📋 Complete Advertisement & Guidelines
JK High Court & Ladakh District Judge – Quick Facts
- Recruiting Body: High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh
- Advertisement No.: 2279 of 2026/RG
- Total Vacancies: 11
- Post Name: District Judge
- Employment Nature: Permanent (Regular Cadre – Higher Judicial Service)
- Application Mode: Online via exams.jklhc.in
- Application Window: 3 October 2026 – 15 October 2026
- Pay Level: Level J-5 (₹1,44,840 – ₹1,94,660/month)
- Application Fee: Not mentioned in the notification
- Job Location: Jammu and Kashmir / Ladakh
Post-Wise Vacancy & Pay Scale
| Post Designation | Vacancies | Pay Level | Monthly Remuneration (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| District Judge | 11 | Level J-5 | ₹1,44,840 – ₹1,94,660 |
All 11 vacancies are for the post of District Judge. No other post is notified under this advertisement.
Eligibility Criteria & Educational Qualification
District Judge – Service Eligibility
- Minimum Experience: Candidates must be serving Civil Judges (Senior Division) with a minimum of 3 years' service as Civil Judge (Senior Division).
- Total Service: A minimum of 7 years' total service rendered as both Civil Judge (Junior Division) and Civil Judge (Senior Division) is required.
- Governing Rules: Appointments are made 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.
- Important: This is a departmental promotion channel. Only in-service judicial officers currently holding the post of Civil Judge (Senior Division) in the UT of J&K or Ladakh are eligible to apply.
Selection Process & Screening Clause
The selection is conducted through a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) comprising three components: Written Examination, Performance Assessment, and Viva Voce.
Written Examination (180 Marks)
| Paper | Subject | 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 one in a Criminal matter | 80 (40 each) | 90 minutes |
Performance Assessment (80 Marks)
| Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) – Last 5 years | 35 |
| Quality of Judgments | 25 |
| Disposal (Contested Cases only) | 20 |
Viva Voce (20 Marks)
- Aggregate Total: 280 marks (180 Written + 80 Performance + 20 Viva Voce)
- A candidate is eligible for viva voce only if they secure 50% marks in each written paper and 50% in Performance Assessment.
- Candidates must secure 55% or more marks in aggregate to be declared successful.
- No TA/DA will be paid for appearing in the examination.
How to Apply for JK High Court District Judge 2026
- Visit the official examination portal at exams.jklhc.in during the application window.
- Log in with your judicial service credentials.
- Complete the online application form with accurate service and personal details.
- Review all entered information carefully before final submission.
- Submit the application between 3 October 2026 and 15 October 2026. No applications will be accepted after the closing date.
Required Documents & Instructions for Candidates
- Original Matriculation (10th) Certificate / Birth Certificate as Proof of Date of Birth.
- All Degree and Consolidated Mark Sheets (Law Degree & Relevant Judicial Service Qualifications).
- Service Book extracts and ACR records for the last 5 years for the Performance Assessment component.
- Service Orders / Experience Certificates establishing minimum 3 years as Civil Judge (Senior Division) and 7 years total service.
- Valid Caste / Category Certificate in prescribed format (if claiming reservation).
- Two recent passport-size photographs and a valid Photo ID Proof (Aadhaar / Voter ID / PAN).
Important Links
- Apply Online for JK High Court District Judge 2026 – Examination Portal
- Download JK High Court District Judge Official Notification PDF (Advt No. 2279 of 2026/RG)
- Visit High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh Official Website
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for JK High Court District Judge recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 15 October 2026. The application window opens on 3 October 2026 on the portal exams.jklhc.in.
What is the eligibility criteria for the District Judge post?
Only serving Civil Judges (Senior Division) with a minimum of 3 years' service as Civil Judge (Senior Division) and a minimum of 7 years' total service across both Junior and Senior Division levels are eligible, as per Rule 5(1)(b) read with Rule 7 of the J&K Higher Judicial Service Rules, 2009.
What is the application fee for JK High Court District Judge recruitment?
The official notification (Advt No. 2279 of 2026/RG) does not specify any application fee for this recruitment.
What is the salary for the District Judge post?
The District Judge post carries a pay of Level J-5 (₹1,44,840 – ₹1,94,660 per month). This is a permanent cadre position under the J&K Higher Judicial Service.
What is the selection process for JK High Court District Judge?
Candidates are selected through a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination comprising: (1) Written Examination with two papers – Laws & Procedure (100 marks) and Judgment Writing (80 marks); (2) Performance Assessment (80 marks) based on ACRs, judgments, and disposal; and (3) Viva Voce (20 marks). A minimum of 55% aggregate is required for final selection.
Is this a permanent government job?
Yes. District Judge is a permanent cadre post under the J&K Higher Judicial Service. However, this particular recruitment is a departmental promotion channel – only currently serving Civil Judges (Senior Division) can apply through the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination.