In order to be eligible Candidates whose mother tongue is Kannada, Tulu or Kodava must have resided and studied for a duration of 7 years between 1st and 12th standards in disputed Kannada speaking area of South Sholapur or Akkalkot or Jath or Gadhinglaj Taluks of Maharashtra State or Kasargod or Hosadurga Taluks of Kerala State. Such candidates have to undergo and clear the Kannada Language test.

Candidates whose mother tongue is Kannada, Tulu or Kodava or their parent’s mother tongue is the same or either of the parent was domiciled in the state of Karnataka, then such candidates will have to undergo Kannada Language test conducted by KEA.