The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), on behalf of the Department of School Education (Pre-University Education), Government of Karnataka, is conducting recruitment for 247 Principal posts in Government Pre-University Colleges. The recruitment covers 216 Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) vacancies and 31 Kalyana Karnataka Local Cadre vacancies.
The application deadline has been extended to 24 October 2026, while the fee-payment deadline has been extended to 25 October 2026. This recruitment is not open to fresh candidates or the general public. It is intended for eligible serving lecturers in Government Pre-University Colleges who satisfy the service and probation conditions in the notifications.
Karnataka PU Principal Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Department | Department of School Education (Pre-University Education), Karnataka |
| Post | Principal, Government Pre-University College |
| Total vacancies | 247 |
| RPC vacancies | 216 |
| Kalyana Karnataka vacancies | 31 |
| Group | Group-A |
| Notification date | 3 September 2026 |
| Application mode | Online |
| Application start date | 7 September 2026 |
| Extended last date | 24 October 2026 |
| Fee payment last date | 25 October 2026 |
| Pay scale | ₹90,200–₹1,59,200 |
| Job location | Government PU Colleges across Karnataka |
Vacancy Details
| Cadre | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) | 216 |
| Kalyana Karnataka Local Cadre | 31 |
| Total | 247 |
The two recruitment notifications are:
- ED/KEA/28/Recruitment/2026-RPC for 216 Residual Parent Cadre posts.
- ED/KEA/29/Recruitment/2026-KK for 31 Kalyana Karnataka Local Cadre posts.
Category-wise Vacancy Breakup
| Category | RPC | Kalyana Karnataka | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Merit | 108 | 15 | 123 |
| SC-A | 12 | 2 | 14 |
| SC-B | 11 | 2 | 13 |
| SC-C | 10 | 1 | 11 |
| ST | 7 | 1 | 8 |
| Category-1 | 9 | 2 | 11 |
| 2A | 32 | 5 | 37 |
| 2B | 9 | 1 | 10 |
| 3A | 8 | 1 | 9 |
| 3B | 10 | 1 | 11 |
| Total | 216 | 31 | 247 |
Horizontal reservations may also apply as stated in the official notifications.
Who Can Apply?
This is an in-service recruitment.
Eligible applicants must be serving lecturers in Government Pre-University Colleges under the Department of School Education (Pre-University Education), Karnataka, and should satisfy the service conditions prescribed in the notification.
The current recruitment summaries consistently report that applicants must have:
- at least 10 years of service in the Lecturer cadre; and
- satisfactory completion of probation.
Fresh graduates, private-college lecturers and candidates who are not serving in the eligible Government PU College lecturer cadre should not treat this as an open public recruitment.
Age Limit
The current public summaries do not consistently reproduce one exact age rule across all sources. Candidates should therefore rely on the KEA notification applicable to their cadre for the controlling age condition, if any.
Do not reject or submit an application based only on an unofficial age figure.
Salary
Selected candidates will receive the revised Karnataka state pay scale of:
₹90,200–₹1,59,200
This is a Group-A Principal post in Government Pre-University Colleges.
Application Fee
Current recruitment summaries report the following fee structure:
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General Merit / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | ₹1,500 |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-Servicemen / Third Gender | ₹1,000 |
| PwBD | ₹500 |
Candidates should confirm the exact fee shown in the live KEA application system before payment.
Selection Process
Selection is through a competitive examination consisting of three papers.
Current notification reproductions report the following structure:
- Paper 1 – Kannada: qualifying paper; candidates must secure the prescribed minimum qualifying marks.
- Paper 2 and Paper 3: marks are used for preparation of the merit list.
- Negative marking applies to wrong answers in Papers 2 and 3.
- Candidates are shortlisted for document verification based on the applicable merit and reservation rules.
The examination may be conducted in CBT or OMR mode as notified by KEA.
Exam Pattern
Candidates should check the official KEA notification for the detailed syllabus, marks and duration. Current summaries consistently indicate:
| Paper | Nature |
|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Kannada – qualifying |
| Paper 2 | Competitive / merit paper |
| Paper 3 | Competitive / merit paper |
Paper 1 marks are not used for the final merit ranking, while Papers 2 and 3 determine merit, subject to the official recruitment conditions.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification date | 3 September 2026 |
| Online application started | 7 September 2026 |
| Original last date | 4 October 2026 |
| Extended last date to apply | 24 October 2026 |
| Extended last date to pay fee | 25 October 2026 |
| Competitive examination | To be announced by KEA |
The extension changes the application and fee-payment deadlines; the other recruitment conditions remain governed by the original notifications.
How to Apply for Karnataka PU Principal Recruitment 2026
Eligible serving lecturers should apply through the official KEA recruitment system.
- Open the Karnataka Examinations Authority website.
- Locate the Government Pre-University College Principal recruitment for the appropriate cadre — RPC or Kalyana Karnataka.
- Read the applicable notification and the latest deadline-extension notice.
- Confirm that you meet the in-service lecturer requirement, 10-year service condition and probation requirement.
- Use the Work Experience Calculator to verify your completed service period before entering service details.
- Use the Government Job Document Checklist to prepare your service, education, category and identity records.
- Complete the online form with the required personal, service and cadre details.
- Upload the prescribed documents, photograph and signature.
- Pay the applicable fee through the official KEA payment process by 25 October 2026.
- Submit the application by 24 October 2026 and save the acknowledgement.
Before final submission, candidates can read How to Fill Government Job Online Application Forms Correctly.
Documents to Keep Ready
Candidates should keep the following ready, subject to the official notification:
- service certificate showing eligible lecturer service;
- proof of satisfactory completion of probation;
- educational qualification records;
- category/reservation certificates, where applicable;
- Kalyana Karnataka local-cadre certificate where required;
- photograph and signature files;
- identity and service records requested by KEA;
- fee-payment receipt and submitted application acknowledgement.
Important Instructions
- This recruitment is only for eligible serving Government PU College lecturers.
- Check whether you should apply under RPC or Kalyana Karnataka Local Cadre.
- Do not rely on the old 4 October 2026 deadline; the application deadline is extended to 24 October 2026.
- Fee payment is allowed up to 25 October 2026.
- Read the relevant cadre notification before submitting the application.
- Preserve the submitted application and fee receipt.
Important Links
| Link | Purpose |
|---|---|
| KEA Official Website | Recruitment notices and application access |
| RPC Notification | Locate ED/KEA/28/Recruitment/2026-RPC on the KEA website |
| Kalyana Karnataka Notification | Locate ED/KEA/29/Recruitment/2026-KK on the KEA website |
| Deadline Extension Notice | Verify the 24 October application extension on KEA |
Karnataka PU Principal Recruitment 2026 FAQs
How many Principal vacancies are available?
There are 247 Group-A Principal vacancies — 216 under the Residual Parent Cadre and 31 under the Kalyana Karnataka Local Cadre.
What is the extended last date?
The application deadline is 24 October 2026, and the fee-payment deadline is 25 October 2026.
Can fresh candidates apply?
No. This recruitment is for eligible serving lecturers in Government Pre-University Colleges who satisfy the notified service conditions.
How much service is required?
Current recruitment summaries report a minimum of 10 years of service in the Lecturer cadre, along with satisfactory completion of probation.
What is the salary?
The notified pay scale is ₹90,200–₹1,59,200.
How will candidates be selected?
Selection is through a three-paper competitive examination followed by document verification and the applicable merit/reservation process.