At a Glance
- Total Vacancies
- 08 Posts
- Post Name
- BSJS/1/2026
- Eligibility
- Bachelor Degree in Law + 7 Years Practice
- Age Limit
- 35 to 50 Years
- Exam / Result Date
- To be announced — check patnahighcourt.gov.in
- Application Last Date
- 25 May 2026 (Extended)
- Application Start Date
- 16 April 2026
Quick Summary
High Court of Judicature at Patna has released the 2026 notification for 08 District Judge (Entry Level) vacancies. Apply online at patnahighcourt.gov.in before 25 May 2026.
High Court of Judicature at Patna (PHC) is the highest judicial authority in the state of Bihar, responsible for maintaining law and order, human rights, and judicial governance across the state. Its official recruitment portal is patnahighcourt.gov.in.
Patna High Court District Judge 2026 – Overview
The window to apply for Patna High Court District Judge 2026 is steadily closing. High Court of Judicature at Patna (PHC) has extended the final deadline to 25 May 2026 for 08 District Judge (Entry Level) posts, leaving candidates just days to register at patnahighcourt.gov.in. The recruitment calls for experienced advocates with a Bachelor Degree in Law and at least 7 years of active practice. Application fee is ₹1,500 for General and OBC candidates; SC, ST, and Orthopedically Handicapped (OH) applicants from Bihar pay a reduced fee of ₹750.
The 2026 cycle brings 08 vacancies for the District Judge (Entry Level) Direct From Bar recruitment, maintaining a highly selective intake for Bihar's superior judicial services.
| Recruitment Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | High Court of Judicature at Patna (PHC) |
| Advt. No. | BSJS/1/2026 |
| Post Name | District Judge (Entry Level) |
| Total Vacancies | 08 Posts |
| Pay Scale / Salary | ₹1,44,840 – ₹1,94,660 (Level J-5) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 16 April 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 25 May 2026 (Extended) |
| Application Fee | ₹1,500 (General/OBC); ₹750 (SC/ST/OH) |
| Age Limit | 35 to 50 Years |
| Min. Qualification | Bachelor Degree in Law + 7 Years Practice |
| Exam Date | To be announced — check patnahighcourt.gov.in |
| Official Portal | patnahighcourt.gov.in |
Source: Official Patna High Court District Judge 2026 Notification (Advt. No. BSJS/1/2026), High Court of Judicature at Patna. Download PDF
Patna High Court District Judge 2026 – Important Dates & Full Schedule
The application timeline has been officially extended by the High Court. Candidates must ensure they submit their fees and final applications before the revised closing date.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Online Application Begins | 16 April 2026 | Started |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 25 May 2026 | Upcoming |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 25 May 2026 | Upcoming |
| Patna High Court District Judge Prelims Exam Date | To be announced — check patnahighcourt.gov.in | |
| Admit Card Release Date | To be announced — check patnahighcourt.gov.in |
Patna High Court District Judge 2026 – Vacancy Details
The current recruitment drive seeks to fill a highly specific number of vacancies in the Bihar Superior Judicial Service. Category-wise reservations apply according to Bihar State Government norms.
| Post Name | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| District Judge (Entry Level) - Direct From Bar | 08 |
Patna High Court District Judge 2026 – Application Fee
Fees must be paid through the online payment gateway using a Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking. Fees are non-refundable under any circumstances.
| Candidate Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹1,500 |
| SC / ST / OH (from Bihar State) | ₹750 |
Patna High Court District Judge 2026 – Eligibility Criteria
Strict criteria regarding age, educational background, and professional advocacy experience must be met. Applications failing to provide proof of practice will be summarily rejected.
Age Limit for Patna High Court District Judge 2026
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| General Category Candidates | 35 years | 50 years |
Age limits are calculated as on 15 May 2026. Age relaxation applies extra as per Bihar Superior Judicial Service rules.
Educational Qualification & Experience
| Post Name | Minimum Eligibility Requirements |
|---|---|
| District Judge (Entry Level) |
• Must hold a Bachelor Degree in Law from a recognized university. • Must have a minimum of 7 years of active practice as an Advocate. • Must have independently handled a minimum of 24 cases each year in the last 3 preceding years. |
To verify active practice, candidates must secure a certificate from the District Judge or the President of their respective Bar Association detailing the 24 cases handled annually. Joint appearances or mere assisting counsel roles do not independently satisfy this rigorous operational requirement.
Patna High Court District Judge 2026 – Pay Scale & Salary
Selected candidates are inducted into the Bihar Superior Judicial Service at Level J-5 of the revised pay matrix, starting with a basic pay of ₹1,44,840. With the addition of Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and substantial judicial and travel allowances, the expected monthly in-hand salary for a newly appointed District Judge easily crosses ₹1,80,000 to ₹2,00,000 depending on the posting location and applicable deductions.
Patna High Court District Judge 2026 – Selection Process
The demanding multi-tier selection process for Patna High Court District Judge 2026 ensures only the most competent legal professionals advance. It begins with a Preliminary Screening Test assessing core legal knowledge. Qualifiers proceed to the comprehensive Mains Examination, which involves descriptive law papers, followed by a detailed Interview (Viva-Voce) and final Medical Examination before appointment.
How to Fill Patna High Court District Judge 2026 Online Form – Step by Step
Eligible advocates can complete their registration on the official High Court portal by following these detailed steps:
- Read the Notification: Download Advt. No. BSJS/1/2026 from patnahighcourt.gov.in and verify all eligibility criteria, particularly the advocacy experience requirements.
- Gather Documents: Keep your Bar Council registration, practice certificate, photograph, signature, and educational marksheets ready in digital format.
- Access the Portal: Click the direct application link provided below and select the option for District Judge (Entry Level) Direct From Bar - 2026.
- Complete Basic Registration: Enter your basic personal details to generate a unique Registration Number and Password.
- Fill Application & Upload Media: Log in to enter your extensive educational and professional details. Upload the required scanned documents accurately.
- Pay the Examination Fee: Use the secure payment gateway to remit the ₹1,500 or ₹750 fee based on your category.
- Submit & Print: Review all entries carefully, submit the form, and retain a printed copy of the confirmation page for document verification.
Application Open: 16 April 2026 | Last Date: 25 May 2026
Patna High Court District Judge 2026 Admit Card – How to Download
The Patna High Court District Judge 2026 Admit Card has not been released yet. It will be available for download directly at patnahighcourt.gov.in approximately two weeks before the Preliminary Examination. Candidates should keep their registration number and password secure to download their hall tickets.
Patna High Court District Judge 2026 – Exam Syllabus & Paper Pattern
The Preliminary Examination operates as an objective screening test focusing on subjects like the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Civil Procedure Code, Evidence Act, and constitutional law, alongside English language and general knowledge. The Mains Examination involves descriptive answers testing deep legal reasoning and judgment writing abilities.
Patna High Court District Judge 2026 – Official Links & Notification PDF
| Apply Online Link | Click Here to Apply |
| Download Official Notification PDF | Download Notification |
| Download Date Extended Notice | Download Notice |
| Patna High Court Official Portal | patnahighcourt.gov.in |
