What the notice says
JK High Court District Judge entry level 2026 is advertisement 1841 of 2024 / No. 4770-783 of 2026/RG, dated 3 October 2026, from the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Online forms opened on 5 October 2026. Last date for the form and the fee — 4 November 2026. Apply on jkhighcourt.nic.in.
- What a District Judge (Entry Level) post is
- What kind of role this JK High Court District Judge entry level 2026 seat is
- Who should apply — and who should skip
- Dates and fee
- Available positions and category breakdown
- 1. District Judge (Entry Level) — Pay Level J-5 (Rs 1,44,840–1,94,660) 16 Vacancies
- Educational qualifications
- Selection
- How to prepare (free, official)
- How to apply without getting played
- FAQs
What a District Judge (Entry Level) post is
A District Judge is a senior judge in a district. Entry Level means this is the direct door into that rank, not a promotion from Civil Judge. The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh runs this exam for courts in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
If you are in Class 12, this page is a map, not an apply button. The notice asks for a law degree and seven years of practice. A first-year law student should skip the form and keep the date only as a later target.
What kind of role this JK High Court District Judge entry level 2026 seat is
These are regular judicial posts, not contract seats and not deputation. Pay is Level J-5, Rs 1,44,840–1,94,660. Work is in the districts of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The exam date is not printed yet. The notice says it will be notified separately.
Who should apply — and who should skip
Apply if you are a citizen of India, you have a law degree from a university established by law in India and recognised by the Bar Council of India, and you have been in actual continuous practice in civil and criminal courts for not less than seven years as on the last date. An in-service candidate can use a combined continuous seven years as an advocate and as a judicial officer. You must also be a domicile of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir under Rule 3 of the Jammu and Kashmir Grant of Domicile Certificate (Procedure) Rules, 2020, or a resident of the Union Territory of Ladakh under clause (4) of the Union Territory of Ladakh Resident Certificate Order, 2021. You must be able to read and write Urdu. Age on the last date: 35 years completed, and not above 45. SC, ST, PwBD and OBC get 2 years of relaxation.
Skip if you do not have the domicile or Ladakh resident certificate, if you cannot read and write Urdu, if your practice is under seven years on 4 November 2026, or if you are under 35 on that date. A law degree alone is not enough.
Dates and fee
| Item | On the official notice |
|---|---|
| Notification | 3 October 2026. Advertisement 1841 of 2024 / No. 4770-783 of 2026/RG |
| Apply start | 5 October 2026 |
| Last date | 4 November 2026, for the online form and the fee |
| Exam | To be notified separately |
| Fee | Rs 1,200 for all eligible categories |
Available positions and category breakdown
1. District Judge (Entry Level) — Pay Level J-5 (Rs 1,44,840–1,94,660) 16 Vacancies
Eligibility criteria
Degree in law from a recognised university established by law in India, recognised by the Bar Council of India. Actual continuous practice of not less than seven years in courts of civil and criminal jurisdiction, or combined continuous experience of seven years or more as an advocate and as a judicial officer, as on the last date. Domicile of Jammu and Kashmir or resident of Ladakh, as printed above. Proficiency in reading and writing Urdu. Age 35 to 45 on the last date; SC, ST, PwBD and OBC relaxable by 2 years.
| OM | SC | ST-1 | ST-2 | ALC | OBC | RBA | EWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Total vacancies — 16.
Educational qualifications
| Post | Degree / marks | Experience / extras |
|---|---|---|
| District Judge (Entry Level) | Law degree recognised by the Bar Council of India. No percentage for the degree is printed. Written exam later needs 50 percent (45 percent for SC, ST and PwBD). | 7 years continuous practice, or 7 years combined advocate and judicial service. Urdu reading and writing. Domicile or Ladakh resident certificate. |
Selection
- Written examination: two papers, two hours each, 80 marks each. Nine questions in each paper, three from each part.
- Only candidates with 50 percent or more in the written exam (45 percent or more for SC, ST and PwBD) are called for viva voce, in the ratio of three candidates for one vacancy.
- Viva voce is 40 marks. The cut-off is 50 percent of those 40 marks (45 percent for SC, ST and PwBD).
- Final selection uses the cumulative grade from the written exam and the viva voce.
How to prepare (free, official)
- High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh — notification and online form
- Read the Jammu and Kashmir Grant of Domicile Certificate (Procedure) Rules, 2020, Rule 3, if you are checking the domicile line
How to apply without getting played
- Open jkhighcourt.nic.in and use only the High Court form.
- Pay Rs 1,200 on that portal. A second site asking for a higher “form fee” is not this notice.
- Keep the fee receipt. The last date for the fee is the same day as the form, 4 November 2026.
- Upload the domicile or Ladakh resident proof the form asks for. Do not assume a Bar enrolment card replaces it.
FAQs
What is the last date?
4 November 2026, for the online application and the fee.
Who can apply?
A practising advocate with a law degree and seven years of continuous practice, or an in-service candidate with seven years combined, with domicile of Jammu and Kashmir or residence of Ladakh, and able to read and write Urdu. Age 35 to 45 on the last date.
How many vacancies?
16. OM 4, SC 2, ST-1 1, ST-2 2, ALC 1, OBC 2, RBA 2, EWS 2.
Where do I apply?
jkhighcourt.nic.in.
What is the fee?
Rs 1,200 for all eligible categories.
Can final-year students apply?
No. The notice asks for a law degree and seven years of practice as on the last date.
More government law notices are on the AAG Legal jobs board.