The High Court of Andhra Pradesh at Amaravati has released Notification No. 118/2026-RC dated 25 September 2026 inviting online applications for 119 posts of Civil Judge (Junior Division) in the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service. Of the 119 posts, 96 are under Direct Recruitment (open to Law graduates) and 23 are under Recruitment by Transfer (for eligible serving court and legal department staff). Online applications are open from 1 October 2026 and close on 26 October 2026 at 11:59 PM at aphc.gov.in. The pay scale is Rs. 77,840 to Rs. 1,36,520.
Important Note: Three critical things every candidate must know. First, for Direct Recruitment, the eligibility is specifically for Law graduates who obtained their Law Degree within the preceding one year as on the date of notification (25 September 2026) – as per the Supreme Court’s judgment in Bhumika Trust Vs. Union of India (WP Civil No. 1110/2025 dated 21-08-2026). Verify whether your date of passing the Law Degree falls within this window before applying. Second, selected candidates are not directly appointed as Civil Judges. They are first designated as Trainee Judicial Officers and undergo a one-year training at the Judicial Academy, followed by a one-year Law Clerkship, before being appointed to the regular post. Third, once the application is submitted, options and documents cannot be edited or replaced. Verify all details carefully before submitting.
AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | High Court of Andhra Pradesh at Amaravati |
| Notification No. | 118/2026-RC dated 25 September 2026 |
| Post | Civil Judge (Junior Division), AP State Judicial Service |
| Total Posts | 119 (Direct Recruitment: 96 + Recruitment by Transfer: 23) |
| Pay Scale | Rs. 77,840 to Rs. 1,36,520 |
| Application Mode | Online only at aphc.gov.in |
| Application Start | 1 October 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 26 October 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Age Limit | Max 35 years (Direct Recruitment); Max 48 years (Recruitment by Transfer) as on 01-09-2026 |
| Official Website | aphc.gov.in |
AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026: Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 25 September 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | 1 October 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 26 October 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Hall Ticket for Screening Test | One week before Screening Test |
| Screening Test (CBT) | To be notified on aphc.gov.in |
| Preliminary Key and Response Sheet | Within one week of Screening Test |
AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026: Vacancy Details
Direct Recruitment (96 Posts)
| Category | Posts |
|---|---|
| Open Competition | 39 |
| EWS | 9 |
| BC Group-A | 7 |
| BC Group-B | 10 |
| BC Group-C | 1 |
| BC Group-D | 6 |
| BC Group-E | 4 |
| SC Group-I | 1 |
| SC Group-II | 7 |
| SC Group-III | 6 |
| ST | 6 |
| Total | 96 |
Women reservations are within the above: OC-13, EWS-3, BC-A-2, BC-B-3, BC-D-2, BC-E-1, SC-II-2, SC-III-2, ST-2. PwBD reservations (OC): 1 each for Blindness/Low Vision, Deaf and Hard Hearing, Locomotor Disability, and Autism/Intellectual Disability/Mental Illness/Multiple Disabilities.
Recruitment by Transfer (23 Posts)
| Category | Posts |
|---|---|
| Open Competition | 18 |
| SC Group-I | 1 |
| SC Group-III | 1 |
| ST | 3 |
| Total | 23 |
Note: BC-E vacancies are subject to the outcome of Civil Appeal Nos. 2628-2637/2010 before the Supreme Court of India.
AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026: Eligibility
Direct Recruitment
- Law graduate who obtained the Law Degree within the preceding one year as on the date of notification (25 September 2026), as per Supreme Court judgment in Bhumika Trust Vs. Union of India (WP Civil 1110/2025 dated 21-08-2026) and pending amendments to AP State Judicial Rules.
- Must be an Indian citizen.
- Must not be in the service of the Government of India or any State.
- Good character and free from physical/mental infirmity that renders him/her unfit for judicial appointment.
Recruitment by Transfer
- Degree in Law from a university established by law in India.
- Must be a confirmed member or approved probationer in one of the eligible categories across: AP High Court, District Judiciary, Prosecution Services, Law/Legislature Departments, Advocate General/Government Pleader offices.
- Must not be facing or have undergone disciplinary action.
- Maximum age 48 years as on 01-09-2026.
AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026: Age Limit (as on 01-09-2026)
| Category | Direct Recruitment (Max Age) |
|---|---|
| General | 35 years |
| SC/ST/BC/EWS | 40 years (5 years relaxation) |
| PwBD | 45 years (10 years relaxation) |
| Ex-Servicemen | Period of defence service excluded from age computation |
Recruitment by Transfer: Maximum 48 years. No minimum age specified.
AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026: Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Open/EWS/BC Candidates | Rs. 1,500 |
| SC/ST/Persons with Benchmark Disabilities | Rs. 750 |
| Payment Mode | Online only |
Note: Only candidates belonging to SC/ST communities recognised in Andhra Pradesh are entitled to the concessional fee. Fee once paid is non-refundable.
AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026: Salary and Training
| Stage | Emolument |
|---|---|
| Training at Judicial Academy (Year 1) | 50% of the remuneration payable to a Civil Judge (Junior Division) + facilities available to trainees |
| Law Clerkship (Year 2) | Same as training emoluments – no further allowance |
| Regular Appointment (after successful completion) | Full pay scale: Rs. 77,840 to Rs. 1,36,520 |
AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026: Selection Process
Stage 1: Screening Test (Computer Based Test)
100 objective type MCQs for 100 marks, duration 2 hours. Candidates scoring 40% and above are shortlisted in 1:10 ratio of vacancies for the Written Examination. Screening Test marks are NOT counted in the final merit list.
Stage 2: Written Examination (3 Papers)
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | Civil Laws | 100 | 3 hours |
| Paper-II | Criminal Laws | 100 | 3 hours |
| Paper-III | English (Translation and Essay Writing) | 100 | 3 hours |
Paper-III Part-I: Translation English to Telugu and Telugu to English (40 marks). Part-II: Essay on legal subjects (60 marks). Paper-III marks are not counted for merit or Viva Voce eligibility.
Minimum Marks for Viva Voce
| Category | Each of Paper-I and II | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|
| OC/EWS (Direct Recruitment) | 55% | 60% |
| BC (Direct Recruitment) | 50% | 55% |
| SC/ST/PwBD (Direct Recruitment) | 45% | 50% |
| Recruitment by Transfer | 55% | 60% |
Stage 3: Viva Voce
50 marks. Candidates called in 1:3 ratio of vacancies (per category). Absence = disqualification.
Final Merit
Candidates must secure minimum aggregate (Paper-I + Paper-II + Viva Voce): 60% for OC/EWS, 55% for BC, 50% for SC/ST/PwBD (Direct Recruitment); 60% for Recruitment by Transfer.
AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026: Exam Syllabus
Civil Laws (Paper-I)
CPC 1908, Indian Contract Act 1872, Hindu Marriage Act 1955, Hindu Succession Act 1956, Indian Easements Act 1882, Specific Relief Act 1963, Limitation Act 1963, Transfer of Property Act 1882, Civil Rules of Practice, Registration Act 1908, Indian Stamp Act 1899, AP Land Encroachment Act 1905, Indian Evidence Act 1872, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 (BSA).
Criminal Laws (Paper-II)
CrPC 1973, Indian Evidence Act 1872, IPC 1860, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 (BNSS), Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 (BSA), Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (BNS), Negotiable Instruments Act 1881, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, Criminal Rules of Practice, AP Excise Act 1968, AP Gaming Act 1974, Juvenile Justice Act 2015, Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, IT Act 2000, POCSO Act 2012, AP Forest Act 1967.
Screening Test Centres
Guntur, Kurnool, Rajahmundry (Rajamahendravaram), Tirupati, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam. Applicants must choose three centres in order of preference.
How to Apply for AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026
- Visit aphc.gov.in and open the online application portal (available 1 October to 26 October 2026 at 11:59 PM).
- Read the notification carefully. Select Direct Recruitment or Recruitment by Transfer and your applicable reservation category.
- Choose three Screening Test centres in order of preference.
- Fill the application with correct personal, educational and reservation details.
- Upload required documents: Date of birth proof (SSLC), Law Degree certificate, category certificate as applicable. For BC: latest Non-Creamy Layer certificate (2025 or 2026). For EWS: latest EWS certificate (2025 or 2026) from Tahsildar showing income below Rs. 8,00,000. For PwBD: Medical Board certificate. For Ex-Servicemen: Discharge Certificate. For Recruitment by Transfer: proof of probation declaration, employer’s NOC permission for Law Degree, and latest Service and Conduct Certificate.
- Pay the fee online (Rs. 1,500 or Rs. 750 as applicable).
- Submit before 26 October 2026 at 11:59 PM.
- Download Hall Ticket from aphc.gov.in one week before the Screening Test.
Once submitted, options and documents cannot be edited or replaced. No TA/DA is paid for any stage of selection.
AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026: Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| AP High Court Official Website | Click Here |
AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026: FAQs
Q1. How many posts are in AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026?
119 Civil Judge (Junior Division) posts: 96 under Direct Recruitment and 23 under Recruitment by Transfer.
Q2. What is the last date to apply?
26 October 2026 at 11:59 PM at aphc.gov.in.
Q3. Who is eligible for Direct Recruitment?
Law graduates who obtained their Law Degree within one year preceding the notification date of 25 September 2026, as per the Supreme Court’s judgment in Bhumika Trust Vs. Union of India (WP Civil 1110/2025).
Q4. What is the pay scale?
Rs. 77,840 to Rs. 1,36,520. During Year 1 training at the Judicial Academy and Year 2 Law Clerkship, the emolument is 50% of the Civil Judge pay.
Q5. What is the application fee?
Rs. 1,500 for Open/EWS/BC candidates. Rs. 750 for SC/ST/PwBD. Online payment only. Non-refundable.
Q6. What is the selection process?
Screening Test (CBT, 100Q/100M, qualifying) → Written Examination (Paper-I Civil Laws 100M, Paper-II Criminal Laws 100M, Paper-III English 100M) → Viva Voce (50M). Final merit is based on Paper-I + Paper-II + Viva Voce only.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is based on the official AP High Court Notification No. 118/2026-RC dated 25 September 2026 published on aphc.gov.in. The Direct Recruitment eligibility condition is as per the Supreme Court’s judgment in Bhumika Trust Vs. Union of India (WP Civil 1110/2025 dated 21-08-2026) and pending amendments to the AP State Judicial Rules. Candidates must read the full official notification before applying. JobShouter is not associated with the High Court of Andhra Pradesh. This article is for informational purposes only.
