JK High Court District Judge Recruitment 2026: Apply Online

Introduction

The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has announced a significant recruitment drive for the position of District Judges (Entry Level) through direct recruitment. This notification, dated 03.10.2026, supersedes previous advertisements and invites eligible candidates to apply online. A total of sixteen vacancies are available across various categories. The recruitment process aims to fill positions in the cadre of District Judges (Entry Level) under the Jammu and Kashmir Higher Judicial Service Rules, 2009. Candidates are advised to carefully review the eligibility criteria, application procedure, and important dates before submitting their applications. The official notification provides comprehensive details, and it is essential to refer to it for the most accurate and complete information regarding this recruitment opportunity.

Recruitment Overview

Important Dates

Vacancy Details

A total of sixteen (16) vacancies are available for the post of District Judge (Entry Level). The category-wise break-up is as follows:

Note: The specific distribution of vacancies among OM, SC, ST-1, ST-2, ALC, OBC, RBA, and EWS categories is not detailed in the provided text, only the total is specified.

Educational Qualifications and Eligibility

To be eligible for direct recruitment as District Judge (Entry Level), candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Educational Qualification: Must possess a Degree in Law from a recognized University established by Law in India and recognized by the Bar Council of India.
• Experience:
  • Must be a practicing advocate in Courts of Civil and Criminal Jurisdiction with at least seven years of continuous actual practice.
  • OR must be an in-service candidate with a combined continuous experience of seven years or more as an Advocate and Judicial Officer, as on the last date of application receipt.
  The term 'Advocate' includes Practicing Advocates, Pleaders/ Government Pleaders, and Public Prosecutors. Specific experience certificates in Annexure-A (for practicing advocates) or Annexure-B (for in-service candidates) are required.
• Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in reading and writing Urdu.

Age Limit and Relaxation

Candidates must have attained the age of thirty-five (35) years and not be above the age of forty-five (45) years as on the last date of receipt of applications.

Age Relaxation: A relaxation of two years is provided for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD), or Other Backward Classes (OBC).

Application Fee

After successfully submitting the online application form, candidates are required to deposit a requisite fee of Rs. 1200/- through online mode.

Salary and Pay Scale

The posts are in the cadre of District Judges (Entry Level) and fall under Pay Level J-5.

Selection Process

The selection process for direct recruitment to the cadre of District Judges involves a competitive examination consisting of:

• Written Examination: This will comprise two papers, each of two hours duration and carrying 80 marks. The syllabus is detailed in Annexure-C.
• Viva-voce Examination: This will carry 40 marks.

Qualifying Criteria:

• Candidates must obtain 50% or more marks in the written examination to be called for the viva-voce test, in a ratio of three candidates for one vacancy.
• Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe candidates and Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) need to obtain 45% or more marks in the written examination to be eligible for the viva-voce.
• Candidates must also obtain 50% marks out of the 40 marks earmarked for the viva-voce. For SC/ST and PwBD candidates, this requirement is 45% marks.
• Final selection will be based on the cumulative marks obtained in the written examination and the viva-voce.

Application Procedure

Eligible candidates must apply through the online mode on the recruitment portal of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir. The link for the portal will be activated on 05.10.2026.

1. Visit the official recruitment portal: exams.jklhc.in.
2. Fill in the online application form completely and accurately.
3. Upload all the required documents as specified.
4. Pay the application fee of Rs. 1200/- through the online payment gateway.
5. Ensure all details are correct before final submission.

Note: Candidates who had applied under previous notifications (No. 1841 of 2024 dated 08.08.2024 and No. 03 of 2024 dated 05.06.2024) and were eligible at that time need not apply again.

Required Documents

While filling the online application form, candidates are required to upload the following documents:

• Date of birth certificate (Secondary School/Matric Certificate).
• Domicile Certificate/Residence Certificate.
• Bachelors Degree in Law.
• Experience certificate issued by the concerned Principal District and Sessions Judge/Registrar Judicial in the format annexed as Annexure-A.
• In case of in-service Judicial Officers, experience/service Certificate as per Annexure-B.
• Reserved Category Certificate (if claiming benefit).

Important Instructions and Common Mistakes

• Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria, including domicile and proficiency in Urdu, before applying.
• Previous applicants from notifications dated 08.08.2024 and 05.06.2024 who were eligible do not need to reapply.
• Applications must be submitted strictly through the online mode. Applications received by any other mode or after the last date will not be entertained.
• Any incorrect or incomplete information furnished in the application form can lead to rejection of candidature at any stage.
• Candidates claiming reservation must possess a valid requisite Category certificate as on the cut-off date.
• The syllabus for the written examination is provided in Annexure-C.

Official Notification and Application Links

• Official Notification PDF: Download Notification
• Application Portal: Apply Online Here
• Official Website: www.jkhighcourt.nic.in

Relevant FAQs

Q1: Who can apply for the JK High Court District Judge recruitment?
A1: Practicing advocates with at least 7 years of continuous practice or in-service candidates with 7 years combined experience as advocate and judicial officer, holding a Law Degree, and meeting age and domicile criteria can apply.

Q2: What is the last date to apply?
A2: The last date to apply online is 04.11.2026.

Q3: Is there any age relaxation?
A3: Yes, 2 years relaxation is provided for SC, ST, PwBD, and OBC candidates.

Q4: What is the application fee?
A4: The application fee is Rs. 1200/-.

Q5: Do candidates who applied earlier need to apply again?
A5: No, candidates who applied under previous notifications (No. 1841 of 2024 and No. 03 of 2024) and were eligible need not apply again.