1. AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 – Overview

The High Court of Andhra Pradesh has issued Notification No. 118/2026-RC dated 25 September 2026 for the recruitment of Civil Judge (Junior Division) posts in the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service. Through this recruitment notification, the High Court has announced a total of 119 vacancies. The recruitment will be conducted through Direct Recruitment and Recruitment by Transfer.

Candidates interested in judicial service should carefully read the official notification before applying. The recruitment process will be conducted in accordance with the applicable Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service and Cadre Rules, 2026, and the conditions specified by the High Court.

The advertised pay scale for the Civil Judge (Junior Division) post is Rs. 77,840 – Rs. 1,36,520. The selection process includes a Screening Test, Written Examination and Viva Voce, subject to the applicable eligibility and selection rules.

2. Vacancy Details

A total of 119 vacancies have been announced under the following two recruitment categories:

Vacancies under Direct Recruitment are distributed among the eligible reservation categories, including Open Competition, Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Horizontal reservation for women and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities will be applicable according to the relevant rules.

The notification also states that the number of vacancies may be increased or decreased, and the High Court reserves the right to modify or cancel the recruitment process as permitted under the applicable rules. The filling of BC-E vacancies is subject to the final outcome of the relevant Supreme Court proceedings.

3. Educational Qualifications

A. Qualifications for Direct Recruitment

Candidates applying under Direct Recruitment must possess a Degree in Law from a recognised University established by law in India. The notification specifies the applicable conditions regarding the date on which the candidate obtained the Law Degree. Candidates must carefully verify the prescribed qualification conditions and the relevant reference to the Supreme Court judgment dated 21-08-2026 mentioned in the notification.

Candidates must also satisfy the conditions relating to Indian citizenship, good character and conduct. Persons who have been dismissed from government or judicial service, convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude, or disqualified under the applicable examination or service rules may not be eligible.

Candidates should ensure that all educational qualifications and supporting certificates are valid and available for verification. Possession of a Law Degree alone does not automatically guarantee eligibility. All other conditions prescribed in the official notification must also be satisfied.

B. Qualifications for Recruitment by Transfer

Candidates applying under Recruitment by Transfer must possess a Law Degree from a recognised University established by law in India. In addition, they must belong to the eligible categories of government or judicial service employees specified in the notification.

Eligible categories may include specified employees working in the High Court and District Courts, prosecution services, the Law Department of the State Secretariat, the Legislative Department and the offices of the Advocate General, Government Pleaders and Public Prosecutors.

Candidates must satisfy the required service conditions, including the applicable status of Confirmed Member or Approved Probationer. They should check the complete list of eligible service categories in the official notification before claiming eligibility under Recruitment by Transfer.

4. Age Limit

The age of candidates will be calculated as on 01-09-2026.

• Direct Recruitment: Candidates should not have completed 35 years of age.
• Recruitment by Transfer: Candidates should not have completed 48 years of age.

Age Relaxation for Direct Recruitment

• SC, ST, BC and EWS candidates: 5 years of age relaxation.
• Persons with Benchmark Disabilities: 10 years of age relaxation.
• Eligible Ex-Servicemen candidates may receive the applicable relaxation in accordance with the relevant service rules.

Candidates claiming age relaxation must submit the relevant supporting certificates. The prescribed age limits and relaxation conditions should be verified from the official notification before claiming eligibility.

5. Reservation Details

Reservation will be applicable to eligible candidates belonging to BC-A, BC-B, BC-C, BC-D, BC-E, EWS, SC and ST categories, as prescribed by the applicable rules. Horizontal reservation for women and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities will also be implemented according to the notification.

Candidates applying under the Backward Classes category must submit a valid and recent Non-Creamy Layer Certificate issued during 2025 or 2026, as specified in the notification. If the required certificate is not submitted, the candidate may be considered under the Open Category, subject to the applicable conditions.

EWS candidates must submit the latest EWS certificate issued by the competent authority during 2025 or 2026. The notification specifies that the annual gross family income from all sources should be below Rs. 8,00,000 for claiming EWS benefits.

Candidates should select the correct reservation category while submitting the application. Any incorrect claim or failure to produce the required certificate may affect the candidate’s eligibility for reservation benefits.

6. Required Documents

Documents for Direct Recruitment

• SSC Certificate or other prescribed proof of date of birth.
• Law Degree Certificate.
• Community Certificate, wherever applicable.
• Latest Non-Creamy Layer Certificate for eligible BC candidates.
• Latest EWS Certificate for candidates claiming EWS reservation.
• Medical Board Certificate showing the disability details and percentage, wherever applicable.
• Discharge Certificate for eligible Ex-Servicemen candidates.

Documents for Recruitment by Transfer

• SSC Certificate or proof of date of birth.
• Law Degree Certificate.
• Community Certificate, wherever applicable.
• Proof of declaration of probation or other prescribed service eligibility.
• Permission from the employer to pursue the Law Degree, wherever required.
• Latest Service and Conduct Certificate.
• No Objection Certificate, as prescribed, at the time of original certificate verification.

Candidates must keep their original certificates ready for verification. If the required original documents are not produced when called for verification, the candidature may be rejected according to the recruitment rules.

7. Selection Process and Examination Pattern

The selection process consists of a Screening Test, Written Examination and Viva Voce. Candidates must qualify at each applicable stage to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

A. Screening Test

• Mode of examination: Computer Based Test.
• Total questions: 100 objective multiple-choice questions.
• Total marks: 100.
• Duration: 2 hours.
• Minimum qualifying percentage: 40%.

Candidates securing at least 40% marks in the Screening Test will be considered for shortlisting to the Written Examination in the ratio of 1:10 against the available vacancies, subject to the applicable rules. Screening Test marks are used for shortlisting and will not be added to the final merit calculation.

B. Written Examination

The Written Examination consists of three papers as shown below:

Paper-III includes translation from English to Telugu and Telugu to English, carrying 40 marks. The remaining 60 marks are allocated for essay writing on legal subjects. Candidates must obtain the prescribed minimum marks in both parts of Paper-III. As specified in the notification, Paper-III marks are not included in the final merit calculation or used for determining eligibility for Viva Voce.

Answers in the Written Examination must be written in English, subject to the specific language requirements prescribed for the translation component.

8. Minimum Qualifying Marks

Candidates must secure the prescribed minimum marks in Paper-I and Paper-II to qualify for Viva Voce. The minimum qualifying requirements specified in the notification are:

• Open Competition / EWS: At least 55% in each of Paper-I and Paper-II, with an aggregate of at least 60%.
• BC Candidates: At least 50% in each of Paper-I and Paper-II, with an aggregate of at least 55%.
• SC / ST / Persons with Benchmark Disabilities: At least 45% in each of Paper-I and Paper-II, with an aggregate of at least 50%.
• Recruitment by Transfer: At least 55% in each of Paper-I and Paper-II, with an aggregate of at least 60%.

9. Viva Voce and Final Selection

Viva Voce carries 50 marks. Candidates who qualify in the Written Examination will be shortlisted for Viva Voce in the ratio of 1:3 against the available vacancies in the respective categories, subject to the notification’s rules.

Attendance at the Viva Voce is compulsory for candidates called for this stage. Candidates who fail to attend may be disqualified from further consideration.

Final selection will be based on the marks obtained in Paper-I, Paper-II and Viva Voce, subject to the minimum qualifying marks and other conditions prescribed in the notification. Paper-III and Screening Test marks are not included in the final merit calculation.

In the event of a tie between two or more candidates, preference will be given according to the tie-breaking conditions specified in the notification, including age and educational qualification criteria.

10. Training and Pay Scale

Selected candidates will undergo one year of compulsory intensive training at the Judicial Academy as Trainee Judicial Officers. During this training period, they will receive a fixed amount equivalent to half of the salary payable to a Civil Judge (Junior Division), as specified in the notification.

After the training period, candidates will undergo one year of Law Clerkship. During the first six months, they will work under the supervision of the Principal District Judge, District and Sessions Judge or other eligible members of the Higher Judicial Services. During the next six months, they will work under the supervision of a Judge of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh.

After completion of the Law Clerkship, the performance and suitability of candidates will be evaluated. Candidates whose performance is found satisfactory may be considered for regular appointment in accordance with the applicable rules.

The advertised pay scale for the Civil Judge (Junior Division) post is Rs. 77,840 – Rs. 1,36,520. The applicable service benefits and conditions will be governed by the relevant rules and orders.

11. Examination Syllabus

Paper-I: Civil Laws

The Civil Laws syllabus includes the following subjects and Acts:

• Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
• Indian Contract Act, 1872.
• Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
• Hindu Succession Act, 1956.
• Indian Easements Act, 1882.
• Specific Relief Act, 1963.
• Limitation Act, 1963.
• Transfer of Property Act, 1882.
• Civil Rules of Practice.
• Registration Act, 1908.
• Indian Stamp Act, 1899.
• Andhra Pradesh Land Encroachment Act, 1905.
• Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.

Paper-II: Criminal Laws

The Criminal Laws syllabus includes the following subjects and Acts:

• Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
• Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
• Indian Penal Code, 1860.
• Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
• Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.
• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
• Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
• Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
• Criminal Rules of Practice.
• Andhra Pradesh Excise Act, 1968.
• Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act, 1974.
• Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.
• Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
• Information Technology Act, 2000.
• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
• Andhra Pradesh Forest Act, 1967.

Candidates should refer to the complete official syllabus and prepare the relevant legal provisions, amendments and applicable rules. The list above is a summary of the subjects mentioned in the notification.

12. Application Fee

• Open Category / EWS / BC Candidates: Rs. 1,500.
• SC / ST / Persons with Benchmark Disabilities: Rs. 750.

The application fee must be paid through the online payment method specified by the High Court. The reduced fee of Rs. 750 is subject to the eligibility conditions mentioned in the notification, including the applicable Andhra Pradesh SC/ST category requirements.

Candidates should carefully verify the fee applicable to their category before making payment. The notification states that the fee once paid will not be refunded.

13. Examination Centres

Candidates appearing for the Screening Test are required to select three examination centres in their order of preference from the centres listed in the notification.

• Guntur
• Kurnool
• Rajahmundry
• Tirupati
• Vijayawada
• Visakhapatnam

The High Court reserves the right to allot a different examination centre or change the examination centre due to administrative reasons. Requests for changing the allotted centre will not ordinarily be entertained. Details of Written Examination centres will be notified separately.

14. Important Dates

15. How to Apply Online

As per the notification, eligible candidates were required to submit their applications through the official website of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh. Applications through any other mode were not accepted.

The application process required candidates to enter their personal information, educational qualifications, reservation category and preferred examination centres. Candidates were also required to upload the prescribed certificates and pay the applicable examination fee through the online payment facility.

Before submitting the application, candidates should verify all the details entered in the application form. The notification cautions candidates that changes may not be permitted after submission. Candidates should retain a copy of the submitted application and payment details for their records.

Important: The last date for this recruitment was 26-10-2026. Since the deadline has expired, candidates should not assume that applications are currently being accepted. Apply only if the High Court officially announces an extension or a fresh application opportunity.

16. Important Instructions for Candidates

• Read the complete official recruitment notification before relying on the eligibility details.
• Enter accurate personal, educational and service details in the application form.
• Upload clear and valid certificates in the prescribed format.
• Claim reservation benefits only when eligible and supported by valid certificates.
• Keep original certificates ready for verification.
• Follow the instructions printed on the hall ticket and examination guidelines.
• Do not use unfair means or attempt to influence the recruitment process.
• Any false information or forged certificate may result in cancellation of candidature.
• No TA/DA will be paid for attending the recruitment examinations and selection stages, as stated in the notification.
• Check the official High Court website regularly for further announcements.

17. Conclusion

AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 is an important recruitment opportunity for eligible Law graduates and qualified government or judicial service employees seeking a position in the Andhra Pradesh Judicial Service. The notification announced 119 vacancies, consisting of 96 posts under Direct Recruitment and 23 posts under Recruitment by Transfer.

The recruitment process includes a Computer Based Screening Test, Written Examination and Viva Voce. Candidates must satisfy the prescribed educational qualifications, age requirements, reservation conditions and other eligibility criteria. The notification also provides details about the training period, Law Clerkship and the advertised pay scale of Rs. 77,840 – Rs. 1,36,520.

The online application deadline was 26 October 2026. Candidates interested in future judicial recruitment notifications should regularly check the official website and prepare according to the prescribed Civil Laws and Criminal Laws syllabus.