Overview
Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Government of Karnataka has released a recruitment notification for the post of Karnataka State Eligibility Test for Assistant Professors – 2026 (KSET-2026). Eligible candidates can apply online only as per the official notification.
Key Details
- Organization
- Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Government of Karnataka
- Qualification
- Master's degree (or final year PG) from a UGC-recognised university with 55% marks (General) / 50% marks (reserved categories)
- Advertisement No
- ED/KEA/01/KSET-26/2026-27
- Posted
- 10 August 2026
- Last date to apply
- 5 September 2026
Important Dates
| Date of Notification | 10 August 2026 |
| Exam Date | 11 October 2026 (Sunday) |
| Online Application Start Date | 10 August 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 5 September 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 6 September 2026 |
| Hall Ticket (Admit Card) Release Date | 1 October 2026 |
| KSET-2026 Exam Date | 11 October 2026 (Sunday) |
Important Links
Eligibility
Category: Minimum Marks Required in Master's Degree General category: 55% marks (without rounding off) from a UGC-recognised university/institution SC-A / SC-B / SC-C / ST / OBC (Category-I, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB) / PwD / Transgender: 50% marks (without rounding off) Candidates who are currently pursuing their postgraduate degree and appearing in the final year or final semester examination are also eligible to apply for KSET-2026. Such candidates are given provisional admission to the exam only. They must obtain the required minimum marks (55% for General, 50% for reserved categories as above) in their qualifying PG examination within two years from the date of the KSET result declaration, and must submit proof (mark card) of this to the Karnataka Examinations Authority within that two-year window – failing which their eligibility will be cancelled. Candidates who completed their postgraduate examination on or before 19 September 1991 (irrespective of the date their result was declared) and who additionally hold a Ph.D degree are given a 5% relaxation in the minimum marks required – i.e., 50% instead of 55%. Candidates must appear for KSET in the same subject in which they completed their postgraduate studies, subject to the interdisciplinary-subject notes published with the subject list (see Subjects section below). A candidate can appear for KSET-2026 in only one subject, even if they hold more than one postgraduate degree, and the chosen subject cannot be changed after the…
Age Limit
There is no upper age limit prescribed for candidates appearing for the KSET-2026 examination.
Exam Pattern
The KSET exam consists of two papers, both objective (multiple choice) type, conducted in a single sitting on 11 October 2026. Paper: Maximum Marks | No. of Questions | Duration Paper I: 100 | 50 (all compulsory) | 3 hours (10:00 AM to 1:00 PM), combined for both papers Paper II: 200 | 100 (all compulsory) Candidates are not permitted entry into the examination centre after 1:00 PM. Paper-I is a general paper testing teaching and research aptitude and reasoning ability – it assesses general knowledge, teaching/research aptitude, general awareness, reasoning ability and analytical thinking of the candidate, and consists of 50 compulsory questions worth 2 marks each. Paper-II is the subject paper, based on the subject chosen by the candidate, and consists of 100 compulsory questions worth 2 marks each, carrying a maximum of 200 marks. Answers for both papers must be marked only in the space provided on the OMR sheet.
How to Apply
Applications for KSET-2026 can be submitted only through the online mode on the official website of the Karnataka Examinations Authority: https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/
Important Instructions
• Candidates must download their hall ticket from the official KEA website, verify all printed details carefully, and report to the correct examination centre allotted to them. • Candidates must carry the printed hall ticket along with one valid original photo ID – Voter ID, Driving Licence, Passport, or Aadhaar Card – matching the photograph on the hall ticket. • Electronic devices, mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, gadgets, calculators, wristwatches, wallets, wireless sets, chits, and food items are not permitted inside the examination hall. No safekeeping facility for such items is available at exam centres. • Candidates should carry only a transparent water bottle and permitted writing materials, and report to the centre at the time specified on the KEA website. • The exam centre, once selected at the time of application, cannot be changed for any reason. • Candidates registered for the 19 subjects listed under Part-B (see Exam Centres below) must select Bengaluru as their exam centre; no other centre is available for these subjects. • Use of correction fluid or incorrect marking on the OMR sheet, or any use of unfair means, may lead to disqualification or invalidation of the response sheet. • For subjects where the question paper is printed bilingually (Kannada & English), the English version will be treated as authoritative in case of any doubt or discrepancy. • PwD (Special Chetana) candidates are given 60 minutes of additional time combined across Paper-I and Paper-II…
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the important dates for KSET 2026 Notification: Karnataka State Eligibility Test for Assistant Professors - Dates, Eligibility, Fee & Subjects?
Date of Notification: 10 August 2026; Exam Date: 11 October 2026 (Sunday); Online Application Start Date: 10 August 2026; Online Application Last Date: 5 September 2026; Last Date for Fee Payment: 6 September 2026; Hall Ticket (Admit Card) Release Date: 1 October 2026; KSET-2026 Exam Date: 11 October 2026 (Sunday)
What is the application fee?
Rs. 750/- (General & other states) or Rs. 500/- (Cat-1, SC-A/SC-B/SC-C, ST, PwD, Transgender) – online payment only
What is the age limit?
No upper age limit