The High Court of Karnataka released Notification No. HCRB/CJR-9/2026 on 16 April 2026 announcing 90 Civil Judge vacancies — 15 fresh posts plus 75 backlog posts across reservation categories. Online applications are accepted from 16 April to 15 May 2026 at judiciary.karnataka.gov.in, with eligibility requiring a law degree plus three years of practice.
Key details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam | Karnataka Judicial Service (Civil Judge) Examination 2026 |
| Notification number | HCRB/CJR-9/2026 |
| Conducting body | High Court of Karnataka |
| Total vacancies | 90 (15 fresh + 75 backlog) |
| Post | Civil Judge (Junior Division) |
| Application starts | 16 April 2026 |
| Application deadline | 15 May 2026 |
| Exam date | To be announced |
| Eligibility | LL.B. + 3 years practice; age 40-45 years (category-wise) |
| Salary | Rs. 77,840 - Rs. 1,36,520 per month |
| Official portal | judiciary.karnataka.gov.in |
Eligibility criteria
- Must hold a Bachelor's Degree in Law from a university recognised by the Bar Council of India
- Must have completed 3 years of practice as an Advocate, Public Prosecutor, Assistant Public Prosecutor, or Government Counsel as on the prescribed cut-off date
- Age limit: up to 40 years for General candidates, 45 years for SC/ST/Cat-I, with applicable relaxations for other reserved categories
- Proficiency in Kannada is typically required for Karnataka judicial posts — candidates should confirm the specific level prescribed in the notification
- Must be an Indian citizen of sound character with no criminal conviction or disqualification
How to apply
- Visit the Karnataka Judiciary recruitment portal at judiciary.karnataka.gov.in/recruitmentNotification.php
- Download and read Notification No. HCRB/CJR-9/2026 in full before starting the application
- Register on the portal with a valid email ID and mobile number
- Complete the online application with personal, educational, professional practice, and category details
- Upload scanned photograph, signature, LL.B. certificate, enrolment certificate, and practice certificate
- Pay the application fee online through the payment gateway
- Submit before 15 May 2026 and preserve the acknowledgement for future reference
Important notes
- Selection is through four stages: Preliminary Examination + Main Written Examination + Viva-voce + Computer Test — a more comprehensive filter than many states
- The 75 backlog vacancies are a significant opportunity for reserved-category candidates; SC/ST/Cat-I aspirants should review the category-wise break-up carefully
- Preliminary exam is objective-type (MCQ) covering civil and criminal law; Mains is descriptive covering law papers and translation
- Aspirants should begin Kannada language preparation immediately if not already proficient — this is a common filter that disqualifies otherwise qualified candidates
- The practice certificate must be obtained from the State Bar Council and should cover the minimum 3-year requirement as on the notification date