High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh District Judge Recruitment 2026
High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh — Higher Judicial Service
Executive Summary & Key Facts
The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has issued an official recruitment notification for District Judge, announcing a total of 11 vacancies located in Jammu & Kashmir. The online application window opens on 03 October 2026 and closes on 15 October 2026. To be eligible, applicants must hold Civil Judges (Senior Division) having a minimum of three years' service as Civil Judge (Senior Division) with minimum of seven years' total service rendered as Civil Judge (Junior Division) and Civil Judge (Senior Division), in accordance with Rule 5(1)(b) read with Rule 7 of the Jammu & Kashmir Higher Judicial Service Rules, 2009. and be within the prescribed age limit of As per recruitment norms, with category relaxation applicable as per government guidelines. Selected candidates will receive an approved pay scale of Level J-5 (144840-194660). The selection procedure comprises The selection process consists of a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (Written Examination), Performance Assessment, and Viva voce.. For complete guidelines, syllabus breakdown, and official notification PDF, refer to the verified information below on ApplySarkariJob.
📅 District Judge - Important Dates & Schedule
| Application Start | 03 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|
| Last Date to Apply |
15 Oct 2026
|
| Fee Payment Deadline | 15 Oct 2026 |
📋 District Judge - Eligibility Criteria & Vacancy Overview
| Post Name | District Judge |
|---|---|
| Total Vacancies | 11 |
| Qualification | Civil Judges (Senior Division) having a minimum of three years' service as Civil Judge (Senior Division) with minimum of seven years' total service rendered as Civil Judge (Junior Division) and Civil Judge (Senior Division), in accordance with Rule 5(1)(b) read with Rule 7 of the Jammu & Kashmir Higher Judicial Service Rules, 2009. |
| Age Limit | As per recruitment norms |
| Salary | Level J-5 (144840-194660) |
| Application Fee |
General: ₹0
OBC: ₹0
EWS: ₹0
SC: ₹0
ST: ₹0
fee_exempted: Yes
payment_mode: Online
|
| Selection Process | The selection process consists of a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (Written Examination), Performance Assessment, and Viva voce. |
👥 Category-Wise Vacancy Details
Total Seats: 11Complete Salary Breakup & Allowances
7th CPC Level 5Level J-5 (Rs. 144,840 - 194,660) + Allowances
Expected In-Hand Salary for District Judge — Pay Level 5 (Grade Pay ₹2,800)
This post carries Pay Level 5 (Grade Pay ₹2,800) under the 7th Central Pay Commission with entry-level basic pay of ₹144,840/month. Below is the estimated monthly in-hand salary across all three city classifications (DA at 50% included).
| Component | X-City (Metro) | Y-City (Town) | Z-City (Rural) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹144,840 | ₹144,840 | ₹144,840 |
| Dearness Allowance (50%) | ₹72,420 | ₹72,420 | ₹72,420 |
| HRA | ₹43,452 (30%) | ₹28,968 (20%) | ₹14,484 (10%) |
| Transport Allowance (+ DA) | ₹5,400 | ₹2,700 | ₹2,700 |
| Gross Monthly Pay | ₹266,112 | ₹248,928 | ₹234,444 |
| Total Deductions (NPS, CGHS, etc.) | −₹22,206 | −₹22,206 | −₹22,206 |
| ✨ Estimated In-Hand Salary | ₹243,906 | ₹226,722 | ₹212,238 |
Estimates based on 7th CPC Pay Matrix with current DA rate (50%). Actual salary may vary based on posting location, additional allowances, and individual deductions. Use the interactive calculator below for detailed city-wise breakdown.
7th Pay Commission In-Hand Salary Explainer
Pay Level 5 (Grade Pay ₹2,800) • Starting Basic: ₹144,840/month
📝 District Judge - Detailed Notification Guide
Overview of High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh District Judge Recruitment 2026
The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has officially released advertisement number 2279 of 2026/RG, inviting applications for 11 District Judge vacancies under the Higher Judicial Service. This recruitment offers a prominent career advancement pathway for eligible judicial officers looking to serve in senior judicial capacities across the region. Aspiring candidates who meet the departmental requirements can explore all latest Jammu & Kashmir Government Jobs to stay updated on similar judicial and administrative openings.
Detailed Vacancy & Eligibility Breakdown
| Post Name | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| District Judge | 11 |
Detailed Vacancy & Eligibility Breakdown
| Post | Qualification Required |
|---|---|
| District Judge | Civil Judges (Senior Division) having a minimum of three years' service as Civil Judge (Senior Division) with minimum of seven years' total service rendered as Civil Judge (Junior Division) and Civil Judge (Senior Division), in accordance with Rule 5(1)(b) read with Rule 7 of the Jammu & Kashmir Higher Judicial Service Rules, 2009, as amended from time to time. |
Detailed Vacancy & Eligibility Breakdown
| Post | Pay Level / Pay |
|---|---|
| District Judge | Level J-5 (144840-194660) |
Detailed Vacancy & Eligibility Breakdown
| Part | Subject | Questions / Details | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Laws and Procedure | Questions relating to Laws and Procedure | 100 | 3 hours |
| Paper II | Judgment Writing | Framing and writing two judgments (one in a Civil matter and the other in a Criminal one) | 80 (40 each) | 90 minutes |
Detailed Vacancy & Eligibility Breakdown
| Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Last 5 years' ACRs | 35 |
| Judgments | 25 |
| Disposal (only contested cases) | 20 |
Candidates selected through this notification will be placed in permanent Group A officer positions under the Jammu & Kashmir Higher Judicial Service Rules, 2009. The application process is conducted entirely online via the official web portals, allowing eligible candidates to submit their candidature seamlessly before the final deadline of 15 October 2026. For candidates tracking judicial sector updates, this notification parallels other significant announcements like the Bombay High Court Nagpur Peon/Hamal/Farash Exam Date 2026 recruitment details.
Eligibility Criteria & Service Experience Requirements
Eligibility for the District Judge position is strictly governed by the Jammu & Kashmir Higher Judicial Service Rules, 2009. Applicants must hold specific judicial credentials before applying. For those seeking alternate positions, you can also check more Graduate jobs in Jammu & Kashmir across various state departments.
- Educational Qualification: Degree in Law/LLB from a recognized university, accompanied by service as Civil Judges (Senior Division).
- Service Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of three years of service as Civil Judge (Senior Division) with a minimum of seven years of total service rendered as Civil Judge (Junior Division) and Civil Judge (Senior Division) combined, in accordance with Rule 5(1)(b) read with Rule 7.
- Qualification Tiers: Graduate, Law/LLB, Higher Judicial Service.
Salary Structure & Remuneration Benefits
Selected candidates for the District Judge post will be compensated under the 7th Central Pay Commission pay matrix, ensuring an exceptional financial package along with statutory allowances. The salary structure is categorized under Level J-5.
- Pay Matrix Scale: Level J-5 (Rs. 144,840 to Rs. 194,660).
- Basic Pay: Rs. 144,840 per month.
- Estimated Gross Salary: Approximately Rs. 253,428 per month inclusive of Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance (TA).
- Estimated In-Hand Salary: Approximately Rs. 225,000 per month after mandatory deductions.
Selection Process & Examination Pattern
The selection methodology for the Higher Judicial Service comprises multiple rigorous evaluation tiers designed to test legal acumen, drafting proficiency, judicial record, and personal suitability.
- Stage 1: Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (Written Exam): Consists of Paper I (Laws and Procedure, 100 Marks, 3 hours duration) and Paper II (Judgment Writing, 80 Marks, 90 minutes duration).
- Stage 2: Performance Assessment: Evaluated out of 80 Marks total, covering Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs - 35 Marks), Certified Judgments (25 Marks), and Disposal Records (20 Marks).
- Stage 3: Viva Voce: Personal interview conducted for 20 Marks.
Application Fee & Exemption Details
As per the official notification issued by the High Court, candidates are exempt from paying any application fee. The application fee structure applies uniformly across categories:
- General / OBC / EWS / SC / ST: Rs. 0 (Fee Exempted)
- Payment Mode: Online submission where applicable, though no fee is charged under the current notification rules.
Step-by-Step Online Application Guide
Eligible candidates must complete their submissions through the official recruitment portal within the active window. Follow these steps to apply:
- Visit the official examination portal at Official Organization Website.
- Navigate to the active advertisement section for District Judge Recruitment 2026 (Advt. No. 2279 of 2026/RG).
- Log in using your service credentials on the portal at exams.jklhc.in.
- Fill out the application form with accurate service details, educational qualifications, and personal information.
- Review all entered details carefully before final online submission between 3 October 2026 and 15 October 2026.
Essential Documents Checklist
Applicants must keep the following documents ready for verification and upload during the application and performance assessment stages:
- Official service records and certificates confirming 7 years of total judicial service.
- Certified judgments and ACR records required for the performance assessment stage.
- Valid Photo Identity Proof (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, or Judicial ID).
- Law degree certificates and marksheets.
Important Official Links
- Apply Online Portal: Access Application Portal
- Official Notification PDF: Download Official Notification
- Official Website: Visit J&K High Court Website
⚠️ Important Application Guidelines & Instructions
- Submit the online application form strictly within the active window before the deadline.
- Verify service eligibility criteria under Jammu & Kashmir Higher Judicial Service Rules, 2009 before applying.