Kerala High Court RA Recruitment 2026: 48 Posts

Introduction

The High Court of Kerala has announced a recruitment drive for 48 temporary Research Assistant positions on a contract basis. This opportunity is open to law graduates and final-year/semester law students. The recruitment, identified by Advertisement Number 23/2026, aims to fill anticipatory vacancies. Selected candidates will receive an honorarium of ₹35,000/- per month for an initial tenure of one year, which may be extended based on government sanction and performance assessment. The application process is entirely online, commencing on 2 November 2026 and concluding on 30 November 2026. Applicants are advised to carefully review all eligibility criteria and instructions before submitting their applications. The official notification provides comprehensive details regarding the role, qualifications, and application procedure. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official notification published by the High Court of Kerala.

Recruitment Overview

Important Dates

Vacancy Details

The High Court of Kerala is recruiting for 48 (Anticipatory) temporary Research Assistant vacancies on a contract basis. The notification does not provide a category-wise breakdown of these vacancies. Vacancies that may arise during the validity of the ranked list will also be filled from this list. The ranked list will remain in force for a minimum of one year and up to two years, or until a fresh list is published, whichever is earlier.

Educational Qualifications and Eligibility

To be eligible for the Research Assistant position, candidates must possess a Graduation in Law. Final year or semester law students are also encouraged to apply. However, their applications will only be considered if they can produce all required certificates and the consolidated mark sheet at the time of certificate verification, which precedes the viva voce examination. Candidates whose degrees are not awarded by Universities in Kerala must obtain a certificate of recognition from a Kerala University and present it when requested. Failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of candidature.

Age Limit and Relaxation

Candidates applying for the Research Assistant post must have been born between 1 December 1994 and 30 November 2004, inclusive of both dates. The notification does not specify any age relaxation for any category of candidates.

Application Fee

A non-refundable application fee of ₹1000/- (Rupees One Thousand only) is applicable to all candidates, except for those belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and unemployed Differently abled candidates with benchmark disabilities, who are exempted from paying the fee. The fee can be paid online using a Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking, or via a system-generated Fee Payment Challan. Bank transaction charges, if any, will be borne by the candidate. Online fee payment must be completed by 30 November 2026. For offline fee payment, the period is from 4 December 2026 to 11 December 2026. To claim fee relaxation, the relevant Caste/Community Certificate or Disability Certificate must be valid as of the online application closing date or the certificate verification date.

Salary and Pay Scale

Selected candidates for the Research Assistant post will receive an honorarium of ₹35,000/- per month. This appointment is on a temporary, contract basis for an initial tenure of one year. The tenure may be extended for a second year, subject to government sanction for the continuance of the post and a satisfactory performance assessment.

Selection Process

The selection of candidates for the Research Assistant positions will be based on a combination of a written test and/or a Scientific/Computer based Test, followed by a Viva Voce examination. Prior to the Viva Voce, a certificate verification will be conducted where all original documents will be checked to confirm eligibility. Admission tickets and call letters will be made available for download on the recruitment portal approximately three weeks and two weeks before the test and interview, respectively. Candidates are advised to check the recruitment portal regularly for updates on the test and interview schedule.

Application Procedure

Interested and eligible candidates must apply online through the official recruitment portal of the High Court of Kerala at hckrecruitment.keralacourts.in. No other mode of application will be accepted. Candidates are required to complete a 'One Time Registration' process if they haven't already. After registration, they need to log in to their profile, enter required details in 'My Profile', and then apply for the post from the 'Dashboard' by following the on-screen instructions. Ensure all details are accurate before submitting the application, as no changes or modifications will be permitted thereafter. Candidates applying from abroad must first send an email to [email protected] detailing their location and public IP address to gain access to the portal, and then inform the High Court via email after completing the online application.

Important Instructions and Common Mistakes

Candidates must ensure they meet all eligibility criteria, including educational qualifications and age limits, before applying. A common mistake is not verifying the validity of caste or disability certificates for fee relaxation claims, which must be valid on the last date of application or certificate verification. Applicants should carefully fill out the online application form, as no modifications will be allowed after submission. It is crucial to regularly check the recruitment portal for updates on admission tickets, call letters, and the test/interview schedule. Differently abled candidates requiring a scribe must indicate this in the application and produce the necessary medical certificates. Candidates are responsible for ensuring they receive communications from the High Court regarding their application status.

Official Notification and Application Links