Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released the SWRT Teacher Recruitment 2026 notification for 140 Vasati Shala Shikshakaru (Residential School Teacher) vacancies under the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Karnataka.
The recruitment includes 100 posts under the Residual Post Cadre (RPC) and 40 posts under the Kalyana Karnataka (KK) Cadre, providing eligible teaching candidates an opportunity to work in Social Welfare Residential Schools across the state.
As per the recruitment details, online applications are being accepted from 21 August 2026 to 18 September 2026, while the fee payment window remains open until 19 September 2026. Candidates must meet the prescribed PUC and teacher-training qualification requirements along with a valid Karnataka or Central TET qualification.
The selection process includes a qualifying Kannada Language Test for applicable candidates, followed by a competitive written examination covering General Knowledge, Kannada, English and Computer Knowledge. With the revised state pay scale of ₹41,300–₹81,800, this recruitment can be an important opportunity for candidates looking for a regular teaching position under the Karnataka Social Welfare Department.
Karnataka SWRT Teacher Recruitment 2026 – Overview
KEA Notification Out — 140 Vasati Shala Shikshakaru (Residential School Teacher) Posts | Apply Online 21 August – 18 September 2026
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| Particulars | Details |
| Organization Name | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Government of Karnataka |
| Recruitment Name | Social Welfare Residential School Teacher (SWRT) Recruitment 2026 |
| Recruiting Department | Department of Social Welfare, Government of Karnataka |
| Notification Numbers | ED/KEA/38/RC/2026(RPC) & ED/KEA/39/RC/2026(KK) — Dated 20.08.2026 |
| Post Name | Vasati Shala Shikshakaru (Residential School Teacher) |
| Total Vacancies | 140 (100 RPC + 40 Kalyana Karnataka) |
| Notification Release Date | 20 August 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online Mode Only |
| Selection Mode | Competitive Written Examination (CBT/OMR) |
| Job Location | Social Welfare Residential Schools Across Karnataka |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
KEA SWRT Official Notification 2026 — Two Separate Cadres
| Cadre | Notification Number | Vacancies |
| Residual Post Cadre (RPC) — Rest of Karnataka | ED/KEA/38/RC/2026(RPC) | 100 |
| Kalyana Karnataka Cadre (Hyderabad-Karnataka, Article 371J) | ED/KEA/39/RC/2026(KK) | 40 |
| Grand Total | — | 140 |
Note: Candidates from the Kalyana Karnataka region (Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari, Vijayanagara districts) who wish to apply under the KK Cadre reservation benefit under Article 371(J) must fulfil local candidature conditions and submit the prescribed Kalyana Karnataka local candidature certificate along with their online application.
Important Dates 2026
- Notification Release Date: 20 August 2026
- Online Application Start Date: 21 August 2026
- Online Application Last Date: 18 September 2026
- Last Date for Fee Payment: 19 September 2026
- Correction/Edit Window: Not Available — No changes permitted after final submission
- Kannada Language Qualifying Test: Date to be announced later
- Competitive Written Examination (Paper-1 & Paper-2): Date to be announced later
- Result / Merit List: To be notified after exam
Note: As per the notification, KEA can revise the number of vacancies or category-wise distribution any time before the exam date, but only through a formal corrigendum. No changes will be entertained after the candidate submits the application, except for genuinely notified corrections published by KEA.
Age Limit (As on Last Date of Application)
| Category | Maximum Age Limit |
| General / Unreserved | 40 Years |
| Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B | 43 Years |
| SC / ST / Category-1 | 45 Years |
- Minimum Age: 18 Years (as on the last date fixed for submission of applications)
- As per Government Order No. SIPASU 262 SENANI 2025 dated 29.01.2026, the earlier upper age limit stands increased by a uniform 5 years across all categories for this recruitment cycle
Age Relaxation for Special Categories
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| State/Semi-Government/Local Body/Central Govt Undertaking Employees | Actual years of service or 10 years, whichever is less |
| Ex-Servicemen | Service period + 3 years additional |
| NCC Full-Time Instructors | Years of service rendered |
| Grama Sameeksha Parishilakaru (Rural Empowerment Scheme Workers) | Years of service rendered |
| Vishesha Chetana (Special Category — Low-Income) Candidates | 10 Years |
| Census Enumeration Staff | Years of service or 5 years, whichever is less |
| Widows (Not Remarried) | 10 Years |
| Daily Wage Employees (Under Specified Karnataka Acts/Orders) | 10 Years |
Education Qualification — Vasati Shala Shikshakaru
| Post | Required Qualification |
| Vasati Shala Shikshakaru (Residential School Teacher) | 1) PUC with minimum 50% marks + 2-Year Diploma in Elementary Education OR PUC with minimum 50% marks + 4-Year Bachelor in Elementary Education OR PUC with minimum 50% marks + 2-Year Diploma in Education (Special Education) (45% minimum PUC marks for SC/ST/Category-1 OBC and Persons with Disability candidates) AND 2) Must have passed the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) conducted by the Government of Karnataka or Government of India |
Important Notes on Eligibility:
- Where two or more candidates hold the same qualification, no candidate will be excluded from the recruitment process merely on the ground that the qualification is not explicitly listed by name — such issues will be resolved by the appointing authority/committee, and their decision will be final
- Candidates must have obtained their qualification/proof certificate by the last date fixed for that post — pending or awaited results will NOT be considered under any circumstances
- Candidates must possess valid marks cards/degree/certificate or provisional certificate as of the last date of application
- Candidates must produce original mark sheets and certificates for scrutiny at the time of document verification — failure to appear with originals will lead to cancellation of candidature
Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount |
| General Merit & Other Categories (2A/2B/3A/3B) | ₹750/- (₹500 Application Fee + ₹250 Processing Fee) |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-Servicemen / Transgender | ₹500/- (₹250 Application Fee + ₹250 Processing Fee) |
| Vishesha Chetana (Special Category) | ₹250/- (Processing Fee Only) |
| Fee Payment Window | 21 August 2026 to 19 September 2026 |
| Payment Mode | Online Only |
Note: Fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances. Candidates must verify all educational qualification, reservation category, age relaxation, experience, and other eligibility conditions carefully before paying the fee.
Vacancy Distribution by Cadre — Post-Wise Details
| Post | 2024 Revised State Pay Scale | RPC Vacancies | KK Vacancies | Total |
| Vasati Shala Shikshakaru | ₹41,300 – ₹81,800 | 100 | 40 | 140 |
Note: Post- and category-wise detailed vacancy break-up (SC/ST/Category-1/2A/2B/3A/3B/General, women, PwBD, ex-servicemen, etc.) has been separately published by the Social Welfare Department. Since government orders on cadre and category strength keep evolving from time to time, candidates are advised to always cross-check the latest cadre and category-wise vacancy details on the KEA notification/website before applying — KEA will not be responsible if candidates rely on outdated vacancy information from any other source.
Selection Process 2026
- Stage 1: Online Application Submission with Fee Payment
- Stage 2: Kannada Language Qualifying Test (only for candidates who have NOT studied Kannada as first/second language, or in Kannada medium, up to SSLC-equivalent level, or have not cleared a recognized Kannada proficiency test)
- Stage 3: Competitive Written Examination — Paper-1 (General Knowledge) & Paper-2 (Kannada, English & Computer Knowledge)
- Stage 4: Document Verification of Shortlisted Candidates
- Stage 5: Final Merit List & Appointment Order
Important Points
- Candidates must secure a minimum of 35% marks in the competitive written examination to be considered eligible for selection — candidates scoring below this cut-off will be treated as unqualified
- The probationary period for the selected candidate is 2 years from the date of joining
- Only candidates who apply online, appear for the written exam, and secure the qualifying marks will be considered for appointment — the government reserves the right to prescribe further merit standards from time to time
SWRT Teacher 2026 — Salary & Pay Scale
| Component | Details |
| 2024 Revised State Pay Scale | ₹41,300 – ₹81,800 |
| Full Pay Scale Structure | 41300-1000-43300-1125-47800-1250-52800-1375-58300-1500-64300-1650-74200-1900-81800 |
| Pension Scheme | National Pension System (NPS) Applicable |
| Probation Period | 2 Years from Date of Joining |
Kannada Language Qualifying Test — Who Needs to Appear
- Candidates who have studied Kannada as their first or second language, OR studied in Kannada medium, up to the SSLC-equivalent level are exempt from the Kannada Language Test
- All other candidates must appear for and clear the compulsory Kannada Language Qualifying Test
- The Kannada Language Test carries a total of 150 marks, and candidates must secure a minimum of 50 marks to qualify
- Candidates who remain absent for the Kannada test, or who score below 50 marks, will be treated as disqualified and their candidature will not be considered further
- Marks obtained in the Kannada Language Test are used ONLY for qualifying purposes — they are NOT added to the final merit/selection score
KEA SWRT Competitive Exam Pattern 2026
| Paper | Subjects Covered | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Paper-1 | Current Affairs & General Knowledge, Everyday Household Topics, Indian Constitution (School-Level), Indian History (Karnataka-Specific), Indian Geography (Karnataka-Related), State & Regional Development, Rural Development, Panchayat Raj & Rural Cooperative Institutions with Karnataka Economic Development Schemes, Karnataka Environment & Development Issues | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Paper-2 | General Kannada, General English, Computer Knowledge | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Total | — | 200 | 200 | 4 Hours |
- Exam mode: Online (CBT) or Offline OMR-based, as decided by KEA — the exact mode will be communicated later along with the exam centre details
- Minimum qualifying marks: 35% — candidates scoring below this are disqualified
- Admit cards will be available for download from the official KEA website closer to the exam date; candidates must carry a valid original photo ID (PAN Card/Driving Licence/Aadhaar Card/Passport/Voter ID/Government Employee ID) to the exam centre — entry will not be permitted without it
- Exam centre, once allotted, cannot be changed under any circumstances
Negative Marking Scheme
- The competitive exam question paper is objective type, with each question carrying 4 alternative answers, out of which the candidate must mark only ONE correct answer
- 0.25 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer
- In the OMR answer sheet, if a candidate leaves 5 or more questions unanswered/incompletely marked, only the first 4 such questions will be considered blank without penalty — from the 5th such question onward, the same negative marking of 0.25 marks per question will apply
How to Apply Online for Karnataka SWRT Teacher Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official KEA website — cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea
- Click on the online application link relevant to your preferred cadre — RPC (ED/KEA/38/RC/2026) or Kalyana Karnataka (ED/KEA/39/RC/2026)
- Register using your own valid email ID and mobile number — your Registration Number, Password, and all further communication will be sent to these details, so enter them carefully
- Log in with your generated credentials and complete the application form with personal, educational, category, and other required details
- Upload a recent passport-size photograph (JPEG format, white background, 50KB–200KB) and signature (JPEG format, 50KB–70KB, signed in black ink on white paper)
- Select your reservation category and upload the relevant caste/income/rural/Kannada-medium/ex-servicemen certificates as applicable, in the prescribed format
- Carefully review every field before final submission — no correction or edit window is available after submission, so double-check all details
- Pay the prescribed application fee online through the payment gateway
- Download and keep a copy/printout of the submitted application and fee payment receipt for future reference
Documents Required for SWRT Teacher Application 2026
- Valid Photo ID Proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Passport, Driving Licence)
- SSLC / equivalent examination Marks Card & Certificate (Date of Birth proof)
- PUC Marks Card and Diploma/Bachelor in Elementary Education (or Special Education Diploma) Certificate with mark sheets
- Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) Qualifying Certificate — Karnataka TET or Central TET
- Caste Certificate (SC/ST Category A/B/C, Category-1, Category-2A/2B/3A/3B) in the prescribed RD-number format, if applicable
- Income Certificate — only where required for reservation (education/income-based certificates are NOT considered for employment reservation; only caste + income certificates obtained specifically for employment purposes are valid)
- Rural Candidature Certificate — Study Certificate from Class 1 to 10 in a rural area, countersigned by the school Head Master and the concerned Block Education Officer (if claiming rural reservation)
- Kannada Medium Study Certificate — countersigned by the school Head Master (if claiming Kannada medium candidature benefit)
- Ex-Servicemen Discharge Certificate / Dependent Certificate, if applicable
- Kalyana Karnataka Local Candidature Certificate, issued by the competent Tahsildar (only for candidates applying under the KK Cadre notification)
- Recent passport-size photograph and signature, scanned as per prescribed format
Note: Only caste and income certificates obtained specifically for the purpose of employment will be considered — certificates obtained for education or other benefit schemes will NOT be accepted for this recruitment. Original documents must be produced at the time of document verification without fail.
Reservation Category Codes — Quick Reference
| Code | Category |
| GM | General Merit |
| SC (Cat-A/B/C) | Scheduled Caste (Category A/B/C) |
| ST | Scheduled Tribe |
| Cat-1 | Category-1 |
| 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B | Category 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B |
| XMP | Ex-Servicemen |
| Rural | Rural Candidate |
| KMS | Kannada Medium Student |
| PDP | Project Displaced Person |
| Wom | Woman Candidate |
| TG | Transgender |
| KK | Kalyana Karnataka (applicable only in ED/KEA/39/RC/2026 notification) |
Eligibility Restrictions — Read Carefully Before Applying
- Candidate must be an Indian citizen
- A male candidate who has more than one living spouse, or a woman candidate who is married to a man who already has a living spouse, is not eligible for appointment unless prior exemption has been obtained from the Government
- Candidate must be of sound mental and physical health, and capable of efficiently discharging the duties of the post — freedom from any physical defect likely to interfere with the efficient performance of duties is mandatory
- Candidates found unfit on medical grounds by the government medical board can appeal, and the government’s decision on such medical review is final and binding
- Degrees/certificates obtained through fraudulent, unauthorized, or unrecognized universities/institutions are not valid for this recruitment
- Candidates dismissed from government/PSU/university service for misconduct, or found guilty of adopting unfair means in any earlier government-conducted examination, are not eligible
Why Consider the SWRT Teacher Post?
- Stable Government Job: A regular, pensionable (NPS) state government post under the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Karnataka
- Attractive Pay Scale: 2024 revised state pay scale of ₹41,300 – ₹81,800, with periodic increments and standard state government allowances
- Meaningful Social Impact: Teachers appointed under this scheme work in residential schools serving students from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds — a rewarding opportunity to directly impact educational outcomes
- Two Cadre Options: Candidates can choose to apply under the general RPC cadre or, if eligible as local candidates, under the Kalyana Karnataka cadre with a separate reservation quota under Article 371(J)
- Clear, Transparent Selection: Selection is based purely on performance in a competitive written examination (plus a qualifying Kannada test where applicable) — no interview stage, keeping the process objective and merit-driven
important links |
|
| Apply Online (RPC Cadre — 100 Posts) | click here (Active till 18 Sep 2026) |
| Apply Online (Kalyana Karnataka Cadre — 40 Posts) | click here (Active till 18 Sep 2026) |
| Download RPC Notification PDF (ED/KEA/38/RC/2026) | click here |
| Download KK Notification PDF (ED/KEA/39/RC/2026) | click here |
| Official Website | click here |
| firstjob24 jobs | click here |
| join whatsapp channel | click here |
| susbscribe on youtube | click here |
FAQs — Karnataka SWRT Teacher Recruitment 2026
Q1. How many total vacancies are there in Karnataka SWRT Teacher Recruitment 2026?
A total of 140 vacancies have been announced — 100 posts under the Residual Post Cadre (RPC) and 40 posts under the Kalyana Karnataka (KK) Cadre.
Q2. What is the last date to apply online?
The online application window closes on 18 September 2026, and the fee payment deadline is 19 September 2026.
Q3. What is the minimum educational qualification required?
PUC with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/Category-1/PwBD) along with a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education, or a 4-year Bachelor in Elementary Education, or a 2-year Diploma in Special Education — plus a valid TET qualification.
Q4. Is there an interview in the selection process?
No. Selection is based purely on performance in the competitive written examination (Paper-1 and Paper-2), along with a qualifying Kannada Language Test where applicable — there is no interview.
Q5. What is the minimum qualifying mark in the competitive exam?
Candidates must secure at least 35% marks in the competitive written examination to be considered eligible for selection.
Q6. Who needs to appear for the Kannada Language Test?
Only candidates who have NOT studied Kannada as a first/second language, or in Kannada medium, up to SSLC-equivalent level. They must score at least 50 out of 150 marks to qualify.
Q7. Can I apply for both the RPC and Kalyana Karnataka cadre?
The notification does not provide for a combined application; candidates should apply under the cadre for which they are eligible and wish to be considered, based on their local candidature status.
Q8. What is the application fee?
₹750/- for General/2A/2B/3A/3B candidates, ₹500/- for SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-servicemen/Transgender candidates, and ₹250/- for Vishesha Chetana special category candidates.
Q9. Is there a correction window after submitting the application?
No. As per the notification, no correction, modification, or resubmission is allowed once the online application is finally submitted — candidates must verify all details carefully before submission.