J&K Higher Judicial Service District Judges (Entry Level) Direct Recruitment

Basic eligibility paths

• ✓Under Rule 5(2) of the Jammu and Kashmir Higher Judicial Service Rules, 2009 a direct recruit must hold a law degree from a University established by law in India recognised by the Bar Council of India.
• ✓The same rule requires the candidate to be a practising advocate in courts of civil and criminal jurisdiction on the last date for applications, with actual practice of not less than seven years.
• ✓Rule 5(2)(c) sets the age band at 35 to 45 years, relaxed by two years for SC, ST and OBC candidates, and Rule 5(2)(d) requires proficiency in reading and writing Urdu.
• ✓Rule 9 lists disqualifications, including dismissal from service by a Government or High Court and conviction for an offence.
• ✓These are the standing service rules. Confirm the cut-off date, reservation and category rules in the official current-cycle notification.

Relaxations & certificates

• SC/ST, OBC-NCL, PwBD and ex-servicemen relaxations follow the applicable notification.
• Always check the certificate format and cut-off date in the official notice.

Selection stages

1. 1Written examination of two papers of two hours each, with the syllabus prescribed and notified by the High Court — Rule 8 of the Jammu and Kashmir Higher Judicial Service Rules, 2009
2. 2Viva-voce, for which only candidates scoring 60 per cent or more in the written examination are called (50 per cent for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates), in a ratio of three candidates per vacancy
3. 3Selection on the cumulative grade value of the written examination and viva-voce

Syllabus snapshot

• Rule 8 of the Jammu and Kashmir Higher Judicial Service Rules, 2009 leaves the syllabus for the two written papers to be prescribed and notified by the High Court for each recruitment.
• Use only the High Court's official current-cycle syllabus and scheme of examination when it is published.