Bombay High Court District Judge Recruitment 2026: 89 Vacancies, Eligibility, Fee & Apply Online

 

Bombay High Court District Judge Recruitment 2026: 89 Vacancies – Apply Online, Eligibility, Fee & More

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The Bombay High Court has officially released the notification for the recruitment of District Judge (by Nomination – 25%) for the year 2026. This is a prestigious and highly anticipated opportunity for legal professionals in Maharashtra. A total of 89 vacancies have been announced, and the online application process is currently active. If you are an advocate, judicial officer, or public prosecutor with the required experience, this is your chance to enter the higher judicial services.

The last date to apply online is 17th February 2026. Given the strict deadlines and the detailed documentation required, candidates must act immediately. This guide provides every single detail you need to know, from eligibility to the selection process, ensuring you don't miss any crucial step.

Bombay High Court District Judge Recruitment 2026: Overview

Here is a quick snapshot of the entire recruitment drive for your reference :

Particulars	Details
Organization	High Court of Bombay (Bombay High Court)
Post Name	District Judge (by Nomination - 25%)
Total Vacancies	89 Posts
Category	Maharashtra State Judicial Service
Application Mode	Online
Application Start Date	30 January 2026 (10:30 AM)
Last Date to Apply	17 February 2026 (04:30 PM)
Last Date for Documents by Post	25 February 2026
Pay Scale	₹1,44,840 - ₹1,94,660 per month
Job Location	Maharashtra (Mumbai, Nagpur, Aurangabad, etc.)
Official Website	https://bombayhighcourt.nic.in

Vacancy Details for District Judge 2026

The Bombay High Court has advertised a total of 89 vacancies for the post of District Judge. However, candidates should note that the number of vacancies is likely to vary and the final number will be notified on the official website .

Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, candidates must ensure they meet the strict eligibility criteria set by the High Court. Failure to meet any of these requirements will lead to disqualification.

1. Educational Qualification

• Essential: Candidates must hold a Degree in Law (LL.B.) from a recognized university.

2. Experience Required (As on 30.01.2026)

You must have at least 7 years of experience in one of the following capacities:

• For Advocates: Practising as an Advocate in the High Court of Bombay or Courts subordinate thereto.
• For Judicial Officers: Serving as a Judicial Officer in the Maharashtra Judicial Service.
• For Law Officers: Working or having worked as a Public Prosecutor or Government Advocate.

Inclusions: While computing the period of 7 years, the following periods are also included :

• Period worked as a Law Clerk (after provisional enrollment as an Advocate) with Judges of the Bombay High Court or Judicial Officers of subordinate courts.
• Period served as a Public Prosecutor, Government Advocate, or Judicial Officer.

3. Language Proficiency (Mandatory)

A candidate must have sufficient knowledge of Marathi to enable him/her to speak, read, write, and translate with facility from Marathi into English and vice-versa.

4. Age Limit (As on 30.01.2026)

• Minimum Age: 35 Years
• Maximum Age:
• General/Others: 45 Years
• Backward Communities / Persons with Disability (PwD): 48 Years
• 5. Nationality

Candidates must be citizens of India .

Salary and Pay Scale

Selected candidates for the post of District Judge will receive an attractive salary in the pay matrix :

• Pay Scale: ₹1,44,840 – ₹1,94,660 per month
• Allowances: Dearness Allowance (DA) and other admissible allowances as per the rules.

Application Fee

The application fee is non-refundable and must be paid online. The fee structure is as follows :

Category	Application Fee
General / EWS / Others	₹1000/-
SC / ST / OBC / PwD / Transgender	₹500/-
Payment Mode	Online via SBCollect (Internet Banking, Credit Card, UPI, or e-Challan)

Important Dates to Remember

Event	Date
Notification Release Date	30 January 2026
Online Application Start Date	30 January 2026 (after 10:30 AM)
Last Date to Apply Online	17 February 2026 (up to 04:30 PM)
Last Date for Receipt of Documents by Post	25 February 2026
Preliminary Written Exam Date	To be announced
Main Written Exam Date	To be announced
Viva-Voce (Interview) Date	To be announced

Selection Process 2026: Step-by-Step

The selection for the District Judge post is rigorous and consists of three stages. Candidates must qualify in each stage to move to the next .

Stage 1: Preliminary Written Examination (Screening Test)

• Type: Objective type (Multiple Choice Questions).
• Purpose: This exam is only for short-listing candidates for the Main Examination. Candidates will be called in the ratio of 1:10 of the advertised vacancies.
•  Evaluation: The marks obtained in the Preliminary Exam are NOT counted for the final merit list.
• Exam Centers: Mumbai, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), and Kolhapur.

Stage 2: Main Written Examination

• Papers: 2 Papers (Conventional/Descriptive type).
• Total Marks: 200 Marks (100 Marks each).
• Duration: 3 Hours per paper.
• Medium: English.
• Minimum Qualifying Marks :
• General Category: 50% marks in each paper.
• Backward Communities / PwD: 45% marks in each paper.

Stage 3: Viva-Voce (Personal Interview)

• Marks: 50 Marks.
• Candidates Called: In the ratio of 1:3 of the advertised vacancies, based on performance in the Main Written Examination.
• Minimum Qualifying Marks :
• General Category: 40% marks (i.e., 20 marks out of 50).
• PwD Candidates: 35% marks (i.e., 17.5 marks out of 50).

Final Merit List

The final selection will be based strictly on merit, calculated by the cumulative marks secured in the Main Written Examination (200 marks) + Viva-Voce (50 marks), totaling 250 marks .

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide

Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through the official website. Follow these steps carefully:

Step 1: Visit the Official Website
Go to the official website of the Bombay High Court: https://bombayhighcourt.nic.in .

Step 2: Read the Notification
Go to the "Recruitment" section and read the "Advertisement for the District Judge, by Nomination – 2025" carefully to confirm your eligibility .

Step 3: Pay the Application Fee (Online)
Before filling the form, pay the fee via SBCollect :

• Visit the SBCollect link provided on the recruitment page.
• Make the payment and note down the SBCollect Reference Number. You will need this to fill the form.

Step 4: Fill the Online Application Form

• Click on the application link (active from 30 January 2026).
• Fill in all the required personal, educational, and professional details accurately.
• Enter the SBCollect Reference Number in Column No. 40 of the application form .

Step 5: Upload Documents
Upload scanned copies of your Passport Size Photograph and Signature in JPG format. The file size for each should not exceed 40KB .

Step 6: Submit and Take Printout

• After verification, submit the form. A Registration ID will be generated. Note it down for future reference.
• Take a printout of the submitted application form for your records.

Documents Required and Postal Submission

While the application is online, certain documents must be sent by post to the High Court.

Documents to be Submitted by Post

The following documents must be sent via Registered Post/Speed Post/Courier to the address below on or before 25 February 2026:

1. Receipt / e-Challan of the application fee payment.
2. NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the current employer (for candidates already in Government service).
3. True copy of Disability Certificate / UDID Card (for PwD candidates).
4. Scribe/Reader related forms (Form 1, 2, 3A, 3B), if applicable.

Postal Address :

The Registrar (Legal & Research),
105, 1st Floor, PWD Building,
High Court, Fort,
Mumbai – 400 032.

Superscription: The envelope must be superscribed with “Application for the post of District Judge – 2025”.

Documents Required for Verification (Original + Attested Copies)

1. Proof of Indian Citizenship.
2. Age Proof (Birth Certificate/SSC Certificate).
3. For Practicing Advocates:
4. Certificate of standing as a legal practitioner (Form A1).
5. Certificate of knowledge of Marathi (Form A2).
6. Character Certificate from 2 respectable persons (Form A3), issued on or after 30.01.2026.
7. LL.B. mark sheets (all semesters) and Degree Certificate.
8. Sanad issued by the Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa.
9. Certificate of Practice from the Bar Council of India (for law degrees from 2009-10 onwards).
10. Income Tax Returns for the last 3 years (if any).
11. Caste Certificate (if applicable).
12. Disability Certificate (if applicable).

Important Conditions and Bond Requirements

1. Probation Period

Selected candidates will be appointed initially on probation for a period of two years.

2. Service Bond

The selected candidate will have to execute a Bond in the sum of ₹2,00,000/- (Rupees Two Lakhs only) to work on the post for a period of 3 years from the date of joining. If the candidate leaves before that, the amount will be forfeited.

3. Restriction on Practice

At the time of appointment, the candidate must give an undertaking that for a period of two years from the date on which he/she ceases to be in service, he/she will not practice in any Court over which he/she had presided or the Courts subordinate thereto.

4. Disqualifications

• Candidates with more than two living children (with specific exceptions under the Maharashtra Civil Services Rules) are disqualified.
• Candidates who have been convicted for an offence involving moral turpitude.
• Candidates who have been compulsorily retired, removed, or dismissed from service.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the last date to apply for Bombay High Court District Judge Recruitment 2026?

The last date to submit the online application is 17 February 2026, up to 04:30 PM .

Q2. How many vacancies are available for the District Judge post?

There are a total of 89 vacancies announced .

Q3. What is the minimum age required to apply?

The minimum age is 35 years .

Q4. Do I need to know Marathi to apply?

Yes. Sufficient knowledge of Marathi (reading, writing, speaking, and translating) is mandatory .

Q5. Can I apply if I am working as a Government Advocate?

Yes, provided you have completed 7 years of service. However, you must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your department .

Q6. Is the application fee the same for all categories?

No. It is ₹1000 for General/EWS candidates and ₹500 for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates .

Conclusion

The Bombay High Court District Judge Recruitment 2026 is a golden opportunity for legal professionals with seven years of experience to enter the Maharashtra Judicial Service. With 89 vacancies up for grabs, the competition will be fierce, but the rewards—in terms of prestige, salary, and job satisfaction—are immense.

Do not wait until the last day. Ensure your documents are ready, pay the fee, fill out the online form accurately, and send the required documents by post before 25 February 2026. Good luck!

Disclaimer: Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website of the Bombay High Court (bombayhighcourt.nic.in) for any updates or changes to the schedule.