The High Court of Karnataka, Bengaluru has invited online applications for 79 posts of District Judge to be filled through the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE), under Notification No. GOB(I) 47(1)/2026 dated 28 August 2026. The application window closes on 15 September 2026 at 11:59 PM. This recruitment is open only to eligible serving officers within the Karnataka Judicial Service – it is not a general public recruitment.
Important – Read Before You Apply: Four things about this recruitment matter before you start the form. First, this is a departmental-only LDCE round, restricted to Senior Civil Judges already serving in the Karnataka Judicial Service – it is not open to candidates outside the cadre. Second, the total of 79 posts is explicitly marked subject to alteration, since it is tied to a pending Supreme Court writ petition. Third, eligibility is reckoned strictly as on the notification date of 28 August 2026, not the date of applying. Fourth, a candidate gets a maximum of three attempts at this LDCE across their career, so this attempt counts against that cap.
Overview
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | High Court of Karnataka, Bengaluru |
| Post Name | District Judge (LDCE category, 25%) |
| Notification Number | GOB(I) 47(1)/2026 |
| Notification Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 79 (subject to alteration) |
| Mode of Recruitment | Limited Departmental Competitive Examination |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | judiciary.karnataka.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Online Application Closes | 15 September 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Eligibility Reckoning Date | 28 August 2026 |
Vacancy Details
79 posts of District Judge are to be filled through this LDCE round, drawn from the 25 percent quota reserved for limited departmental competition under the Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2025. The High Court has stated this number is subject to change depending on the outcome of a pending Supreme Court writ petition, so candidates should treat 79 as the current, not final, figure.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be currently serving as a Senior Civil Judge, with a minimum of 3 years of service in that specific post.
- Must have a combined minimum of 7 years of service across the Civil Judge and Senior Civil Judge cadre.
- Maximum of 3 attempts permitted at this LDCE over a career.
- This route is departmental only – it is not open to candidates outside the Karnataka Judicial Service.
Age Limit (as on 28 August 2026)
Minimum age of 35 years as on the notification date. No upper age ceiling has been specified separately, since eligibility is governed primarily by service tenure within the cadre.
Selection Process
- Written Examination
- Viva-voce (interview)
- Final selection by merit, as governed by Rule 4-B of the Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2025
How to Apply for Karnataka High Court LDCE 2026
- Visit the official website, judiciary.karnataka.gov.in.
- Locate the online application link for District Judge (LDCE) Recruitment 2026.
- Register using a valid mobile number and email address.
- Fill in the application form with service and eligibility details.
- Upload a passport-size photograph (5cm x 3.6cm, JPG, maximum 50KB) and signature (2.5cm x 7.5cm, JPG, maximum 25KB).
- Review all entries carefully before final submission, since this is a departmental exam with career-attempt limits attached.
- Submit the form on or before 15 September 2026, 11:59 PM.
Important Instructions
- Only Senior Civil Judges meeting the minimum service criteria as on 28 August 2026 are eligible to apply.
- The vacancy count of 79 is provisional and may change pending the outcome of a Supreme Court writ petition.
- This attempt will count toward the maximum of 3 permitted LDCE attempts.
- Photograph and signature must strictly match the specified size and file format, or the application may be rejected.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Notifications Section (High Court) | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Karnataka High Court LDCE District Judge Recruitment 2026 – FAQs
Q1. Who can apply for the Karnataka High Court LDCE District Judge Recruitment 2026?
✅ Only serving Senior Civil Judges within the Karnataka Judicial Service, meeting the minimum service criteria, are eligible. This is not open to the general public.
Q2. How many posts are being filled through this LDCE?
✅ 79 posts of District Judge, though the High Court has stated this number is subject to alteration.
Q3. Why might the number of vacancies change?
✅ Because of a pending Supreme Court writ petition that could affect the final count.
Q4. What is the last date to apply online?
✅ 15 September 2026, up to 11:59 PM.
Q5. What is the minimum service required to be eligible?
✅ 3 years as a Senior Civil Judge, and a combined 7 years across the Civil Judge and Senior Civil Judge cadre.
Q6. How many times can a candidate attempt this LDCE?
✅ A maximum of 3 attempts are permitted over a career.
Q7. What is the selection process for this recruitment?
✅ A Written Examination followed by a Viva-voce, with final selection based on merit.
Q8. As on which date is eligibility calculated?
✅ 28 August 2026, the date of the notification – not the date of application.
Q9. What documents are needed while applying online?
✅ A passport-size photograph and signature in the specified size and format, along with valid contact details.
Q10. Where can candidates check the official notification?
✅ On the official High Court of Karnataka website, judiciary.karnataka.gov.in, under the Recruitment Notifications section.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes based on publicly available notices. Candidates are advised to cross-check every detail, especially eligibility and dates, on the official High Court of Karnataka website before applying. JobShouter.com is not associated with the High Court of Karnataka in any manner
