Under the provisions of the Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment) Rules, 2004, and its subsequent Amendments in 2011, 2015, and 2016, the High Court of Karnataka invites online applications for direct recruitment to posts of Civil Judges every year. Those candidates who satisfy the below mentioned criteria are eligible to apply for the post.
1. Minimum Qualification and Age Limit
A. Direct Recruitment
(a) Must hold a Degree in Law granted by a University established by Law in India and must have enrolled as an Advocate.
(b) Age Limit:
As per The Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2024, the upper age limits for candidates have been revised as follows:
- Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST): Increased from 38 years to 40 years.
- Category I of Backward Classes: Increased from 35 years to 40 years.
- Category II(a), II(b), III(a), III(b) of Other Backward Classes: Increased from 35 years to 38 years.
- Others: Remains unchanged at 35 years.
(c) Ex-Servicemen: Relaxation of three years in the upper age limit.
B. In-service Candidates
(a) Must hold a Degree in Law granted by a University established by Law in India.
(b) Age Limit:
- Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe: Must not have completed 43 years as of the last date for application submission.
- Others: Must not have completed 40 years as of the last date for application submission.
(c) All in-service candidates working in the High Court and District Judiciary with the required qualifications are eligible.
(d) Assistant Public Prosecutors/Additional Government Pleaders in the Department of Prosecutions and Government Litigation are also eligible.
Note:
- Direct recruitment is subject to reservation under Articles 16(4) and 16(4A) of the Constitution of India.
- 4% reservation for persons with benchmark disability.
2. Scale of Pay
Rs. 77840 – 136520
3. Method of Recruitment
Recruitment is through direct selection based on:
- Preliminary Examination (Objective Type – 100 Marks): Qualifying in nature.
- Part A:
- Civil Procedure Code,
- Negotiable Instruments Act,
- Transfer of Property Act,
- Indian Contract Act,
- Specific Relief Act,
- Indian Constitution,
- Karnataka Rent Act.
- Part B:
- Criminal Procedure Code & Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Sanhita 2023,
- Indian Penal Code & Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,
- Indian Evidence Act & Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam.
- Part C: General Knowledge, Reasoning, Mental Ability.
- Part A:
- Main Written Examination (400 Marks):
- Translation Paper (100 Marks): English to Kannada and Kannada to English.
- Law Paper I (100 Marks):
- Civil Procedure Code,
- Criminal Procedure Code & Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Sanhita 2023,
- Indian Evidence Act & Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam,
- Principles of Pleadings,
- Constitution.
- Law Paper II (100 Marks): Framing of issues and judgment writing in Civil Cases.
- Law Paper III (100 Marks): Framing of charges and judgment writing in Criminal Cases.
- Viva-Voce (100 Marks): General knowledge, principles of law, suitability.
- Computer Test (25 Marks): To assess computer knowledge; marks are not aggregated for final selection.
Minimum Passing Marks:
- Preliminary Examination: 50 (SC/ST) | 60 (Others).
- Main Written Examination: 40 per paper (SC/ST) | 50 per paper (Others).
- Viva-Voce: 40 (SC/ST) | 50 (Others).
4. Disqualification for Appointment
(a) Non-citizen of India.
(b) Dismissed/removed from judicial service or government service.
(c) Convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude or disqualified by a disciplinary authority.
(d) Bar Council penalties affecting suitability.
(e) Influencing recruiting authority by any means.
(f) Bigamous marital status.
5. Probation
- Duration: Two years (may extend as per Karnataka Civil Services Rules, 1977).
- Training: Minimum one year as specified by the High Court.
- Kannada Language Examination: Must pass if not already cleared, as per Karnataka Civil Services Rules, 1974.
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Comparative analysis of Examination Dates of Last Years
| Year | Notification Date | Last Date for Submitting Application | Prelims | Mains | Viva-Voce |
| 2025 | Yet to be released | – | – | – | – |
| 2024 | No notification has been released | – | – | – | – |
| 2023 | 9th March 2023 (57 posts) | 10th April 2023 | 23rd July 2023 (4 months, 14 days from notification date) | 18th & 19th November 2023 (3 months, 13 days from prelims) | 30th, 31st January & 1st February 2024 |
| 2022 | 22nd April 2022 (56 posts) | 23rd May 2022 | 17th July 2022 (2 months, 25 days from notification date) | 10th & 11th September 2022 (1 month 24 days days from prelims) | 5th–16th December 2022 (on various dates) |
| 2021 | 26th March 2021 (94 posts) | 27th April 2021 | 10th August 2021 (4 months, 15 days from notification date) | 30th & 1st September 2021 (3 months 14 days from prelims) | 7th–23rd February 2022 (on various dates) |
