The High Court of Andhra Pradesh, based at Amaravati, is conducting a recruitment to fill 30 District Judge posts in the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service through a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination. The openings are meant for serving Civil Judges (Senior Division) seeking elevation to the district judiciary, a senior judicial role carrying higher responsibilities across the state's courts.
AP High Court Recruitment 2026 - District Judge Posts
Posted 01 Oct 2026Updated 01 Oct 2026R.O.C.No. 365/2026-RC
Total Vacancies
30
Last Date
15 Oct
Closed
Apply Mode
Offline
Full Time
Status
Application Closed
Recruitment status
Applications closed on 15 Oct 2026
- Notification30 Sept
- Applications Open
- Applications Closed15 Oct
About AP High Court District Judge Recruitment 2026
Job Overview
- Organization
- High Court of Andhra Pradesh
- Advertisement No.
- R.O.C.No. 365/2026-RC
- Post Name
- District Judge
- Job Location
- Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh
- Who Can Apply
- Only residents of Andhra Pradesh (Limited Departmental Competitive Examination among Civil Judges (Senior Division) in the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service)
- Job Type
- Full Time
- Age Limit
- Up to 35 years
- Gender
- All
- Nationality
- Indian
- Experience
- Not less than 3 years of qualifying service as Civil Judge (Senior Division) by the end of 31st March, 2026 and total service of 7 years including service rendered as Civil Judge (Junior Division) and Civil Judge (Senior Division) in the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service.
- Pay Scale
- Rs. 144840-194660
Vacancy Breakdown
District Judge
30
ST 2
| Post Name | ST | Total |
|---|---|---|
| District Judge | 2 | 30 |
Eligibility Details
District Judge - Qualification and Experience
Civil Judges (Senior Division) who have put in not less than 3 years of qualifying service as Civil Judge (Senior Division) by the end of 31st March, 2026 and total service of 7 years including service rendered as Civil Judge (Junior Division) and Civil Judge (Senior Division) in the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service.
| Post | Qualification |
|---|---|
| District Judge - Qualification and Experience | Civil Judges (Senior Division) who have put in not less than 3 years of qualifying service as Civil Judge (Senior Division) by the end of 31st March, 2026 and total service of 7 years including service rendered as Civil Judge (Junior Division) and Civil Judge (Senior Division) in the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service. |
Age Limit
Maximum 35 years as on 01.09.2026 (candidate must have completed 35 years of age as on the first day of September, 2026)
Selection Process
- 1Computer Based Screening Test
100 marks comprising 100 multiple choice objective questions of two hours duration; candidates securing 40% and above are shortlisted in the ratio of 1:10 of the available vacancies and the marks are not counted for the final merit.
- 2Written Examination
Three papers of 100 marks each of three hours duration: Paper-I Constitution and Civil Law, Paper-II Criminal Law and Paper-III English (Translation and Essay Writing).
- 3Viva Voce
50 marks; candidates successful in the written examination are called in the ratio of 1:3 of the available vacancies.
Shortlisting ratio: 1:10 of the available vacancies for the Written Examination; 1:3 of the available vacancies for Viva Voce
Exam Pattern
2 hours (Screening Test); 3 hours per paper (Written Examination)Computer Based Screening Test and Written Examination
Screening Test (100 multiple choice objective questions)
100 questions · 100 marks
Paper-I Constitution and Civil Law
100 marks
Paper-II Criminal Law
100 marks
Paper-III English (Translation and Essay Writing)
100 marks
| Subject | Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screening Test (100 multiple choice objective questions) | 100 | 100 | — |
| Paper-I Constitution and Civil Law | — | 100 | — |
| Paper-II Criminal Law | — | 100 | — |
| Paper-III English (Translation and Essay Writing) | — | 100 | — |
Salary Structure
Rs. 144840-194660
How to Apply
- 1Download the application pro forma from the High Court of Andhra Pradesh website
- 2Fill in the application form with correct personal, service and qualification details
- 3Attach attested copies of the date of birth/SSC certificate, Law Degree and other certificates
- 4Attach the community certificate issued by the Competent Authority if applying under SC or ST reservation
- 5Attach the service certificate in the cadre of Civil Judge (Senior Division) and the service certificate in the cadre of Civil Judge (Junior Division)
- 6Attach the hall ticket-cum-identity card in original and duplicate, the promotion proceedings as Civil Judge (Senior Division) and the appointment order of Civil Judge (Junior Division)
- 7Send the completed application to the office of the Principal District Judge concerned by Speed Post or Registered Post
- 8Ensure the application reaches the office of the Principal District Judge concerned before the closing time on the last date
Reporting Venue
Office of the Principal District Judge concerned
Documents to Carry / Upload
•Attested copy of certificate evidencing date of birth/SSC
•Law Degree and other certificates
•Attested copy of community certificate issued by the Competent Authority for SC and ST reservation showing the classification of the group
•Service Certificate in the cadre of Civil Judge (Senior Division) issued by the Competent Authority
•Service Certificate in the cadre of Civil Judge (Junior Division) issued by the Competent Authority
•Hall ticket-cum-identity card (original and duplicate)
•Attested copies of proceedings of promotion as Civil Judge (Senior Division)
•Appointment order of Civil Judge (Junior Division)
•Caste certificate for SC and ST candidates
Important Details
- This is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination open only to Civil Judges (Senior Division) in the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service.
- An officer who has committed copying or misconduct during a Screening Test or Written Examination, has been convicted in a criminal case, is compulsorily retired, removed or dismissed, could not complete probation, or has been found of doubtful integrity in any year is not eligible.
- Officers facing disciplinary charges or undergoing punishment for any irregularity in discharge of duties are also not eligible.
- Paper-III marks are not taken into account for eligibility for Viva Voce or selection; only Paper-I, Paper-II and Viva Voce marks count.
- Original certificates must be produced on the day of Viva Voce and candidature is rejected if any required certificate is not produced.
- No TA and DA is paid for the Screening Test, Written Examination or Viva Voce.
- The High Court may increase or decrease the number of vacancies or cancel the notification at any stage.
Tie-Breaking
If two or more candidates secure equal marks in the written examination and Viva Voce, the elder in age is considered for provisional selection. If there is a tie in age as well, the candidate with higher educational qualification is considered, and if that too is equal, the candidate with the highest marks in the prescribed educational qualification is considered.
Syllabus - Paper-I Constitution and Civil Law
- The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
- The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
- The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA)
- The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
- The Tenancy Laws including Land Reforms and Ceiling
- The Constitution of India
- Administrative Law
- The Transfer of Property Act, 1882
- The Indian Contract Act, 1872
- The Motor Vehicle Act, 1988
- The Specific Relief Act, 1963
- Laws on Inheritance, Succession, Marriage, Divorce, Adoption, Guardianship and Custody including in-country and inter-country adoptions
- The Family Courts Act, 1984
- The Indian Easements Act, 1882
- The Law of Torts
- The Limitation Act, 1963
- The Patents Act, 1970
- The Copyright Act, 1957
- The Trade Marks Act, 1999
- The Registration Act, 1908 and Stamp Act, 1899
Syllabus - Paper-II Criminal Law
- The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
- The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
- The Indian Penal Code, 1860
- The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS)
- The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA)
- The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS)
- The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955
- The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
- The Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881 (Sections 138 to 148)
- The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985
- The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988
- The A.P. Excise Act, 1968
- The A.P. Prohibition Act, 1995
- The Wild Life Protection Act, 1972
- The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
- The Electricity Act, 2003
- The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
- The Arms Act, 1959
- The A.P. Forest Act, 1967
Syllabus - Paper-III English (Translation and Essay Writing)
Paper-III is divided into two parts. Part-I carries 40 marks and requires translation of a passage from English to Telugu and from Telugu to English. Part-II carries 60 marks and tests essay writing on legal subjects only.
Reservation
Vertical reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes apply as per the A.P. State Judicial (Service and Cadre) Rules, 2026 read with amended Rules 22 and 22-A of the A.P. State and Subordinate Service Rules issued vide G.O.Ms.No.77 dated 02.08.2023 and G.O.Ms.No.46 dated 19.04.2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Computer Based Screening Test always conducted?
No. The notification states that conduct of the Screening Test will depend on the number of applications received from aspiring candidates.
Will candidates be paid TA or DA for attending the examination?
No. No TA and DA will be paid to candidates appearing for the Screening Test, the Written Examination or the Viva Voce.
Can a Civil Judge (Senior Division) facing a disciplinary enquiry apply?
No. An officer facing disciplinary charges or undergoing punishment for any irregularity in discharge of duties is not eligible for appointment through this examination.
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