High Court of Andhra Pradesh Civil Judge (Senior Division) LDCE 2026

AP High Court Civil Judge (Senior Division) LDCE 2026: 16 Posts Notification Out

The High Court of Andhra Pradesh at Amaravati has released an official recruitment notification (R.O.C. No. 366/2026-RC) for the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) 2026. This is a significant opportunity for eligible serving Civil Judges (Junior Division) to advance their careers to the rank of Civil Judge (Senior Division). A total of 16 vacancies have been announced, offering a promising career path within the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service.

Candidates aspiring for this prestigious promotion are required to submit their applications offline. The application window is open from 17 September 2026, and the deadline for submission is 1 October 2026. This recruitment drive is a crucial step for judicial officers looking to explore all latest Andhra Pradesh Government Jobs and achieve higher judicial roles, promising both professional growth and enhanced responsibility within the state's legal system.

Eligibility Criteria

This LDCE is specifically designed for serving judicial officers. Candidates must meet the following stringent qualifications as on 31 March 2026:

• Educational Qualification & Service: Applicants must be serving Civil Judges (Junior Division) in the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service.
• Experience: A minimum of three years of service in the cadre of Civil Judge (Junior Division) is mandatory by 31 March 2026.
• Additional Qualifications: Candidates must also possess all other educational and service qualifications prescribed under the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service rules.

Salary Structure

Successful candidates appointed as Civil Judge (Senior Division) will be compensated handsomely, reflecting the significant responsibility of the role. The pay scale is as per the 7th CPC recommendations.

• Pay Scale: Rs. 1,11,000 to Rs. 1,63,030
• Pay Level: Level 10 of the Pay Matrix

Application Fee

Candidates are required to pay a non-refundable application fee via Demand Draft. The fee structure varies based on the candidate's category:

• Payment Mode: Demand Draft (DD) drawn in favour of the Registrar (Recruitment), High Court of Andhra Pradesh, Nelapadu, Amaravati.

Selection Methodology & Exam Pattern

The selection process for promotion to Civil Judge (Senior Division) is rigorous and multi-staged, designed to assess the competence and suitability of judicial officers. It comprises a screening test, a comprehensive written examination, a viva voce, and document verification.

Selection Stages:

1. Stage 1: Screening Test
2. Stage 2: Written Examination
3. Stage 3: Viva Voce
4. Stage 4: Document Verification

Detailed Exam Pattern:

• Screening Test:
  • Type: Objective questions
  • Total Questions: 100
  • Total Marks: 100
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Qualifying Marks: Minimum 40%
  • Purpose: Used solely for shortlisting candidates for the Written Examination in a 1:10 ratio (10 candidates for every vacancy).
• Written Examination:
  • Consists of three papers, each with a duration of 3 hours.
  • Paper I: Civil Laws (100 Marks)
  • Paper II: Criminal Laws (100 Marks)
  • Paper III: English Translation and Essay Writing (100 Marks)
    • Note: Paper III requires 40% separately in each part to qualify. However, the marks obtained in Paper III are not counted for final merit.
• Viva Voce:
  • Carries 50 marks. This stage assesses personality, communication skills, and depth of legal understanding.

The final merit list will be prepared based on the combined marks obtained in Paper I (Civil Laws), Paper II (Criminal Laws), and the Viva Voce. Given the competitive nature, diligent preparation across all stages is paramount.

How to Apply (Offline) for AP High Court Civil Judge LDCE 2026

Candidates must follow these steps carefully to submit their applications offline before the deadline:

1. Download Notification & Form: Visit the official website of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh (aphc.gov.in). Locate and download the Notification R.O.C. No. 366/2026-RC along with the prescribed application form.
2. Fill the Application Form: Complete all sections of the application form accurately. Provide personal details, service particulars, educational qualifications, and category details without any errors.
3. Prepare Demand Draft: Obtain a Demand Draft for the applicable examination fee (Rs. 1000 for General/OBC/EWS/Female, Rs. 500 for SC/ST). The DD should be drawn in favour of the Registrar (Recruitment), High Court of Andhra Pradesh, Nelapadu, Amaravati.
4. Attach Required Documents: Gather all necessary certificates and enclosures. Ensure that a recent passport-size photograph, attested by your concerned Unit Head or Principal District Judge, is affixed. Also, prepare the Hall Ticket-cum-Identity Card in original and duplicate.
5. Submit Application: Place the completed application form, original Demand Draft, attested photograph, Hall Ticket-cum-Identity Card (original and duplicate), and all other required self-attested certificates into an envelope.
6. Dispatch: Submit the sealed envelope to the office of your concerned Principal District Judge. Ensure that the application reaches the office by 5:00 PM on 1 October 2026. Candidates are advised to submit well in advance to avoid any last-minute delays.

Essential Documents Checklist

Candidates must ensure they have all the following documents ready for attachment with the application form and for verification during the viva voce stage. It's crucial to carry all original certificates for verification.

• Date of Birth Proof: Date of birth certificate or SSC (Class 10th) certificate.
• Law Degree Certificate: Original Law degree certificate.
• Other Educational Certificates: All other relevant educational qualification certificates.
• Community Certificate: For SC and ST candidates claiming reservation, a valid community certificate.
• Service Certificate: Certificate proving service in the cadre of Civil Judge (Junior Division).
• Appointment Order: Copy of the appointment order as Civil Judge (Junior Division).
• Demand Draft: Original Demand Draft for the applicable examination fee.
• Hall Ticket-cum-Identity Card: Duly filled Hall ticket-cum-identity card (in original and duplicate).
• Passport-size Photograph: A recent passport-size photograph, attested by the concerned Unit Head or Principal District Judge.
• Original Certificates: All original certificates must be presented for verification during the viva voce.

Candidates can also check more Graduate jobs in Andhra Pradesh if they are exploring other government job opportunities in the state.

Important Links

Access the official notification and website directly for comprehensive details and to download the application form.

• Download Official Notification PDF
• Official Website of Andhra Pradesh High Court