |
- Passed SSLC or equivalent examination; AND
- Passed a two-year course in Electrical or Fitter Trade (NTC).
|
| Electrician Grade-2 |
- Passed SSLC or equivalent examination; AND
- Passed a two-year course in Electrical Trade (NTC).
|
Note: Equivalent qualifications to SSLC include Class 10 examinations by CBSE, ICSE, other State education boards, and secondary-level courses from NIOS or Karnataka State Open School Education Board.
Age Limit (as on 30.09.2026)
Candidates must be at least 18 years old. A one-time relaxation of 5 years has been granted to the maximum age limit for General Merit candidates as per Government Order No. CI 262 SENE 2026 dated 29.01.2026.
| Category |
Maximum Age for Direct Recruitment |
| General Merit |
40 years |
| Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B |
43 years |
| SC / ST / Category-1 |
45 years |
Additional Age Relaxation: Additional relaxations, up to the ceilings specified in the Karnataka Civil Services Rules, 1977, apply to categories such as Karnataka State Government employees, ex-servicemen, NCC supervisors, Gram Samooha Inspectors, special-incentive category candidates, employees of Census organization, un-remarried widows, and retrenched employees. Details can be found in the official notification.
Salary Structure
Selected candidates will undergo a 2-year probation period. The applicable pay scales are as follows:
- Water Supply Operator and Electrician Grade-1: Rs. 37,500-900-39,300-1,000-43,300-1,125-47,800-1,250-52,800-1,375-58,300-1,500-64,300-1,650-74,200-1,900-76,100
- Assistant Water Supply Operator and Electrician Grade-2: Rs. 34,100-800-35,700-900-39,300-1,000-43,300-1,125-47,800-1,250-52,800-1,375-58,300-1,500-64,300-1,650-67,600
The National Pension Scheme (NPS) is applicable to all four posts.
Application Fee
The application fee is non-refundable and must be paid online only.
| Category |
Fee |
| General Merit and other categories (Category-1 / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B) |
Rs. 750/- |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-servicemen / Third Gender |
Rs. 500/- |
| Special-incentive category candidates |
Rs. 250/- |
Selection Process
Selection will be based on a competitive written examination comprising two papers. Candidates who have not studied Kannada as a first or second language up to SSLC or higher, or through a degree/diploma, or have not already passed a Kannada language test, must clear a compulsory qualifying Kannada Language Paper. There will be negative marking for incorrect answers.
Detailed Exam Pattern
The competitive examination consists of two papers, each of 100 marks and 2 hours duration.
| Paper |
Subject |
Total Questions |
Maximum Marks |
Duration |
| Paper-1 |
General Knowledge (Current affairs, everyday science, Indian Constitution, history & geography of Karnataka & India, national & international current affairs, Panchayat Raj, Karnataka's economic development, environmental issues) |
100 |
100 |
2 hours |
| Paper-2 |
Post-specific subject paper (syllabus to be published separately) |
100 |
100 |
2 hours |
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks (one-fourth) will be deducted for each wrong answer.
- Qualifying Marks: General Merit candidates must score a minimum of 35% in the competitive examination.
- Kannada Language Paper: A compulsory, qualifying-only Kannada Language Paper (150 marks, minimum 50 marks to qualify) is applicable for candidates who do not meet the Kannada language proficiency exemption criteria. This paper's score will not be counted for merit ranking.
- The examination will be conducted in Online (CBT) or Offline OMR mode. Details on mode and centres will be announced on the KEA website.
Documents Required for Application
Candidates should prepare the following documents before filling out the online application form:
- Aadhaar Card.
- SSLC or equivalent qualification marks card/certificate.
- Marks cards/certificates for the required ITI/NTC/NAC qualification.
- Document proving Date of Birth (SSLC marks card, school transfer certificate, or birth register extract).
- Caste certificate (for SC/ST/Category-1/2A/2B/3A/3B candidates, if claiming reservation).
- Rural candidature certificate (if claiming reservation).
- Certificate of having studied through Kannada medium (if claiming reservation).
- Third-gender certificate (issued by District Magistrate, if applicable).
- For Ex-servicemen: Certificate of discharge from military service and pension/gratuity-related certificate.
- Recent passport-size photograph in JPEG format (white background, 50KB–200KB).
- Scanned signature in JPEG format (50KB–70KB).
How to Apply Online for KEA Kalyana Karnataka Recruitment 2026
Follow these steps to apply for the KEA Kalyana Karnataka Group C posts:
- Visit the official KEA website: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/.
- Navigate to the relevant section for this recruitment (Kalyana Karnataka Group C Posts) and locate the online application link.
- Thoroughly read the official notification and all instructions before proceeding to fill the application form.
- Fill in the online application form accurately and completely. Note that no corrections or changes will be permitted after submission.
- Select only one post for which you wish to apply.
- Upload your passport-size photograph and scanned signature as per the specified format and file size.
- Pay the applicable application fee online through the prescribed payment gateway before the deadline of 01.10.2026.
- After successful submission and fee payment, download and print the filled application form and fee payment receipt for your records.
Important Instructions & Caution
- Applications will only be accepted online. No other mode of application is permitted.
- Candidates must submit their application and pay the fee well in advance of the last date to avoid technical issues.
- Providing false or incorrect information at any stage will lead to the cancellation of candidature and potential legal action.
- The mobile number and email ID provided in the application will be used for all official communications. Ensure they are correct and active.
- Regularly check the official KEA website for updates regarding examination dates, admit cards, and results.
- Beware of fraudulent agents or middlemen demanding money for promises of selection. The recruitment process is strictly merit-based.
Candidates must apply online through the official Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) website. Visit cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/, locate the recruitment link, fill out the application form with accurate details, upload required documents (photo, signature), and pay the non-refundable application fee by October 1, 2026. A printout of the submitted application and fee receipt should be retained.
