The High Court of Kerala has released the official notification for the Kerala Judicial Service Examination 2026 for the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division). This recruitment offers a prestigious opportunity for law graduates seeking a government job in the judiciary.
Eligible candidates with a law degree and required practice experience can apply online through the official recruitment portal. The selection will be conducted through a multi-stage competitive examination, making it a significant opportunity for aspirants aiming for judicial services.
Short Information
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | High Court of Kerala |
| Exam Name | Kerala Judicial Service Examination 2026 |
| Post Name | Civil Judge (Junior Division) |
| Pay Scale | ₹77,840 – ₹1,36,520 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Job Location | Kerala |
| Selection Process | Prelims, Mains, Viva-Voce |
The Kerala High Court conducts this exam annually to recruit Civil Judges through a structured selection process. (YouTube)
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 01 April 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 04 May 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | 04 May 2026 |
| Offline Fee Payment Start | 07 May 2026 |
| Last Date for Offline Payment | 15 May 2026 |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 28 June 2026 (Tentative) |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹1250 |
| SC / ST / PwBD (Unemployed) | Nil |
- Fee can be paid via online mode or SBI challan (offline).
- Fee once paid is non-refundable.
Age Limit (as on 01 January 2026)
- Maximum Age: 35 years
- Age relaxation:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- PwBD: Up to 10 years
- Ex-servicemen: As per rules (max 50 years)
Vacancy Details
Special Recruitment (PwBD Backlog)
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Blindness & Low Vision | 5 |
| Deaf & Hard of Hearing | 6 |
| Locomotor Disability | 3 |
| Autism / Learning Disability / Mental Illness | 1 |
| Multiple Disabilities | As applicable |
NCA Vacancies
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 1 |
| ST/SC (Re-notification) | 1 |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 1 |
Regular Vacancies
| Post | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Civil Judge (Junior Division) | 9 (Probable) |
Educational Qualification
Direct Recruitment
Candidates must:
- Be a citizen of India
- Hold a Law Degree (LLB) recognized by the Bar Council of India
- Have minimum 3 years of practice as an Advocate
- Produce a valid certificate of practice
Recruitment by Transfer
- Law degree + 3 years advocacy experience
- Must be working in specified judicial/legal service categories
Judicial exams typically require candidates to be enrolled advocates and law graduates.
Selection Process
The selection will be conducted in three stages:
1. Preliminary Examination
- Objective type (100 questions)
- Total Marks: 200
- Negative marking applicable
- Used for shortlisting only
2. Main Examination
- 4 descriptive papers (100 marks each)
- Duration: 3 hours per paper
3. Viva-Voce (Interview)
- Total Marks: 50
- Minimum qualifying:
- General/OBC: 40%
- SC/ST/PwBD: 35%
Exam Pattern Overview
Preliminary Subjects
- Civil Law (CPC, Contract Act, etc.)
- Criminal Law (IPC, CrPC, Evidence Act)
- Constitution, GK, Reasoning
Main Exam Subjects
- English, Essay, Translation
- Civil & Criminal Laws
- Judgment Writing & Legal Drafting
How to Apply Online
Follow these steps:
- Visit the official Kerala High Court recruitment portal
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR)
- Login and fill the application form
- Upload photo, signature, and required details
- Pay application fee
- Submit and download application form
Important Instructions:
- Only online applications are accepted
- Ensure all details are correct before submission
- No hard copy submission required
Admit Card Details
- Admit cards will be available:
- 3 weeks before written exam
- Candidates must download from the official portal
- Intimation will be sent via SMS/email
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online (OTR) | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Official Website | highcourt.kerala.gov.in |
| JOIN WhatsApp | JOIN |
Official Notification Overview
- Recruitment includes Special, NCA, and Regular vacancies
- Common exam for all categories
- Reservation rules applicable as per Kerala Government norms
- Selected candidates will undergo 1-year training at Kerala Judicial Academy
- Probation period: 2 years
FAQs – Kerala High Court Recruitment 2026
Q1. What is the last date to apply for Kerala Judicial Service Exam 2026?
The last date to apply online is 04 May 2026.
Q2. What is the salary of Civil Judge in Kerala?
The pay scale is ₹77,840 – ₹1,36,520.
Q3. What is the selection process?
Selection includes Prelims, Mains, and Interview stages.
Q4. Is practice required for eligibility?
Yes, minimum 3 years of practice as an Advocate is required.
Q5. What is the exam date for prelims?
The preliminary exam is scheduled on 28 June 2026 (tentative).
Candidates interested in the Kerala Judicial Service Exam 2026 should complete the application process before the last date and start preparation as per the latest exam pattern and syllabus. The recruitment offers a valuable opportunity for law graduates aiming for a judicial career, with selection based on Prelims, Mains, and Interview stages.
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