The High Court of Andhra Pradesh at Amaravati has announced recruitment for 119 Civil Judge (Junior Division) positions comprising 96 posts through direct recruitment and 23 posts through recruitment by transfer. Eligible law graduates and existing judicial officers can apply online on or before 30-11-2026 at 11:59 PM.
Overview
This is a significant judicial recruitment initiative by the AP High Court aimed at filling critical vacancies and strengthening the judicial infrastructure across Andhra Pradesh. The recruitment exercise is structured in two streams: direct recruitment for aspiring law graduates seeking entry into the judiciary, and recruitment by transfer for serving judicial officers and other eligible candidates. The positions offer a rewarding career in the justice system with a competitive salary structure and opportunities for growth and specialization in judicial matters.
Candidates selected for this position will serve as Civil Judges (Junior Division) and will preside over civil cases within their jurisdiction, handle legal proceedings, and deliver justice in accordance with Indian law. The role requires sound legal knowledge, impartiality, and commitment to upholding judicial ethics.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 01-10-2026 |
| Application Close Date | 30-11-2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Age Limit Reference Date | 01-09-2026 |
Vacancy Details
Direct Recruitment (96 Posts)
The 96 direct recruitment positions are distributed across various categories with specific reservations for women, scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST), backward classes (BC), economically weaker sections (EWS), and persons with disabilities (PwD). Women are well-represented across all categories, with multiple positions earmarked specifically for female candidates.
| Category | Number of Posts |
|---|---|
| Open Competition | 39 (including 13 for women; 1 for Blindness/Low Vision; 1 for Deaf and Hard Hearing; 1 for Locomotor Disability; 1 for Autism, Intellectual Disability, Mental Illness, Multiple Disabilities) |
| EWS | 9 (3 for women) |
| BC Group-A | 7 (2 for women) |
| BC Group-B | 10 (3 for women) |
| BC Group-C | 1 |
| BC Group-D | 6 (2 for women) |
| BC Group-E | 4 (1 for woman) |
| SC Group-I | 1 |
| SC Group-II | 7 (2 for women) |
| SC Group-III | 6 (2 for women) |
| ST | 6 (2 for women) |
| Total | 96 |
Recruitment by Transfer (23 Posts)
This stream is designed for existing judicial officers and eligible candidates with prior judicial experience or equivalent qualifications seeking advancement or lateral movement within the judiciary. The 23 positions are categorized as follows:
| Category | Number of Posts |
|---|---|
| Open Competition | 18 |
| SC Group-I | 1 |
| SC Group-III | 1 |
| ST | 3 |
| Total | 23 |
Eligibility
Qualification
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in Law from a recognized university as per the Bar Council of India standards. The law degree should be a full-time course. For specific eligibility nuances related to direct recruitment versus recruitment by transfer, candidates must refer to the complete official notification on aphc.gov.in.
Age Limit
Direct Recruitment: The maximum age limit is 35 years as on 01-09-2026. Age relaxation applicable to SC, ST, BC, EWS, and other reserved categories is provided as per the Government of Andhra Pradesh rules. See the official notification for the precise age relaxation for each category.
Recruitment by Transfer: The maximum age limit is 48 years as on 01-09-2026. Age relaxation rules for reserved categories apply as per official guidelines.
Required Documents and Certificates
Candidates must prepare and upload the following documents during application:
- Law degree certificate (Bachelor of Laws)
- Age proof (birth certificate, Aadhaar, passport, or board school certificate)
- Caste certificate (if applicable for SC, ST, BC, or EWS category)
- Income certificate (for EWS applicants)
- Proof of domicile in Andhra Pradesh (if required)
- Identity proof (Aadhaar, PAN, or passport)
- Recent colour photograph (as per official specifications)
- Any other documents specified in the recruitment notification
How to Apply
- Visit the official AP High Court website at aphc.gov.in.
- Navigate to the recruitment or careers section to locate the Civil Judge (Junior Division) recruitment notification and application link.
- Read the complete official notification, eligibility criteria, and instructions before proceeding.
- Register on the online application portal by creating a new account with your email ID and mobile number if you are a first-time user.
- Log in to your account and begin filling the online application form.
- Provide accurate information for all mandatory fields: personal details (name, father's name, date of birth), educational qualifications, contact information, and category details.
- Select the appropriate category (direct recruitment or transfer) and specify your choice of category (Open/EWS/BC/SC/ST) and subcategories if applicable.
- Upload scanned copies of all required documents in the specified format and size (typically PDF or JPG format, resolution as specified).
- Verify all details entered in the application form carefully. Incorrect information may lead to rejection.
- If applicable, pay the application fee through the online payment gateway using debit card, credit card, or net banking.
- Click the final submit button. A confirmation page and receipt will be displayed.
- Download and save the application confirmation receipt with your application reference number for future correspondence.
- Print a copy of the completed form for your records if required.
Examination Pattern and Selection Process
Candidates shortlisted based on the application screening will be required to appear for a written examination. The examination comprises three papers conducted on the same day:
| 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 |
Total marks: 300. Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks to proceed to subsequent stages. The selection process may include an interview/viva voce round and/or verification of documents and certificates. Merit ranking will be prepared based on the examination performance and interview scores if applicable.
Salary and Service Conditions
The pay scale for Civil Judge (Junior Division) is ₹77,840 – ₹1,36,520 per month. This is the basic pay structure; additional allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other statutory benefits apply as per government norms. Candidates will be entitled to leave, pension, health insurance, and other service benefits as per Andhra Pradesh government rules and applicable central laws.
Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the total number of Civil Judge posts being recruited in this drive?
A: A total of 119 positions are available—96 through direct recruitment for law graduates and 23 through recruitment by transfer for existing judicial officers and eligible candidates.
Q: What is the application deadline?
A: The application deadline is 30-11-2026 at 11:59 PM. Applications submitted after this date and time will not be accepted.
Q: What is the maximum age limit for direct recruitment applicants?
A: The maximum age is 35 years as on 01-09-2026. Age relaxation is available for SC, ST, BC, EWS, and other reserved categories as per official rules. Refer to the notification for exact relaxation details.
Q: What is the salary offered for Civil Judge (Junior Division)?
A: The pay scale is ₹77,840 – ₹1,36,520 per month plus applicable allowances as per government rules.
Q: What qualifications are required to apply?
A: Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in Law from a recognized university. For recruitment by transfer, additional eligibility conditions may apply; see the official notification for complete details.
Q: What is the examination pattern, and how many papers will be there?
A: The written examination consists of three papers—Civil Laws (100 marks, 3 hours), Criminal Laws (100 marks, 3 hours), and English: Translation and Essay Writing (100 marks, 3 hours). Total marks: 300. The examination may be followed by an interview/viva voce round.
Candidates must verify all details including application dates, eligibility criteria, fee, examination pattern, and instructions on the official AP High Court website (aphc.gov.in) before applying.