AP High Court Recruitment 2026: 119 Civil Judge (Junior Division) – Apply Online @ aphc.gov.in

Post-Wise Vacancy & Pay Scale

Direct Recruitment (96 Posts)

Recruitment by Transfer (23 Posts)

Selection against BC-E vacancies is subject to the outcome of Civil Appeal Nos. 2628-2637/2010 pending before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India. Vertical and horizontal reservations are governed by the AP State Judicial (Service & Cadre) Rules, 2026, read with Rules 22 and 22-A of the AP State and Subordinate Service Rules, 1996 (G.O.Ms.No.77 dated 02-08-2023).

Eligibility Criteria & Educational Qualification

Direct Recruitment – Eligibility

• Educational Qualification: Degree in Law (LLB) from any University established by law in India. Law graduates who obtained their degree within the preceding one year as on the date of notification are also eligible, as per the Supreme Court judgment in Bhumika Trust Vs. Union of India (Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1110/2025, dated 21-08-2026).
• Character: Candidates must possess good character and be free from any infirmity that renders them unfit for appointment.
• Definition: Direct Recruitment means appointment of a person who is not already in the service of the Government of India or State.

Recruitment by Transfer – Eligibility

• Educational Qualification: Degree in Law awarded by any University established by law in India.
• Service Status: Applicant must be a confirmed member or approved probationer in one of the following categories:
  • High Court of Andhra Pradesh: Section Officers, Court Officers, Scrutiny Officers, Accounts Officers, Court Masters, Personal Secretaries to Hon'ble Judges, Personal Secretaries to Registrars, Deputy Section Officers and Translators, Senior System Officers, Overseer, Assistant Section Officers, Computer Operators, Assistant Librarians, U.D. Stenographers, System Officers, Assistants, Examiners, Assistant Overseer, Typists and Copyists.
  • District Judiciary in Andhra Pradesh: Chief Administrative Officers, Senior Superintendents, Superintendents, Stenographers Grade-I, II and III, Senior Assistants, Junior Assistants and Typists.
  • Prosecution Services of Andhra Pradesh: Assistant Public Prosecutors, Senior Assistant Public Prosecutors, Additional Public Prosecutors Grade-II.
  • Section Officers: In the Law Department of the Secretariat and Legislature Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh.
  • Managers: Of the offices of the Advocate General, Government Pleaders, Public Prosecutors, and the Editor, I.L.R., State of Andhra Pradesh.
• Restriction: No person facing disciplinary charges, who has undergone or is under subsisting punishment for irregularity in discharge of duties, is eligible under Recruitment by Transfer.

Disqualifications (Direct Recruitment)

• Not being a citizen of India, or dismissed / removed / compulsorily retired from Judicial Service or any Government, Statutory, or Local Authority service.
• Convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude, or arrested in connection with any such crime.
• Permanently debarred or disqualified by the High Court, UPSC, or any State Public Service Commission from examinations or selections.
• Directly or indirectly influencing the recruitment authority for candidature.
• Having more than one wife living; or a woman marrying knowingly a person having a wife.
• Committed copying or misconduct in a Screening Test / Written Examination; or failed to complete the probation period of any post in Judicial or other Government service.
• An officer found to be of doubtful integrity in any year.

Salary / Stipend Structure

• Pay Scale: Rs. 77,840 – Rs. 1,36,520 per month for Civil Judge (Junior Division).
• Training Period (1 year at Judicial Academy): Selected candidates are designated as "Trainee Judicial Officers" and are paid a fixed emolument equivalent to one-half of the remuneration payable to a Civil Judge (Junior Division), along with the facilities and benefits ordinarily available to trainees at the Judicial Academy.
• Law Clerkship (1 year): After training, Trainee Judicial Officers undergo one year of structured Law Clerkship. The first six months are under the supervision of the Principal District / District and Sessions Judges or Members of the Higher Judicial Services; the remaining six months are under an Hon'ble Judge of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh. Emoluments remain the same as during training, with no further allowance.
• Regular Appointment: On completion of the Law Clerkship, the Hon'ble Judge places a reasoned evaluation report. If satisfactory, the Trainee Judicial Officer is confirmed to the regular post and entitled to the full pay scale and all service benefits.

Selection Process & Screening Clause

Stage 1: Screening Test (Computer Based Test)

• Pattern: 100 multiple-choice objective questions, 100 marks, 2-hour duration.
• Shortlisting: Candidates securing 40% and above are shortlisted in the ratio of 1:10 of available vacancies for the Written Examination. Candidates with identical marks are all called.
• Screening Test marks are not counted for the final merit list. Securing minimum qualifying marks does not guarantee a call for the Written Examination.

Stage 2: Written Examination

• Paper-III Part-I (40 marks): Translation passage from English to Telugu and Telugu to English.
• Paper-III Part-II (60 marks): Essay writing on legal subjects.
• Candidates must secure 40% in each part of Paper-III. Paper-III marks are not taken into account for eligibility for Viva Voce or for selection.
• Questions must be answered in English (except the translation test).

Minimum Marks for Viva Voce

Stage 3: Viva Voce

• Marks: 50. A candidate who remains absent is deemed disqualified.
• Call Ratio: 1:3 of available vacancies in respective categories after the Written Examination result. Candidates with identical cut-off marks are all called.
• Final Minimum Aggregate (Written + Viva): 60% for OC/EWS; 55% for BC; 50% for SC/ST and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (Direct Recruitment); 60% under Recruitment by Transfer.
• Tie-Break: Elder age → higher educational qualification → highest marks in prescribed qualification.
• Provisional selection is subject to verification of antecedents.

Screening Test Syllabus Highlights

• Civil Laws: CPC 1908, Indian Contract Act 1872, Hindu Marriage Act 1955, Hindu Succession Act 1956, Indian Easements Act 1882, Specific Relief Act 1963, Limitation Act 1963, Transfer of Property Act 1882, Civil Rules of Practice, Registration Act 1908, Indian Stamp Act 1899, AP Land Encroachment Act 1905, Indian Evidence Act 1872, Bharatiya Sakshya Abhiniyam 2023 (BSA).
• Criminal Laws: CrPC 1973, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 (BNSS), Indian Penal Code 1860, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (BNS), Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 (BSA), Negotiable Instruments Act 1881, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, Criminal Rules of Practice, AP Excise Act 1968, AP Gaming Act 1974, Juvenile Justice Act 2015, Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, Information Technology Act 2000, POCSO Act 2012, AP Forest Act 1967.

Screening Test Centres

The Screening Test will be conducted at Guntur, Kurnool, Rajahmundry (Rajamahendravaram), Tirupati, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam. Applicants must opt for three centres in the order of preference. The High Court may allot a centre other than the one chosen or abolish/create centres. Requests for change of centre will not be entertained.

Important Instructions

• No TA/DA will be paid for attending the Screening Test, Written Examination, or Viva Voce.
• After the application is submitted, candidates cannot edit options or replace documents.
• Original certificates must be produced on the date specified by the High Court; failure results in rejection of candidature.
• The High Court will not entertain any correspondence regarding the recruitment, and no information will be sent to unsuccessful candidates.
• Candidates must regularly check the official High Court website for updates.

Required Documents & Instructions for Candidates

• Original Matriculation (SSC) Certificate / Birth Certificate for Proof of Date of Birth
• LLB Degree Certificate and Consolidated Mark Sheets (all years/semesters)
• Community Certificate (SC/ST/BC Group A–E) in Central Government prescribed format
• BC Non-Creamy Layer Certificate issued in 2025 or 2026 (BC candidates only)
• EWS Certificate (2025–2026) issued by the Tahsildar showing family income below Rs. 8,00,000/- (EWS candidates only)
• Medical Board Certificate of Disability (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities)
• Ex-servicemen Discharge Certificate (if applicable)
• Declaration of Probation, Employer's permission proceedings, and latest Service & Conduct Certificate (Recruitment by Transfer candidates only)
• No-Objection Certificate from Employer — to be produced at the verification stage (Recruitment by Transfer candidates)
• Two recent passport-size photographs and a valid Photo ID Proof (Aadhaar / Voter ID / PAN)

Application Fee

Payment is online only. The fee is non-refundable under all circumstances, including rejection of application or cancellation of the notification.

How to Apply

1. Visit https://aphc.gov.in and open the online application portal (active from 01-10-2026 to 26-10-2026, 11:59 PM).
2. Select the recruitment category (Direct Recruitment or Recruitment by Transfer) and applicable reservation category.
3. Fill the application form with correct details and opt for three Screening Test centres in order of preference.
4. Upload all required certificates and documents as specified in the checklist.
5. Pay the applicable application/examination fee online.
6. Submit the application on or before 26-10-2026 (11:59 PM).
7. Download the Hall Ticket from the official website one week before the Screening Test.

Important Links

• Download AP High Court Civil Judge (Junior Division) Official Notification PDF (Advt. No. 118/2026-RC)
• Visit the Official High Court of Andhra Pradesh Website

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last date to apply for AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026?

The last date to submit the online application for Civil Judge (Junior Division) at the High Court of Andhra Pradesh is 26 October 2026, up to 11:59 PM. The application portal opens on 01 October 2026 at https://aphc.gov.in.

How many vacancies are there for Civil Judge (Junior Division)?

A total of 119 posts are notified, comprising 96 vacancies under Direct Recruitment and 23 vacancies under Recruitment by Transfer, as per Notification No. 118/2026-RC dated 25-09-2026.

What is the application fee for AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026?

The application fee is Rs. 1,500/- for Open Competition, EWS, and Backward Class candidates, and Rs. 750/- for SC, ST, and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities candidates. Payment is online only and is non-refundable.

What is the salary / pay scale for Civil Judge (Junior Division)?

The pay scale is Rs. 77,840 – Rs. 1,36,520 per month. During the first year of training at the Judicial Academy, candidates are paid one-half of this remuneration. The same reduced emolument continues during the one-year Law Clerkship period.

What is the selection process for AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment?

The selection process for Direct Recruitment comprises three stages: (1) Screening Test (computer-based, 100 objective questions); (2) Written Examination (three papers — Civil Laws, Criminal Laws, and English); and (3) Viva Voce (50 marks). Screening Test marks are not counted for the final merit list.

What is the age limit for Civil Judge (Junior Division) recruitment?

For Direct Recruitment, candidates must not have completed 35 years of age as on 01-09-2026 (with 5-year relaxation for SC/ST/BC/EWS and 10-year relaxation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities). For Recruitment by Transfer, the maximum age is 48 years as on 01-09-2026.