Karnataka HC District Judge Recruitment 2026

Karnataka High Court District Judge (LDCE) Recruitment 2026 Overview

The High Court of Karnataka has released a notification for recruitment to the post of District Judge through the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) category. This is a promotional recruitment for serving Senior Civil Judges within the Karnataka Judicial Service.

A total of 79 vacancies are available for the District Judge post. The application process is online. This recruitment is governed by Rule 4-B of the Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2025.

Job Highlights

Important Dates

The exact date, time, and venue for the Written Examination and Viva-voce are not specified in the notification.

Vacancy Details

Post Name: District Judge (25% LDCE Category)

Total Vacancies: 79

The notification does not provide a category-wise (SC/ST/OBC) reservation breakup for these posts. Selection is based strictly on merit.

The number of vacancies is subject to change based on the outcome of Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1022/1989 pending before the Supreme Court.

Eligibility Criteria

Applications are invited only from Senior Civil Judges who meet the following conditions as of 28 August 2026:

• Currently serving as a Senior Civil Judge.
• Have completed not less than 3 years of service as a Senior Civil Judge.
• Have completed a minimum of 7 years of total service in the combined cadre of Civil Judge & Senior Civil Judge.
• Have attained the age of 35 years.

Important Note: This Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) is open exclusively to eligible serving Senior Civil Judges of the Karnataka Judicial Service. It is not open to the general public or candidates outside the judicial service.

Age Limit and Attempts

Salary / Pay Scale

The pay scale for the promoted post of District Judge is not specified in the official notification. Candidates may refer to the applicable Karnataka Judicial Service pay rules for the District Judge cadre.

Selection Process

Selection will be made through the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE), which includes:

1. Written Examination
2. Viva-voce

Selection will be strictly on the basis of merit, as per Rule 4-B of the Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2025.

The list of eligible applicants for the Written Examination and Viva-voce will be announced on the High Court of Karnataka website. Eligible applicants will be informed via SMS and e-mail and must download their Admission Card/Call Letter from the website.

Applicants must bear their own expenses for appearing in the Written Examination and Viva-voce.

The notification does not specify the Written Examination syllabus, pattern, or marks distribution. Applicants should refer to the Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2025 for full procedural details.

How to Apply

1. Visit the official website of the High Court of Karnataka: judiciary.karnataka.gov.in.
2. Fill in the online application form. Ensure you provide a valid mobile number and e-mail ID for all communication.
3. Scan and upload a recent passport-size photograph (white background, 5cm x 3.6cm, max 50KB, JPG format) and a signature on white paper in black ballpoint pen (2.5cm x 7.5cm, max 25KB, JPG format). Both images must be clear.
4. Verify all the details and your eligibility before submitting the application.
5. Submit the application online before the deadline of 15 September 2026, 11:59 PM.

Important: The High Court is not responsible for non-receipt of SMS or e-mail intimation. No letter correspondence will be entertained. Read all instructions carefully before applying to avoid mistakes.

Documents Required for Upload

• Passport-size photograph (white background, 5cm x 3.6cm, max 50KB, JPG format).
• Signature on white paper in black ballpoint pen (2.5cm x 7.5cm, max 25KB, JPG format).
• Valid personal mobile number and e-mail ID (for communication).

At the time of the Written Examination and Viva-voce, applicants must bring their Admission Card and Call Letter for verification.

Important Conditions

• This LDCE is open only to Senior Civil Judges who meet the eligibility criteria as on the notification date. It is not for the general public.
• The number of 79 posts is subject to change based on the outcome of a pending Supreme Court case.
• Eligible Senior Civil Judges have a maximum of 3 attempts for this LDCE.
• Applicants must provide a valid mobile number and e-mail ID. The High Court is not responsible for communication failures.
• Applicants must appear for the examination and interview at their own expense.

Important Links

Official Website → Click Here

Notification PDF → Click Here

FAQs

Q1: Who can apply for the Karnataka High Court District Judge (LDCE) recruitment?
A1: Only serving Senior Civil Judges of the Karnataka Judicial Service who meet the specified eligibility criteria can apply.

Q2: How many vacancies are there for District Judge posts?
A2: There are 79 vacancies for the District Judge post under the LDCE category.

Q3: What is the last date to apply online?
A3: The last date to apply online is 15 September 2026, 11:59 PM.

Q4: What is the minimum age requirement?
A4: The minimum age requirement is 35 years, as on 28 August 2026.

Q5: Is there any application fee mentioned?
A5: The official notification does not specify any application fee for this recruitment.

Q6: What is the selection process?
A6: Selection is based on a Written Examination followed by a Viva-voce, conducted as a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE).

Q7: Where can I find the syllabus for the Written Examination?
A7: The notification directs applicants to the Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2025 for full procedural details, including the syllabus.