AP High Court Civil Judge (Senior Division) Recruitment 2026 – Apply Offline for 16 Posts

A golden opportunity for serving judicial officers! The High Court of Andhra Pradesh has announced the Accelerated Promotion through Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) 2026 for promotion to the post of Civil Judge (Senior Division). This official notification (R.O.C. No. 366/2026-RC) is for candidates already serving in the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service.

AP High Court Civil Judge Vacancy 2026

There are a total of 16 vacancies for the post of Civil Judge (Senior Division) under this LDCE. The detailed vacancy breakdown by category is as follows:

Note: The High Court reserves the right to increase, decrease, or cancel any vacancy at any stage.

Eligibility Criteria for AP High Court Civil Judge LDCE 2026

This is NOT a direct recruitment for advocates or fresh law graduates. It is an accelerated promotion examination exclusively for:

• Officers currently serving as Civil Judge (Junior Division) under the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service.
• Candidates must have completed at least three years of service in that cadre by 31 March 2026.
• Must possess all necessary educational and service qualifications as per AP State Judicial Service rules.

Disqualification Conditions

The following officers are ineligible:

• Officers facing disciplinary charges.
• Officers undergoing punishment for any irregularity in duties.
• Officers whose integrity has been found doubtful in any year.

AP High Court Civil Judge Salary 2026

Selected candidates will be promoted to Civil Judge (Senior Division) with a competitive pay scale under the 7th CPC:

This promotion offers significant career growth, enhanced job security, and the prestige of a higher judicial position within the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service.

How to Apply for AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026

The application process is offline. Follow these steps carefully:

1. Download the official notification (R.O.C. No. 366/2026-RC) and prescribed application form from the AP High Court website: aphc.gov.in.
2. Fill in all personal, educational, and service details accurately.
3. Affix a recent passport-size photograph attested by the concerned Unit Head or Principal District Judge.
4. Prepare a Demand Draft for the application fee (Rs. 1,000 for Open/EWS/BC; Rs. 500 for SC/ST/PwBD) payable to "Registrar (Recruitment), High Court of Andhra Pradesh, Nelapadu, Amaravati".
5. Attach all required documents: attested copies of birth certificate, law degree, community certificate, service certificate, appointment order, DD, and hall ticket-cum-identity card (original & duplicate).
6. Sign and date the application.
7. Submit the completed application to the Office of the concerned Principal District Judge so it reaches by 5:00 PM on 1 October 2026.

Application Submission Address: Office of the concerned Principal District Judge, Andhra Pradesh. Applications must be routed through the appropriate official channel.

AP High Court Civil Judge Selection Process 2026

The selection involves multiple stages:

1. Computer-based Screening Test (if required): 100 MCQs, 100 marks, 2 hours. Minimum 40% to qualify. Shortlisting ratio 1:10. Marks not added to final score.
2. Written Examination: Three papers (Paper-I: Civil Laws, Paper-II: Criminal Laws, Paper-III: English) totaling 300 marks over 9 hours. Minimum qualifying marks: 55% in Paper-I & II, 60% aggregate, and 40% in each part of Paper-III.
3. Viva Voce: 50 marks. Candidates called at 3:1 ratio to vacancies. Final minimum aggregate: 60% in written exam + viva voce.

Final Merit List: Based on Paper-I, Paper-II, and Viva Voce marks. Paper-III and screening test marks are excluded. Tie-breaker: age, then higher educational qualification, then higher marks in qualification.

AP High Court Civil Judge Syllabus 2026

Civil Laws (Paper-I)

• Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
• Indian Succession Act, 1925
• Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
• Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 & Hindu Succession Act, 1956
• Specific Relief Act, 1963
• Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996
• Indian Contract Act, 1872; Indian Easements Act, 1882; Limitation Act, 1963
• Transfer of Property Act, 1882; Registration Act, 1908; Indian Stamp Act, 1899
• Andhra Pradesh Municipalities Act, 1965; Civil Rules of Practice; AP Civil Courts Act, 1972; AP Land Encroachment Act, 1905
• Indian Evidence Act, 1872; Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023

Criminal Laws (Paper-II)

• 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
• Criminal Rules of Practice
• Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, 1978
• Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 - Sections 138 to 148
• Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005

English (Paper-III)

• Part I (40 marks): Translation from English to Telugu and Telugu to English.
• Part II (60 marks): Essay writing on legal subjects.

AP High Court Civil Judge Important Dates 2026

Important Links

• Official Notification PDF (R.O.C. No. 366/2026-RC)
• AP High Court Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026