Delhi Higher Judicial Service (District Judge)
The High Court of Delhi has released the Delhi Higher Judicial Service (DHJS) Examination 2026 notification for 27 posts. Practising advocates and judicial officers with 7 years experience, aged 35 to 45 years, can apply online from 1 July 2026 to 15 July 2026. The Preliminary Exam is on 26 July 2026. Download the official notification PDF from the links above.
| Application Start Date | 1 July 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Last Date to Apply | 15 July 2026 (5:30 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 15 July 2026 (5:30 PM) |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 26 July 2026 (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM) |
| General | Rs. 2,000 |
| SC / ST / PwD | Rs. 500 |
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- 6 Jul 2026 Recruitment published
Delhi Higher Judicial Service (DHJS) 2026 - Overview
The High Court of Delhi has invited online applications for the Delhi Higher Judicial Service Examination 2026. This recruitment is for the direct entry of experienced lawyers and judicial officers into the higher judiciary of Delhi as District Judges. There are a total of 27 posts (24 existing and 3 anticipated). The online form is open from 1 July 2026 to 15 July 2026. Read the full details below before you apply.
DHJS stands for Delhi Higher Judicial Service. The selection is done through the Delhi Higher Judicial Service Examination held under the Delhi Higher Judicial Service Rules, 1970 (as amended). This is one of the most respected routes into the higher judiciary for practising advocates in India.
Vacancy Details (Category-Wise)
The 27 posts are split into 24 existing and 3 anticipated vacancies. The category-wise break-up is given below. Note that some SC and ST posts are backlog vacancies carried forward from earlier years.
| Category | Existing | Anticipated (till 30.06.2027) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (Unreserved) | 14 | 03 | 17 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 05 | -- | 05 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 05 | -- | 05 |
| Total | 24 | 03 | 27 |
Out of the 5 SC posts, 3 are backlog posts. Out of the 5 ST posts, 4 are backlog posts. Within these 27 posts, 3 posts are reserved horizontally for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) who have a benchmark disability of 40% or more, in the identified disability categories (blindness and low vision; one arm, one leg, both legs, leprosy cured, dwarfism and acid attack victim; specific learning disability; and multiple disabilities). The number of vacancies may change, including based on the Supreme Court judgment dated 11.03.2026 in the Dheeraj Mor case.
Eligibility (Who Can Apply)
You must be a citizen of India and meet the experience and age rules below as on the last date, 15 July 2026.
- Advocates: You must have been continuously practising as an Advocate for not less than 7 years as on 15 July 2026.
- Judicial Officers: You must have completed 7 years at the Bar before joining the subordinate judicial service, OR have a combined 7 years of experience as an Advocate and a Judicial Officer as on 15 July 2026.
- Age: You must have completed 35 years and must not have completed 45 years as on 15 July 2026. So the age band is 35 to 45 years.
To practise as an Advocate you need a law degree (LLB) from a recognised university and enrolment with a Bar Council in India. Read the detailed instructions and the Delhi Higher Judicial Service Rules, 1970 on the online portal before you apply.
Pay Scale (Salary)
Selected candidates are appointed to the Delhi Higher Judicial Service in Pay Level J-5. The official pay scale is given in the table below.
| Pay Level | Pay Scale (per month) |
|---|---|
| J-5 | Rs. 1,44,840 - Rs. 1,94,660 |
This basic pay is paid along with Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA) and other allowances as per rules. The notification does not give a fixed final in-hand figure, so we do not show a guessed amount here. Check the official notice for the exact break-up.
Selection Process
The Delhi Higher Judicial Service Examination 2026 is held in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination: An objective (multiple-choice) paper. There is 25% negative marking for each wrong answer. This stage only shortlists candidates for the Mains and its marks are not counted in the final merit.
- Mains Examination (Written): A written descriptive paper. Candidates who clear the Prelims sit for the Mains, which decides who is called for the interview.
- Viva-Voce (Interview): A personal interview. Final selection is based on the Mains and Viva-Voce marks together.
The Preliminary Examination is scheduled for Sunday, 26 July 2026, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Full details of the marks, syllabus and relaxation rules are given in the Instructions on the online portal.
How to Apply for DHJS 2026
Applications are accepted online only. Follow these steps:
- Open the online application portal (the "Apply Online" link is in the Important Links table above).
- Choose "Fresh Candidate" to create your log-in, then fill in the online application form.
- Upload your photo, signature and required documents as asked.
- Pay the application fee online through Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking or UPI. The fee is not refundable.
- Submit the form and take a printout for your own record. Do not post the printout to the High Court.
The window to create a new log-in and fill the form opens on 1 July 2026 at 10:00 AM and closes on 15 July 2026 at 5:30 PM. Apply early so you do not face a last-minute rush.
How to Download the Notification and Admit Card
You can download the official notification PDF straight from the Important Links table above - it is our fast copy of the official document, so you do not have to wait for the government server on a busy day. The admit card for the Preliminary Examination will be released on the online portal before 26 July 2026; use the candidate log-in in the Important Links table to download it. Always cross-check the official notice for the final word, as we are not a government body.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for Delhi HJS 2026?
The last date to fill the online form and pay the fee is 15 July 2026 up to 5:30 PM (1730 hours). The form opened on 1 July 2026 at 10:00 AM.
How many posts are there in Delhi Higher Judicial Service 2026?
There are 27 posts in total - 24 existing and 3 anticipated. Category-wise: General 17, SC 5 and ST 5. Within these, 3 posts are reserved for Persons with Disabilities.
What is the age limit for DHJS 2026?
You must be at least 35 years old and less than 45 years old as on 15 July 2026. So the age band is 35 to 45 years.
What experience is needed to apply for Delhi HJS 2026?
An advocate must have practised continuously for at least 7 years as on 15 July 2026. A judicial officer needs an equivalent combined experience of 7 years as an Advocate and Judicial Officer.
What is the application fee for Delhi HJS 2026?
The fee is Rs. 2,000 for General category candidates and Rs. 500 for reserved category candidates (SC, ST and Persons with Disabilities). It is paid online by Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking or UPI and is non-refundable.
What is the salary of a Delhi Higher Judicial Service officer?
The pay scale is Pay Level J-5, Rs. 1,44,840 to Rs. 1,94,660 per month, plus Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and other allowances as per rules.
When is the Delhi HJS 2026 Preliminary Examination?
The Preliminary Examination is on Sunday, 26 July 2026, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. It is an objective-type paper with 25% negative marking.
What is the selection process for Delhi HJS 2026?
Selection has three stages - the Preliminary Examination (objective), the Mains Examination (written), and the Viva-Voce (interview). Final merit is based on the Mains and Viva-Voce.