KEA Principal Recruitment 2026: The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), under the Department of School Education (Pre-University Education), Government of Karnataka, has released the recruitment notification for 247 Principal posts in Government Pre-University (PU) Colleges. The vacancies are available under the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) and Kalyana-Karnataka (KK) Local Cadre. Eligible serving Lecturers can apply online through the KEA website. The online application process started on September 7, 2026, and the last date to apply is October 4, 2026.

KEA Principal Recruitment 2026: Highlights
- Organisation: Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)
- Post: Principal
- Total Vacancies: 247
- RPC Cadre: 216 Posts
- KK Local Cadre: 31 Posts
- Application Mode: Online
- Application Start Date: September 7, 2026
- Last Date to Apply: October 4, 2026
- Last Date for Fee Payment: October 5, 2026
- Exam Date: To be announced by KEA
- Official Website: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea
KEA Principal Recruitment 2026: Vacancy Details
KEA has announced 247 Principal vacancies. Out of these, 216 posts are under the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) and 31 posts are under the Kalyana-Karnataka Local Cadre. The source lists category-wise vacancies for both cadres.
The RPC cadre includes 216 posts, with vacancies distributed among different categories such as General Merit, 2A, SC-A, SC-B, SC-C, 3B, Category-1, 2B, 3A and ST.
The KK Local Cadre has 31 posts. These vacancies are also distributed among the applicable categories.
KEA Principal Recruitment 2026: Eligibility Criteria
- This recruitment is an in-service departmental recruitment. Candidates must be serving as Lecturers in the Lecturer cadre of Government Pre-University Colleges under the Department of School Education, Karnataka.
- Applicants must have completed at least 10 years of continuous service as a Lecturer in Government PU Colleges by the last date of application.
- Candidates must also have satisfactorily completed the required probation period in the Lecturer post.
- For the RPC Principal posts, the source specifically states that the candidate should be a serving Lecturer under the Karnataka Department of School Education and should have completed the required 10 years of service as on October 4, 2026.
Candidates should carefully check the official notification for their applicable cadre and service conditions before submitting the application.

Age Limit
The source states that this is an in-service departmental recruitment and there is no upper age limit for eligible candidates. The main service requirement is completion of at least 10 years of service as a Lecturer in Government PU Colleges.
Candidates must also have satisfactorily completed their probation period in the Lecturer cadre.
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Application Fee
Candidates have to pay the application fee according to their category:
- General Merit (GM) and OBC (2A/2B/3A/3B): ₹1,500
- SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-Servicemen/Third Gender: ₹1,000
- PwD Special Category: ₹500
The fee can be paid online through Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI or e-Post Office Challan. The last date for fee payment is October 5, 2026.
KEA Principal Recruitment 2026: Salary Details
The source states that selected candidates will receive the salary according to the Karnataka State Revised Pay Scale for PU College Principals. The exact amount is not specified in the provided source.
KEA Principal Recruitment 2026: Selection Process
The source states that a competitive examination will be conducted for the recruitment. However, the examination date has not yet been announced by KEA. The admit card is expected to be released before the examination.
Candidates should regularly check the official KEA website for updates about the examination schedule, admit card and further selection-related instructions.
How to Apply Online for the KEA Principal Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates can submit the KEA Principal Recruitment 2026 application online by following these steps:
- Visit the official KEA website.

- Open the recruitment section.
- Select the Government PU College Principal Recruitment 2026 link.
- Complete the registration process.
- Enter personal details, KGID number, college posting and service information.
- Select the applicable RPC or KK cadre.
- Upload the required photograph, signature and left thumb impression.
- Upload service and other required certificates.
- Pay the application fee through the available online payment method.
- Check all details carefully before final submission.
- Submit the application and download the final application form and payment receipt.
The source states that no modification will be permitted after final submission, so candidates should carefully check the information before submitting the form.
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KEA Principal Recruitment 2026: FAQs
1. How many Principal posts are available in KEA Recruitment 2026?
KEA has announced 247 Principal vacancies, including 216 RPC posts and 31 KK Local Cadre posts.
2. What is the last date to apply online?
The last date to submit the online application is October 4, 2026.
3. Who can apply for KEA Principal Recruitment 2026?
Serving Lecturers in Government PU Colleges under the Karnataka Department of School Education who have completed at least 10 years of service and satisfactorily completed probation can apply, subject to the applicable cadre requirements.