Karnataka SDA Exam Pattern 2026: Papers, Marks, Timing and Negative Marking

The Karnataka SDA exam pattern has two compulsory objective papers of 100 marks each, with 2 hours for each paper. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), which now conducts Second Division Assistant recruitment for state government departments, follows the scheme in the Karnataka Civil Services (Direct Recruitment) (General) Rules, 2021, as amended in 2026.

The pattern matters for how you spend your time. There is no interview, the merit list is built only from written marks, a wrong answer costs a quarter mark, and you must cross 35 percent to be considered at all. This page explains each paper, the marking rules, the Kannada test, how merit is calculated, and what the numbers mean for your exam-day strategy.

Karnataka SDA Exam Pattern at a Glance

Key Changes to Know

• Two-paper structure: Earlier SDA exams under KPSC used separate papers and some pages still show a 350-mark, three-paper pattern. The current written exam totals 200 marks.

• No interview: The 2021 rules exclude interviews for all Group C posts. Pages that mention an interview or skill test for SDA are outdated.

• Fixed time per paper: The 2026 amendment caps each paper at 120 minutes.

• Post preferences: Candidates now rank departments or posts in the application, and allotment follows merit and that order.

Older pages may still show the old pattern, so follow the current KEA notification.

The current scheme comes from the 2021 rules, which replaced the earlier competitive examination rules, and the 2026 amendment that fixed the time per paper. If a coaching page or book still uses the three-paper format, use it only for content, not for the structure of your mocks.

Paper 1 Pattern: General Knowledge

Paper 1 covers current events, everyday science, the Indian Constitution, Indian history and geography with reference to Karnataka, state administration, Karnataka's economy including Panchayat Raj and co-operatives, and environmental issues. There is no fixed number of questions per area. Recent KEA papers have used four answer options per question on the OMR sheet.

Paper 2 Pattern: Kannada, English and Computer

The section marks come from the rules. Question counts assume one mark per question. There is no separate time limit for each section, so you decide how to split the 2 hours. The language of the GK paper is usually Kannada and English; check the admit card and question booklet instructions for your exam.

Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

• Correct answer: The full marks for that question (one mark in a 100-question, 100-mark paper).

• Wrong answer: One-fourth of the question's marks is deducted, as set by the rules.

• Multiple answers: Marking more than one option is treated as a wrong answer.

• Unanswered questions: Recent KEA notifications have used OMR sheets with an extra circle to mark a question as not attempted, and have warned that failing to follow this can attract the same deduction. Read the instructions in your notification and admit card carefully.

Your net score in a paper is worked out like this:

$\text{Net score} = \text{Correct} - \dfrac{\text{Wrong}}{4}$

For example, 72 correct and 16 wrong in Paper 1 gives $72 - \dfrac{16}{4} = 68$ marks.

What the Pattern Means for You

• The 35 percent bar is the first hurdle: You need at least 70 out of 200 to enter the merit list at all. Competitive cut-offs for SDA posts sit well above this.

• Each wrong guess costs a quarter mark: A blind guess among four options gains almost nothing on average, while a guess after ruling out two options clearly pays. Guess only when you can eliminate options.

• Paper 2 offers steady marks: Grammar rules and computer facts do not change, so regular practice here gives reliable gains.

• Both papers carry equal weight: A weak Paper 2 cannot be covered easily by Paper 1, so prepare both in parallel.

Attempts Versus Accuracy

The table shows how the same number of attempts can lead to very different net scores in one 100-mark paper, depending on accuracy.

The candidate who attempted fewer questions but kept accuracy above 90 percent scored the most. In your mocks, track accuracy as closely as attempts, and find the attempt level at which your accuracy starts to fall.

Compulsory Kannada Language Test

Under the rules, no candidate can be selected without passing a Kannada language test unless they are exempt. You are exempt if you studied Kannada as a first or second language in SSLC (or a higher exam) or passed an earlier KPSC or KEA Kannada test. The test is one objective paper of 150 marks at SSLC first-language standard. You need 50 marks to pass, and the marks are not added to your merit score.

How the Final Merit List Is Prepared

1. Qualifying check: Candidates who pass the Kannada test (where needed) and score at least 35 percent of 200 are considered.

2. Ranking: Candidates are ranked on the total of Paper 1 and Paper 2.

3. Reservation and cadre: Seats are filled by category, horizontal reservation and cadre (residual parent cadre or Kalyana Karnataka).

4. Preferences: Within your rank, you are allotted the highest preference still available.

5. Tie-break: When totals are equal, the older candidate ranks higher.

A worked example: a candidate scoring 68 in Paper 1 and 74 in Paper 2 has a merit total of 142 out of 200, or 71 percent.

Under the rules, written exam marks for Group C posts are announced after the final selection list is published. The selection list stays valid for two years or until the next list for the same post is published, whichever comes first, and an additional list may be kept to fill posts left vacant when selected candidates do not join.

SDA and FDA Exam Pattern Compared

SDA and FDA (First Division Assistant) exams use the same structure of two 100-mark papers with the same Paper 2. The difference is in the scope of Paper 1.

If you are a graduate preparing for both, your Paper 2 preparation is shared. Prepare FDA-level Paper 1 and you will cover SDA Paper 1 as well.

Exam Mode, Centres and Instructions

• Mode: Recent KEA Group C exams for clerical posts have been offline, pen-and-paper tests with OMR answer sheets.

• Centres: Recent smaller KEA notifications listed Bengaluru, Dharwad and Kalaburagi; large combined drives can use more districts. Your admit card names your centre.

• Two sessions: Paper 1 and Paper 2 are usually held in separate sessions, often on the same day.

• Question booklet versions: Answer keys are released version-wise, so note your booklet version for checking the key.

• Answer key and objections: KEA publishes provisional keys with a short window for objections before the final key.

Exam mode and centres are set in each notification and can change, so treat these as typical arrangements and confirm them on your admit card.

Time Management and Exam-Day Strategy

• Paper 1 plan: First pass of 70 to 75 minutes for questions you know, a second pass of 30 minutes for those you can narrow down, and 10 to 15 minutes to check OMR marking.

• Paper 2 plan: Start with the section you are strongest in. A common split is about 40 minutes each for Kannada and English and 30 minutes for Computer, with time left to review.

• OMR care: Shade bubbles as you go in blocks of 10, not all at the end.

• Practise the real format: Sit both papers back to back in mocks, because the exam is long and fatigue affects accuracy.

Question Selection in Paper 1

Not every GK question deserves the same time. Direct fact questions take seconds if you know them and minutes if you do not, so move on quickly. Statement-based questions reward careful reading; eliminate any statement you know is wrong, then check the options. Leave lengthy match-the-following items for your second pass unless the first pairing gives the answer away.

Question Selection in Paper 2

Grammar and computer questions are usually short, so aim to finish them in under 30 seconds each. Comprehension passages take longer, so read the questions first and then scan the passage for answers. In Kannada, questions that ask you to name the type of sandhi or samasa are quick wins if your rules are clear.

The Day Before and On the Day

• Before: Print the admit card, check the centre location and keep an original photo ID ready.

• Revision: Read only your short notes and error log, not new material.

• In the hall: Fill in the booklet version and roll number on the OMR first, before you start answering.

KEA does not publish an official online mock test for its recruitment exams, so timed practice has to come from previous papers and mock tests. Official website: https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/