The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has issued Notification No. 2510 of 2026/RG dated 3 October 2026 to re-advertise 16 District Judge (Entry Level) posts through direct recruitment. The posts carry Pay Level J-5: ₹1,44,840–₹1,94,660.
Online applications are accepted from 5 October 2026 to 4 November 2026 through the High Court recruitment portal. This recruitment is intended for experienced legal professionals: applicants must hold a recognized law degree and satisfy the prescribed seven-year continuous practice/service requirement.
Important: Candidates who had validly applied under the earlier 2024 notifications, were eligible under the rules then in force, and whose candidature was not rejected need not apply again.
J&K and Ladakh High Court District Judge Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting authority | High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh |
| Notification | 2510 of 2026/RG |
| Notification date | 3 October 2026 |
| Post | District Judge (Entry Level) |
| Recruitment mode | Direct recruitment |
| Total vacancies | 16 |
| Pay level | J-5: ₹1,44,840–₹1,94,660 |
| Application mode | Online |
| Application start | 5 October 2026 |
| Last date | 4 November 2026 |
| Application fee | ₹1,200 |
| Minimum age | 35 years |
| Maximum age | 45 years before applicable relaxation |
| Essential qualification | Recognized Degree in Law |
| Experience | Minimum 7 years qualifying continuous legal/judicial experience |
| Residence condition | J&K domicile or Ladakh resident, as prescribed |
| Language condition | Proficiency in reading and writing Urdu |
Category-Wise Vacancy Breakdown
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| OM | 4 |
| SC | 2 |
| ST-1 | 1 |
| ST-2 | 2 |
| ALC | 1 |
| OBC | 2 |
| RBA | 2 |
| EWS | 2 |
| Total | 16 |
The category total is 16, matching the notified recruitment strength.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification issued | 3 October 2026 |
| Online application starts | 5 October 2026 |
| Last date to apply and pay fee | 4 November 2026 |
| Written examination date | To be notified separately |
| Viva-voce schedule | To be notified separately |
Candidates should monitor the High Court website for examination and interview schedules. The notification states that no separate call through print or electronic media should be expected in place of checking the official website.
Eligibility and Qualification
| Requirement | Official condition |
|---|---|
| Educational qualification | Degree in Law from a university established by law in India and recognized by the Bar Council of India |
| Advocate route | Practicing advocate in courts of civil and criminal jurisdiction with at least 7 years of actual continuous practice |
| In-service route | Combined continuous experience of 7 years or more as an Advocate and in Judicial Service by the last date |
| Citizenship | Citizen of India |
| Residence | J&K domicile under the applicable domicile rules, or resident of Ladakh under the applicable Resident Certificate Order |
| Language | Must be proficient in reading and writing Urdu |
For the experience condition, the notification includes practicing Advocates, Pleaders/Government Pleaders and Public Prosecutors within the stated definition. Practicing advocates must upload the prescribed experience certificate; in-service judicial officers must submit the prescribed service/experience certificate.
Age Limit
The age condition is calculated as on the last date for receipt of applications, 4 November 2026.
| Category | Age condition |
|---|---|
| General rule | 35 to 45 years |
| SC / ST / PwBD / OBC | Upper age limit relaxable by 2 years |
Candidates should ensure they satisfy the notified age condition on the closing date before submitting the application.
Application Fee
| Candidate | Fee |
|---|---|
| All applicants submitting a fresh application | ₹1,200 |
The fee must be deposited online after successful submission of the application form.
Salary / Pay Level
| Post | Pay Level | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
| District Judge (Entry Level) | J-5 | ₹1,44,840–₹1,94,660 |
The notification specifies the judicial pay level and scale for the advertised posts. Other admissible allowances and service conditions are governed by the applicable rules.
Selection Process
The direct recruitment competitive examination has two stages: written examination and viva-voce.
| Stage | Pattern / Marks |
|---|---|
| Written Paper I | 80 marks, 2 hours |
| Written Paper II | 80 marks, 2 hours |
| Written total | 160 marks |
| Viva-voce | 40 marks |
| Final selection | Cumulative marks of written examination and viva-voce |
Candidates securing 50% or more in the written examination are considered for viva-voce in merit order, generally in a ratio of three candidates for each available vacancy. The notified qualifying threshold for SC/ST/PwBD candidates is 45% in the written examination. The notification also prescribes corresponding qualifying standards for viva-voce.
Written Examination Syllabus
The detailed syllabus is attached as Annexure-C to the official notification. Broadly, it includes two papers covering legal writing, constitutional and civil law subjects, criminal law, procedural laws and other laws applicable to the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Candidates should use the official Annexure-C as the final syllabus reference because the notification lists the individual subjects and applicable legislation in detail.
Documents to Upload
| Document | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Date of birth proof | Secondary School / Matric certificate |
| Domicile / residence proof | J&K Domicile Certificate or Ladakh Residence Certificate, as applicable |
| Educational proof | Bachelor’s Degree in Law |
| Experience proof | Prescribed experience certificate for practicing advocates |
| In-service certificate | Prescribed service/experience certificate for judicial officers, where applicable |
| Reserved category proof | Valid category certificate, if claiming reservation |
Providing incorrect information can lead to rejection of candidature at any stage.
Important Note for Candidates Who Applied Earlier
This notification supersedes the earlier Advertisement Notification No. 1841 of 2024/RG/GS dated 8 August 2024, read with the corrigendum dated 12 August 2024.
Candidates who had applied pursuant to the earlier specified 2024 notifications, were eligible under the rules then in force, and whose candidature was not rejected do not need to submit a fresh application. Other eligible candidates should apply within the current online window.
How to Apply
- Read the Official District Judge Notification carefully, including the eligibility clauses and annexures.
- Open the High Court Recruitment Portal during the application window.
- Complete the online application with accurate personal, educational, residence and professional details.
- Upload the prescribed date-of-birth, domicile/residence, law degree, experience/service and category documents, as applicable.
- Pay the ₹1,200 application fee online.
- Submit the form by 4 November 2026 and retain the application printout and fee receipt for future requirements.
Applications sent through a mode other than the notified online process are not accepted.
Important Links
| Link | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | High Court recruitment portal |
| Official Notification | Notification No. 2510 of 2026/RG and annexures |
| High Court Notifications | Recruitment updates and examination notices |
| High Court Official Website | Official website |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vacancies are available in the J&K and Ladakh High Court District Judge Recruitment 2026?
There are 16 District Judge (Entry Level) vacancies under direct recruitment.
What is the last date to apply?
The online application and fee must be completed by 4 November 2026.
What qualification is required?
Applicants must hold a Degree in Law from a recognized university and satisfy the prescribed professional experience condition.
Is seven years of experience compulsory?
Yes. The direct recruitment rules in this notification require at least seven years of qualifying continuous practice, or the prescribed combined advocate and judicial-service experience for eligible in-service candidates.
Can candidates from anywhere in India apply?
No. In addition to Indian citizenship, the notification requires the candidate to be a domicile of Jammu & Kashmir or a resident of Ladakh, as defined in the applicable rules/order.
Is Urdu proficiency mandatory?
Yes. Applicants must be proficient in reading and writing Urdu.
What is the application fee?
The notified online application fee is ₹1,200.
Do candidates who applied under the earlier 2024 notifications need to apply again?
Not necessarily. Candidates covered by the notification’s exemption—those who had applied earlier, were eligible under the rules then in force and whose candidature was not rejected—need not apply again.