MPSC Civil Judge JMFC 2026: A Major 286-Post Judicial Opening for Maharashtra Advocates
The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has notified Notification No. 013/2026 for 286 Civil Judge Junior Division and Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) posts. The Junior Branch entry pay is Pay Matrix Level J-1 — ₹77,840 per month plus admissible allowances. This is the biggest MPSC judiciary opening of 2026 and a clean route into the Maharashtra Judicial Service for LLB graduates with 3 years of practice.
The online application window runs from 1 May 2026 (14:00 hrs) to 21 May 2026 (23:59 hrs) through the MPSC online portal. The Preliminary Examination is scheduled for Sunday, 2 August 2026 at four centres — Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Kolhapur, Navi Mumbai and Nagpur. If you are a law graduate with 3 years of practice and Marathi proficiency, this is your prime shot. Read the full guide on GovtJobsAlert.in below.
Key Highlights — MPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026
MPSC conducts the Civil Judge selection on behalf of the Law and Judiciary Department, Government of Maharashtra. Postings are across Maharashtra’s judicial districts as per Maharashtra Judicial Service Rules 2008.
- Post Name: Civil Judge (Junior Division) and Judicial Magistrate First Class
- Total Vacancies: 286 posts
- Pay: Pay Matrix Level J-1 — ₹77,840 per month plus allowances
- Eligibility: LLB + 3 years practice (advocate or post-LLB ministerial service) + Marathi
- Job Location: Across Maharashtra
- Last Date to Apply: 21 May 2026
MPSC Civil Judge Vacancy Breakdown 2026
The 286 posts are distributed as per Maharashtra reservation rules. Per-category numerical split is published separately on the MPSC website per cadre orders and may be revised through the recruitment cycle.
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Vacancies | 286 |
| Reservation | Maharashtra rules — SC, ST, VJ-A, NT-B, NT-C, NT-D, SBC, OBC, EWS |
| Horizontal Reservation | Women, PwBD per Maharashtra rules |
SEBC reservation under the Maharashtra Act of 27.02.2024 applies subject to the outcome of pending Bombay High Court matters (WP No. 3468/2024 and PIL No. 30/2024). Final reservation depends on court directions.
MPSC Civil Judge Eligibility Criteria 2026
Educational Qualification
Eligibility is checked as on 30 April 2026. Two streams are recognised.
- Stream A — Advocate / Public Prosecutor / Government Advocate:
- Degree in Law (LL.B.) from a recognised university
- Practice as advocate at Bombay High Court or subordinate courts for not less than 3 years on 30 April 2026
- Period as Law Clerk after provisional Bar Council enrolment also counts towards practice
- Enrolment date reckoned from State Bar Council provisional enrolment / registration
- OR working as Public Prosecutor / Government Advocate for not less than 3 years on 30 April 2026
- Stream B — Ministerial Staff (post-LLB):
- Of High Court Bombay or subordinate courts; OR Government Pleader’s offices; OR Legal Assistant and above in Legal Section of Law and Judiciary Department, Mantralaya
- Minimum 3 years of service post-LLB on 30 April 2026
- Bar Council Registration: Bar Council of India / Maharashtra & Goa registration certificate copy is mandatory at document upload
Marathi Language Requirement
Mandatory. Candidates must speak, read and write Marathi proficiently with sufficient knowledge for fluent translation between Marathi and English. Proficiency certificate is required at interview from the Principal District Judge / Sessions Judge (for Advocates) or department head (for serving employees). If not held at appointment, the candidate must clear the government-prescribed Marathi language exam within 2 years of appointment.
Age Limit
| Stream | Open | Backward / PwBD |
|---|---|---|
| Advocate / PP / Govt Advocate | 21 to 35 | 21 to 40 |
| Ministerial Staff | 21 to 45 | 21 to 50 |
Age is reckoned as on 30 April 2026. PwBD relaxation per Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 — UDID card mandatory.
What is the Salary for MPSC Civil Judge 2026?
The Civil Judge JMFC entry pay is Pay Matrix Level J-1 — ₹77,840 per month plus admissible allowances.
- Basic Pay: ₹77,840 per month
- Allowances: Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Judicial Allowance and other state allowances
- Pension: NPS for those joining after 01.01.2005
- Other Benefits: Leave, medical, transferable PAN-Maharashtra postings
Total in-hand pay at entry typically reaches ₹95,000 to ₹1,05,000 per month after DA, HRA and judicial allowance — among the strongest state judicial entry packages in western India.
A 3-year probation plus a service bond of ₹2,00,000 apply. Selected candidates are also barred from practising advocacy at the same court they served at, for 2 years post-service termination.
What is the Selection Process for MPSC Civil Judge 2026?
Selection is a classic three-stage process. Preliminary marks are screening only; final merit is built on Mains plus Interview totalling 250 marks.
- Preliminary Examination — 100 marks, objective MCQ, English medium, screening only
- Main Examination — 200 marks across 2 papers, conventional / descriptive, Marathi and English medium
- Interview — 50 marks, 40% qualifying minimum (35% for PwBD)
Preliminary Pattern
- 100 questions of 1 mark each, 1 paper, medium English
- Subjects: CrPC, CPC, Evidence Act, Transfer of Property Act, Specific Relief Act, Maharashtra Rent Control Act, Limitation Act, Constitution of India, IPC, Law of Contracts, Sale of Goods Act, Partnership Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023
- Marks NOT counted in final merit — screening stage only
Mains Pattern
- 2 conventional papers of 100 marks each (total 200 marks)
- Paper 1: CPC, Transfer of Property Act, Specific Relief Act, Contracts and Sale of Goods Act and Partnership Act
- Paper 2: IPC, Evidence Act, CrPC, SC and ST PoA Act 1989, Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955, Essay on Current Legal Topic (~800 words), BNS, BSA and BNSS
- 1:3 mains-to-interview ratio
How to Apply Online for MPSC Civil Judge 2026?
Applications are accepted only through the MPSC online portal.
- Visit the apply portal listed in Essential Links below
- Create a candidate account or update your existing profile
- Open the Civil Judge JMFC 2026 advertisement
- Fill personal, educational, professional and Bar Council details accurately
- Upload required documents (50 to 500 KB each, PDF format)
- Pay the examination fee via SBI gateway online or generate a bank challan
- Submit and save the application acknowledgement
Important Dates — MPSC Civil Judge 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start | 1 May 2026 (14:00 hrs) |
| Online Application End | 21 May 2026 (23:59 hrs) |
| Bank Challan Generation Last Date | 23 May 2026 (23:59 hrs) |
| Offline Challan Payment Last Date | 25 May 2026 |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 2 August 2026 (Sunday) |
MPSC Civil Judge Application Fees 2026
The fee is non-refundable. Bank charges and applicable taxes are extra.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Open / Unreserved | ₹394 |
| Backward Classes / PwBD / Orphan | ₹294 |
Online payment is via SBI gateway (Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking) or offline through SBI bank challan generated from the portal.
Essential Links — MPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Apply Online for MPSC Civil Judge 2026
- Visit MPSC Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram for Maharashtra Govt Jobs
If you are a Marathi-speaking advocate with three years at the Bar, MPSC Civil Judge JMFC 2026 is the strongest judicial entry point in Maharashtra this year. Block 2 August 2026 in your calendar and start revising the bare acts plus the new BNS, BSA and BNSS now. For more openings, browse Maharashtra government jobs on GovtJobsAlert.in.