Vacancies: 79 · Posts: 1 · Type: Regular Government Service · Mode: Online · Fee: Not mentioned · Apply: 28 August–15 September 2026 · Salary: J-5 (indicative) · Selection: Written Exam + Viva-voce · Location: Karnataka
The High Court of Karnataka has opened a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for 79 District Judge posts under the 25% merit quota. Notification No. GOB(I) 47(1)/2026 dated 28 August 2026 is issued under Rule 4-B of the Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2025. This is not a public recruitment. Only serving Senior Civil Judges of the Karnataka Judicial Service may apply.
Online applications are accepted at judiciary.karnataka.gov.in until 15 September 2026, 11:59 PM. Eligibility is frozen as on 28 August 2026: three years as Senior Civil Judge, seven years in the combined Civil Judge and Senior Civil Judge cadre, and age 35 years or more.
The 79-post figure can change. The notification ties the cadre strength to Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1022/1989 (All India Judges’ Association v. Union of India), still pending before the Supreme Court. A maximum of three LDCE attempts is allowed.
Also Read: Southern Railway Act Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 4,471 Fresher & Ex-ITI Seats
Who Should Apply?
Serving Senior Civil Judges with 3 years in that cadre + 7 years combined Civil Judge / Senior Civil Judge service + age 35 years as on 28 August 2026 → District Judge (25% LDCE) – 79 posts
This drive is only for in-service officers of the Karnataka Judicial Service. Advocates, Civil Judges who have not reached the Senior Civil Judge grade, officers of other states, and the general public cannot apply.
Who cannot apply
- Anyone who is not a serving Senior Civil Judge in Karnataka
- Officers with fewer than 3 years as Senior Civil Judge as on 28 August 2026
- Officers with fewer than 7 years of combined service in Civil Judge + Senior Civil Judge cadres
- Officers below 35 years as on 28 August 2026
- Officers who have already used 3 LDCE attempts
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification No. GOB(I) 47(1)/2026 | 28 August 2026 |
| Eligibility reckoning date | 28 August 2026 |
| Online application window | 28 August 2026 to 15 September 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Written examination | To be notified on the High Court website |
| Viva-voce | To be notified after the written exam |
| Admission Card / Call Letter | Uploaded on the official website; SMS and e-mail alert |
Exam date, time and venue are not printed in this notification. Eligible names will be published on the High Court website. Appear at your own expense.
Quick Overview – Karnataka HC District Judge 2026
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | High Court of Karnataka, Bengaluru |
| Sector | Judiciary & Courts |
| Notification No. | GOB(I) 47(1)/2026 dated 28 August 2026 |
| Post | District Judge (25% LDCE quota) |
| Vacancies | 79 (subject to WP(C) 1022/1989) |
| Job Type | Regular Government Service (promotion by merit) |
| Who can apply | Serving Senior Civil Judges only |
| Job Location | Karnataka (district courts/sessions courts across the State) |
| Official Website | High Court of Karnataka recruitment portal |
| Last Date | 15 September 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Apply Online | Apply for Karnataka High Court District Judge LDCE 2026 |
| Notification PDF | Download Karnataka High Court LDCE District Judge 2026 PDF |
| Governing Rule | Rule 4-B, Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2025 |
| Selection | Written Examination + Viva-voce, strictly on merit |
| Official Language search term | ನೇಮಕಾತಿ / ಭರ್ತಿ |
Parent body: Government of Karnataka, Department of Law, Justice and Human Rights. Related pages: High Court of Karnataka organisation hub, Karnataka government jobs, judiciary sector jobs.
What Posts Are Available? – Karnataka HC Vacancy & Eligibility 2026
All 79 seats are in one designation. There is no category-wise (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) split in this notice. Selection is stated as strictly on merit through LDCE.
Interpretation: This is the 25% merit window inside the District Judge cadre. The other 50% of District Judge posts move by seniority-cum-merit plus a suitability test. The remaining 25% is direct recruitment from the Bar. If you already sit in the Senior Civil Judge grade and want a faster, exam-led jump, this is the window. Cadre numbers can still move after the Supreme Court case.
| Post Name | Vacancies | Qualification / Service | Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| District Judge (25% LDCE) | 79 | Serving Senior Civil Judge; 3 years in that cadre; 7 years combined Civil Judge + Senior Civil Judge; age 35+ as on 28.08.2026 | Not specified in this notice. Indicative SNJPC J-5: ₹1,44,840–₹1,94,660 |
Note: Vacancy count may change after the outcome of WP(C) No. 1022/1989.
Eligibility – Education, Age & Service
There is no fresh LLB cut-off here. You must already be a serving Senior Civil Judge. Service and age are counted on the notification date, 28 August 2026.
Use our Experience Calculator to confirm the 3-year and 7-year counts before you submit.
What Is the Age Limit?
| Category | Minimum age as on 28 August 2026 | Maximum age |
|---|---|---|
| All eligible Senior Civil Judges | 35 years | Not specified in this notification |
| Attempt cap | — | Maximum 3 attempts at this LDCE |
No upper-age table is printed. Standard civilian relaxations (OBC +3, SC/ST +5) are not stated for this internal exam.
Examples: ✅ A 35-year-old Senior Civil Judge born on 28 August 1991 — eligible (has attained 35 years as on 28 August 2026), if service conditions are also met. ❌ A 34-year-old Senior Civil Judge born on 29 August 1991 — not eligible (has not attained 35 years as on the cut-off date).
Use our Age Eligibility Calculator to check instantly.
What Is the District Judge Salary in Karnataka?
Pay is not printed in Notification GOB(I) 47(1)/2026.
- ✅ Confirmed: this is a promotion into the District Judge cadre of the Karnataka Judicial Service.
- ❓ Not specified in this notice: exact basic, DA, HRA, robe allowance or in-hand figure.
Karnataka has already implemented the Second National Judicial Pay Commission matrix (Government Order LAW LCE 214 2022). Under that matrix, District Judge (Entry Level) is Level J-5: ₹1,44,840–₹1,94,660. Civil Judge (Senior Division) II Stage ACP sits on the same J-5 entry. Selection Grade is J-6; Super Time Scale is J-7.
Indicative first-month picture at J-5 entry (Bengaluru treated as X-class for HRA; DA assumed near current central rates of about 55% — judicial officers follow the central DA formula):
| Component | Indicative amount |
|---|---|
| Basic (J-5 entry) | ₹1,44,840 |
| DA @ ~55% of basic | ~₹79,662 |
| HRA @ 30% of basic (X-class) | ~₹43,452 |
| Gross (before TA / other judicial allowances) | ~₹2.68 lakh |
| Indicative in-hand after NPS / tax / standard deductions | ~₹2.10–2.35 lakh/month |
This is an illustrative estimate, not an official salary slip. Actual pay depends on the officer’s existing stage in J-5/J-6, DA on the joining month, posting city HRA class, and deductions. Verify from the appointment order and the Law Department pay GO. Model a civilian-style slip on our 7th CPC Salary Calculator — treat the J-5 basic as the starting input; the official SNJPC matrix prevails.
District Judges also receive judicial-specific items in separate orders (robe allowance, sumptuary / conveyance as applicable). Do not treat those as guaranteed from this LDCE notice.
What Is the Application Fee?
Not mentioned in Notification GOB(I) 47(1)/2026. No SBI Collect or challan link is printed. Treat the form as fee-free unless a later circular says otherwise.
How to Apply?
Applications are online only on the High Court portal. No letter correspondence is entertained.
- Open the Karnataka High Court District Judge LDCE 2026 application page (also reachable from judiciary.karnataka.gov.in).
- Fill the form. A working mobile number and e-mail ID are compulsory. All later alerts go only through SMS and e-mail.
- Upload a recent passport-size photograph: white background, 5 cm × 3.6 cm, JPG, maximum 50 KB.
- Upload signature: black ballpoint on white paper, 2.5 cm × 7.5 cm, JPG, maximum 25 KB. Resize files with our Photo & Signature Resizer before upload.
- Recheck service dates and age as of 28 August 2026. Submit before 15 September 2026, 11:59 PM. The site stays open round the clock till that minute.
- Save the acknowledgement. Download the Admission Card later from the same website when the eligible list is published.
Read the General Instructions to Applicants PDF before you click submit. Also read Rule 4-B of the 2025 Amendment Rules.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating this as an open District Judge exam. It is closed to the Bar and to Civil Judges who are not yet Senior Civil Judges.
- Counting service till the last date instead of 28 August 2026. The cut-off is the notification date.
- Using an office e-mail or a number that you do not check. The High Court will not take blame for missed SMS or mail, and it will not reply to letters.
- Uploading a dark or cropped photo / signature that exceeds 50 KB or 25 KB. The form rejects unclear files.
- Burning a fourth attempt. The cap is three attempts for this LDCE.
ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಹೈಕೋರ್ಟ್ ಜಿಲ್ಲಾ ನ್ಯಾಯಾಧೀಶ LDCE ನೇಮಕಾತಿ 2026 – 79 ಹುದ್ದೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಆನ್ಲೈನ್ ಅರ್ಜಿ
ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಉಚ್ಚ ನ್ಯಾಯಾಲಯವು ಅಧಿಸೂಚನೆ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ GOB(I) 47(1)/2026 ರಡಿ ಜಿಲ್ಲಾ ನ್ಯಾಯಾಧೀಶ ಹುದ್ದೆಗೆ 25% LDCE ಕೋಟಾದಲ್ಲಿ 79 ಸ್ಥಾನಗಳಿಗೆ ಆಂತರಿಕ ಸ್ಪರ್ಧಾತ್ಮಕ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆ ನಡೆಸುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಇದು ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕ ನೇಮಕಾತಿ ಅಲ್ಲ. ಕೇವಲ ಸೇವೆಯಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಹಿರಿಯ ಸಿವಿಲ್ ಜಡ್ಜ್ಗಳು ಮಾತ್ರ ಅರ್ಜಿ ಹಾಕಬಹುದು. ಅಂತಿಮ ದಿನಾಂಕ 15 ಸೆಪ್ಟೆಂಬರ್ 2026, ರಾತ್ರಿ 11:59.
ಯಾರು ಅರ್ಜಿ ಹಾಕಬಹುದು? 28 ಆಗಸ್ಟ್ 2026ಕ್ಕೆ ಹಿರಿಯ ಸಿವಿಲ್ ಜಡ್ಜ್ ಆಗಿ ಕನಿಷ್ಠ 3 ವರ್ಷ ಸೇವೆ, ಸಿವಿಲ್ ಜಡ್ಜ್ ಮತ್ತು ಹಿರಿಯ ಸಿವಿಲ್ ಜಡ್ಜ್ ಒಟ್ಟು ಕನಿಷ್ಠ 7 ವರ್ಷ, ಮತ್ತು 35 ವರ್ಷ ವಯಸ್ಸು ಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿರಬೇಕು. ಗರಿಷ್ಠ 3 ಬಾರಿ ಮಾತ್ರ ಈ LDCEಗೆ ಕುಳಿತುಕೊಳ್ಳಬಹುದು. ವಕೀಲರು ಅಥವಾ ಇತರ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಇದು ತೆರೆದಿಲ್ಲ.
ವೇತನ ಮತ್ತು ಆಯ್ಕೆ ಹೇಗೆ? ಈ ಅಧಿಸೂಚನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ವೇತನ ಏಣಿ ಬರೆದಿಲ್ಲ. ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ನ್ಯಾಯಾಂಗ ಸೇವಾ ವೇತನ ಪರಿಷ್ಕರಣೆಯ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ಜಿಲ್ಲಾ ನ್ಯಾಯಾಧೀಶ (ಪ್ರವೇಶ ಹಂತ) J-5, ₹1,44,840–₹1,94,660. ಆಯ್ಕೆ ಲಿಖಿತ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆ ಮತ್ತು ಮೌಖಿಕ (ವಿವಾ-ವೋಸ್) ಮೂಲಕ, ಕೇವಲ ಮೆರಿಟ್ ಆಧಾರದಲ್ಲಿ. ಪಠ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ಈ ನೋಟೀಸ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಇಲ್ಲ; 2025ರ ತಿದ್ದುಪಡಿ ನಿಯಮಗಳನ್ನು ಓದಿ.
ಅರ್ಜಿ ಹೇಗೆ? judiciary.karnataka.gov.in ನಲ್ಲಿ ಆನ್ಲೈನ್ ಅರ್ಜಿ ಭರ್ತಿ ಮಾಡಿ. ಮೊಬೈಲ್ ಮತ್ತು ಇಮೇಲ್ ಕಡ್ಡಾಯ. ಬಿಳಿ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆಯ ಫೋಟೋ (ಗರಿಷ್ಠ 50 KB) ಮತ್ತು ಸಹಿ (ಗರಿಷ್ಠ 25 KB) ಅಪ್ಲೋಡ್ ಮಾಡಿ. SMS/ಇಮೇಲ್ ತಪ್ಪಿದರೆ ಹೈಕೋರ್ಟ್ ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿ ಹೊರುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. 79 ಸ್ಥಾನಗಳ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ ಸುಪ್ರೀಂ ಕೋರ್ಟ್ನ WP(C) 1022/1989 ಫಲಿತಾಂಶಕ್ಕೆ ಒಳಪಟ್ಟಿದೆ.
How Are Candidates Selected?
Selection is a two-stage Limited Departmental Competitive Examination under Rule 4-B, not a single interview.
- Scrutiny of online applications against the 28 August 2026 service and age tests.
- Publication of the eligible list on the High Court website.
- Written Examination at a venue fixed by the High Court.
- Viva-voce for those who clear the written stage.
- Merit list and promotion orders. Document checks continue at the call-letter stage.
No interview-only route is provided. Both written paper and viva-voce are part of the current notification.
Exam pattern: Not specified in GOB(I) 47(1)/2026. Syllabus, marks, duration and negative marking sit in the Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2025. Do not treat older direct-recruit District Judge prelims/mains papers as confirmed for this LDCE.
Admission Cards and viva Call Letters will be uploaded on the website. SMS and e-mail are only alerts. Carry the card to the hall.
Why Does Karnataka High Court Matter?
The High Court of Karnataka is the highest court in the State, with its principal seat at Bengaluru and benches at Dharwad and Kalaburagi. It administers the Karnataka Judicial Service, which staffs district and sessions courts across every unit. District Judges try sessions cases, hear civil appeals and sit as the senior-most officers in a district unit.
Candidates search this page because “Karnataka High Court District Judge LDCE”, “Senior Civil Judge promotion 2026” and “judiciary.karnataka.gov.in DJ PR” are the live phrases after 28 August. The 25% LDCE quota is the merit gate that sits beside the slower 50% seniority-cum-merit channel.
The honest limit: this page is useless if you are not already a Senior Civil Judge in Karnataka. Public applicants will waste a form. Cadre numbers can also shrink or grow after the pending Supreme Court writ.
The SahisarkariJobs.in Analyst’s Take
Compare this notice with the two other District Judge posts in the same cadre, not with IBPS or KPSC. The 50% seniority-cum-merit + suitability-test promotion is slower but does not demand a competitive written paper. The 25% direct recruitment from the Bar (the separate HCRB District Judge cycle earlier in 2026) is a different exam altogether, open to practising advocates. LDCE is the middle door: same destination, only for officers who already cleared the Senior Civil Judge grade and now want a merit jump.
Best fit: Senior Civil Judges who have crossed three years in grade, hold a clean 7-year combined service record, and can spare preparation time for a departmental written paper plus viva. Officers who have used zero or one of the three allowed attempts should treat this cycle as usable.
Who should keep the form closed: Civil Judges still short of Senior grade, officers who will turn 35 only after 28 August 2026, and anyone who has already sat this LDCE three times. Direct-recruit hopefuls from the Bar should ignore this URL and wait for the open District Judge advertisement.
Practical tip: Read Rule 4-B and the General Instructions PDF before you submit. Confirm your three-year and seven-year dates on a calendar against 28 August 2026, not against 15 September. One wrong service day is enough for rejection after the eligible list is drawn.
Also Read: Yadgir District Court Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 23 Typist, Process Server & Peon Posts
Typical High Court calendars put written tests a few months after the form closes. Plan joining, if selected, on a 6–9 month horizon rather than an immediate transfer order.
What Documents Are Required?
At application:
- Passport photograph (white background, 5 cm × 3.6 cm, JPG, ≤50 KB)
- Signature (2.5 cm × 7.5 cm, JPG, ≤25 KB)
- Active personal mobile and e-mail
At written exam/viva:
- Admission Card or Call Letter downloaded from the High Court website
- Identity documents as listed in the call letter
- Service and date-of-birth records the unit already holds; carry copies if the call letter asks
The present notice does not attach a long annexure of certificates. Follow the call letter when it is issued.
What Happens After Selection?
- Eligible-list publication and Admission Card download from judiciary.karnataka.gov.in.
- Written Examination at the notified centre, at your own cost.
- Viva-voce for those shortlisted, again at your own cost.
- Merit list drawn under Rule 4-B. Vacancy count may be recast if WP(C) 1022/1989 changes cadre strength.
- Promotion/appointment order into the District Judge cadre. Posting will be to a district or sessions court in Karnataka as decided by the High Court.
- You function as a District and Sessions Judge: sessions trials, civil appeals, unit administration. Further movement is to Selection Grade (J-6) and Super Time Scale (J-7) on the SNJPC rules, not through this LDCE again.
Contact & Helpline
Registrar (Recruitment), High Court of Karnataka
High Court Buildings, Opp. Vidhana Soudha, Ambedkar Veedhi, Bengaluru – 560 001
Phone: 080-22954688 · Recruitment desk also listed at 080-22954139 · rrecruit@hck.gov.in
Registrar General: 080-22954864 · rghck.kar@nic.in
The notification itself says the High Court will not entertain letter correspondence on this LDCE and is not responsible if SMS or e-mail fails. Use the phone lines only for genuine portal issues.
⚠️ Contact details sourced from the official website. Verify before calling. NEVER pay any money over phone or to any person claiming to offer job assistance. Report fraud to cybercrime.gov.in.
Important Links – Karnataka HC District Judge 2026
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Apply for Karnataka High Court District Judge LDCE 2026 |
| Notification PDF | Download Karnataka High Court LDCE District Judge 2026 PDF |
| General Instructions | Download Karnataka HC LDCE General Instructions PDF |
| Official Website | Visit the High Court of Karnataka website |
| Contact page | High Court of Karnataka Contact Us |
FAQs – Karnataka HC District Judge LDCE 2026
Q1: What is the last date to apply for Karnataka HC District Judge LDCE 2026?
A: 15 September 2026, 11:59 PM. The portal accepts forms round the clock till that minute. No extension is printed in GOB(I) 47(1)/2026.
Q2: What is the age limit for Karnataka HC District Judge LDCE?
A: Minimum 35 years as of 28 August 2026. No maximum age is printed. Standard OBC/SC/ST civilian add-ons are not stated for this internal exam.
Q3: Is there an exam for Karnataka HC District Judge LDCE, or is it interview-based?
A: Yes. Selection is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination: written paper first, then viva voce. Merit from both stages decides promotion. Syllabus is not in this notice.
Q4: What is the salary of a District Judge after this promotion?
A: Not printed here. Under Karnataka’s SNJPC matrix, District Judge (Entry Level) is J-5, ₹1,44,840–₹1,94,660. Indicative in-hand in an X-class city is about ₹2.10–2.35 lakh after deductions. Confirm from PayGov.
Q5: Can final-year students or result-awaited candidates apply for this LDCE?
A: No. This is not a campus or Bar exam. Only serving Senior Civil Judges who already meet the 3-year and 7-year service tests on 28 August 2026 can apply.
Q6: Is Karnataka HC District Judge LDCE a permanent government job?
A: Yes. It is a promotion within the Karnataka Judicial Service, a regular state judicial cadre. It is not contractual and not an apprenticeship.
Q7: Can candidates from other states apply for this recruitment?
A: No. Only Senior Civil Judges of the Karnataka Judicial Service are eligible. Officers of other High Courts and private advocates are outside this notice.
Q8: Where will I be posted if selected as District Judge?
A: Inside Karnataka, at a district or sessions court allotted by the High Court. You do not pick the first station in this notification.
Q9: How many times can I attempt this LDCE?
A: Three attempts in total. A fourth sitting is not allowed under this notification.
Q10: Is this the same as the open District Judge recruitment from the Bar?
A: No. Direct recruitment is a separate 25% quota for practising advocates. This LDCE is only the 25% in-service merit quota.
Q11: What are the disadvantages of this LDCE route?
A: Worth knowing before you apply: the written syllabus is not in the current PDF, vacancies can change after the pending Supreme Court writ, and you travel for the exam and viva at your own cost. The 50% seniority channel still exists if you prefer not to sit a competitive paper.
Q12: What is the salary of a District Judge in a state judiciary?
A: Entry-level District Judges under the SNJPC J-5 matrix start at ₹1,44,840 basic. With DA and HRA, gross pay commonly crosses ₹2.5 lakh in large cities before tax. Exact slips follow each State’s judicial pay GO.
Q13: Do High Court departmental promotions include a physical test?
A: No PET or PST is mentioned for this District Judge LDCE. Selection is written examination plus viva-voce only.
Final Checklist – Is This the Right Job for You?
- You are a serving Senior Civil Judge in the Karnataka Judicial Service.
- You complete 3 years in that cadre and 7 years of combined service as of 28 August 2026.
- You will have attained 35 years on that date and have attempts left (cap of 3).
- You accept a written exam + viva, with dates still to be notified.
- You can serve as a District Judge anywhere in Karnataka after promotion.
📄 Source: Official notification released by the High Court of Karnataka on 28 August 2026. All details sourced from Notification No. GOB(I) 47(1)/2026 and the High Court website.
