The High Court of Karnataka has released the Karnataka High Court LDCE Recruitment 2026 notification for 79 District Judge (Promotion) posts under the 25% Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) quota. This recruitment is only for serving Senior Civil Judges who meet the prescribed service and age criteria.
Eligible candidates can apply online through the High Court of Karnataka recruitment portal. The last date to submit the online application is 15 September 2026, up to 11:59 PM. Selection will be based on a Written Examination and Viva-voce.
Karnataka High Court LDCE Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Organization | High Court of Karnataka, Bengaluru |
| Post Name | District Judge (Promotion) – 25% LDCE |
| Total Posts | 79 |
| Age Limit | Minimum 35 years |
| Qualification | Serving Senior Civil Judge meeting prescribed service criteria |
| Application Fee | Not specified in the provided notification details |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Salary | District Judge pay scale as per applicable Karnataka Judicial Service rules |
| Experience | Minimum 3 years as Senior Civil Judge and 7 years total service as Civil Judge + Senior Civil Judge |
| Eligibility | Only eligible serving Senior Civil Judges |
| Selection Process | Written Examination + Viva-voce |
| Maximum Attempts | 3 attempts |
Experience Requirement – Important
Experience is mandatory for this recruitment. Candidates must have completed at least 3 years of service as Senior Civil Judge and 7 years of combined service in the Civil Judge and Senior Civil Judge cadres as on 28 August 2026.
Karnataka High Court LDCE 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Notification Date | 28 August 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 28 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 15 September 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Eligibility Reckoning Date | 28 August 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy the following conditions:
- Must be a serving Senior Civil Judge.
- Must have completed at least 3 years of service as Senior Civil Judge.
- Must have completed at least 7 years of total service in the Civil Judge and Senior Civil Judge cadres.
- Must have attained 35 years of age as on 28 August 2026.
- Maximum 3 attempts are permitted for the LDCE.
- The recruitment is strictly departmental and is not available to ordinary candidates/general applicants.
How to Apply for Karnataka High Court LDCE Recruitment 2026
- Visit the High Court of Karnataka recruitment portal.
- Open the District Judge LDCE recruitment application.
- Enter the required personal and service details.
- Upload the prescribed photograph and signature in the required format.
- Verify all information carefully.
- Submit the application online before 15 September 2026, 11:59 PM.
- Keep a copy of the submitted application for future reference.
Candidates should provide a valid mobile number and email ID because important recruitment communication will be sent through these channels.
Karnataka High Court LDCE Recruitment 2026 – Important Links
| Link | Details |
| Apply Online | Karnataka High Court District Judge LDCE Application Portal |
| Official Website | High Court of Karnataka Official Website |
| Official Notification PDF | Download Official Notification PDF |
| General Instructions | Download General Instructions PDF |
Official Apply Link: Eligible Senior Civil Judges can use the official High Court recruitment portal above to complete the online application before the deadline.
Details PDF: Candidates should read the official notification carefully before applying, particularly the service, eligibility, examination and attempt conditions.
Selection Process
The selection will be conducted through:
Written Examination → Viva-voce → Merit-based Selection
Eligible applicants will be informed through the High Court’s official website, SMS and email regarding the examination and further process.
FAQs – Karnataka High Court LDCE Recruitment 2026
Q1. How many District Judge posts are available?
There are 79 District Judge posts under the 25% LDCE quota.
Q2. Who can apply for Karnataka High Court LDCE 2026?
Only serving Senior Civil Judges satisfying the prescribed eligibility and service conditions can apply.
Q3. What is the minimum age?
Candidates must have attained 35 years as on 28 August 2026.
Q4. Is previous experience required?
Yes. Candidates need at least 3 years as Senior Civil Judge and 7 years of combined Civil Judge + Senior Civil Judge service.
Q5. What is the last date to apply?
The last date is 15 September 2026 up to 11:59 PM.
Q6. What is the selection process?
Selection is through a Written Examination followed by Viva-voce, based on merit.
Q7. Can the general public apply?
No. This is a departmental LDCE recruitment specifically for eligible serving Senior Civil Judges.