AP High Court Recruitment 2026 Notification Released for 16 Civil Judge Senior Division Vacancies, Apply by October 1

• AP High Court has announced 16 Civil Judge (Senior Division) vacancies through the Accelerated Promotion LDCE 2026.
• The examination is restricted to eligible Civil Judges (Junior Division) serving in the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service.
• Applications must reach the concerned Principal District Judge by 5:00 PM on October 1, 2026.

The High Court of Andhra Pradesh has announced an Accelerated Promotion through Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) for 16 Civil Judge (Senior Division) vacancies in the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service. Applications under R.O.C. No. 366/2026-RC must be submitted through the prescribed official channel by 5:00 PM on October 1, 2026.

The AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 is not a direct recruitment exercise for advocates or fresh law graduates. It is specifically meant for serving Civil Judges (Junior Division) who satisfy the prescribed service conditions, including completion of at least three years of service in the cadre by March 31, 2026.

Of the 16 vacancies, 12 are under Open Competition and four are distributed among SC Group-I, SC Group-II, SC Group-III and Scheduled Tribe categories. The Civil Judge (Senior Division) post carries a pay scale of ₹1,11,000 to ₹1,63,030.

AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 Notification

The High Court issued the recruitment notification on September 17, 2026 for accelerated promotion to Civil Judge (Senior Division) through LDCE.

AP High Court Civil Judge Vacancy Details

The number of vacancies may be increased, reduced or cancelled according to the requirements and decision of the High Court.

Who Can Apply?

The AP High Court LDCE 2026 is open to officers currently serving as Civil Judge (Junior Division) in the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service.

Candidates must have completed at least three years of service in the Civil Judge (Junior Division) cadre by March 31, 2026 and satisfy the educational and service requirements prescribed under the applicable Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service rules.

Officers facing disciplinary charges, undergoing punishment for irregularities in the discharge of duties, or whose integrity has been found doubtful in any year are not eligible under the stated conditions.

Civil Judge Senior Division Salary

Candidates selected for accelerated promotion will be appointed as Civil Judge (Senior Division) in the following pay scale:

Application Fee

The fee is to be paid through a Demand Draft drawn in favour of the Registrar (Recruitment), High Court of Andhra Pradesh, Nelapadu, Amaravati.

Selection Process

Selection for AP High Court Civil Judge (Senior Division) LDCE 2026 consists of a screening test, where required, followed by the written examination and viva voce.

A computer-based screening test may be conducted with 100 multiple-choice questions carrying 100 marks. Candidates will have two hours to complete the test and must secure at least 40% marks. Candidates may be shortlisted for the written examination in a ratio of 1:10. Screening test marks will not count towards the final merit.

The written examination consists of three papers carrying a combined 300 marks:

Candidates are required to secure at least 55% in Papers I and II and 60% in aggregate, along with at least 40% in each part of Paper III.

Candidates qualifying for viva voce will be called in a 3:1 ratio against the vacancies. The viva voce carries 50 marks. The prescribed final minimum aggregate is 60% in the written examination and viva voce.

Final merit will be determined using marks in Paper I, Paper II and viva voce. Paper III and screening test marks will not be included in the final merit calculation.

Civil Judge LDCE Syllabus

Paper I covers Civil Laws, including the Code of Civil Procedure, Indian Succession Act, Specific Relief Act, Arbitration and Conciliation Act, Contract Act, Transfer of Property Act, Registration Act, Limitation Act and other prescribed Central and Andhra Pradesh laws.

Paper II covers Criminal Laws, including the Code of Criminal Procedure, Indian Penal Code, Indian Evidence Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, along with other specified criminal laws.

Paper III is an English paper divided into two components. Part I carries 40 marks and covers translation from English to Telugu and Telugu to English. Part II carries 60 marks and consists of essay writing on legal subjects.

Important Dates

How to Apply for AP High Court Civil Judge Recruitment 2026

1. Visit the AP High Court website and obtain R.O.C. No. 366/2026-RC along with the prescribed application form.
2. Complete the application with the required personal, educational and judicial service information.
3. Affix a recent passport-size photograph attested by the concerned Unit Head or Principal District Judge.
4. Prepare the applicable Demand Draft of ₹1,000 or ₹500 in favour of the Registrar (Recruitment), High Court of Andhra Pradesh, Nelapadu, Amaravati.
5. Attach the required supporting documents, including prescribed certificates, service records, community certificate where applicable, Demand Draft and hall ticket-cum-identity card documents.
6. Sign and date the completed application.
7. Submit the application to the office of the concerned Principal District Judge through the prescribed official channel.
8. Ensure the application reaches the concerned office no later than 5:00 PM on October 1, 2026.

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