KEA VAO Answer Key 2026 Out; Karnataka Village Administrative Officer Key PDF

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially released the provisional KEA VAO Answer Key 2026 for the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) recruitment examination. Candidates who appeared for the written examination on October 4, 2026, can now access and download the preliminary answer keys and response sheets for both Paper 1 and Paper 2. This crucial release enables aspirants to evaluate their performance, cross-check their marked responses against the official master key, and calculate their estimated scores well before the final results are declared. The ongoing recruitment drive aims to fill 1,000 Village Administrative Officer vacancies under the Remaining Parent Cadre across the state. Furthermore, candidates who find any discrepancies or errors in the provisional keys are provided with a time-bound window to submit their objections online along with valid documentary evidence.

KEA VAO Recruitment 2026 Summary

The table below provides a quick snapshot of the essential details regarding the Village Administrative Officer exam and the answer key status:

KEA VAO Exam Details and Structure

The KEA VAO selection process heavily relies on the candidate’s performance in the main written examination. The test was conducted in multiple shifts to accommodate thousands of applicants and comprised two primary segments: Paper 1 and Paper 2.

KEA VAO Marking Scheme

To estimate your chances of selection, it is vital to understand the marking scheme applied by the Karnataka Examinations Authority. Utilizing the provisional answer key, you can calculate your raw score using the following formula:

• Total Questions: 100 questions each for Paper 1 and Paper 2.

• Positive Marking: Candidates are awarded 1 mark for every correct answer.

• Negative Marking: There is a penalty of 0.25 marks (1/4th of a mark) for every incorrect answer. Unattempted questions do not attract any negative marking.

• Calculation Method: (Total Correct Answers × 1) – (Total Incorrect Answers × 0.25) = Estimated Raw Score

KEA VAO Exam: Expected Cutoff Marks:

While the KEA has not yet released the official cutoff marks for 2026, the qualifying thresholds will be determined based on several dynamic factors. These include the total number of applicants, the difficulty level of the examination across different version codes, the number of available vacancies (1,000 posts), and category-wise reservation norms (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.). Candidates from reserved categories generally benefit from relaxed qualifying marks as per state government regulations. The final merit list will be published simultaneously with the final exam results, integrating the revised scores after all candidate objections have been reviewed.

Objection Process: How to Raise Challenges

The KEA provides a transparent grievance redressal mechanism. If a candidate genuinely believes that an answer provided in the provisional key is incorrect, they can formally challenge it. The expert committee will review all valid submissions before drafting the final answer key.

• Deadline: All objections must be submitted through the official KEA objection portal by October 8, 2026 (10:30 AM).

• Objection Fee: A non-refundable processing fee of ₹25 per objection must be paid online.

• Supporting Evidence: Objections without authoritative proof will be summarily rejected. Candidates must upload valid supporting documents (such as textbook extracts or official reports) in PDF format to substantiate their claims.

Steps to Submit an Objection:

1. Open the KEA objection login portal on the official website.

2. Log in using your application credentials.

3. Select the specific paper (Paper 1 or Paper 2).

4. Enter your exam date, the exact version code of your booklet, and the disputed question number.

5. Select the answer you believe is correct.

6. Upload the supporting document (PDF format).

7. Complete the payment of ₹25 per question challenged.

How to Check the KEA VAO Answer Key 2026

Follow these straightforward steps to download the provisional response sheet and answer key directly from the official website:

1. Visit the Official Portal: Navigate to the official Karnataka Examinations Authority website at kea.kar.nic.in or cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.

2. Access the Recruitment Section: Scroll to the “Latest Announcements” or the dedicated “Recruitment” tab on the homepage.

3. Locate the Link: Click on the active link titled “VAO – 2026 (RPC) Examination Key Answers with Notification”.

4. Open the PDF: The combined answer key PDF for Paper 1 and Paper 2 will automatically open on your screen.

5. Match Your Code: Carefully identify the column that corresponds to your specific 12-digit version code.

6. Download and Save: Download the PDF file and save the response sheet to your device for calculating your score and for future reference.

Official Links

For direct access to the provisional keys and the objection portal, utilize the official resources provided by the Karnataka Examinations Authority:

(Note: Candidates are highly advised to complete any necessary verification or objection filing well before the October 8 deadline to avoid last-minute server congestion.)