J&K District Judge (Entry Level) 2026 — 16 Posts, Apply by 04 Nov

J&K High Court District Judge Recruitment 2026 is out: the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has issued Notification No. 4770-783 of 2026/RG dated 03 October 2026 for 16 District Judge (Entry Level) posts by direct recruitment from the Bar, in continuation of the earlier Notification No. 1841 of 2024. The posts are split as Open Merit 4, SC 2, ST-1 1, ST-2 2, ALC 1, OBC 2, RBA 2 and EWS 2. This J&K judicial job 2026 is open to advocates with seven years of practice who are domiciles of J&K or Ladakh. Selected District Judges will preside over civil and sessions courts across the UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Selection is through a written examination of two 80-mark papers — Paper I on the Constitution, civil laws, essay and judgment writing with Urdu translation, and Paper II on BNS/IPC, BNSS/CrPC, BSA/Evidence Act and special criminal laws — followed by a 40-mark viva-voce for candidates scoring 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwBD). District Judges are paid at Pay Level J-5 of the Judicial Pay Matrix, ₹1,44,840 to ₹1,94,660 per month. The J&K High Court District Judge 2026 online application is available at exams.jklhc.in from 05 October 2026. The last date to apply and pay the ₹1,200 fee for J&K High Court District Judge Recruitment 2026 is 04 November 2026. Candidates who applied earlier under Notification No. 1841 of 2024 or No. 03 of 2024 and were not rejected need not apply again. Read the official notification PDF before applying.

• Degree in Law (LLB) from a university recognised by the Bar Council of India.
• Seven years of continuous practice as an Advocate in civil and criminal courts as on the last date of application; "Advocate" includes pleaders, government pleaders and public prosecutors.
• In-service candidates need seven years or more of combined service as an Advocate and Judicial Officer.
• Ability to read and write Urdu is mandatory.
• Must be an Indian citizen and a domicile of the UT of Jammu & Kashmir or the UT of Ladakh under the applicable rules.
• Experience must be proved through Annexure-A (practising advocates) or Annexure-B (in-service officers).
• Minimum percentage of marks: not specified for the law degree.

• 35 to 45 years as on the last date of application (04.11.2026)
• SC / ST / PwBD / OBC: 2 years relaxation

• LLB from a BCI-recognised university
• Seven years of continuous practice as an Advocate (or combined Advocate + Judicial service for in-service candidates) as on 04 November 2026
• Age: 35 to 45 years as on 04 November 2026, with 2 years relaxation for SC/ST/PwBD/OBC
• Ability to read and write Urdu
• Domicile of the UT of Jammu & Kashmir or the UT of Ladakh
• Earlier applicants under Notification 1841 of 2024 or 03 of 2024 who were not rejected need not reapply
• Written exam qualifying mark of 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwBD); viva shortlist at three candidates per vacancy
• Reserved-category claims remain provisional until certificates are verified
• No TA/DA for the examination or interview
• Post nature: regular post in the Higher Judicial Service of J&K and Ladakh

• All categories: ₹1,200/-
• Paid online after submitting the application form, by 04.11.2026

• Pay Level J-5 (Judicial Pay Matrix): ₹1,44,840 – ₹1,94,660 per month
• Plus allowances admissible to District Judges under the Judicial Pay Commission recommendations

1. Visit https://www.jkhighcourt.nic.in — the official website of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh
2. Download Notification No. 4770-783 of 2026/RG for District Judge (Entry Level) and read the eligibility conditions
3. Open the recruitment portal at exams.jklhc.in
4. Register with a valid email ID and mobile number
5. Fill in personal, domicile, category, educational and practice details
6. Upload date of birth certificate, domicile certificate, law degree and experience certificate (Annexure-A or B)
7. Upload the category certificate if claiming reservation
8. Submit the form and pay the ₹1,200 fee online
9. Complete the application and fee payment before 04 November 2026
10. Print the application and watch the High Court website for the exam date and venue