Bombay High Court District Judge Recruitment 2026 Notification
The High Court of Bombay has released the official notification (Advertisement No. A.5504/2025) for the recruitment of District Judges by Nomination. This is a prestigious opportunity for experienced Advocates and Public Prosecutors to join the Maharashtra Judicial Service. The High Court aims to fill 89 vacancies through this recruitment drive.
Selected candidates will be appointed to the post of District Judge with a handsome pay scale starting from Rs. 1,44,840/-. The online application process commenced on 30th January 2026 and will close on 17th February 2026. Interested candidates must also submit the hard copy of their application by 25th February 2026. Read below for detailed eligibility criteria, selection process, and application steps.
Key Highlights of Bombay High Court Vacancy 2026
The recruitment is regulated by the Maharashtra Judicial Service Rules, 2008. Candidates must possess sufficient knowledge of Marathi to be eligible.
- Recruiting Organization: High Court of Bombay (Appellate Side)
- Post Name: District Judge
- Total Vacancies: 89
- Job Location: Maharashtra
- Pay Scale: ₹1,44,840 – ₹1,94,660/-
- Application Mode: Online
- Online Application Dates: 30 Jan 2026 to 17 Feb 2026
- Hard Copy Submission Last Date: 25 Feb 2026
Vacancy Breakdown 2026
The High Court has notified a total of 89 vacancies for the post of District Judge by Nomination (25% quota).
| Post Name | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| District Judge | 89 |
(Note: The number of vacancies is likely to vary and will be notified on the official website.)
Eligibility Criteria for District Judge Recruitment
To be eligible for the Bombay High Court District Judge Recruitment 2026, candidates must meet the following strict requirements regarding age, qualification, and experience as on the date of publication of the advertisement (30.01.2026).
Educational Qualification & Experience
- Citizen of India: Must be a citizen of India.
- Law Degree: Must hold a Degree in Law.
- Experience:
- Must be practicing as an Advocate in the High Court of Bombay or subordinate courts for not less than 7 years.
- OR Must be working/have worked as a Public Prosecutor or Government Advocate for not less than 7 years.
- (Note: In the case of a serving Judicial Officer, the 7-year period includes service as a Judicial Officer and practice as an Advocate.)
- Language Proficiency: Must have sufficient knowledge of Marathi to speak, read, write, and translate with facility from Marathi into English and vice-versa.
Age Limit (As on 30.01.2026)
- General Category: Minimum 35 Years and Maximum 45 Years.
- Backward Communities / PwD: Minimum 35 Years and Maximum 48 Years.
Salary and Benefits
Candidates selected for the post of District Judge will receive a lucrative salary package in accordance with the judicial pay scales.
- Pay Scale: Rs. 1,44,840 – 1,94,660/-
- Allowances: In addition to the basic pay, the post carries Dearness Allowance and other allowances as admissible under the Rules.
- Probation: Selected candidates will be initially appointed on probation for a period of two years.
Selection Process for District Judge
The selection process involves three main stages to ensure only the most suitable candidates are chosen for the judiciary.
Stage 1: Preliminary Written Examination
- Format: Multiple Choice Objective Type Questions.
- Purpose: Short-listing candidates for the Main Exam (Ratio 1:10).
- Centers: Mumbai, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Kolhapur.
- Note: Marks secured in Prelims are not counted for final selection.
Stage 2: Main Written Examination
- Papers: Two Papers.
- Marks: 100 Marks each.
- Duration: 3 Hours each.
- Medium: English.
- Qualifying Marks: 50% in each paper (45% for Reserved Categories).
Stage 3: Viva-Voce (Interview)
- Marks: 50 Marks.
- Qualifying Criteria: Candidates must secure at least 40% marks in Viva-voce (35% for PwD) to be eligible for selection.
How to Apply Online: Step-by-Step Guide
- Register Online: Visit the official website link provided below between 30 Jan 2026 and 17 Feb 2026.
- Fill Application: Complete the online application form with accurate personal and professional details.
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your latest passport-size photograph and signature (Max 40KB each).
- Pay Fee: Pay the registration fee online via ‘SBCollect’.
- General Category: Rs. 1,000/-
- Backward Class / PwD: Rs. 500/-
- Submit & Print: Submit the form and take a printout.
- Send Hard Copy: Send the printout along with self-attested copies of required documents (Fee Receipt, NOC, Caste Certificate, etc.) by Registered Post/Speed Post to:
- The Registrar (Legal & Research), 105, 1st Floor, PWD Building, High Court, Fort, Mumbai – 400 032.
- Deadline for Hard Copy: 25th February 2026.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 30 January 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 30 January 2026 (10:30 AM) |
| Online Application Last Date | 17 February 2026 (04:30 PM) |
| Last Date for Hard Copy Submission | 25 February 2026 |
| Preliminary Exam Date | To be announced |
Application Fees
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General Candidates | ₹ 1000/- |
| Backward Class / PwD / Transgender | ₹ 500/- |
| Payment Mode | Online (SBCollect) |
Essential Links
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Apply Online
- Official Website
- Join Our WhatsApp Channel
- Join Our Telegram Channel
- Maharashtra Government Jobs Telegram Channel
This Bombay High Court District Judge Recruitment 2026 is a career-defining opportunity for legal professionals. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria, especially the 7-year practice requirement and Marathi language proficiency. Don’t forget to send the hard copy of your application before the deadline to avoid rejection. Start your preparation today!