The Odisha Public Service Commission published the notification for the OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 on April 30, 2026. This recruitment drive offers 78 positions for Civil Judges (Junior Division) in the Odisha Judicial Service, 2025, under the Law Department, Government of Odisha. The posts carry a salary scale of Rs. 77,840 – 1,36,520/- with dearness and other allowances as sanctioned by the state government.
OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 invites online applications from eligible law graduates with a minimum of 3 years’ practice as an Advocate as on 1st April 2025. The age eligibility spans from 23 to 42 years as on 1st April 2025, with relaxations available for SC/ST/SEBC/Women/Ex-Servicemen and PwBD candidates. The selection process comprises three stages: Preliminary Written Examination (scheduled for 5 July 2026), Main Written Examination, and Interview. Candidates can apply online through the OPSC e-Chayan portal at https://opsc.gov.in from 08 May 2026 to 08 June 2026 up to 5:00 PM.
The notification includes details on vacancies distributed across UR, SEBC, SC, ST, and PwBD categories, with 26 vacancies reserved for women candidates. Advertisement No. 02 of 2026-27 (No. 2387/PSC, dated 30.04.2026) specifies all eligibility criteria, examination schemes, syllabi, application procedures, and important instructions.
OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 Notification Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), Cuttack |
| Advertisement Number | 02 of 2026-27; No. 2387/PSC, dated 30/04/2026 |
| Post Name | Civil Judge (Junior Division) in Odisha Judicial Service, 2025 |
| Department | Law Department, Government of Odisha |
| Service Type | Odisha Judicial Service (as per Orissa Superior Judicial Service & OJS Rules, 2007) |
| Total Vacancies | 78 (including 26 vacancies reserved for Women) |
| Pay Scale | Rs. 77,840 – 1,36,520/- |
| Application Mode | Online only (via OPSC e-Chayan portal) |
| Selection Process | Preliminary Written Examination + Main Written Examination + Interview |
| Official Website | https://opsc.gov.in |
OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Date of Advertisement | 30/04/2026 |
| Opening of Online Application Portal | 08/05/2026 |
| Last Date for Online Application Submission | 08/06/2026 (up to 5:00 PM) |
| Age Calculated As On | 1st April 2025 |
| Preliminary Written Examination | 5th July 2026 (Sunday) |
| Main Written Examination | To be notified on the OPSC website |
OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 Age Limit
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| General (Un-reserved) | 23 to 42 years (as on 01/04/2025) |
| SC / ST / SEBC | 5 years relaxation (maximum 47 years) |
| Women Candidates | 5 years relaxation (maximum 47 years) |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 years relaxation (maximum 47 years) |
| Commissioned/Short Service Commission Officers of Defence Services | 5 years relaxation (maximum 47 years) |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 10 years relaxation in addition to normal age relaxation admissible to SC/ST/SEBC candidates |
| Law Clerk/Research Assistant to Judge/Judicial Officer/Constitutional Authority (with service experience) | 7 years of relaxation |
Note: Candidates coming under more than one category of age relaxation are eligible for only one benefit of upper age relaxation, whichever is most beneficial. Date of birth as entered in the High School Certificate or equivalent certificate issued by the concerned Board/Council will only be accepted.
OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 Educational Qualification
| Qualification Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Essential – Law Degree | Graduate in Law (LLB) from a recognized University or Institution recognized by the Bar Council of India |
| Essential – Professional Experience | Minimum 3 years of practice as an Advocate as on 1st April 2025 |
| Practice Experience Recognition | Period of experience as Law Clerk, Research Assistant to any Judge or Judicial Officer in the Country, or to any Constitutional Authority, also counts towards legal practice. |
| Mandatory Language Requirement | Odia language proficiency equivalent to M.E. School standard (Class VII); must have passed HSC or equivalent examination with Odia as one of the subjects, OR must produce Odia test pass certificate from Board of Secondary Education, Odisha, or any approved Board/Council |
| Desirable Qualification | Evidence that the case has been recommended by a competent authority confirming eligibility |
OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 – Vacancy Details
A total of 78 vacancies have been announced for the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division) in the Odisha Judicial Service, 2025. These positions are distributed across Unreserved (UR), Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC), Scheduled Caste (SC), and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories, with horizontal reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) and 26 vacancies reserved specifically for women candidates across all categories.
| Category | Total Vacancies | Vacancies Reserved for Women |
|---|---|---|
| Un-reserved (UR) | 35 | 12 |
| SEBC | 9 | 3 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 13 | 4 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 18 | 6 |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 3 | 1 |
| Total | 78 | 26 |
Civil Judges (Junior Division) serve as essential members of the Odisha Judicial Service, presiding over civil cases at the district and lower court levels.
PwBD Sub-Category Vacancy Distribution
| Sub-Category | Eligibility Status |
|---|---|
| (a) Blindness & Low Vision | Eligible |
| (b) Orthopedically Handicapped | Eligible |
| (c) Deaf & Hard of Hearing (with suitable aid) | Eligible |
Note: OA, OL, BL, OAL, LC, Dw, AAV, SLD, MD (involving categories a to c) candidates are also entitled to appear as per SI. No. 580 of Notification No. 38-16/2020-DD-III dated 04.01.2021 regarding Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. PwBD reservation is horizontal (4%) across all categories. All PwBD candidates must possess a Permanent Disability Certificate indicating minimum 40% permanent disability.
OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 Salary Structure
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Scale | Rs. 77,840 – 1,36,520/- |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | As sanctioned by the Government of Odisha |
| Other Allowances | As per the Government of Odisha rules and regulations |
| Service Type | Permanent Position in Odisha Judicial Service |
OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 Application Fee
| Candidate Category | Examination Fee |
|---|---|
| General / SEBC / Others (excluding SC, ST, PwD) | Rs. 700/- (online mode only) |
| SC / ST / PwD Candidates | Nil (No fee) |
Note: The examination fee is non-refundable in general circumstances. The fee will be refunded only to those candidates who actually appear in the Preliminary Written Examination. Refund will be processed to the original mode of payment used by the candidate (Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI, Net Banking, Wallet, etc.). Applications without payment of examination fees (except SC/ST/PwD candidates) will be taken as incomplete and outrightly rejected.
OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 Selection Process
The selection process for OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 consists of three successive stages as per the provisions of the Orissa Superior Judicial Service & Odisha Judicial Service Rules, 2007 (as amended from time to time). Candidates must clear the minimum qualifying marks at each stage to proceed to the next stage.
Stage 1 – Preliminary Written Examination
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Type | Objective Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) using OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) |
| Total Questions | 100 questions of 1 mark each |
| Negative Marking | 25% deduction for every wrong answer |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Qualifying Marks (General/Others) | 40% |
| Qualifying Marks (SC/ST/PwBD) | 35% |
Preliminary Examination Syllabus: Constitution of India; Code of Civil Procedure 1908; Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023; Indian Evidence Act 1872 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023; Indian Penal Code 1860 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023; Limitation Act; Transfer of Property Act; Law of Contract; Law of Succession (Indian Succession Act and Hindu Succession Act); Specific Relief Act; Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005; and any other relevant legal topics as specified by the High Court of Orissa from time to time.
Stage 2 – Main Written Examination
| Paper | Subject | Examination Type | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (Compulsory) | General English (Translation, Essay, Precis, Comprehension) | Descriptive | 150 | 2½ Hours |
| Paper 2 (Compulsory) | Procedural Laws (CrPC/BNSS, CPC, Evidence Act/BSA) | Descriptive | 150 | 2½ Hours |
| Optional Paper I | Law of Crime & Law of Torts (choose any 3 from 5 optional subjects) | Descriptive | 150 | 3 Hours |
| Optional Paper II | Personal Laws (Hindu Law & Mohammedan Law) | Descriptive | 150 | 3 Hours |
| Optional Paper III | Law of Property (Transfer of Property Act, Specific Relief Act, Limitation Act) | Descriptive | 150 | 3 Hours |
| Optional Paper IV | Law of Contract (Indian Contract Act, Sales of Goods Act, Partnership Act, Negotiable Instrument Act) | Descriptive | 150 | 3 Hours |
| Optional Paper V | Jurisprudence and the Constitution of India | Descriptive | 150 | 3 Hours |
Qualifying Marks for Main Written Examination:
| Category | Minimum Marks per Paper | Minimum Aggregate Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General / Others | 33% in each paper | 45% in aggregate |
| PwBD | 30% in each paper | 40% in aggregate |
Main Examination Paper 1 (General English, 150 Marks) Detailed Syllabus: Translation and retranslation of ten lines each (one passage English to Odia and one Odia to English); Short Essay of approximately 150 words; Precis writing of 300 words; one passage of approximately 500 words with 5 comprehension questions.
Main Examination Paper 2 (Procedural Laws, 150 Marks) Detailed Syllabus: Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023; Code of Civil Procedure 1908; Indian Evidence Act 1872 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023.
Optional Papers (150 Marks each): Candidates must choose any 3 optional subjects from the 5 available options (Law of Crime & Law of Torts; Personal Laws; Law of Property; Law of Contract; Jurisprudence and the Constitution of India). Optional subjects chosen in the online application form will be treated as final.
Standard of Examination: Standard of papers shall be that of the LLB Course; Paper 1 (General English) shall be of degree course standard. All papers must be answered in English unless otherwise directed by OPSC.
Stage 3 – Interview (100 Marks)
Candidates will be shortlisted for an interview in proportion not more than 3 times the number of advertised vacancies under each category. The interview questions may cover the syllabus prescribed for the Main Written Examination and may also include broad national/international issues and matters of common interest in Arts and Science. Candidates must secure a minimum of 40% marks in the Interview to be included in the final merit list.
Qualifying Marks Summary:
| Stage | Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| Preliminary Written Examination (for shortlisting to Main) | 40% (General/Others); 35% (SC/ST/PwBD) |
| Main Written Examination (for shortlisting to Interview) | 45% aggregate + 33% in each paper (General); 40% aggregate + 30% in each paper (PwBD) |
| Interview (for inclusion in merit list) | Minimum 40% |
Tie-Breaking Rules: When candidates secure equal aggregate marks in the final merit, the following tie-breaking rules shall apply in order: (1st) Marks secured at the Main Written Examination; (2nd) Total marks obtained in the LLB Examination (if Main marks also equal); (3rd) Older candidate placed above (if LLB marks also equal).
Final Merit List Validity: The list recommended by the Commission shall remain valid for one year from the date of its approval by the Government of Odisha.
How to Apply for OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official Odisha Public Service Commission website at https://opsc.gov.in and click the official apply link on the OPSC e-Chayan portal.
Documents Required for OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026
Candidates must upload scanned copies of the following documents at the time of online application submission and submit original/attested copies during document verification:
- High School Certificate (H.S.C.) or equivalent certificate issued by the concerned Board/Council (age proof)
- Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) certificate issued by a recognized University or Institution
- All mark lists in support of the LLB examination from all years/semesters
- Odia test pass certificate from Board of Secondary Education, Odisha, or any approved Board/Council (if not passed HSC/equivalent with Odia as a subject)
- Caste Certificate for SEBC/SC/ST candidates in the prescribed format from the competent authority of Odisha (SEBC certificate must not be more than 3 years old before the date of application submission)
- Certificate of practice duly certifying minimum 3 years of legal practice as an Advocate as on 01/04/2025, certified by Principal Judicial Officer of a Court or an Advocate of that Court with minimum 10 years’ standing, with endorsement.
- Certificate of Provisional Enrolment or Registration with the concerned State Bar Council
- Permanent Disability Certificate issued by a competent Medical Authority (for PwBD candidates only – minimum 40% permanent disability; temporary disability certificates will not be accepted)
- Ex-Serviceman Release Certificate (if applicable to the candidate)
- No Objection Certificate from the competent authority of the employing department (if the candidate is a Government Servant)
- Character certificate from the Principal/Proctor/Dean/Professor of the institution last studied
- Four recent passport-size photographs (unsigned and unattested, taken within 06 months)
- Any proof of identity (such as Aadhaar Card, PAN, Voter ID, or Driving License)
- Identity Certificate or Card issued by a competent authority (for Third Gender/Transgender candidates)
Important Instructions for OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026
- Only candidates possessing the requisite qualifications, within the prescribed age limit, and fulfilling all eligibility conditions strictly by the closing date (08/06/2026) will be considered eligible.
- No hard copy or offline applications will be accepted; online submission through the OPSC e-Chayan portal is mandatory and the only accepted mode.
- Examination fee is non-refundable in general circumstances; it will be refunded only to those candidates who actually appear in the Preliminary Written Examination.
- Applications without payment of examination fees (except SC/ST/PwD candidates) will be outrightly rejected as incomplete.
- SC/ST/SEBC reservation and relaxation are admissible only to SC/ST/SEBC of Odisha by birth; OBC certificates will not be accepted in place of SEBC certificates.
- SEBC candidates must submit a Non-Creamy Layer Caste Certificate not more than 3 years old as on the date of submission; a Non-Creamy Layer certificate is mandatory for SEBC candidates.
- Community (caste status) once mentioned in the online application form shall not be changed subsequently under any circumstances.
- PwBD candidates must upload a Permanent Disability Certificate only; temporary disability certificates will not be accepted.
- Government servants must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their Head of Office well in advance and produce it at the document verification stage.
- Women candidates must submit caste certificates by birth (showing “daughter of…”); caste certificates by virtue of marriage (showing “wife of…”) are not acceptable under any circumstances.
- Candidates submitting forged, fabricated, or manipulated documents will be debarred from appearing in OPSC examinations for 3 years.
- Mobile phones and all electronic gadgets (including smartwatches and calculators) are strictly banned inside examination premises; carrying such items may lead to disqualification.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the age limit for OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026? Ans. You must be between 23 and 42 years old as of April 1, 2025, if you are a General category candidate. Age relaxations apply for reserved categories, including a 5-year extension for SC, ST, SEBC, Women, and Ex-Servicemen, and up to 10 years for PwBD applicants.
Q2. What is the minimum qualification required to apply for the OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026? Ans. You need a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from a recognized institution and at least 3 years of experience practicing as an Advocate by April 1, 2025. Experience as a Law Clerk or Research Assistant can also count toward this practice requirement, and you must have basic proficiency in the Odia language.
Q3. What are the important dates for the OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 online application? Ans. The online application window opens on May 8, 2026, and closes on June 8, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The Preliminary Written Examination is scheduled for July 5, 2026.
Q4. How many vacancies are available in the OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026? Ans. There are 78 vacancies for the Civil Judge (Junior Division) post. Out of these, 26 seats are reserved specifically for women candidates across various categories.
Q5. What is the application fee for the OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026? Ans. The application fee is Rs. 700 for General and SEBC candidates. SC, ST, and PwD applicants are fully exempted from paying this fee.
Q6. What is the selection process for the OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026? Ans. The selection involves three main stages: a Preliminary Written Examination, a Main Written Examination, and a personal Interview. You need to qualify in each stage to advance and secure a place on the final merit list.
Q7. Where can I apply online for the OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026? Ans. You can submit your application strictly online through the OPSC e-Chayan portal at the official website, https://opsc.gov.in.
