Delhi Higher Judicial Service Examination 2026: Apply for 27 Vacancies by July 15

27 Judicial Positions Open: Delhi High Court Launches Direct Recruitment Drive

The High Court of Delhi has formally announced recruitment for the Delhi Higher Judicial Service through direct recruitment. This is your chance to join one of India's premier judicial institutions. The court is filling 27 vacancies—comprising 24 existing positions and 3 anticipated ones—and the selection process spans three stages: preliminary examination,​ mains examination,​ and viva-voce interview.

If you're a practising advocate or judicial officer with at least seven years of legal experience and fall within the age bracket of 35 to 45 years,​ this recruitment is worth your immediate attention. The application window opens on 1 July 2026 and closes on 15 July 2026 at 5:30 PM. The preliminary examination is scheduled for 26 July 2026.

Who Can Apply? Breaking Down the Eligibility Criteria

The High Court has set clear eligibility parameters,​ and understanding them upfront will save you from a rejected application later.

First,​ you must be a citizen of India. That's non-negotiable.

Second,​ your professional standing matters. The notification recognises three categories of candidates:

• Practising Advocates: You must have been continuously practising for not less than seven years as on 15 July 2026 (the application deadline).
• Judicial Officers: Either you completed seven years in the Bar before joining the subordinate judicial service,​ or you have a combined seven years of experience as both a Judicial Officer and an Advocate as on 15 July 2026.
• Those with Mixed Judicial and Bar Experience: If you've served in judicial service at any point,​ your combined experience as an Advocate or Judicial Officer must total seven years or more as on the application deadline.

Third,​ age is a fixed criterion. You must have attained 35 years and must not have crossed 45 years as on 15 July 2026. There's no flexibility here—age is calculated as on the last date of application receipt.

Vacancy Breakdown: Where the 27 Positions Sit

The 27 vacancies are distributed across three categories. Here's the exact breakdown:

Additionally,​ there are three reserved vacancies for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) with benchmark disability of 40% or more: one for Blindness and Low Vision;​ one for one arm,​ one leg,​ both legs,​ leprosy cured,​ dwarfism,​ and acid attack victims;​ and one for Specific Learning Disability and Multiple Disabilities. Two of these PwD vacancies are being carried forward from previous examination years.

One important note: the High Court reserves the right to modify these vacancy numbers. A judgment dated 11 March 2026 in a pending case may affect the final vacancy count,​ so keep an eye on official updates.

Application Timeline and Process

Applications are strictly online only. You'll need to visit www.delhihighcourt.nic.in to create your login and fill the application form. The platform opens on 1 July at 10:00 AM and remains open until 15 July at 5:30 PM. After submitting,​ you can print a copy for your records,​ but you do not need to send a hard copy to the High Court.

Payment must be completed through Debit Card,​ Credit Card,​ Internet Banking,​ or UPI by the same deadline. If payment is not made,​ your application will not be processed.

Application Fees: What You'll Pay

The fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. Payment methods include all standard digital options—cards,​ net banking,​ and UPI—making it accessible to candidates across India.

The Three-Stage Selection Process

Understanding how you'll be evaluated helps you prepare strategically.

Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
 It is objective in nature,​ and negative marking of 25% applies,​ meaning one-quarter of the mark is deducted for each wrong answer. Candidates who qualify in this stage will be called for the Mains Examination.

Stage 2: Mains Examination (Written)
Candidates clearing the preliminary stage will appear for the written Mains Examination. Performance in this stage determines who gets called for the interview.

Stage 3: Viva-Voce (Interview)
The final stage is a viva-voce or oral interview,​ where your communication skills,​ legal acumen,​ and suitability for the judicial bench are assessed.

Your admission at each stage is provisional and subject to verification of eligibility. If at any point before or after any examination stage it is found that you do not meet the eligibility criteria,​ your candidature will be cancelled without notice.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply Online

The process is straightforward if you follow the sequence:

1. Visit www.delhihighcourt.nic.in from 1 July 2026 onwards.
2. Create a new login using your email and a secure password.
3. Fill the online application form with accurate personal,​ educational,​ and professional details.
4. Upload required documents as specified in the online form.
5. Review all information carefully before final submission—errors cannot be corrected after submission.
6. Proceed to payment using your preferred method (Debit Card,​ Credit Card,​ Internet Banking,​ or UPI).
7. Once payment is successful,​ your application is submitted. Print the confirmation for your records.

Do not wait until the last day. Last-minute technical glitches or payment delays can cost you the opportunity. Apply well before 15 July at 5:30 PM.

What Candidates Must Verify Before Applying

The High Court emphasises that your admission at any stage is conditional. You are responsible for ensuring you meet all eligibility requirements. Before hitting submit,​ cross-check:

• Your citizenship status
• Your years of continuous legal practice or judicial service (exactly seven years as on 15 July 2026)
• Your date of birth and age bracket (35 to 45 years as on 15 July 2026)
• If applying under PwD category,​ your disability certificate and whether your disability is among those identified as suitable for judicial officer posts

The complete Instructions for the examination,​ eligibility relaxations,​ and general terms and conditions are available on the online portal. The High Court strongly advises candidates to read the Instructions thoroughly and review the Delhi Higher Judicial Service Rules,​ 1970 (as amended) before completing the application. Ignorance of rules will not be accepted as an excuse for ineligibility.

Identified Disabilities for Judicial Officer Posts

If you are applying under the PwD category,​ your disability must fall into one of these identified categories:

• Blindness and low vision
• One arm,​ one leg,​ both legs,​ leprosy cured,​ dwarfism,​ and acid attack victims
• Specific learning disability
• Multiple disabilities involving any of the above categories

Your disability must be certified and verified as 40% or more. If you have a carry-forward reserved vacancy scenario,​ there may be interchangeability options as detailed in the official notification.

Important Notes on Vacancy and Eligibility Verification

Two things deserve special mention. First,​ the vacancy numbers are subject to change pending a court judgment dated 11 March 2026. The final vacancy count may differ from what is advertised,​ so monitor the official website for any updates closer to the examination date.

Second,​ eligibility is verified at each stage of the examination. Even if you clear the preliminary exam,​ if your eligibility is questioned and found to be incomplete at the Mains stage or interview,​ your candidature can be cancelled. Therefore,​ be absolutely certain of your eligibility before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I apply if I have seven years of experience as of today,​ but not as of 15 July 2026?
No. The seven-year experience requirement is calculated as on 15 July 2026,​ the last date of application receipt. You must have completed seven years by that date.

Q2: What if I turn 45 years old between now and the preliminary exam?
Age is fixed as on the application deadline,​ 15 July 2026. If you are 45 years or older on that date,​ you are ineligible,​ regardless of your age on the exam date.

Q3: Is the application fee refundable?
No. The application fee is explicitly stated as non-refundable for all categories.

Q4: Can I submit a printed application form by post instead of applying online?
No. The notification clearly states that applications must be submitted online only through the official website. Postal applications will not be accepted.

Q5: What is the negative marking in the preliminary exam?
The preliminary exam has 25% negative marking,​ meaning 0.25 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer.

Q6: If I am selected,​ when does the appointment typically begin?
The notification does not specify the appointment date or joining procedure. Check the official website or contact the High Court for details regarding appointment and joining formalities.

Q7: Can a person with 7 years as a Judicial Officer and no Bar experience apply?
No. For Judicial Officers,​ the rule requires either seven years in the Bar before joining the subordinate judicial service,​ or a combined seven years as both Judicial Officer and Advocate. Seven years as a Judicial Officer alone is insufficient.

Q8: What if I have a disability but it is not in the identified list?
Your disability must be one of the four identified categories (Blindness and low vision;​ one arm,​ one leg,​ both legs,​ leprosy cured,​ dwarfism,​ acid attack victim;​ Specific Learning Disability;​ or Multiple Disabilities involving these). If your disability does not fall into these categories,​ you cannot claim PwD reservation. You may,​ however,​ apply under the general category if you meet other eligibility criteria.

Final Reminders Before You Apply

This is a prestigious recruitment for India's higher judiciary. The High Court has set the bar high,​ and rightly so. Take time to verify every detail of your eligibility. Read the full Instructions on the portal. Familiarise yourself with the Delhi Higher Judicial Service Rules,​ 1970,​ as amended.

Apply early. The portal opens on 1 July;​ don't wait for mid-July. Technical issues are real,​ and last-minute rushes lead to errors.

Double-check all information before submission. Once submitted,​ corrections are not possible.

For the latest updates,​ notifications,​ and detailed Instructions,​ visit www.delhihighcourt.nic.in. This is the official source of truth. Any information you find elsewhere should be cross-verified against the official notification issued by Registrar General Arun Bhardwaj on 1 July 2026.