The High Court of Andhra Pradesh, the highest judicial body of the state, has announced recruitment for District Judge (Entry Level) posts in the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service through direct recruitment. A total of 10 posts are on offer, filled category wise as per the prescribed reservation quota. The appointment is to the cadre of District Judges, a senior judicial position in the state's district judiciary, and the recruitment is being held under the framework set by the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service and Cadre Rules.
AP High Court Recruitment 2026 - District Judge (Entry Level) Posts
Posted 01 Oct 2026Updated 01 Oct 2026NOTIFICATION NO.364/2026
Total Vacancies
10
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
AP High Court District Judge (Entry Level) Recruitment 2026
Job Overview
- Organization
- High Court of Andhra Pradesh
- Advertisement No.
- NOTIFICATION NO.364/2026
- Post Name
- District Judge (Entry Level)
- Job Location
- Andhra Pradesh
- Job Type
- Full Time
- Age Limit
- 35–45 years
- Gender
- All
- Nationality
- Indian
- Experience
- Not less than 7 years of practice as an Advocate as on 30.09.2026, or a combined standing of seven years or more as an Advocate or Judicial Officer, or as an Assistant Public Prosecutor, Additional Public Prosecutor or Public Prosecutor.
- Credentials Required
- Bar Council Enrolment Certificate; original practice certificate issued by the Bar Association
- Pay Scale
- Rs. 144840-194660 per month
Vacancy Breakdown
District Judge (Entry Level)
10
UR 2SC 1ST 2EWS 2
| Post Name | UR | SC | ST | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District Judge (Entry Level) | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
Eligibility Details
District Judge (Entry Level) - Qualification and Experience
A person who has been practicing for not less than 7 years as an Advocate as on the date of publication of Notification on the News Papers/website of High Court i.e. 30.09.2026; or one who has been or who is in Judicial service and has a combined standing/experience of seven years or more as an Advocate or a Judicial Officer as on 30.09.2026; or the Assistant Public Prosecutors and Additional Public Prosecutors/Public Prosecutors who completed the combined standing/experience of seven years or more as an Advocate or service as on 30.09.2026. The candidate must be of good character and free from any infirmity which renders him/her unfit for such appointment.
| Post | Qualification |
|---|---|
| District Judge (Entry Level) - Qualification and Experience | A person who has been practicing for not less than 7 years as an Advocate as on the date of publication of Notification on the News Papers/website of High Court i.e. 30.09.2026; or one who has been or who is in Judicial service and has a combined standing/experience of seven years or more as an Advocate or a Judicial Officer as on 30.09.2026; or the Assistant Public Prosecutors and Additional Public Prosecutors/Public Prosecutors who completed the combined standing/experience of seven years or more as an Advocate or service as on 30.09.2026. The candidate must be of good character and free from any infirmity which renders him/her unfit for such appointment. |
Age Limit
35 to 45 years as on 01.09.2026
Age Relaxation
Upper age limit relaxable by 3 years for SC, ST, Backward Classes and EWS candidates.
Application Fee
OC / BC / EWS
Rs. 1500
SC / ST / Persons with Benchmark Disabilities
Rs. 750
Bank Details for Fee Payment
Crossed Demand Draft drawn in favour of Registrar (Recruitment), High Court of Andhra Pradesh, Nelapadu, Amaravati, payable at Nelapadu.
Selection Process
- 1Computer Based Screening Test
100 multiple choice objective questions for 100 marks in two hours; candidates securing 40% and above are short-listed in the ratio of 1:10 of the available vacancies. Marks are not counted for the final merit.
- 2Written Examination
Three papers of 100 marks each, three hours per paper: Paper-I Constitution and Civil Law, Paper-II Criminal Law, Paper-III English (Translation and Essay Writing).
- 3Viva Voce
Carries 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 for Viva Voce
Exam Pattern
2 hours for the Screening Test; 3 hours for each written paperComputer Based Screening Test and Written Examination
Screening Test
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 | 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 per month
How to Apply
- 1Download the prescribed application pro forma from the High Court of Andhra Pradesh website.
- 2Fill the application form with correct particulars and paste a recent passport size photograph attested by the Presiding Officer or Principal District Judge concerned.
- 3Attach self-attested copies of the SSC certificate, law degree, community or EWS certificate, Bar Council enrolment certificate and the other required documents.
- 4Enclose a crossed Demand Draft for the applicable fee drawn in favour of Registrar (Recruitment), High Court of Andhra Pradesh, Nelapadu, Amaravati, payable at Nelapadu.
- 5Superscribe the cover as Application for appointment to the post of District Judge (Entry Level) in the A.P. State Judicial Service under Direct Recruitment.
- 6Send the completed application by Speed Post or Registered Post to the Registrar (Recruitment), High Court of Andhra Pradesh, Nelapadu, Amaravati, Guntur District, PIN 522 239.
- 7Ensure the application reaches the office by 5.00 P.M. on the last date.
Documents to Carry / Upload
•SSC or equivalent certificate showing date of birth
•BL/LL.B. degree certificate
•Community certificate for SC/ST/BC/EWS
•Non-Creamy Layer certificate for Backward Classes
•EWS certificate from the Tahsildar
•PwBD medical certificate
•Bar Council enrolment certificate
•Original practice certificate from the Bar Association
•Service certificate for Civil Judge or Public Prosecutor cadre
•Statements of cases handled independently and with a senior
•Two testimonials
•Demand Draft
Important Details
- Selection against the BC-E vacancy is subject to the outcome of Civil Appeal Nos.2628-2637/2010 pending before the Supreme Court of India.
- The High Court may increase or decrease the number of vacancies or cancel the notification at any stage.
- A full time salaried Law Officer in the employment of the Central Government, State Government, a public corporation or a body constituted by statute is not eligible.
- No TA and DA is paid for the Screening Test, Written Examination or Viva Voce.
- The fee once remitted is not refunded.
- Candidates must produce all original certificates on the day of Viva Voce, failing which the candidature is rejected without further correspondence.
Minimum Marks for Viva Voce and Final Selection
Paper-I and Paper-II (each)
OC / EWS: 55%
BC: 50%
SC / ST / PwBD: 45%
Aggregate in Written Examination
OC / EWS: 60%
BC: 55%
SC / ST / PwBD: 50%
Aggregate in Written Examination and Viva Voce
OC / EWS: 60%
BC: 55%
SC / ST / PwBD: 50%
| Stage | OC / EWS | BC | SC / ST / PwBD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I and Paper-II (each) | 55% | 50% | 45% |
| Aggregate in Written Examination | 60% | 55% | 50% |
| Aggregate in Written Examination and Viva Voce | 60% | 55% | 50% |
Tie-Breaking Rule
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 age is also equal, the candidate with the higher educational qualification is considered, and if that is equal too, the candidate with the highest marks in the prescribed educational qualification is considered.
Syllabus for Screening Test and Written Examination
- Paper-I Constitution and Civil Law: Code of Civil Procedure 1908, Indian Evidence Act 1872, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023, Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013, Tenancy Laws including Land Reforms and Ceiling, Constitution of India, Administrative Law, Transfer of Property Act 1882, Indian Contract Act 1872, Motor Vehicle Act 1988, Specific Relief Act 1963, laws on inheritance, succession, marriage, divorce, adoption, guardianship and custody, Family Courts Act 1984, Indian Easements Act 1882, Law of Torts, Limitation Act 1963, Patents Act 1970, Copyright Act 1957, Trade Marks Act 1999, Registration Act 1908 and Stamp Act 1899, Sale of Goods Act 1930, Guardian and Wards Act 1890, Indian Trusts Act 1882
- Paper-II Criminal Law: Code of Criminal Procedure 1973, Indian Evidence Act 1872, Indian Penal Code 1860, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989, Negotiable Instrument Act 1881 (Sections 138 to 148), Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985, Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, A.P. Excise Act 1968, A.P. Prohibition Act 1995, Wild Life Protection Act 1972, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015, Electricity Act 2003, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, Arms Act 1959, A.P. Forest Act 1967
- Paper-III English (Translation and Essay Writing): Part-I carries 40 marks for translation of a passage from English to Telugu and Telugu to English; Part-II carries 60 marks for essay writing on legal subjects only
Reservation Certificates
Candidates claiming Backward Class reservation must enclose a latest Non-Creamy Layer certificate issued in 2025 or 2026. EWS candidates must enclose an EWS certificate issued by the Tahsildar showing gross annual family income from all sources below Rs. 8,00,000. Candidates who do not enclose the certificate are considered against Open Competition. Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates will not be considered.
Disqualifications
- Not a citizen of India
- Dismissed, removed or compulsorily retired from Judicial service or any service of the State or Central Government
- Convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude
- Permanently debarred or disqualified by the High Court, Union Public Service Commission or any State Public Service Commission from appearing for examinations or selections
- Has more than one wife living, or marries knowingly a person having a spouse
- A full time salaried Law Officer in the employment of the Central Government, State Government, a public corporation or a body constituted by statute
- Facing disciplinary charges or undergoing punishment for any irregularity in discharge of duties
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Computer Based Screening Test always conducted?
The notice states that conduct of the Screening Test will depend on the number of applications received from the aspiring candidates.
Are travel or daily allowances paid for attending the tests?
No. The notice states that no TA and DA will be paid to candidates appearing for the Screening Test, Written Examination or Viva Voce.
Can a serving full time Law Officer apply?
No. A full time salaried Law Officer in the employment of the Central Government, State Government, a public corporation or a body constituted by statute is not eligible.
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