The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has released the provisional key answers for Paper-2 (Specific Paper) of the Nursing Officer and Pharmacy Officer competitive exams for the Kalyana Karnataka (KK) cadre. The keys were published on the KEA website on 7 November 2026, along with an official notice and the objection submission link.
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As per the KEA notice (No. ED/KEA/39/Ne.Vi/2026 (KK), dated 07.11.2026), the Paper-2 competitive exams for Electrician Grade-1 and Grade-2, Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer posts in the Kalyana Karnataka region were held on 6 and 7 November 2026. The key answers for the Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer Paper-2 exams, both held on 7 November, are now available for all four versions (A1, B1, C1 and D1).
KEA Nursing and Pharmacy Officer Answer Key 2026: Overview
Candidates who are not satisfied with any answer can raise objections online until 11 November 2026, 10:30 AM, by paying ₹25 per objection. In this article, we cover the important dates, the objection rules, the steps to download the key and file objections, and how to calculate your score.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Conducting Authority | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Posts | Nursing Officer, Pharmacy Officer (Kalyana Karnataka cadre) |
| Recruiting Departments (as per KEA portal) | KREIS (Nursing Officer), ESI (Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer), Municipal Administration |
| Paper | Paper-2 (Specific Paper) |
| Exam Date | 7 November 2026 (Paper-2) |
| Questions | 100 |
| Versions | A1, B1, C1, D1 |
| Answer Key Release Date | 7 November 2026 |
| Answer Key Type | Provisional |
| Objection Last Date | 11 November 2026, 10:30 AM |
| Objection Fee | ₹25 per objection (non-refundable) |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Paper-2 exams (Electrician, Pharmacy Officer, Nursing Officer – KK) | 6 and 7 November 2026 |
| Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer Paper-2 | 7 November 2026 |
| Provisional key answers and notice | 7 November 2026 |
| Last date and time for objections | 11 November 2026, 10:30 AM |
| Final key answers | After expert committee review |
Direct Links
| Link | Access |
|---|---|
| Paper-2 key answers and notice (PDF) | Download |
| Objection submission portal | Click here |
| KEA official website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
What Does the KEA Notice Say?
The official notice dated 7 November 2026, signed by the Executive Director of KEA, states:
- The Paper-2 competitive exams for the recruitment of Electrician Grade-1 and Grade-2, Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer posts in the Kalyana Karnataka region were held on 06.11.2026 and 07.11.2026.
- The key answers have been published on the KEA website on 07.11.2026 for candidates’ information.
- Objections, if any, can be submitted only through the online portal linked on the KEA website, before 10:30 AM on 11.11.2026.
- While submitting an objection, candidates must give the paper details, exam date, version code and question number, and upload supporting documents in PDF format.
- A fee of ₹25 per objection must be paid, and it is non-refundable.
- Objections without a question number or version code, objections that are incomplete or unsupported, and objections without the fee will not be considered.
- The subject expert committee will review the objections, and the key answers it finalises will be final.
Note: The Electrician Grade-1 and Grade-2 Paper-2 key is not included in this PDF. Candidates for those posts should check the KEA website separately.
How to Download the KEA Nursing and Pharmacy Officer Answer Key 2026
- Visit the KEA website, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
- Open the Recruitment section and look for “Nursing Officer and Pharmacy Officer Recruitment – Paper-2 Key Answer & Note – 07-11-2026”.
- Click the link to open the PDF.
- Page 1 has the KEA notice. Page 2 has the Pharmacy Officer key, and page 3 has the Nursing Officer key.
- Find the column for your version code (A1, B1, C1 or D1), printed on your question booklet or OMR sheet.
- Match your answers question by question (Q1 to Q100) and note your expected score.
Important: Always use the column for your own version code. The answers for the same question number are different in each version.
How to Raise an Objection Against the KEA Answer Key
- Open the KEA Provisional Answer Key Objection Portal: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/keaobjections/forms/login.aspx.
- Enter your Application Number / Register Number.
- Enter your Candidate Name. The portal uses the first five characters of your name for login.
- Enter your Date of Birth.
- In Select Examination, choose “KREIS-Nursing Officer, ESI-Pharmacy Officer, ESI-Nursing Officer and Municipal Administration (KK) – 2026”.
- Enter the captcha and log in.
- Select the paper, exam date, version code and question number you want to challenge.
- Enter your reason and the answer you think is correct.
- Upload supporting documents in PDF format, such as a reference from a standard textbook.
- Pay ₹25 per objection online and submit. Save a copy of the confirmation.
Objection Rules at a Glance
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Online only, through the KEA objection portal |
| Last date and time | 11 November 2026, 10:30 AM |
| Fee | ₹25 per objection (non-refundable) |
| Mandatory details | Paper, exam date, version code, question number |
| Supporting proof | Required, in PDF format |
| Rejected if | Question number or version code missing, incomplete, no basis, or fee not paid |
| Final decision | Subject expert committee |
How to Calculate Your Expected Score
The Paper-2 key covers 100 questions in each version. To estimate your score:
- Count the number of answers that match the key for your version code.
- Count the wrong answers separately.
- Apply the marking scheme given in the recruitment notification:
Expected score = (Correct answers × marks per question) − (Wrong answers × negative mark, if applicable)
The marking scheme for these posts is not given in the answer key notice, so check the original recruitment notification for the marks per question and any negative marking. Remember that the provisional key can change after objections, so your final score may differ slightly.
What Next After the Answer Key?
- Expert review: The subject expert committee will review all valid objections received by 11 November.
- Final key answers: KEA will publish the final key, which will be binding.
- Results and merit list: Scores will be calculated using the final key, and KEA will publish the provisional score or merit list for each post.
- Document verification: Shortlisted candidates will be called for document verification as per the departments’ rules.
Keep checking the KEA website for the final key and the result.
FAQs
Q1. When was the KEA Nursing Officer and Pharmacy Officer answer key released?
KEA released the Paper-2 provisional key answers on 7 November 2026.
Q2. What is the last date to raise objections?
11 November 2026, before 10:30 AM.
Q3. What is the objection fee?
₹25 per objection. It is non-refundable.
Q4. How do I log in to the KEA objection portal?
Use your application or register number, the first five characters of your name, your date of birth and the captcha. Then select the Nursing Officer / Pharmacy Officer (KK) 2026 exam.
Q5. How many versions are there in the answer key?
Four versions: A1, B1, C1 and D1, with 100 questions each.
Q6. What details must be given while raising an objection?
The paper, exam date, version code and question number, along with supporting documents in PDF format.
Q7. Is the Electrician Grade-1 and Grade-2 key included in this PDF?
No. This PDF has only the Pharmacy Officer and Nursing Officer Paper-2 keys.
Q8. Who decides on the objections?
KEA’s subject expert committee. The key answers it finalises will be final.
