The Village Administrative Officer (VAO), earlier called Village Accountant, is the Revenue Department’s officer at village level. The 2026 recruitment for 572 posts is conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA).
VAO at a glance
| Conducting body | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
|---|---|
| Posts (2026) | 572 |
| Notification | 11 July 2026 |
| Exam dates | 4 Oct 2026 (non-KK cadre); 25 Oct 2026 (Kalyana Karnataka cadre) |
| Qualification | PUC / Class 12 |
| Age limit | 18 – 40 years (General Merit, 2026) |
| Pay scale | ₹34,100 – ₹67,600 |
VAO eligibility
Educational qualification
- PUC (10+2) or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Government of Karnataka.
Age limit
- Minimum age: 18 years.
- Maximum age as per the 2026 notification: 40 years (General Merit), 43 years (Category 2A/2B/3A/3B), 45 years (SC/ST/Category-1).
Other requirements
- Application fee (2026): ₹750 General Merit and Category 2A/2B/3A/3B; ₹500 SC/ST/Category-1, ex-servicemen and transgender candidates; ₹250 persons with disabilities.
VAO selection process
- Written examinationTwo objective papers, 200 marks.
- Kannada Language TestFor candidates who are not exempt.
- Document verificationFollowed by the final selection list.
VAO exam pattern
Written examination
| Paper | Subjects | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Knowledge | 100 | 100 | 2 hours |
| Paper II | General Kannada, General English and Computer Knowledge | 100 | 100 | 2 hours |
VAO syllabus
Paper I — General Knowledge
- Current affairs
- General science
- Indian Constitution
- History and geography of India and Karnataka
- Panchayat Raj and rural co-operative institutions
- Karnataka regional issues and development
Paper II
- General Kannada — grammar, vocabulary, comprehension
- General English — grammar, vocabulary, comprehension
- Computer knowledge — fundamentals, MS Office, internet
How to prepare for VAO
- Panchayat Raj and rural institutions are named explicitly in the VAO syllabus — give them more weight than in other Group C exams.
- Paper II is one-third computer-and-language skills that reward regular practice more than memorisation.
Prepare for VAO with Sadhisu
Previous year papers, subject-wise practice tests, daily current affairs and bilingual study notes in Kannada and English.
VAO — frequently asked questions
What is the qualification for Karnataka VAO 2026?
PUC (10+2) or an equivalent qualification.
What is the age limit for VAO 2026?
Minimum 18. The 2026 notification lists maximum ages of 40 (General Merit), 43 (Category 2A/2B/3A/3B) and 45 (SC/ST/Category-1).
When is the VAO exam in 2026?
KEA scheduled it for 4 October 2026 (non-Kalyana Karnataka cadre) and 25 October 2026 (Kalyana Karnataka cadre). Check KEA for any revision.
What is the VAO salary?
The 2026 notification lists a pay scale of ₹34,100 – ₹67,600 plus admissible allowances.