KEA Land Surveyor Recruitment 2026 has opened applications for 750 surveyor posts across Karnataka’s Land Records Department. The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), Bengaluru, released two separate notifications on 11/07/2026 for 560 regular cadre positions and 190 Kalyana-Karnataka local cadre positions. Eligible candidates with engineering or science degrees can apply online at https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea until 07/08/2026.
KEA Land Surveyor Recruitment 2026: Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), Bengaluru |
| Recruiting Department | Department of Land Records, Survey Settlement and Land Records |
| Post Name | Surveyor (Bhoomapaka) |
| Post Category | Group-C |
| Total Vacancies | 750 (560 Regular + 190 Kalyana-Karnataka) |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Pay Scale (2024 Revised) | ₹37,500 – ₹76,100 |
| Location | Karnataka (including Kalyana-Karnataka region) |
| Official Website | https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 11/07/2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 11/07/2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 07/08/2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 10/08/2026 |
| Paper-II (Specific Paper) Exam Date | 03/10/2026 (Saturday), 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
| Paper-I (General Knowledge) Exam Date | 04/10/2026 (Sunday), 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM |
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must be Indian citizens, mentally and physically fit to discharge the duties of the surveyor post, and meet specific educational and age requirements. As per the official KEA notifications, only candidates fulfilling all conditions on the prescribed date can apply. A male candidate with more than one living spouse, and a female candidate married to such a person, is not eligible for appointment unless specifically exempted by the government.
Educational Qualification
Applicants must possess any one of the following qualifications from a recognised university or AICTE-approved institution:
- A degree in Civil Engineering, Technology, or any Engineering/Technology degree, or an AMIE qualification in any Engineering/Technology stream, OR
- A B.Sc. degree in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Information Technology, Instrumentation, Electronics & Communication, or Agriculture, OR
- A diploma in any branch of Engineering/Technology from an AICTE-approved institution
Candidates who have completed the above qualification are eligible to apply. Students yet to complete the qualifying course are not eligible, and KEA will not be responsible for such incomplete applications.
Age Limit
Age is calculated as of the last date of online application submission. As per Government Order No. CSE 262 (2025) dated 29/01/2026, a one-time relaxation of 5 years has been added to the standard upper age limit under Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977.
| Category | Maximum Age Limit |
|---|---|
| General/Unreserved candidates | 40 years |
| Category 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B | 43 years |
| SC, ST and Category-1 | 45 years |
Minimum age required is 18 years. Additional age relaxation is available for government/local-body employees, ex-servicemen, National Cadet Corps full-time supervisors, Gram Samuha Parishilakar (village survey supervisor) candidates, special pay candidates, and widows, as per the detailed relaxation clauses in the official notification.
Is This Recruitment Right for You?
- You hold a degree in Engineering, Technology, or Mathematics/Physics/Computer Science and are between 18 and 43 years old (depending on your category).
- You are an Indian citizen and physically fit to perform field surveying and land records duties.
- You are comfortable with online application submission and examination on OMR sheets.
- You are willing to undergo 2 years of probation and departmental training in survey methodology.
KEA Land Surveyor Vacancy Details 2026
The 750 surveyor vacancies are split across two separate cadres, each with its own category-wise reservation structure.
Regular Cadre (RPC) – 560 Posts
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| General Merit (GM) | 280 |
| SC (Category-A) | 30 |
| SC (Category-B) | 29 |
| SC (Category-C) | 25 |
| ST | 17 |
| Category-1 | 23 |
| Category-2A | 84 |
| Category-2B | 22 |
| Category-3A | 22 |
| Category-3B | 28 |
Horizontal reservation across the 560 posts includes: Women – 186 posts, Rural candidates – 140 posts, Ex-servicemen – 56 posts, Kannada medium students – 26 posts, Project-displaced persons – 25 posts, Persons with Disabilities (PWD) – 30 posts, Transgender candidates – 7 posts.
Kalyana-Karnataka Local Cadre (KK) – 190 Posts
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| General Merit (GM) | 95 |
| SC (Category-A) | 10 |
| SC (Category-B) | 10 |
| SC (Category-C) | 8 |
| ST | 6 |
| Category-1 | 8 |
| Category-2A | 28 |
| Category-2B | 8 |
| Category-3A | 7 |
| Category-3B | 10 |
Horizontal reservation across the 190 posts includes: Women – 61 posts, Rural candidates – 49 posts, Ex-servicemen – 17 posts, Kannada medium students – 7 posts, PWD candidates – 11 posts, Transgender candidates – 2 posts. Candidates seeking the Kalyana-Karnataka (Article 371(J)) local-person reservation must submit the eligibility certificate as prescribed under the 2013 rules from the concerned Sub-Divisional Assistant Commissioner.
About the Surveyor Role
Surveyors in the Kerala Land Records Department conduct field measurements, map creation, and cadastral surveys essential for accurate land record maintenance. The role involves using modern surveying equipment and software, including GPS, GIS, drones, and remote sensing technologies, alongside traditional surveying methods. This is a Group-C post under the 2024 Revised Pay Scale with opportunities for departmental advancement and career growth within the state’s survey and settlement cadre. Surveyors are deployed across Karnataka districts and are critical to the land administration system’s integrity.
Pay Scale and Benefits
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Scale | ₹37,500 – ₹76,100 (2024 Revised) |
| Pay Level | Group-C |
| In-Hand Salary | Approx. ₹42,000 – ₹48,000 (including dearness allowance and other applicable allowances) |
At Pay Level Group-C, central and state government employees receive benefits including dearness allowance, medical reimbursement, provident fund, and pension after superannuation. Exact consolidated in-hand figures are specified in the official notification and vary based on location, allowances, and personal circumstances.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General and other categories (2A/2B/3A/3B) | ₹750 |
| SC / ST / Category-1 / Ex-servicemen / Third Gender | ₹500 |
| Special Pay (PWD) candidates | ₹250 |
Fee must be paid online only. Fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances.
Selection Process
Selection to the KEA Land Surveyor post is based on a competitive written examination, followed by a qualifying language test and probationary departmental training.
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Competitive Written Examination | Offline OMR-based test consisting of Paper-I (General Knowledge, 100 marks) and Paper-II (Specific Paper, 100 marks). Minimum qualifying mark is 35% for the general category; category-wise cutoffs apply for reserved categories. Negative marking: 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer. |
| Kannada Language Test | Qualifying in nature (150 marks, minimum 50 marks required) for candidates who have not studied Kannada as first or second language up to SSLC level or an equivalent higher Kannada examination. Marks from this test are not counted in final merit. |
| Document Verification | As per merit and category-wise reservation |
| Probation and Departmental Training | Selected candidates placed on probation for 2 years. Must pass departmental “Kadaya Tharabeti” (Survey Training) examination within 6 months, securing minimum 35% in theoretical test and 40% in practical test. |
KEA Land Surveyor Exam Pattern 2026
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Knowledge (current affairs, daily science, Indian Constitution basics, Karnataka & Indian history, Indian geography with reference to Karnataka, state/regional issues, Panchayat Raj and rural development schemes, Karnataka’s economic issues) | 100 | 100 | 2 hours |
| Paper-II | Specific Paper (Surveyor subject syllabus) | 100 | 100 | 2 hours |
Each question has 4 options. Minimum qualifying marks in the competitive exam is 35% for general category candidates; category-wise cutoffs apply as per rules for reserved categories.
KEA Land Surveyor Syllabus 2026 (Paper-II – Specific Paper)
The Paper-II syllabus is determined by the Recruitment Committee in consultation with the appointing authority. Broad syllabus weightage is as follows:
Mathematics (40%) – Arithmetic (number system, squares/cubes and roots, set theory, sequence and series, matrices, permutations and combinations, statistics, HCF and LCM), Algebra (basics, linear and quadratic equations, factorisation, coordinate geometry), and Geometry (axioms and postulates, theorems, polygons, triangles, congruence, quadrilaterals, parallelograms, midpoint theorem, areas, cyclic quadrilaterals, surface areas and volumes of solids, circles, similarity theorems, right-angle triangles).
Physics (10%) – Magnetism, electricity, electromagnetic radiation, electronics, dynamics, heat, light, sound, and gravitation.
Geography (10%) – The Earth, the lithosphere, maps, and physical features of India.
Modern Methods of Surveying (20%) – Photogrammetry and aerial survey, satellite imagery, drone (UAV) imagery, remote sensing, GPS, GIS, DGPS, GNSS, RTK surveying and the Karnataka State CORS Network.
Computer Applications (20%) – MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), AutoCAD (including DXF file operations for cadastral data), GIS software and applications, and basics of software solutions and land records information technology (SDLC, web/mobile app development, APIs, web portal design and UX fundamentals).
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- Educational qualification, marks cards/degree or diploma certificate and consolidated grade card if applicable
- SSLC certificate or equivalent showing date of birth, or school transfer certificate/birth certificate
- Caste and income certificate (for candidates claiming reservation) in the prescribed format, issued by the competent authority
- Rural reservation certificate (Model-1 for General/SC/ST/Cat-1 candidates, Model-2 for Category 2A/2B/3A/3B candidates claiming rural reservation)
- Kannada medium study certificate, where applicable
- Ex-servicemen discharge certificate / dependent certificate, where applicable
- Disability certificate / UDID certificate from the competent medical authority, where applicable
- Third gender certificate issued by the District Magistrate, where applicable
- Recent passport-size photograph (JPEG, 50 KB-200 KB) and signature (JPEG, 50 KB-70 KB)
How to Apply for KEA Land Surveyor Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official KEA CET online portal: https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea
- Locate the link for Surveyor Recruitment 2026 (Regular cadre or Kalyana-Karnataka cadre, as applicable) and register with your basic details.
- Fill in the online application form carefully with personal, educational, and category details.
- Upload your photograph and signature as per the specified format (JPEG, sizes 50-200 KB for photograph and 50-70 KB for signature).
- Pay the applicable application fee online through the payment gateway; once paid, the fee is non-refundable.
- Review all entered details before final submission, as no corrections are allowed after submission.
- Download and print a copy of the submitted application and fee payment receipt/challan for future reference.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying
- Uploading a photograph or signature outside the specified size (50-200 KB for photo, 50-70 KB for signature) or in an unsupported format – the form will be rejected at document verification.
- Selecting the wrong cadre (Regular vs. Kalyana-Karnataka) at the time of registration – most boards do not allow change after submission.
- Failing to upload all required certificates (caste, rural, Kannada medium, ex-servicemen) if claiming reservation – incomplete submissions lead to rejection at document verification.
- Submitting the application in the final hours of 07/08/2026 – portal traffic peaks sharply near deadline, causing session timeouts and missed submissions.
- Furnishing false information or forged documents – KEA explicitly disqualifies such candidates and may pursue criminal action.
What Happens After You Apply?
- Application submission window closes on 07/08/2026.
- Written Examination (Paper-II) conducted on 03/10/2026 (3:00 PM – 5:00 PM) and Paper-I on 04/10/2026 (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM).
- Admit cards released on the official portal; candidates must download and carry one original photo ID proof (PAN, driving licence, Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, or government employee ID).
- Kannada Language Test conducted for eligible candidates (qualifying only, marks not counted in merit).
- Merit list prepared based on written examination performance and category-wise reservation.
- Document verification was conducted as per merit and category-wise reservation.
- Selected candidates placed on 2-year probation with departmental “Kadaya Tharabeti” (Survey Training) examination within 6 months.
- Final appointment/joining as per the official merit list and departmental requirements.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Regular Cadre Notification (560 Posts) | Download Notification |
| Kalyana-Karnataka Cadre Notification (190 Posts) | Download Notification |
| Apply Online | Visit Portal |
| Official Website | Visit Website |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the KEA Land Surveyor Recruitment 2026, and how many posts are available?
Ans. The KEA Land Surveyor Recruitment 2026 is a notification for 750 surveyor posts across Karnataka’s Land Records Department. The positions are split into 560 regular cadre posts and 190 Kalyana-Karnataka local cadre posts, with multiple category-wise and horizontal reservations for women, rural candidates, ex-servicemen, and PWD candidates.
Q2. Who is eligible to apply for the KEA Land Surveyor post?
Ans. Candidates with a degree in Engineering, Technology, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or Agriculture from a recognised university or AICTE-approved institution, aged between 18 and 43 years (with category-wise upper age relaxation up to 45 years for SC/ST), are eligible. Indian citizenship and mental and physical fitness are mandatory requirements.
Q3. What is the application fee, and can it be refunded?
Ans. The application fee is ₹750 for General/OBC/EWS candidates, ₹500 for SC/ST/Category-1/Ex-servicemen/Third Gender candidates, and ₹250 for PWD candidates. The fee is non-refundable under any circumstances once paid.
Q4. What is the examination pattern and syllabus for the KEA Land Surveyor exam?
Ans. The exam consists of two papers: Paper I (General Knowledge, 100 marks, 2 hours) and Paper II (Specific Paper – Surveyor subject, 100 marks, 2 hours). Paper-II covers Mathematics (40%), Modern Methods of Surveying including GIS/GPS/remote sensing (20%), Computer Applications (20%), Physics (10%), and Geography (10%). Negative marking applies: 0.25 marks are deducted per wrong answer.
Q5. Is Kannada language proficiency mandatory for this recruitment?
Ans. Kannada language proficiency is not mandatory for all candidates. However, candidates who have not studied Kannada as a first or second language up to SSLC level must qualify in a separate Kannada Language Test (150 marks, minimum 50 marks required) to be considered for appointment. This test is qualifying in nature, and marks are not counted in the final merit list.
Q6. What is the salary structure and pay scale for the KEA Surveyor post?
Ans. Selected candidates will be placed in the 2024 Revised State Pay Scale of ₹37,500 – ₹76,100 per month under Group-C. In-hand salary typically ranges from ₹42,000 – ₹48,000 per month, including dearness allowance and other applicable allowances as per state government norms. Additional benefits include medical reimbursement, provident fund, and pension eligibility.
Q7. What is the selection process after the written examination?
Ans. After qualifying the written examination with a minimum 35% marks, candidates undergo the Kannada Language Test (if applicable), followed by document verification based on merit and category-wise reservation. Selected candidates are then placed on 2 years’ probation and must pass the departmental “Kadaya Tharabeti” (Survey Training) examination within 6 months, securing a minimum 35% in theoretical and 40% in practical components.
Q8. Can I modify my application after submission?
Ans. No, no modification, addition, or correction is permitted in the submitted application under any circumstances. Candidates must review all details carefully before final submission, as incorrect information can lead to rejection at any stage, even after appointment.
How to Proceed
Candidates eligible under the KEA Land Surveyor Recruitment 2026 must submit their online application via the official portal before 07/08/2026 to avoid rejection due to deadline expiry. After the application window closes, KEA will release admit cards for the written examinations scheduled on 03/10/2026 and 04/10/2026 on the official website. To stay informed about future KEA recruitment notifications and exam updates, subscribe to our free job alert service at MyNaukriAlert.com – we deliver direct notifications to your email whenever new positions open across government departments in Karnataka and nationwide.
