The High Court of Andhra Pradesh at Amaravati has issued recruitment notification Roc.No.31/2026-RC inviting applications for 30 vacancies in the cadre of District Judge under the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service Rules. This premier judicial appointment carries Level J-5 of the Revised National Judicial Pay Commission (Rs. 1,44,840 to Rs. 1,94,660). Eligible judicial officers and legal practitioners can download the prescribed application format from aphc.gov.in and submit their physical applications before the closing deadline of 15 October 2026.
AP High Court District Judge 2026: Overview and Cadre Architecture
The District Judge cadre represents the highest tier of the subordinate judiciary in Andhra Pradesh, exercising original civil and criminal jurisdiction across district courts:
| Recruitment Feature | Official Notification Specifications |
|---|---|
| Judicial Authority | High Court of Andhra Pradesh (Recruitment Cell, Amaravati) |
| Post Designation | District Judge (Cadre Level J-5) |
| Total Vacancies | 30 Vacancies (Limited Departmental Competitive Examination & Direct) |
| Pay Matrix Scale | Rs. 1,44,840 - 1,94,660 (Level J-5 National Judicial Pay Commission) |
| Eligibility Qualifying Service | Min 3 years as Civil Judge (Senior Division) with 7 years total judicial service |
| Age Benchmark | Must have completed 35 years as on 01 September 2026 |
| Application Mode | Offline physical submission through proper channel to Registrar (Recruitment) |
| Last Date for Receipt | 15 October 2026 (5:00 PM) |
AP High Court District Judge Exam Pattern and Selection Process
The competitive selection for District Judge comprises a comprehensive written examination followed by a viva voce evaluation:
| Paper / Test | Syllabus Coverage | Maximum Marks | Duration | Qualifying Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Civil Law (CPC, Evidence Act, Contract Act, Specific Relief, Land Laws) | 100 Marks | 3 Hours | Civil Law benchmark mandates 50% for OC/EWS, 45% for BC, and 40% for SC/ST. |
| Paper II | Criminal Law (CrPC, IPC / Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Special Acts) | 100 Marks | 3 Hours | Criminal Law component requires 50% marks for OC/EWS, 45% for BC, and 40% for SC/ST. |
| Paper III | English Translation, Essay Writing, Legal Drafting and Judgment Writing | 100 Marks | 3 Hours | Drafting paper sets a qualifying score of 50% for OC/EWS, 45% for BC, and 40% for SC/ST. |
| Viva Voce | Personal Interview and Evaluation of Judicial Aptitude | 50 Marks | Interview | Minimum 20 Marks required in oral interview for final consideration. |
Cutoff Marks and Evaluation Criteria
The final merit roster is prepared on the basis of aggregate marks secured across all three written papers and the viva voce interview:
- Aggregate Qualifying Cutoff: Open Competition and EWS candidates must score a minimum of 50% aggregate across written papers and interview. Backward Class candidates must achieve at least 45% aggregate, while SC and ST candidates must achieve 40% aggregate.
- Individual Paper Standards: Failure to attain the category minimum in any individual paper results in disqualification, regardless of the cumulative score.
- Viva Voce Threshold: Scoring below 20 marks in the 50-mark interview renders a candidate ineligible for appointment.
Aspirant Suggestions and Candidate Guidelines
Candidates must follow the formal judicial dispatch protocol:
- Download the official application proforma and hall ticket template from the official High Court website: aphc.gov.in.
- Fill in the bio-data completely in clear handwriting or typescript, affixing passport photographs attested by a competent officer.
- In-service judicial candidates must route the application through their respective Principal District and Sessions Judge or Head of Unit.
- Enclose self-attested photocopies of LL.B degree certificate, date of birth proof, bar council enrollment certificate, service record extracts, and confidential report ratings.
- Applications in a sealed envelope marked "Application for Recruitment to the Post of District Judge - 2026" must reach the Registrar (Recruitment), High Court of Andhra Pradesh, Nelapadu, Amaravati - 522239 on or before 15 October 2026 by 5:00 PM.
Frequently Asked Questions (Notice-Grounded)
What is the pay scale for District Judge in the Andhra Pradesh High Court?
The post is placed in Level J-5 of the National Judicial Pay Commission with a pay scale of Rs. 1,44,840 to Rs. 1,94,660 per month plus special judicial allowances, housing, and vehicle entitlements.
What is the last date to submit the application?
The completed application along with all required service documentation must be received by the Registrar (Recruitment), High Court of Andhra Pradesh no later than 15 October 2026 by 5:00 PM.
What are the qualifying service requirements for the LDCE category?
Candidates applying under the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination must have completed at least 3 years of regular qualifying service as Civil Judge (Senior Division) and not less than 7 years of combined judicial service in the Andhra Pradesh Judicial Service.
How is the written examination structured?
The written examination consists of three papers of 100 marks each: Paper I on Civil Law, Paper II on Criminal Law, and Paper III on English Translation, Legal Drafting, and Judgment Writing, each lasting 3 hours.
Where should the physical application form be sent?
The physical application envelope must be dispatched through proper channel to the Office of the Registrar (Recruitment), High Court of Andhra Pradesh, Nelapadu, Amaravati, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, PIN: 522239.