Official source: High Court of Karnataka, Bengaluru, Notification No. GOB(I) 47(1)/2026 dated 28.08.2026, issued under Rule 4-B of the Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2025. This is an internal promotional recruitment (Limited Departmental Competitive Examination) open only to serving Senior Civil Judges meeting the eligibility criteria below – it is not open to the general public.
Karnataka High Court LDCE 2026 Overview
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| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | High Court of Karnataka, Bengaluru |
| Notification No. | GOB(I) 47(1)/2026 |
| Notification Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Post | District Judge (25% Limited Departmental Competitive Examination category) |
| Total Posts | 79, subject to change based on the outcome of Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1022/1989 (All India Judges' Association & others v. Union of India & others), pending before the Supreme Court |
| Governing Rule | Rule 4-B of the Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2025 |
| Recruitment Mode | Promotion by merit, through a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) |
| Eligible Candidates | Only serving Senior Civil Judges meeting the eligibility criteria below – not open to the general public |
| Application Mode | Online only, via judiciary.karnataka.gov.in |
Note: As per the Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2025, 25% of total District Judge cadre posts are filled by promotion from the cadre of Senior Civil Judges, strictly on merit through this Limited Departmental Competitive Examination.
Karnataka HC LDCE 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 15 September 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Eligibility Reckoning Date | 28 August 2026 (date of this notification) |
Note: The exact date, time and venue of the Written Examination and Viva-voce are not specified in the notification. The list of eligible applicants, and the Admission Card/Call Letter, will be announced/uploaded on the High Court of Karnataka website, with intimation sent by SMS and e-mail.
Karnataka HC District Judge (LDCE) Vacancy 2026
79 District Judge Posts (25% LDCE Category)
The notification does not provide a category-wise (SC/ST/OBC) reservation breakup for these 79 posts – selection is stated to be strictly on the basis of merit. The number of posts is expressly subject to alteration depending on the outcome of Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1022/1989 (All India Judges' Association & others v. Union of India & others), pending before the Hon'ble Supreme Court.
Karnataka HC LDCE 2026 Eligibility
Applications are invited only from Senior Civil Judges who, as on the date of this notification (28.08.2026), satisfy all of the following conditions:
- Currently serving as a Senior Civil Judge, having put in not less than 3 years of service as a Senior Civil Judge.
- Completed a minimum of 7 years of total service in the combined cadre of Civil Judge & Senior Civil Judge.
- Attained the age of 35 years.
Important: This LDCE is open only to eligible serving Senior Civil Judges of the Karnataka Judicial Service – it is not a recruitment for the general public or for candidates outside the judicial service.
Karnataka HC LDCE 2026 Age & Number of Attempts
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 35 years, attained as on the date of the notification (28.08.2026) |
| Maximum Number of Attempts | 3 (Three) attempts to appear in the LDCE |
Karnataka HC District Judge Pay Scale
The pay scale for the promoted post of District Judge is not specified in the official notification. This is a promotion within the Karnataka Judicial Service; candidates may refer to the applicable Karnataka Judicial Service pay rules for the District Judge cadre.
Karnataka HC LDCE 2026 Selection Process
- Selection is through the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE), consisting of a Written Examination followed by a Viva-voce, strictly on the basis of merit.
- The procedure is as laid down under Rule 4-B of the Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2025; applicants are advised to read these rules carefully.
- The list of applicants found eligible for the Written Examination and Viva-voce will be announced on the High Court of Karnataka's official website.
- Eligible applicants will be intimated through SMS and e-mail, and must download their Admission Card/Call Letter from the High Court website.
- Applicants must appear for the Written Examination, and for the Viva-voce if called, at their own expense, at the place and time decided and notified by the High Court of Karnataka.
Note: The notification does not specify the Written Examination syllabus, pattern, or marks distribution – applicants are directed to the Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2025 for full procedural details.
How to Apply for Karnataka HC LDCE 2026
- Visit the High Court of Karnataka's official website: judiciary.karnataka.gov.in.
- Fill in the online application, compulsorily providing a valid mobile number and e-mail ID for communication.
- Scan and upload a recent passport-size photograph with white background (5cm length x 3.6cm breadth, max. 50KB, JPG format) and a signature on white paper in black ballpoint pen (2.5cm length x 7.5cm breadth, max. 25KB, JPG format); both images must be clear and visible.
- Verify that all particulars furnished, and eligibility, are correct in all respects before submitting.
- Submit the application online well in advance of the deadline – the website accepts applications round the clock until 15 September 2026, 11:59 PM.
Important: The High Court is not responsible for non-receipt of SMS or e-mail intimation, and no letter correspondence with the Authority will be entertained. Applicants should read all instructions carefully before submitting the online application to avoid mistakes or rejection.
Documents/Uploads Required
- Passport-size photograph, white background, 5cm x 3.6cm, max. 50KB, JPG format only
- Signature on white paper in black ballpoint pen, 2.5cm x 7.5cm, max. 25KB, JPG format only
- Valid personal mobile number and e-mail ID (compulsory, for all official communication)
Note: At the time of the Written Examination and Viva-voce, applicants must produce the Admission Card and Call Letter respectively, for verification.
Important Conditions
- This LDCE is open only to Senior Civil Judges meeting the stated eligibility criteria as on the date of the notification – not to the general public.
- The number of 79 posts is subject to alteration in accordance with the outcome of Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1022/1989 (All India Judges' Association & others v. Union of India & others), pending before the Supreme Court.
- The maximum number of attempts an eligible Senior Civil Judge may make to appear in this LDCE is 3 (Three).
- Applicants must compulsorily provide a valid mobile number and e-mail ID; the High Court is not responsible for non-receipt of SMS or e-mail communication, and no letter correspondence will be entertained.
- Applicants must appear for the Written Examination and Viva-voce (if called) at their own expense, at the place and time notified by the High Court.
- Applicants should carefully read the Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2025 before applying.
- This notification has also been circulated to all Principal District and Sessions Judges/Unit Heads in the State, with a request to circulate it among all Senior Civil Judges working in their respective Units.
