The Kerala Judicial Service Exam 2026 notification has been officially released for the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division). If you hold a law degree and have at least 3 years of practice, this is a great opportunity to join the state judiciary. The High Court of Kerala has announced regular, special, and NCA vacancies, offering a lucrative pay scale. Interested candidates can easily submit their online applications through the official recruitment portal, avoiding any last-minute rush. Read on for complete details regarding important dates, eligibility, the selection process, and exactly how to apply.
Kerala Judicial Service Exam 2026 Overview
Criteria
Details
Organization Name
The High Court of Kerala
Exam Name
Kerala Judicial Service Examination – 2026
Post Name
Civil Judge (Junior Division)
Total Vacancies
28 (Special: 16, NCA: 3, Regular: 9 Probable)
Job Category
Judiciary / Legal Jobs
Official Website
hckrecruitment.keralacourts.in
Kerala Judicial Service Exam Important Dates
Event
Date
Notification Release Date
30.03.2026
Application Start Date
01.04.2026
Last Date For Registration / Online Fee
04.05.2026
Offline Fee Payment Dates
07.05.2026 to 15.05.2026
Preliminary Exam Date
28.06.2026 (tentative)
Admit Card Release Date
3 weeks prior to the written test
Application Fee
Category
Amount
General / OBC / EWS
Rs. 1250/-
SC / ST / Unemployed PwBD
Nil
Payment Mode
Online or Offline (via SBI Chalan)
Age Limit Details
Criteria
Details
Minimum Age
Not specified (Must have 3 years of Advocate practice)
Maximum Age (Direct Recruitment)
Shall not have completed 35 years as on 01.01.2026
Age Relaxation
SC/ST: 5 years, OBC: 3 years, PwBD: 10 years, Ex-Servicemen: up to max 50 years
Kerala Judicial Service Exam Vacancy Details
Post Name
Advt No.
Total Posts
Civil Judge (Junior Division) – Special PwBD
1/2026
16 Vacancies
Civil Judge (Junior Division) – NCA ST/SC
2/2026
1 Vacancy
Civil Judge (Junior Division) – NCA ST/SC
3/2026
1 Vacancy
Civil Judge (Junior Division) – NCA SC/ST
4/2026
1 Vacancy
Civil Judge (Junior Division) – Regular
5/2026
9 Probable Vacancies
Kerala Judicial Service Exam Eligibility Details
Qualification Type
Requirement
Educational Qualification
Degree in Law recognized by the Bar Council of India
Professional Experience
Minimum 3 years of practice as an Advocate as on 01.01.2026
Citizenship
Must be a citizen of India
Category-Wise Vacancy Details
Category / Type
Vacancies
PwBD (Blindness/Low Vision)
5
PwBD (Deaf/Hard of Hearing)
6
PwBD (Locomotor/Others)
3
PwBD (Autism/Mental Illness)
1
PwBD (Multiple Disabilities)
1
ST / SC (NCA)
3 (Total across Advt 2, 3, 4)
Regular (All Categories)
9
State-Wise Vacancy Details
State / Eligibility
Details
State
Kerala
Who Can Apply?
Direct Recruitment is open to any Citizen of India meeting qualifications. However, NCA vacancies are specifically reserved for SC/ST communities in the State of Kerala.
Important Documents Required
Document
Purpose
Photograph
Scanned image (200×150 to 250×180 pixels)
Signature
Scanned image (100×150 to 130×180 pixels)
Practice Certificate
Form ‘A’ showing 3 years of practice
Service/NOC Certificate
Form ‘B’ for candidates applying by transfer or government employees
Syllabus Overview
Stage
Subjects
Prelims (Part A)
CPC, Indian Contract Act, NI Act, Transfer of Property Act, Specific Relief Act, Kerala Rent Control Act
Prelims (Part B)
CrPC & BNSS, IPC & BNS, Indian Evidence Act & BSA
Prelims (Part C)
Constitution of India, Legal G.K., Reasoning & Mental ability
Mains (Papers I – IV)
English translation/essays, Civil Laws, Criminal Laws, Judgment writing, and Procedural Laws
Exam Pattern
Test Stage
Details
Preliminary Exam
100 Objective Questions, 200 Marks, 2.5 hours duration. 1 mark deducted for incorrect answers.
Main Exam
4 Written Papers, 100 Marks each, 3 hours per paper.
Viva-Voce
50 Marks (Cut off: 40% for Gen/OBC, 35% for SC/ST/PwBD).
