The High Court of Karnataka has issued Notification No. HCRB/CJR 09/2026 for direct recruitment to 90 Civil Judge posts. The official recruitment notification was issued on 16 April 2026.

Karnataka Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 – Overview

Organization: High Court of Karnataka
Post Name: Civil Judge
Total Vacancies: 90 Posts
Notification No.: HCRB/CJR 09/2026
Notification Date: 16 April 2026
Recruitment Type: Direct Recruitment
Job Category: Karnataka Government / Judiciary Jobs
Job Location: Karnataka
Application Mode: Online

Vacancy Details

Total Civil Judge Vacancies: 90

Reservation and category-wise distribution should be checked in the official recruitment notification before applying. The official Karnataka High Court recruitment page confirms that the notification is for direct recruitment of 90 Civil Judges.

Educational Qualification

Candidates applying for the Civil Judge post must satisfy the legal educational qualifications prescribed in the official notification.

Candidates should verify:

✓ Required Degree in Law (LL.B.)
✓ Enrolment/advocate requirements, where applicable
✓ Eligibility conditions applicable to fresh law graduates or practising advocates
✓ Recognition of the university/institution
✓ Required Kannada language proficiency
✓ Qualification cut-off date

Applicants should rely on the detailed official notification for the exact eligibility applicable to their category.

Age Limit

The Karnataka High Court recruitment portal specifies category-based maximum-age conditions. For example, the portal displays a maximum age of 40 years for General Merit candidates and higher limits for specified reserved categories.

Candidates should verify the exact age applicable to them from the notification, including:

✓ General Merit maximum age
✓ SC/ST relaxation
✓ Category-I relaxation
✓ Category 2A/2B/3A/3B relaxation
✓ Other applicable age concessions
✓ Age calculation date

Application Fee

Candidates must pay the examination/application fee prescribed for their category.

The exact fee, exemptions and payment procedure should be checked in the official Civil Judge notification before making payment.

Selection Process

Selection for Karnataka Civil Judge posts is conducted through the recruitment stages prescribed by the High Court.

The process generally includes:

✓ Preliminary Examination
✓ Main Written Examination
✓ Viva-Voce
✓ Computer Test, where prescribed
✓ Document Verification
✓ Medical/other eligibility verification
✓ Final Merit List

Candidates must qualify in the applicable stages to be considered for final appointment.

Preliminary Examination

The preliminary examination is the initial screening stage.

Candidates should prepare for areas prescribed in the official syllabus, including relevant branches of law, constitutional and procedural laws, general legal knowledge and other subjects specified by the High Court.

Only candidates qualifying according to the prescribed criteria proceed to subsequent stages.

Main Written Examination

Candidates shortlisted through the preliminary examination are required to appear for the Main Written Examination.

The Main examination tests a candidate's:

✓ Knowledge of substantive law
✓ Knowledge of procedural law
✓ Ability to apply legal principles
✓ Judgment-writing ability
✓ Legal reasoning and interpretation
✓ Language and writing skills, where prescribed

The exact papers, marks and qualifying requirements should be followed from the official notification.

Viva-Voce

Candidates who qualify in the written stages may be called for Viva-Voce.

The interview can assess:

✓ Legal knowledge
✓ Communication skills
✓ Judicial aptitude
✓ General awareness
✓ Personality and suitability for judicial service

Documents Required

Candidates should keep relevant original documents and copies ready.

✓ SSLC/10th marks card
✓ PUC/12th marks card
✓ LL.B./Law degree certificate
✓ Law degree marks cards
✓ Advocate enrolment certificate, where applicable
✓ Aadhaar card or valid photo ID
✓ Date of birth proof
✓ Caste/category certificate, if applicable
✓ Kalyana Karnataka/Article 371J certificate, if applicable
✓ Kannada-related certificate, where required
✓ Recent passport-size photograph
✓ Signature
✓ Other certificates specified by the High Court

How to Apply for Karnataka Civil Judge Recruitment 2026

Step 1: Visit the official High Court of Karnataka website.

Step 2: Open the Recruitment section.

Step 3: Find HCRB/CJR 09/2026 – Direct Recruitment of 90 Civil Judges.

Step 4: Download and read the complete notification.

Step 5: Verify your educational qualification, age and category eligibility.

Step 6: Open the online recruitment portal.

Step 7: Complete the online registration.

Step 8: Enter your personal, educational and other required information.

Step 9: Upload the required photograph, signature and documents.

Step 10: Pay the applicable examination fee.

Step 11: Review all information before final submission.

Step 12: Submit the application and retain a copy for future reference.

Important Links

Karnataka High Court – Civil Judge Recruitment 2026

Karnataka High Court – Recruitment Notifications

Karnataka High Court – Civil Judge Online Recruitment Portal

Important Instructions

✓ Read Notification No. HCRB/CJR 09/2026 carefully.

✓ Confirm your law-degree and other eligibility requirements before applying.

✓ Check the applicable age limit for your category.

✓ Enter all educational details exactly as shown in your certificates.

✓ Keep your application/registration number safely.

✓ Preserve the application and fee-payment receipt.

✓ Regularly check the Karnataka High Court website for examination, admit-card, result and further selection-stage updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many vacancies are available in Karnataka Civil Judge Recruitment 2026?

There are 90 Civil Judge vacancies.

Which organization is conducting the recruitment?

The recruitment is being conducted by the High Court of Karnataka.

What is the notification number?

The notification number is HCRB/CJR 09/2026.

When was the notification released?

The official recruitment page lists the notification date as 16 April 2026.

Is this direct recruitment?

Yes. The Karnataka High Court officially describes it as direct recruitment of 90 Civil Judges.

What qualification is required?

Candidates need the prescribed law qualification and other eligibility requirements specified by the High Court. Candidates should check the notification carefully because eligibility conditions can depend on the candidate's status and category.

Important Current-Status Note

This notification was issued in April 2026. Since it is now 21 August 2026, I would not display “Apply Now” or describe the application as currently open on your career page unless the High Court portal confirms that applications are still being accepted. The recruitment itself remains listed on the official Karnataka High Court website.

Disclaimer

The above information is for career guidance. Candidates must verify the latest application status, eligibility, age limit, fee, examination pattern, reservation rules and important dates through the official High Court of Karnataka recruitment notification before applying.