Karnataka High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 Out - Apply Online 90 Posts

Karnataka High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for 90 Posts

High Court of Karnataka at Bengaluru has released the official notification for direct recruitment to the post of Civil Judge. As per the notification, online applications are invited for 90 Civil Judge posts, which include 15 fresh vacancies and 75 backlog vacancies.

The last date for submission of online applications and payment of fee is 15 May 2026. Candidates must apply online only through the official website of the Karnataka Judiciary.

Karnataka High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 Overview

Karnataka Civil Judge Vacancy 2026 Details

The notification states that the 90 posts include 15 fresh and 75 backlog vacancies. The category-wise classification includes General Merit, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Category-I, Category-II(A), Category-II(B), Category-III(A), and Category-III(B), along with horizontal reservations for women, rural candidates, Kannada medium students, persons with benchmark disability, ex-servicemen, and transgender candidates.

Pay Scale

The pay scale for the post of Civil Judge is ₹77,840 – ₹1,36,520.

Method of Recruitment

Selection will be made by direct recruitment on the basis of aggregate marks obtained in the Competitive Examination, which includes:

• Preliminary Examination
• Main Written Examination
• Viva-voce

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

• The candidate must hold a Degree in Law granted by a University established by law in India.
• As on the last date fixed for receipt of application, the candidate must be:
• Practicing as an advocate in the Supreme Court of India, High Courts, District Courts, or Trial Courts in the country for a continuous period of not less than three years,
• OR working as a Public Prosecutor / Assistant Public Prosecutor / Government Counsel in full-time employment of the Central Government or State Government for a period of not less than three years.

Age Limit

• Maximum age for SC / ST / Category-I candidates: 45 years
• Maximum age for Category-II(A), II(B), III(A), III(B) candidates: 43 years
• Maximum age for all other candidates: 40 years
• Ex-servicemen are eligible for 3 years age relaxation.

Selection Process

1. Preliminary Examination

The Preliminary Examination will be objective type and will carry 100 marks.

Syllabus

• Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
• Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
• Transfer of Property Act, 1882
• Indian Contract Act, 1872
• Specific Relief Act, 1963
• Constitution of India
• Karnataka Rent Act, 1999
• Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
• Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
• Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
• General Knowledge
• Reasoning and Mental Ability

2. Main Written Examination

Main Exam Subjects

• Translation Paper: Translation of passages in English to Kannada and Kannada to English from depositions, judgments, and documents.
• Law Paper – I: CPC, CrPC / BNSS, Indian Evidence Act / Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, Principles of Pleading, Constitution of India.
• Law Paper – II: Framing of Issues and Writing of Judgments in Civil Cases.
• Law Paper – III: Framing of Charges and Writing of Judgments in Criminal Cases.

Note: Candidates may write the Main Examination either in English or Kannada.

3. Viva-voce

The Viva-voce will carry 100 marks. It will test the candidate’s general knowledge, grasp of legal principles, and suitability for appointment as Civil Judge.

4. Computer Test

The Computer Test will carry 25 marks. These marks will be considered only for assessing computer knowledge and suitability and will not be added to the total marks of the written examination and viva-voce.

Minimum Qualifying Marks

Preliminary Examination

• SC / ST / Persons with Benchmark Disability: 50 marks
• Others: 60 marks

Main Written Examination

• SC / ST / Persons with Benchmark Disability: 40 marks in each paper
• Others: 50 marks in each paper

Viva-voce

• SC / ST / Persons with Benchmark Disability: 20 marks
• Others: 25 marks

Shortlisting Ratio

• For Main Examination: candidates up to 10 times the number of vacancies will be called based on Preliminary Exam merit.
• For Viva-voce: candidates up to 3 times the number of vacancies will be called based on Main Exam merit.

Probation and Training

• Selected candidates will be on probation for 2 years or for an extended period if necessary.
• Direct recruits must compulsorily undergo training for not less than 1 year before presiding over a court.
• Candidates must also pass the Kannada Language Examination conducted by Karnataka Public Service Commission as per applicable rules.

Application Fee

Preliminary Examination Fee

Main Written Examination Fee

The fee must be paid online through the SBI e-pay payment gateway using Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI. Fee once paid will not be refunded.

How to Apply

1. Visit the official website: https://judiciary.karnataka.gov.in/
2. Read the notification and instructions carefully.
3. Fill the online application form with correct personal, educational, and reservation details.
4. Upload all required documents related to educational qualification and reservation claimed.
5. Pay the prescribed application fee online through SBI e-pay.
6. Submit the online application on or before 15 May 2026.
7. Take a printout of the submitted application for future reference.

Reservation and Certificates Required

Candidates claiming reservation must possess valid certificates at the time of submitting the online application and produce them whenever directed by the Selection Committee.

• SC / ST / Category-I / II(A) / II(B) / III(A) / III(B) certificate in Karnataka Government format
• Persons with Benchmark Disability certificate in prescribed format
• Ex-servicemen discharge / release certificate
• Rural Study Certificate from 1st to 10th standard, duly attested and countersigned
• Form-1 certificate from Tahsildar for General Merit candidates claiming Rural reservation
• Kannada Medium study certificate from 1st to 10th standard
• Transgender certificate issued by the competent authority under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019

Documents Required at Viva-voce / Document Verification

• Original educational qualification documents
• SSLC or equivalent certificate for date of birth proof
• ID proof and address proof
• Law degree mark sheets and convocation certificate
• Practice certificate
• Reservation certificates, if applicable
• Three character certificates, including one from the institution where LL.B. was studied
• Three sets of self-attested copies of all documents

Practicing Certificate Requirement

Candidates must furnish a certificate showing that they are practicing advocates and indicating the length of continuous practice. The certificate must be issued in the manner prescribed in the notification, depending on whether the candidate practices before District and Trial Courts, High Courts, or the Supreme Court of India.

Examination Centres

Candidates must choose one of the following centres for the Preliminary Examination:

• Bengaluru
• Dharwad
• Kalaburagi

Change of examination centre will not be permitted under any circumstances.

Persons with Benchmark Disability – Scribe and Extra Time

• Scribe / reader facility will be available to eligible benchmark disability candidates.
• Compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour of examination will be provided to candidates using a scribe.
• Benchmark disability candidates not using a scribe will be allowed 1 extra hour for a 3-hour examination.
• Assistive devices like Braille slate are permitted.

Disqualification for Appointment

• Not being a citizen of India
• Compulsory retirement, removal, or dismissal from judicial/government/statutory/local authority service
• Conviction involving moral turpitude
• Debarment by High Court, UPSC, or any State Public Service Commission
• Removal from roll by any Bar Council
• Penalty by Bar Council or disciplinary authority making the candidate unsuitable
• Influencing the recruiting authority by any means
• Bigamous marital status

Important Dates

Important Links