Wait — didn’t the KEA VAO answer key already come out? Yes, it did. And that’s exactly why this update matters.
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has now released the revised, final answer key for the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) written examination. The provisional key came out within days of the 4 October exam, candidates filed their objections, subject experts reviewed them — and on 16 October 2026, KEA published the revised key answers for the RPC/General Cadre exam. This is the key that counts. The result will be prepared from it.
If you checked your answers against the provisional key last week, check them again. Any question where the experts agreed with an objection now carries a changed answer, and that can move your estimated score.
Provisional Key vs Final Key — Don’t Mix Them Up
| Stage | Date | What Happened |
|---|---|---|
| Written exam (RPC/General Cadre) | 4 October 2026 | Offline, OMR-based; Paper I and Paper II in two shifts |
| Provisional answer key | Within days of the exam | Released with response sheets for checking |
| Objections | Till 8 October 2026, 10:30 AM | Online, ₹25 per objection, with supporting documents |
| Revised / final answer key | 16 October 2026 | Published after expert review of objections |
| Result | To be announced | Will be based on the final key |
KEA VAO Final Answer Key 2026 — Overview
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Post | Village Administrative Officer (VAO), Revenue Department |
| Total vacancies | 572 |
| Cadre covered by this key | RPC/General Cadre |
| Exam date | 4 October 2026 |
| Final key release date | 16 October 2026 |
| Exam mode | Offline, OMR-based |
| Official website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
How to Download the Final Key and Match It to Your Paper
- Visit the official KEA website at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
- Look under Recent Publications or the latest updates section on the homepage.
- Find the link for the VAO Written Examination key answers (RPC cadre).
- Open the PDF and find your question-paper version code.
- Download and save the PDF — don’t rely on screenshots floating around on social media.
The version code is the part most candidates get wrong. The key is published separately for each version/series, so matching answers from the wrong version will give you a nonsense score. Your version code is printed on your question booklet — use that, and check Paper I and Paper II separately.
Estimating Your Score Without Fooling Yourself
Here’s a method that actually works:
- Count paper by paper. Tally correct, incorrect and unattempted answers for Paper I (General Knowledge) and Paper II (Kannada, English and Computer Knowledge) separately.
- Apply the marking scheme from the official VAO notification. Don’t use a marking rule you saw in a comment section — the notification is the only authoritative source for marks per question and any negative marking.
- Compare against the final key, not the provisional one. If an answer changed between the two keys, the final key is what the result will follow.
- Keep a margin for error. An estimate is a guide, not a result. Borderline scores can go either way once cut-offs are applied.
One more thing: the final key can’t be challenged. Objections were invited only against the provisional key, and that window closed on 8 October. If you spot something you disagree with in the final key, there’s no further objection process — the expert committee’s decision stands.
What About the Kalyana Karnataka Cadre?
This key covers the RPC/General Cadre exam held on 4 October. The Kalyana Karnataka cadre examination is a separate schedule — it was set for 25 October 2026. If you applied under that cadre, this key isn’t yours; wait for the key for your own exam. Mixing the two cadres’ keys is an easy mistake and a completely avoidable one.
What Happens Next
With the final key out, the result is the next milestone. KEA hasn’t announced a result date yet, so treat any date you see on unofficial pages as guesswork until KEA itself confirms it. When the result does arrive, expect it to be followed by the document verification stage — keep your certificates, caste/category documents if applicable, and ID proof ready. Candidates tracking other answer keys this week can also check the RRB Technician Answer Key (objections till 22 October) and the UKPSC High Court ARO Answer Key (objections till 20 October) — both windows are still open, unlike KEA’s, which has closed.
Important Links
| Link | Details |
|---|---|
| KEA Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea — final key under Recent Publications |
| RRB Technician Answer Key 2026 | Objection window open till 22 October |
| UKPSC High Court ARO Answer Key 2026 | Objection window open till 20 October |
| PSSSB Clerk Answer Key 2026 | Provisional key and objection process |
FAQs — KEA VAO Final Answer Key 2026
Q. When was the KEA VAO final answer key 2026 released?
The revised/final key was released on 16 October 2026 on the official KEA website, after experts reviewed objections against the provisional key.
Q. Which exam does this final key cover?
The RPC/General Cadre written examination held on 4 October 2026. The Kalyana Karnataka cadre exam is separate.
Q. Can I still raise an objection against the final key?
No. Objections were accepted only against the provisional key, till 8 October 2026 (10:30 AM). The final key cannot be challenged.
Q. What was the objection fee for the provisional key?
₹25 per objection, paid online with supporting documents. The fee was non-refundable.
Q. How do I use the key to estimate my score?
Match your responses to the key under your exact question-paper version code, separately for Paper I and Paper II, then apply the marking scheme given in the official VAO notification.
Q. When will the KEA VAO result 2026 be declared?
KEA hasn’t announced a result date yet. The result will be prepared on the basis of the final key — follow the official KEA website for the announcement.
