The High Court of Delhi has officially published the Notice: SPA & PA Examination 2026 inviting online applications for 150 Senior Personal Assistant and Personal Assistant posts on the establishment of the High Court. Candidates possessing a Graduate Degree with proficiency in English Shorthand (110 wpm for SPA / 100 wpm for PA) can register online via delhihighcourt.nic.in on or before 16-03-2026. Inducted stenographic officers will be appointed to prestigious courtrooms assisting Hon'ble Judges in dictation, judgment transcription, and chamber order proceedings.
Delhi High Court SPA & PA Recruitment: Fast Overview Table
Key recruitment stipulations, shorthand thresholds, and establishment rules governing the Delhi High Court selection are detailed below:
| Judicial Establishment | High Court of Delhi, New Delhi |
|---|---|
| Statutory Notice Reference | Notice: SPA & PA Examination 2026 |
| Total Stenographic Openings | 150 Court Officer Positions |
| Pay Scale Matrix | Senior Personal Assistant: Pay Level-8 (₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100); Personal Assistant: Pay Level-7 (₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400) |
| Age Eligibility Ceiling | 18 to 32 years (Relaxation applicable as per Delhi High Court Establishment Rules) |
| Examination Processing Fee | ₹1,000/- for General/OBC-NCL/EWS; ₹800/- for SC/ST/PwD candidates |
| Online Application Deadline | 16-03-2026 |
| Court Establishment Campus | Establishment of the High Court of Delhi, Sher Shah Road, New Delhi |
| Official Judicial Portal | https://delhihighcourt.nic.in/ |
Establishment Cadre Allocation: Senior Personal Assistant vs Personal Assistant
The 150 sanctioned stenographic vacancies are divided between Senior Personal Assistant (60 posts in Pay Level-8) and Personal Assistant (90 posts in Pay Level-7) within the High Court Establishment at Sher Shah Road, New Delhi. Personal Assistants and Senior Personal Assistants form the core secretarial cadre attached directly to the Chief Justice, Companion Judges, Registrar General, and Judicial Registrars.
Duties require impeccable courtroom demeanor, rapid in-court shorthand recording of judicial arguments, accurate transcription of landmark ex-tempore and reserved judgments, preparation of cause lists, and confidential chamber correspondence. Quotas conform to High Court rules: Scheduled Castes (15%), Scheduled Tribes (7.5%), Other Backward Classes Non-Creamy Layer (27%), Economically Weaker Sections (10%), and 4% reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (Orthopedically Handicapped / Hearing Impaired).
In addition to active courtroom recording, Senior Personal Assistants manage digital judicial case files on the Case Information System (CIS), cross-reference citations from Indian Law Reports (ILR) and Supreme Court Cases (SCC), coordinate with Court Masters during roster listings, and assist in maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive bench orders prior to official pronouncement on the Delhi High Court web portal.
Eligibility Criteria: Educational Qualifications, Age Limits & Standards
Academic Qualifications & Stenography Speed Standards
Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized University. For Senior Personal Assistant (SPA), candidates must possess a minimum English Shorthand speed of 110 words per minute and English Typing speed of 40 words per minute on computer. For Personal Assistant (PA), candidates must possess a minimum English Shorthand speed of 100 words per minute and English Typing speed of 40 words per minute. Basic knowledge of computer operations and word processing applications is essential.
Age Limits and Establishment Rules
Candidates must be between 18 and 32 years of age as on the crucial cutoff date specified in the notice. Upper age concessions apply: 5 years for SC/ST candidates, 3 years for OBC-NCL candidates possessing certificates recognized in Delhi, 10 years for PwD candidates (15 years for SC/ST PwD, 13 years for OBC PwD), and up to 5 years for members of the Delhi High Court establishment staff.
Error Tolerance Limits in Shorthand Transcription
The High Court enforces rigorous accuracy thresholds: in the Shorthand Dictation test, total transcription errors must not exceed 3% of the total dictated words. Any candidate committing more than 3% errors (including omissions, additions, spelling mistakes, or grammatical substitutions) is summarily disqualified from further stages regardless of typing speed.
7th CPC Pay Scale Matrix & Judicial Allowances
Appointees receive prestigious central judicial salaries under the 7th Central Pay Commission:
- Senior Personal Assistant: Pay Level-8 (₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100) with starting basic salary of ₹47,600/- per month.
- Personal Assistant: Pay Level-7 (₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400) with starting basic salary of ₹44,900/- per month.
Officers are entitled to Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance (27% in Delhi), Transport Allowance, High Court Special Secretarial Allowance, Sumptuary Allowance, reimbursement of telephone/broadband expenses, annual book grant, Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) medical facilities, and coverage under the National Pension System (NPS).
Selection Methodology: Four-Tier Examination Pipeline
The selection pipeline is carried out through four rigorous assessment stages:
- Stage I: English Shorthand Test (Qualifying):
- For SPA: Shorthand dictation of 550 words at 110 wpm for 5 minutes, transcribed on computer in 45 minutes (max 3% errors allowed).
- For PA: Shorthand dictation of 500 words at 100 wpm for 5 minutes, transcribed on computer in 40 minutes (max 3% errors allowed).
- Stage II: Written Test (100 Marks, 90 Minutes): Objective screening test testing General English (Grammar, Vocabulary, Idioms, Legal Glossary) 50 Marks, and General Knowledge & Current Events 50 Marks. Negative marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer.
- Stage III: English Typing Test (Qualifying): 10-minute computer typing test at minimum speed of 40 words per minute with permissible error limit not exceeding 3%.
- Stage IV: Personal Interview (20 Marks): In-depth interview conducted by a board of High Court Registrars evaluating communication skills, legal awareness, chamber protocol, and general suitability. Final merit list is formulated by combining marks scored in Stage II (Written Test) and Stage IV (Interview).
How to Apply for Delhi High Court Recruitment Step-by-Step
Candidates must submit their applications on the official High Court web portal:
- Visit the official Delhi High Court portal: https://delhihighcourt.nic.in/.
- Navigate to "Public Notices" > "Job Openings" and select "Notice: SPA & PA Examination 2026".
- Click "New Registration" to generate your application login credentials.
- Enter personal biodata, permanent address, educational degrees, and stenography credentials.
- Upload scanned copies of your passport photo (20-50 KB), signature (10-20 KB), graduate degree certificate, and caste/EWS certificate (if applicable).
- Pay the application fee of ₹1,000/- (₹800/- for SC/ST/PwD) through online debit card, net banking, or UPI.
- Submit your completed online form and download the PDF acknowledgment slip containing your application number.
Important Dates & Application Schedule
| Notification Publication | Verified on Delhi HC Website |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Open Date | Active Now |
| Online Application Deadline | 16-03-2026 |
| Stage I English Shorthand Test | Conducted at designated Delhi examination centers |
| Stage II Written Examination | To be announced at delhihighcourt.nic.in |
Official Notification Downloads & Portal Links
Frequently Asked Questions (Delhi High Court SPA & PA)
What is the error limit allowed in the English Shorthand Test?
The maximum permissible error limit in the English Shorthand transcription test is strictly 3%. Candidates committing more than 3% errors are rejected immediately.
Can a candidate apply for both SPA and PA positions?
Yes. Candidates meeting the eligibility criteria can apply for both Senior Personal Assistant and Personal Assistant posts by submitting separate application forms and remitting separate examination fees.
Is there any negative marking in the Stage II Written Test?
Yes. A deduction of 0.25 marks is penalized for every incorrect objective answer marked in the Stage II Written Examination.
What font and software interface is used during the computer typing test?
The typing examination is conducted on standard QWERTY keyboards using Times New Roman or Arial font with automated word counting and keystroke error auditing.
Anti-Fraud Advisory & Judicial Selection Transparency
Official Warning: Appointments to the establishment of the High Court of Delhi are conducted with utmost judicial integrity, automated audio dictation systems, and blind evaluation. No individual or coaching academy has any influence over the selection committee. Any attempt to solicit favors or pay bribes will lead to criminal prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act and permanent debarment. Report illegal attempts to the Registrar (Vigilance), Delhi High Court, or via delhihighcourt.nic.in.