**Executive Summary**
This document is a notification from the Department of Law and Justice of the Government of Maharashtra, dated January 19, 2026. It announces the appointment of 13 candidates to the position of District Judge in the Maharashtra judicial service, based on recommendations from the High Court, Mumbai, for a probation period of two years.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Appointments:**
* The Government of Maharashtra appoints 13 candidates to the position of District Judge.
* Appointments are based on recommendations by the High Court, Mumbai.
* Appointments are made under provisions of rules 4 and 5, table "C" 1 (g) of the Maharashtra Judicial Service Rules, 2008.
* **Probation:**
* Appointed candidates will serve a probation period of two years.
* The probation period starts from the date they assume charge.
* **Candidate List (Selection List No.):**
* 1: Shri. Raj Popat Nalge
* 2: Smt. Varsha Jethanand Nihalani
* 3: Smt. Vaishali Kashinath Jagdale
* 4: Shri. Pankaj Subhashchandra Pande
* 5: Smt. Padmaja Mahavir Kathare
* 6: Shri. Sunilal Pechara Padvi
* 7: Smt. Satyavati Sheshrao Range
* 8: Smt. Rashmi Manohar Patil
* 9: Shri. Suraj Sadanand More
* 10: Shri. Rahul Sakharam Pawar
* 11: Shri. Kiranraj Sitaram Khedekar
* 12: Smt. Gayatri Omprakash Verma
* 13: Smt. Kavita Vitthal Parit
* **Seniority:**
* The High Court will determine the seniority of the aforementioned candidates.
**Impact Analysis**
**Maharashtra Judicial Service (Newly Appointed District Judges)**
* **Impact**: They are appointed as District Judges in Maharashtra on a probationary basis.
* **Action Required**: Accept the appointment and assume charge to begin their two-year probation period.
**High Court, Mumbai**
* **Impact**: Successfully completed the recommendation process.
* **Action Required**: The High Court determines the seniority of newly appointed judges.
**Government of Maharashtra (Department of Law and Justice)**
* **Impact**: The government has executed its power to appoint District Judges.
* **Action Required**: The notification must be enforced and appointments properly processed.
Key Entities Referenced
Maharashtra Judicial Service Rules, 2008: The statutory rules governing the Maharashtra Judicial Service, specifically referenced in the notification.
High Court, Mumbai: The High Court of Mumbai, which made the recommendations for the appointments and determines seniority.
District Judge: The position to which the listed candidates are being appointed on probation in the Maharashtra State.
Maharashtra: The State where the appointments are being made.
Vidhi & Nyay Vibhag (Law and Justice Department): The department responsible for issuing the notification.