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The civil judge exam eligibility 2026 includes educational qualifications, age limit, Bar enrolment with legal practice, and state-wise language criteria. Each High Court or state public service commission sets these eligibility conditions for the Civil Judge (Junior Division) exam. Every candidate needs a law degree from a BCI-recognised university and Indian citizenship. The age limit, practice requirement and language criteria differ from state to state.
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The eligibility requirements for the judicial service examination 2026 include:
Educational qualification: A 3-year LLB or 5-year integrated LLB from a university recognised by the Bar Council of India (BCI). Final-year students are not eligible.
Nationality: The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
Age limit: The minimum age is 21 to 22 years, depending on the state. For the general category, it ranges from 32 to 42 years.
Enrolment in Bar and legal practice: 1 year of legal practice for notifications issued from April 1, 2027 onwards. Notifications issued up to March 31, 2027 will be based on the transitional framework.
Language: Candidates must meet the English requirement and the regional language requirement of the state.
Character and conduct: Candidates must be of good character. A criminal record or a dismissal from government service disqualifies a candidate.
State | Age limit (General) | Language requirement |
Delhi (DJS) | Up to 32 years | English and Hindi proficiency |
Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS-J) | 22 to 35 years | Hindi in Devanagari script |
Madhya Pradesh (MP Judiciary) | 21 to 35 years | Hindi proficiency |
Rajasthan (RJS) | 21 to 40 years | Hindi in Devanagari script; knowledge of Rajasthani culture |
Haryana (HJS) | 21 to 42 years | Hindi in Devanagari (Matriculation level) |
Maharashtra Judiciary | 21 to 35 years | Marathi (speaking, reading, writing and translation) |
Bihar (BJS) | 22 to 35 years | Hindi and English qualifying papers |
Gujarat (GJS) | 21 to 35 years | Gujarati proficiency |
Punjab | 21 to 37 years | Punjabi up to Matriculation level |
The age is counted on the cut-off date given in the notification, not on the date of the exam. The minimum age ranges from 21 to 22 years across the states. The maximum age for the general category ranges from 32 to 42 years. Candidates from reserved categories, such as SC, ST, OBC, women and persons with disabilities, get age relaxation as per state rules. Serving government employees and law officers get a separate relaxation in several states.
Candidates must be provisionally or permanently enrolled with a State Bar Council. Following the Supreme Court's Bhumika Trust v. Union of India (2026 INSC 904) judgment, one year of legal practice is required for civil judge recruitment from April 1, 2027.
Notifications up to March 31, 2027: Fresh law graduates can apply without prior active practice. Selected candidates will complete the prescribed training and supervised law clerkship under the transition framework.
Notifications from April 1, 2027: Candidates must have one year of continuous, actual legal practice at the Bar when applying for the civil judge exam.
An LLM degree does not replace the legal practice requirement.
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