Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 is a competitive examination conducted by the High Court of Karnataka for the recruitment of Civil Judges. A total of 158 posts have been announced through Notification No.HCRB/CJR-1/2024 dated 10.02.2025. Interested candidates must read on to get a detailed insight into the Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 Overview, eligibility, exam pattern, application process, and the latest updates, including the Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 Supplementary Stay Notification.
The Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 aims to recruit Civil Judges through a multi-stage selection process. The vacancies include both fresh and backlog positions, with vertical and horizontal reservations. The recruitment is carried out under the Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment) Rules, 2004, and the amended Rules of 2011, 2015, 2016, and 2024.
Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 Overview |
|
Particulars |
Details |
Exam Name |
Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 |
Conducting Authority |
High Court of Karnataka |
Post |
Civil Judge |
Total Vacancies |
158 (Including 24 backlog posts) |
Notification Release Date |
10th February 2025 |
Mode of Application |
Online |
Salary/Pay Scale |
Rs. 77,840 – Rs. 1,36,520 |
Application Process |
Online submission through the official portal |
Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 Eligibility Criteria |
Degree in Law + Enrollment as Advocate; Specific age limits apply |
Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 Exam Pattern 2025 |
Prelims, Mains, Viva-Voce |
Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 Syllabus |
As per Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment) Rules |
Admit Card Release |
To be notified |
Karnataka Judiciary Exam Admit Card 2025 |
Available before respective examination stages |
Karnataka Judiciary Exam Result 2025 |
Will be announced after each stage (Prelims, Mains, Viva-Voce) |
Notably, the recruitment process is currently on hold due to pending Supreme Court judgments in connected cases. The Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 Supplementary Stay Notification clearly states that the further process has been paused until a verdict is delivered in Writ Petition (Civil) No.1022/1989 and Civil Appeal No.1867/2006.
While the examination dates are yet to be confirmed, the release of the official Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 Notification PDF on 10th February 2025 has set the stage for the upcoming process. Key dates such as the admit card release and examination schedule will be updated once the stay is lifted.
The High Court of Karnataka has officially released the Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 Notification PDF, inviting online applications for 158 Civil Judge posts. The notification details eligibility, application process, exam structure, reservation norms, and other vital information. Aspirants must download and thoroughly read the Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 Notification PDF before applying.
Note: It is notified that Notification No.HCRB/CJR-1/2024 dated 10.02.2025, inviting online applications, is currently kept in abeyance until the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India pronounces judgment in related matters.
The Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 Supplementary Stay Notification highlights that further proceedings regarding the recruitment have been paused temporarily. This stay will continue until a verdict is pronounced in Writ Petition (Civil) No.1022/1989 and related applications pending before the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Candidates must stay informed about further developments.
The Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 Vacancy details have been clearly outlined in the notification. The High Court of Karnataka has announced a total of 158 vacancies for the post of Civil Judge, which includes 24 backlog posts. These vacancies are distributed among various categories with both vertical and horizontal reservations as per the existing government orders and judicial service rules.
A breakdown of the vacancies by category is as follows (including backlog posts marked with *):
Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 Vacancy |
||||||||
Category |
Un-reserved |
Women Candidate |
Rural Candidate |
Kannada Medium |
Ex-servicemen |
Persons with Benchmark Disability |
Transgender |
Total |
General Merit |
12 |
20 |
15 |
3 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
59 |
Scheduled Caste |
4 |
8 |
6 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
23 |
Scheduled Tribe |
2 |
3 |
3 |
- |
1 |
1 |
- |
10 |
Category - I |
1 |
2+6* |
2+2* |
2* |
2* |
1+1* |
- |
6+13* |
Category - II(A) |
3 |
7 |
5+2* |
1+1* |
2 |
1 |
1 |
20+3* |
Category - II(B) |
1 |
2+1* |
1+4* |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
5+5* |
Category - III(A) |
1 |
2+1* |
1+1* |
1* |
- |
1 |
- |
5+3* |
Category - III(B) |
1 |
2 |
2 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
6 |
TOTAL |
25 |
46+8* |
35+9* |
5+4* |
10+2* |
10+1* |
3 |
134+24* |
The classification includes posts for General Merit, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes (Category I, II-A, II-B, III-A, III-B), and persons with benchmark disabilities, as well as ex-servicemen, rural candidates, women, Kannada medium candidates, and transgender individuals.
The Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 Apply Online Link was made available following the official release of the Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 Notification PDF dated 10th February 2025. Candidates were invited to submit their applications for direct recruitment to 158 posts of Civil Judges, including 24 backlog posts.
The application window remained open till 12th March 2025, which was the last date for application submission as specified in the official notification. Aspiring candidates were advised to complete the application process well before the deadline to avoid any last-minute issues.
The Application Process for the Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 is entirely online. Applicants must:
Register themselves on the official portal.
Fill in the required personal and educational details.
Upload the necessary documents and photographs.
Pay the prescribed application fee.
Submit the application form and retain a copy for future reference.
Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 Apply Online Link
The Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 Eligibility Criteria are explained in separate categories below. Aspirants fulfilling the Karnataka Civil Judge Eligibility Criteria can proceed with the Application Process without any hindrance. The Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 Eligibility Criteria are as follows:
Educational Qualification: Degree in Law from a recognised Indian university and must be enrolled as an Advocate.
Age Limit:
General: Up to 35 years
OBC Category II(A)/II(B)/III(A)/III(B): Up to 38 years
SC/ST/Category I: Up to 40 years
Ex-servicemen: 3-year relaxation
Must hold a law degree and be currently employed in the Karnataka judiciary or as a Public Prosecutor/Government Pleader.
Age Limit: 40 years for General, 43 years for SC/ST.
4% reservation in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, subject to medical certification for judicial duties.
The Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 comprises three stages: the Preliminary Examination, the Main Examination, and the Viva-Voce (Interview).
The Preliminary Exam is objective in nature and acts as a screening test. The Main Exam is descriptive, testing candidates on various law subjects, writing skills, and comprehension. The Viva-Voce assesses the candidate’s personality, communication, and suitability for a judicial role.
The syllabus for the Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 is detailed under the Preliminary and Main Written Examination heads. It covers:
Karnataka Judiciary Exam 2025 Exam Pattern & Syllabus |
||||
Stage |
Paper/Section |
Marks |
Type of Exam |
Syllabus |
Preliminary Examination |
Part A: Civil & Constitutional Law |
100 |
Objective (MCQ) |
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881; Transfer of Property Act, 1882; Indian Contract Act, 1872; Specific Relief Act, 1963; Indian Constitution; Karnataka Rent Act, 1999. |
Part B: Criminal Law |
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973; Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; Indian Penal Code, 1860; Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; Indian Evidence Act, 1872; Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023. |
|||
Part C: General Knowledge & Reasoning |
General Awareness, Mental Ability |
|||
Total |
Qualifying in nature – used for shortlisting to the Mains |
|||
Main Written Examination |
Paper 1: Translation (Eng ↔ Kannada) |
100 |
Descriptive |
Translation of passages from English to Kannada and Kannada to English. Passages from: 1) Depositions 2) Judgments 3) Documents |
Paper 2: Law Paper I |
100 |
Descriptive |
The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 Indian Evidence Act, 1872 Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 Principles of Pleading The Constitution of India |
|
Paper 3: Law Paper II |
100 |
Descriptive |
Framing of Issues & Judgment writing (Civil) |
|
Paper 4: Law Paper III |
100 |
Descriptive |
Framing of Charges & Judgment writing (Criminal) |
|
Viva-voce |
Personal Interview |
100 |
Oral |
Legal knowledge, suitability for the judiciary |
Computer Test |
Practical Computer Knowledge |
25 |
Practical |
Not counted in merit, only for suitability assessment |
The Karnataka Judiciary Exam Admit Card 2025 will be released a few weeks before the scheduled exam date. Candidates must download the admit card from the official portal using their registration credentials. It is mandatory to carry a printed copy to the examination centre.
The Karnataka Judiciary Exam Result 2025 will be published in stages—Preliminary, Main, and Final. Candidates will be shortlisted based on their performance at each level. The final merit list will be released after the Viva-voce.
The Karnataka Judiciary Exam Cut off 2025 will be determined based on the number of vacancies, difficulty level of the exam, and performance of candidates. Cut-offs will be released category-wise for preliminary and main examinations separately.
Explore the Judiciary Coaching 2025 to access essential resources for Judiciary exam preparation, including detailed insights and strategies. Dive into the Judiciary 2025 for structured courses and focused study plans designed to help aspirants excel in their exams.