Opening Overview
High Court of Judicature at Patna has released the advertisement for District Judge (Entry Level), Direct From Bar Exam-2026 for direct recruitment in Bihar Superior Judicial Service. A total of 08 vacancies are available and eligible Advocates / Judicial Officers can apply online within the prescribed dates.
Post Details Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | High Court of Judicature at Patna (Patna High Court) |
| Post Name | District Judge (Entry Level), Direct From Bar Exam-2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 8 |
| Qualification | Advocate / Pleader with required practice (as per eligibility) |
| Last Date | 15/05/2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | https://patnahighcourt.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 16/04/2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 15/05/2026 |
| Last Date for Uploading Photo/Signature/Declaration & Completing Final Submission (as per notice) | 22/05/2026 |
| Advertisement Date | 30/03/2026 |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Other Category | 1,500 |
| SC / ST (Bihar) | 750 |
| OH (Orthopaedically Handicapped) (Bihar) | 750 |
Payment Mode: Online payment through the link available while filling the form on Patna High Court website.
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 35 Years
- Maximum Age: 50 Years
- Age as on: Date of application (as mentioned in the advertisement)
Vacancy Details
Total Posts: 08
Reservation percentages mentioned in the notification:
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| SC | 16% |
| ST | 1% |
| EBC | 21% |
| BC | 12% |
| EWS | 10% |
Horizontal Reservation:
- 35% for women who are permanent residents / natives of Bihar across all categories.
- 1% for Orthopaedically Disabled (OH) candidates who are permanent residents / natives of Bihar.
Category-wise breakup table is provided in the notification for current and backlog vacancies totaling 08 posts.
Eligibility / Qualification
Candidates must be eligible as per Bihar Superior Judicial Service Rules, 1951 (as amended up to date).
Key eligibility points mentioned:
- Applicant must have 7 years or more of continuous practice as an Advocate / Pleader (including Government Pleaders and Public Prosecutors) on the date of application.
- Candidate must give a declaration of appearance in at least 24 cases per year in the last three years preceding the year of advertisement (2022-23, 2023-24 & 2024-25), wherever applicable.
- Judicial Officers who had already completed 7 years or more continuous practice as Advocate/Pleader (including Government Pleaders and Public Prosecutors) before joining subordinate judicial service are also eligible.
- A person who has been / is in judicial service and has a combined experience of 7 years or more as an Advocate or a Judicial Officer in continuity on the date of application is also eligible for appointment under Article 233 of the Constitution.
- Prosecution Officers / Assistant Prosecution Officers are treated as an Advocate and are eligible as per Supreme Court judgment in Civil Appeal No. 561 of 2013 (Deepak Aggarwal vs. Keshav Kaushik & others).
Selection Process
- Screening Test (if held) for shortlisting (objective type)
- Written Test (Main Written Examination)
- Viva-Voce (Interview)
- Document Verification
- Medical Examination
Shortlisting criteria mentioned:
- Approximately 10 times the number of vacancies may be called for Written Test based on Screening Test marks (if held).
- Approximately 3 times the number of vacancies may be called for Viva-Voce based on Written Test marks.
Exam Pattern
Screening Test (if held)
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Objective |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Marks per Question | 3 |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Negative Marking | 1 mark deducted for each wrong answer |
| Subjects | Law, English Language, General & Computer Knowledge |
Law subjects for Screening Test include provisions of:
- Constitution of India
- Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
- Limitation Act, 1963
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS)
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
- Transfer of Property Act, 1882
- Indian Contract Act, 1872
- Specific Relief Act, 1963
- Sale of Goods Act, 1930
- Indian Partnership Act, 1932
- Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
- Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996
- Personal Laws (Hindu, Muslim and Christian)
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS)
Written Test
The notification states that there may be as many papers with marks for each paper as decided by the High Court. Subjects mentioned for Written Test include:
- Constitution of India
- Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
- Limitation Act, 1963
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS)
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
- Indian Contract Act, 1872
- Sale of Goods Act, 1930
- Indian Partnership Act, 1932
- Specific Relief Act, 1963
- Transfer of Property Act, 1882
- Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
- Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996
- Personal Laws (Hindu, Muslim and Christian)
- Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
- Family Courts Act, 1984
- Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988
- Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS)
Marks ratio mentioned:
- Theory papers + Viva-Voce: 80% and 20%
Minimum qualifying marks mentioned:
- Viva-Voce will be held only if the candidate secures at least 45% in each theory paper.
- To qualify for appointment: at least 45% in each theory paper, 30% in Viva-Voce, and 50% aggregate in Written Test (theory + viva-voce together).
- Relaxation: minimum qualifying marks in Screening Test (if held) may be relaxed for reserved category candidates including women and OH candidates by 5%.
Salary / Pay Scale
- Pay Scale (Revised): ₹1,44,840 - 1,94,660 (Level J-5)
- Pre-revised pay scale mentioned: ₹51,550 - 1,230 - 58,930 - 1,380 - 63,070
- Allowances: As admissible under rules for Bihar Superior Judicial Service.