Patna High Court Recruitment 2026 - District Judge (Entry Level), Direct From Bar Exam-2026 (Total 8 Posts)

Opening Overview

High Court of Judicature at Patna has invited online applications for District Judge (Entry Level), Direct From Bar Exam-2026 under the Bihar Superior Judicial Service. A total of 08 vacancies are notified. Eligible Advocates / Judicial Officers can apply online from 16/04/2026 to 15/05/2026 (23:59) on the Patna High Court website.

Post Details Table

Important Dates

Application Fee

Payment Mode: Online payment only. Fee once paid will not be refunded. Applications without prescribed fee will not be considered.

Age Limit

• Minimum Age: 35 Years
• Maximum Age: 50 Years
• Age is calculated as on the date of application.

Vacancy Details

Total Vacancies: 08 Posts

The notification mentions the following category-wise breakup across current and backlog vacancies:

Eligibility / Qualification

Candidates must fulfill the eligibility conditions under the Bihar Superior Judicial Service Rules, 1951 (as amended up to date).

Key eligibility points mentioned in the advertisement:

• Applicant must have completed 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 being recruited in subordinate judicial service on the date of application are also eligible.
• A person who is/was 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 Advocate and are eligible as per Supreme Court judgment (Civil Appeal No. 561 of 2013 – Deepak Agarwal Vs. Keshav Kaushik & others).

Selection Process

1. Screening Test (if held, for shortlisting)
2. Written Test (Main Written Examination)
3. Viva-Voce / Interview
4. Document Verification (printout of online form and required certificates to be furnished when directed)
5. Medical Examination (before Medical Board for fitness as Judicial Officer)

Exam Pattern

Screening Test (if held)

Law portion for screening test will be based on provisions of (as listed in the notice):

• 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 (Main)

The High Court may decide the number of papers and marks for each paper. Subjects mentioned 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)

Viva-Voce / Interview

• Ratio of marks: Written (Theory) 80% and Viva-Voce 20%.
• Candidate will be called for viva-voce only if he/she secures at least 45% in each theory paper.
• Final qualification for appointment: at least 45% in each theory paper, 30% in viva-voce, and 50% aggregate in written (theory) + viva-voce taken together.
• If Screening/Preliminary is held, minimum qualifying marks may be relaxed for reserved category candidates (including women and OH) by 5% as per notice.

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/-
• Selected candidates will draw pay in the sanctioned time scale with admissible allowances.
• Probation: 1 year (as mentioned in the notice).