2006 saw the establishment of the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA). It is an autonomous organisation under the Karnataka government. It is led by the Honourable Minister of Higher Education. To increase its efficiency and give it a broader scope, authorities reformed KEA. It was initially known as the CET Cell when it was founded in 1994. KEA currently administers admissions exams and entrance exams throughout the state. It is registered in accordance with the Societies Registration Act of 1960. The KEA makes sure government hiring and professional course admissions are transparent, equitable, and merit-based. 

The Historical Background of KEA

The CET Cell was established by the Karnataka government in 1994. Its primary mandate was to conduct entrance examinations and check eligibility for admission into professional courses.

These had a large variation and included engineering, architecture, medicine, dentistry, agriculture. The CET Cell was re-christened as Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) in 2006. The new body assumed more responsibility. These comprise entrance tests, counselling, seat allocation and competitive tests for government jobs. This transformation allowed KEA to integrate processes and scale to meet the growing requirements of Karnataka's education and job sectors.

Duties and Functions of KEA   

KEA's main aim is to provide equal and transparent procedures for admissions to professional courses and government recruitment. The functions and responsibilities of KEA can be categorised into the following main areas:

1. Conducting entrance tests

KEA is responsible for conducting various entrance tests to identify the merit and fitness of the people willing to join professional courses. The tests include:

The Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET): The KCET is conducted each year for admission to medical, dental, engineering, architecture, pharmacy, and agriculture courses in these institutions.

Post Graduate Common Entrance Test (PGCET): This exam is the qualifying test for postgraduate programmes like M.Tech, MCA and MBA programmes.

Diploma Common Entrance Test: DCET examination is conducted by KEA for admission direct in the batch of engineering courses.

Additional Competitive Exams: Earlier conducted by Karnataka Public Service Commission it is presently conducted by KEA for the enrollment of Class 6 in residential schools like Morarji Desai Residential School in addition to it is carrying competitive exams for government jobs.

2. KEA Seat Allocation and Counselling

One of the primary roles of KEA is to monitor the process of counselling and seat allocation of candidates who pass the admission tests. This process makes sure seats in professional courses are distributed on the lines of merit, preference of the candidate and reservation guidelines. Main features are given below:

Online Counselling: KEA offers centralised counselling for KCET, PGCET and other exams, involving document verification, option entry and allotment of seats. The process is done multiple times in various rounds, including a mop up round for open seats.

Seat Allocation: The seats are distributed according to merit rank, category (General, SC, ST and OBC) and reservation regulations which include special categories like sports, NCC and people with disabilities. Hyderabad - Karnataka & Kannada medium reservations are also taken into account.

Transparency Measures: In counselling KEA provides complete details regarding available seats, colleges and courses. Candidates are able to verify seat status and modify until the cutoff date for allotment.

Document Verification: To ensure that only eligible candidates participate KEA carries out rigorous document verification online and offline with a deadline for correction.

3. KEA's hiring for government positions

The Karnataka government has in recent times, extended the mandate of KEA to conduct competitive exams for recruitment to several governmental offices, which was previously done by the KPSC. This involves the selection of candidates for openings in a number of industries while ensuring a merit-based and open recruitment process.

4. KEA's Publication of Results and Grievances Redress

 KEA manages the publication of entrance exam results and offers avenues for redressing candidate grievances.

Result Declaration: Results of exams like KCET and PGCET are declared on official websites. 

Answer Key and Objection Procedure: Provisional answer keys are released by KEA, whereby the candidates can submit objections along with supporting material. The concerns are considered by an expert committee and the ultimate solution key is released.

Verification Slips and Corrections: KEA offers counselling verification slips and permits application and document corrections within predetermined time frames.

5. Reservation Policy Implementation

KEA implements Karnataka's quota rules by providing seats under SC, ST, OBC, rural, Kannada medium and Hyderabad Karnataka reservations. Seats reserved for special groups (e.g. handicapped, NCC and sports) are reserved during allotment.

6. Recent Innovations and Reforms

KEA has introduced several reforms to enhance the integrity and effectiveness of its examination and counselling procedures. Some of the significant reforms include:

Use of Jammers: Jammers are employed in examination halls by KEA to deter malpractice, including the Kannada Language Certificate (KLC) test.

OMR Sheet and Transparency: For transparency, OMR sheets and test centre details are scanned/captured on the same day.

CCTV Surveillance: To ensure strict vigilance, the entire facility be brought under CCTV surveillance.

Extended Working Hours: KEA employees work on Govt holidays in the month of July/August/September to adhere to tight admissions schedule on payment of additional Salary/Compensatory Leave