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Registered No. HSE-49/2016
W.No.29 AMARAVATI, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2026 G.289
PART I - NOTIFICATIONS BY GOVERNMENT, HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS
AND OTHER OFFICERS
--x--
NOTIFICATIONS BY GOVERNMENT
LAW DEPARTMENT
(LA&J SC.F)
RULES FOR A.P. STATE JUDICIAL (SERVICE AND CADRE) RULES 2026 IN PLACE OF
EXISTING ANDHRA PRADESH STATE JUDICIAL SERVICE RULES 2007.
[G.O.Ms.No.57, Law (LA&J SC.F), 16th July, 2026.]
GOTTAPU PRATIBHA DEVI,
Secretary to Government,
Legal & Legislative Affairs & Justice,
Law Department.
[1]2
THE ANDHRA PRADESH STATE JUDICIAL (SERVICE AND CADRE) RULES, 2026
I.SHORT TITLE AND COMMENCEMENT:
These rules may be called the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial (Service and
Cadre) Rules, 2026, and they shall come into force from the date of publication
in the Andhra Pradesh Gazette.
II. INTERPRETATION CLAUSE: UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE
REQUIRES IN THESE RULES:-
a) "Academy" means the Andhra Pradesh Judicial Academy;
b) "Approved Probationer" means a member of the service who has
satisfactorily completed the probation in such service;
c) "Cadre" means the post in each category of service;
d) "Cadre Strength" means the number of posts permanent as well as
temporary in the cadre;
e) "Confirmed Member" means a member of the service who has been
confirmed in accordance with these Rules;
f) "Direct Recruitment" means appointment of a person; who is not in the
service of the Government of India or the Government of the State; to any
category in the service through the process of inviting applications
directly from all eligible and qualified persons;
g) "Government" means the Government of the State of Andhra Pradesh;
h) "Governor" means the Governor of the State of Andhra Pradesh;
i) "High Court" means the High Court of Andhra Pradesh;
j) "Official Gazette" means the Andhra Pradesh State Official Gazette;
k) "Officiation" — a person is said to be officiating the post since the date
of his promotion till he is confirmed/regularized in that post;3
l) "Promotion" means the appointment of a member of any category in the
service to a higher category in the service carrying higher scale of pay;
m) "Recruitment by transfer" means appointment of a person; who at the
time of his first appointment thereto is either a confirmed member or
any approved probationer in any other category of the service or any
other service through the process of inviting applications from all
eligible and qualified persons;
n) "Schedule" means schedule appended to these Rules;
o) "Service" means the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service;
p) "State" means the State of Andhra Pradesh;
q) ‘Law Clerk’ means a Law Clerk/Legal Research Assistant appointed on
contract basis to assist the Hon’ble Judge of the High Court/s or the
Supreme Court of India or Tribunal/s;
r) “Official website” means website of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh.
INTERPRETATION:
A. The expression "District Judge" includes, Chief Judge and Additional Chief
Judge of the City Civil Courts; Chief Judge and Additional Chief Judge of the City Small
Causes Courts; Sessions Judge and Additional Sessions Judge; Director, Additional
Director and Senior Faculty Member of the Academy; Chairman, the A.P. Value
Added Tax Appellate Tribunal; Special Judge for Trial of SPE and ACB Cases,
Member Secretary, AP State Legal Services Authority, Secretary, AP High Court
Legal Services Committee, Chairman, Land Reforms Appellate Tribunal; Presiding
Officer, Chairman, Co-operative Tribunal, Secretary to the Government, Law
Department, Special Judge for Trial of cases under SCs and STs (POA), Principal
Special Judge for CBI cases, Chairman, the State Transport Appellate Tribunal,
Chairman, the Tribunal for Disciplinary Proceedings and Members; Chairman, the
Industrial Tribunal; Special Judge for Trial of Offences against Women, Special Judge4
for Trial of cases under Indian Electricity Act, Chairman, Motor Accidents Claim
Tribunal, Special Judge for Speedy Trial of offences under POCSO Act 2012, Special
Judge for Trial and Disposal of Commercial Disputes, Presiding Officer of the Labour
Court; Judge, Family Court; Judge, Mahila Court; and Additional District Judge;
B. The expression "Civil Judge (Senior Division)" includes, Additional Judge of the
City Civil Courts, Additional Judges of the City Small Causes Courts, Deputy
Director of the Academy, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Chief
Judicial Magistrate and Addl. Chief Judicial Magistrate;
C. The expression "Civil Judge (Junior Division)" includes, Assistant Judge of the
City Civil Courts, Rent Controller; Assistant Director and Administrative Officer
of the Academy, Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Special Judicial Magistrate,
Special Judicial Magistrate for Railways, Municipal and Juvenile Courts,
Recovery Officer, Debts Recovery Tribunal;
III.CONSTITUTION OF SERVICE:
1)There shall be constituted a State service known as "the Andhra Pradesh State
Judicial Service".
2) The service shall consist of the following categories:
Civil Judge (Junior Division);
Civil Judge (Senior Division);
District Judge (Entry Level);
District Judge (Selection Grade);
District Judge (Super Time Scale).
3)The Cadre strength of the above categories shall be, as fixed by the Government,
as per the need and in consultation with the High Court.
IV. APPOINTMENT OF CIVIL JUDGE (JUNIOR DIVISION):
1) Appointing Authority: The Governor of the State shall be the Appointing Authority
for the category of Civil Judge (Junior Division).5
2) Method of appointment: Appointment to the category of Civil Judge (Junior
Division) shall be made:
(a) By direct recruitment from among the eligible Advocates on the basis of written
and viva voce tests as prescribed by the High Court time to time and
(b) By Recruitment by transfer on the basis of written and viva voce tests as prescribed by
the High Court time to time.
b(i) One, out of every five vacancies in the cadre shall be filled up by means of
recruitment by transfer.
3) Eligibility:
3(1) By Direct Recruitment: A person to be appointed to the category of Civil
Judge (Junior Division) shall be:
(a) A holder of a degree in Law awarded by any University established by Law in India.
(b) One shall not have completed thirty five years of age as on the first day of the
month in which the notification inviting applications for such appointment is
published in the news papers/official website. Provided that the upper age limit of
thirty five years is relaxable by five years in respect of the persons belonging to
Economically Weaker Sections, Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes.
(c) Provided further that, in the case of a candidate who served in the Defence
Services of the Indian Union and who is otherwise qualified and suitable, the period
of service rendered by him in the Defence Service, shall be excluded in computing the
age for appointment by direct recruitment.
(d) One who has good character, and is free from any infirmity, which renders him,
unfit for such appointment.6
Provided that no person shall be eligible for appointment to the category
if:
i) he/she is not a citizen of India;
ii) he/she is dismissed/removed/ compulsory retired from Judicial
Service or any service of the Government, and Statutory or Local
Authority;
iii) he/she has been convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude;
iv) he/she is or has been permanently debarred or disqualified by the
High Court or Union Public Service Commission or any State Public
Service Commission from appearing for examinations or selections
conducted by it;
v) he/she directly or indirectly influences the recruitment authority/
agency by any means for his/her candidature;
vi) he has more than one wife living;
vii) she marries knowingly a person having a wife; and
viii) he/she is arrested in connection with any crime involving moral
turpitude and concerned with the same.
(e) Must have practiced Law for a minimum period of 3 years. The practice period is
calculated from the date of provisional enrolment/registration with the State Bar
Council concerned.
(f) The candidate must produce a certificate to that effect duly certified either by the
Principal Judicial Officer of that Court or by an advocate of that Court having a
minimum standing of 10 years duly endorsed by the Principal Judicial Officer of such
a District or a Principal Judicial Officer of such a station. In so far as the candidates
practicing before the High Courts or Supreme Court are concerned, shall be certified
by an advocate who has a minimum standing of 10 years duly endorsed by an officer
designated [i.e., The Registrar (Judicial)] by the High Court or the Supreme Court.7
(g) Provided that the experience of the candidate worked as a Law Clerk/Legal
Research Assistant assisting the Hon’ble Judge of High Court of Andhra Pradesh or
any High Court /any Tribunal in the Country or in the Supreme Court of India will be
considered while calculating the total number of years of practice.
3(2) Recruitment by Transfer:
(a) A person to be appointed to the category of Civil Judge (Junior Division) by
recruitment by transfer shall be:
i. A holder of a degree in Law awarded by any University established by Law
in India and shall be among the confirmed members or approved probationers
of:
i) Categories 5 and 6 of Division-I and Categories 1 to 4 and category 5(a) and
category 5(b) of Division-II of the Andhra Pradesh High Court Service Rules;
ii) Categories 1 to 9 of the Andhra Pradesh Judicial Ministerial and
Subordinate Service Rules 2019;
iii) Assistant Public Prosecutors, Senior Assistant Public Prosecutors, Additional
Public Prosecutors Grade-II of A.P. State Prosecution Service;
iv) Section Officers in the Law Department of the Secretariat;
v) Section Officers in the Legislature Department; and
vi) Managers of the Offices of the Advocate General, Government
Pleaders, Public Prosecutor, Editor and I.L.R.
ii. A person who has not completed forty eight years of age as on the first day
of the month in which the notification inviting applications for such
appointment is published in the news papers/official website; and8
iii. A person who is maintaining good character and conduct and shall not
fall within the rule 3 [3(1)(d)].
iv. Provided that no person who is facing disciplinary charges or has undergone
any punishment or is in subsisting punishment for any irregularity in discharge of
his/her duties shall be eligible for appointment by recruitment by transfer.
4) Recruitment, methodology for conducting examination, selection process,
fee etc.,
a. On or before the 15th December of every year, the Recruitment Wing shall be
informed of the number of existing vacancies and the vacancies that are likely to
occur within one year for the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division) by the Registry
concerned.
b. The Recruitment Wing shall place the vacancy position of Civil Judge (Junior
Division) on the website of the High Court by 15th January every year.
c. Every year, the High Court, by Notification on the website of High Court/ at least
two newspapers, one in Telugu and the other in English, invite applications in
such a form as it may determine from the intending candidates who possess the
requisite qualifications for filling the vacancies, indicating inter alia, the eligibility
criteria, the syllabus, the number of marks allotted for the written examination,
the qualifying marks to be secured, the number of marks allotted for the viva voce,
the ratio in which the candidates are to be called for the written examination/Viva
voce. The notification shall also specify that the recruitment to these posts shall
be made in accordance with the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial (Service and
Cadre) Rules, 2026.
d. For the purpose of short listing the candidates, applying for the post of Civil Judge
(Junior Division) under direct recruitment and recruitment by transfer, the High
Court may, if necessary conduct a Screening Test comprising of multiple choice9
objective type questions, an online Test (Computer based) and call upon the
candidates in the ratio of 1:10 of the available vacancies, who have secured 40%
and above marks, be shortlisted in the Screening Test for the written examination.
Securing Minimum qualifying marks in the Screening Test will not vest any right to
be considered for the written examination.
d(i) Provided that, if there is more than one candidate who have secured identical
marks in the Screening Test in particular category, all such candidates shall be
called for the written examination.
e. The High Court shall hold written examinations consisting of three papers i.e., (I)
Civil Laws, (II) Criminal Laws and (III) English (Translation and Essay Writing)
carrying 100 marks each, having a duration of 3 hours each respectively, for the
post of Civil Judge (Junior Division) under direct recruitment and recruitment by
transfer.
e(i) Provided that English paper (III) is divided into two parts. Part-I carries 40
marks and Part-II carries 60 marks. In Part-I the candidate is required to translate
a passage from English to Telugu and from Telugu to English. In Part-II,
candidate’s ability in Essay writing is tested. The Essay writing test shall be on
Legal Subjects only.
e(ii) The medium of written examination is English except the translation paper.
e(iii) The syllabus for the Screening Test and written examination is as detailed in
Schedule – A appended to the Rules.
e(iv) The candidates shall secure 40% of marks in each Part in Paper-III English
(Translation and Essay writing test) and the marks secured in Paper-III shall not
be taken into account for eligibility for viva voce or selection. The marks secured
in Paper-I, Paper-II and viva voce shall be taken into account for selection.10
f. The candidates applying for being appointed under Open Competition /
Economically Weaker Section under Direct Recruitment who secure not less than
55% of marks each in Paper-I and Paper-II and not less than 60% of marks in
aggregate in the written examination shall be eligible for viva voce carrying 50
marks.
f(i) The candidates belonging to Backward Class category applying for being
appointed under Direct Recruitment who secure not less than 50% marks each in
Paper-I and Paper-II and not less than 55% of marks in aggregate in the written
examination shall be eligible for the Viva voce.
f(ii) The candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Persons
with Benchmark Disabilities applying for being appointed under Direct
Recruitment who secure not less than 45% marks each in Paper-I and Paper-II and
not less than 50% of marks in aggregate in the written examination shall be eligible
for the viva voce.
f(iii) Provided that the candidates applying for being appointed under recruitment
by transfer who secure not less than 55% marks each in Paper-I and Paper-II and
not less than 60% of marks in aggregate in the written examination shall be eligible
for the viva voce.
g. The High Court shall call the candidates for viva voce for the post of Civil Judge
(Junior Division) under direct recruitment and recruitment by transfer at the ratio
of 1:3 of the available vacancies.
g(i) If there is more than one candidate who have secured identical marks, for
maintaining the ratio of 1:3, all such candidates shall be called upon to appear for
Viva Voce.11
h. The candidates who secures at least 60% marks in aggregate in written
examination and viva voce and above in respect of Open Competition &
Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category, 55% marks in aggregate in written
examination and viva voce and above in BC category and 50% marks in aggregate
in written examination and viva voce and above in respect of SC/ST/Persons with
Benchmark Disabilities category shall be eligible for provisional selection under
Direct Recruitment category.
h(i) Provided that the candidate who secure at least 60% marks in aggregate in
written examination and viva voce and above shall be eligible for provisional selection
under Recruitment by Transfer category.
h(ii) Provided that if two or more candidates secure equal marks in the written
examination and Viva voce, the elder in age will be considered for provisional
selection. In case of a tie in age also, the candidate, who possesses higher educational
qualification would be considered. In case of tie in higher educational qualification
also, the candidate with highest marks in the prescribed educational qualification will
be considered.
i. The same pattern of examination including the syllabus, which is fixed for direct
recruitment of Civil Judge (Junior Division), shall be held for Civil Judge (Junior
Division) under Recruitment by Transfer.
j. The object of the written examination is to test the academic knowledge of the
candidates.
k. The object of the Viva voce is to assess the suitability of the candidates for the
cadre by judging the mental alertness, knowledge of law, clear and logical
exposition, balance of judgment, skills, attitude, ethics, power of assimilation,
power of communication, character and intellectual depth.12
l. A candidate who has committed any copying or misconduct during the course of
Screening Test/Written Examination or has been convicted in a Criminal Case or
is compulsorily retired, removed or dismissed from Judicial Service or any other
service or could not successfully complete probation period of any post in Judicial
Service or other service shall not be eligible to appear for the competitive
examination.
m. Any Officer having found to be of doubtful integrity in any year, shall not be
eligible to appear for the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division).
n. Any candidate who remains absent for the Viva voce, shall be deemed to have
been disqualified for selection.
o. The decision of the High Court as to the eligibility or otherwise of a candidate for
admission to the written examination and Viva voce shall be final. Only candidates
who are issued with Hall Tickets shall be admitted for the examination.
p. The High Court shall prepare in the order of merit, a list of candidates (group-
wise) eligible for appointment. The number of candidates to be included in the
list shall be equal to the number of vacancies notified. The list of provisionally
selected candidates will be placed on the website of the High Court.
Besides the selection list, the High Court shall prepare wait list, equal to ten
percent (group–wise) of the number of vacancies notified for recruitment or one,
whichever is higher. The said waiting list will be valid only for six months from
the date of publication of provisional selection list or till the issue of next
Notification, whichever is earlier.
q. The High Court shall recommend the names of the selected candidates to the
Government by completing the selection process.13
r. The Government within two months of receipt of the names of the selected
candidates being forwarded to it, shall complete the process of verification of the
antecedents of the candidates and medical examination. No person selected for
appointment by direct recruitment shall be appointed unless he/ she is certified
by the Medical Authority specified by the High Court for the purpose that, he /she
is medically fit to discharge the duties of the post to which he/she is selected for
appointment.
s. FEE: Every candidate under direct recruitment and recruitment by transfer shall
pay fee as may be fixed by the High Court from time to time in the notification
inviting applications; provided that in the case of a candidate belonging to
Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes/ Persons with Benchmark Disabilities, the
fee payable shall be one half of the fee specified in the notification for other
candidates.
t. All necessary steps not provided under these rules for recruitment, shall be
decided by the High Court.
u. Joining time for Appointment:
(i) A candidate selected by direct recruitment and recruitment by transfer shall
report for duty before the Authority on the date specified in the order of
appointment.
(ii) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (i) the High Court may, on
the application of the candidate, if satisfied that there are good and sufficient
reasons for doing so, by order in writing, grant such further time as deemed
necessary.
(iii) The name of the candidate who fails to assume charge of the post within the
time specified in the sub-rule (i) or within the further time granted under14
sub-rule (ii) shall stand deleted from the list of selected candidates and he/she
shall cease to be eligible for appointment.
V. APPOINTMENT OF CIVIL JUDGE (SENIOR DIVISION):
1) Appointing Authority: The Governor of the State shall be the Appointing Authority
for the category of Civil Judge (Senior Division).
2) Method of appointment and eligibility: Appointment to the category of Civil
Judge (Senior Division) shall be made:
(a) 90% of the cadre strength of Civil Judge (Senior Division) shall be by promotion
from the category of Civil Judge (Junior Division), who have put in not less than five
years of qualifying service, selected by the High Court on the basis of “seniority –
cum–merit”.
(b) 10% of the cadre strength of Civil Judges (Senior Division) shall be filled up by
accelerated promotion through Limited Departmental Competitive Examination
(LDCE) from the category of Civil Judge ( Junior Division) who have put in not less
than three years service as Civil Judge (Junior Division) by the end of 31st March of
the year; and if the candidates are not available for this 10% of cadre strength, or are
not able to qualify in the examination in a panel year, then, the vacant posts in this
cadre strength are to be filled up by regular promotion in accordance with these rules.
(c) Any officer in the cadre of Civil Judge (Junior Division) facing disciplinary charges
or has undergone or is undergoing punishment for any irregularity in discharge of
his/her duties shall not be eligible for appointment by promotion through Limited
Departmental Competitive Examination or by Regular promotion to the post of Civil
Judge (Senior Division).15
(d) Any Officer having found to be of doubtful integrity in any year, shall not be
eligible to appear for the post of Civil Judge (Senior Division) through Limited
Departmental Competitive Examination.
3) Recruitment, methodology for conducting examination, selection process,
fee etc. under LDCE.
a. On or before 15th March of every year, the Recruitment Wing shall be informed of
the number of existing vacancies and the vacancies that are likely to occur within one
year for the post of Civil Judge (Senior Division) by the Registry concerned.
b. The Recruitment Wing shall place the vacancy position of Civil Judge (Senior
Division) on the website of the High Court by 31st March of every year.
c. Every year, the High Court, by Notification on the website of High Court, invite
applications in such a form as it may determine from the intending candidates who
possess the requisite qualifications for filling the vacancies, indicating inter-alia, the
eligibility criteria, the syllabus, the number of marks allotted for written examination,
the qualifying marks to be secured, the number of marks allotted for the viva voce, the
ratio in which the candidates are to be called for the written examination/Viva voce.
The Notification shall also specify that the recruitment to these posts shall be made
in accordance with the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial (Service and Cadre) Rules, 2026.
d. For the purpose of short listing the candidates, applying under LDCE, the High
Court may, if necessary conduct a Screening Test comprising of multiple choice
objective type questions, an online Test (Computer based) and call upon the
candidates in the ratio of 1:10 of the available vacancies, who have secured 40% and
above marks, be shortlisted in the Screening Test for a written examination. Securing
minimum qualifying marks will not vest any right to be considered for the written
examination.16
d(i) If more than one candidate secured identical marks in the Screening Test in
particular category, all such candidates shall be called for the written examination.
e. The High Court shall hold written examinations consisting of three papers i.e., (I)
Civil Laws, (II) Criminal Laws and (III) English (Translation and Essay Writing)
carrying 100 marks each, having a duration of 3 hours each respectively, for the post
of Civil Judge (Senior Division) by promotion through Limited
Departmental Competitive Examination.
e(i) English (Translation and Essay Writing) paper (III) is divided into two parts. Part-
I carries 40 marks and Part-II carries 60 marks. In Part-I the candidate is required to
translate a passage from English to Telugu and from Telugu to English. In Part-II,
candidate’s ability in Essay writing is tested. The Essay writing test shall be on Legal
Subjects only.
e(ii) The medium of Screening Test and written examination is English except the
translation paper.
e(iii) The syllabus for the Screening Test and written examination for Civil Judge
(Senior Division) through LDCE, is as detailed in Schedule – B appended to the Rules.
e(iv) The candidates shall secure 40% of marks in each Part in Paper-III English
(Translation and Essay writing test) and the marks secured in Paper-III shall not be
taken into account for eligibility for viva voce or selection. The marks secured in
Paper-I, Paper-II and viva voce shall be taken into account for selection.
f. The candidates applying for being appointed through LDCE who secure not less
than 55% of marks each in Paper-I and Paper-II and not less than 60% of marks in
aggregate in the written examination shall be eligible for viva voce carrying 50 marks.17
g. The High Court shall call the candidates for viva voce for the post of Civil Judge
(Senior Division) by promotion through Limited Departmental Competitive
Examination (LDCE) at the ratio of 1:3 of the available vacancies.
g(i) If there is more than one candidate who have secured identical cut off marks, for
maintaining the ratio of 1:3, all such candidates shall be called upon to appear for Viva
voce.
h. The candidates who secure at least 60% marks in aggregate in written examination
and viva voce and above shall be eligible for provisional selection for the post of Civil
Judge (Senior Division) through LDCE.
h(i) Provided that if two or more candidates get equal marks in the written
examination and Viva voce, the elder in age will be considered for provisional
selection. In case of a tie in age also, the candidate, who possesses higher educational
qualification would be considered. In case of tie in higher educational qualification
also, the candidate with highest marks in the prescribed educational qualification will
be considered.
i) The object of the written examination is to test the academic knowledge of the
candidates.
j) The object of the Viva voce is to assess the suitability of the candidates for the cadre
by judging the mental alertness, knowledge of law, clear and logical exposition,
balance of judgment, skills, attitude, ethics, power of assimilation, power of
communication, character and intellectual depth.
k) Any candidate who remains absent for the Viva voce, shall be deemed to have been
disqualified for selection.18
l) The decision of the High Court as to the eligibility or other wise of a candidate for
admission to the written examination and Viva voce shall be final. Only candidates
who are issued with Hall Tickets shall be admitted for the examination.
m) The High Court shall prepare a list of candidates (group-wise) in the order of
merit, eligible for appointment. The number of candidates to be included in the list
shall be equal to the number of vacancies notified. The list of provisionally selected
candidates will be placed on the website of the High Court.
n) The High Court shall recommend the names of the selected candidates to the
Government by completing the selection process.
o) FEE: Every candidate shall pay fee as may be fixed by the High Court from time to
time in the notification inviting applications.
p) Provided that in the case of a candidate belonging to Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled
Tribes/Persons with Benchmarks Disabilities the fee payable shall be one half of the
fee specified in the notification for other candidates.
q) All necessary steps not provided under these rules for recruitment, shall be
decided by the High Court.
VI. APPOINTMENT OF DISTRICT JUDGE (ENTRY LEVEL):
1. Appointing Authority: The Governor of the State shall be the Appointing Authority
for the category of District Judges.
2. Method of appointment: Appointment to the category of District Judges (Entry
Level) shall be made:
i) By Direct recruitment (DR).
ii) By Promotion through Limited Departmental Competitive19
Examination (LDCE), and
iii) By Promotion from among the Civil Judges (Senior Division)/
Regular Promotion. (RP)
2(a) 25% of the cadre strength shall be filled up by direct recruitment from among
the eligible Advocates on the basis of written examination and viva voce tests as
prescribed by the High Court.
2(b) 25% of the cadre strength shall be filled up through Limited Departmental
Competitive Examination (LDCE) from the category of Civil Judges (Senior Division)
on the basis of written examination and viva voce tests as prescribed by the High
Court.
2(c) 50% of the cadre strength shall be filled up by Promotion from among the
category of Civil Judges (Senior Division) who have put in at least 5 years of qualifying
service by the end of 31st March of the year on the basis of merit-cum-seniority.
3. Eligibility:
3 (1) District Judge (Entry Level) under direct recruitment : A person to be
appointed to the category of District Judge by direct recruitment shall be:
(a) One who has been practicing for not less than 7 years as an advocate as on the
date of publication of notification on the News Papers/Official website of High Court.
(a)(i) One who has been or who is in Judicial service and has a combined
standing/experience of seven years or more as an Advocate or a Judicial Officer as on
the date of notification.
(a)(ii)The Assistant Public Prosecutors and Additional Public Prosecutors / Public
Prosecutors who completed the combined standing/experience of seven years or
more as an Advocate or service as on the date of notification shall be eligible.20
(a)(iii)Provided that a full time salaried Law Officer in the employment of the Central
Government or State Government or any Public Corporation or Body constituted by
statute shall not be eligible.
(b) One shall have completed (35) thirty five years of age and shall not have been
completed (45) forty five years of age as on the first day of the month in which the
notification inviting applications for such appointment is published in the News
papers/Official website of High Court.
(b)(i) Provided that the upper age limit in respect of persons belonging to the
Schedule Castes; the Scheduled Tribes, Backward classes and Economically Weaker
Sections is relaxable by three years.
(c) One who has good character, and is free from any infirmity which renders
him/her, unfit for such appointment.
Provided that no person shall be eligible for appointment to the category if:
(i) he/she is not a citizen of India;
ii) he/she is dismissed/removed/compulsory retired from Judicial
service or any service of State/Central Government;
iii) he/she has been convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude;
iv) he/she is or has been permanently debarred or disqualified by the
High Court or Union Public Service Commission or any State Public
Service Commission/agency from appearing for examinations or
selections conducted by it;
v) he/she directly or indirectly influences the recruitment
authority/agency by any means for his candidature;
vi) he has more than one wife living;
vii) he/she marries knowingly a person having a spouse; and21
viii) he/she is convicted in connection with any crime involving moral
turpitude and concerned with the same.
3(2) District Judge through LDCE (Limited Departmental Competitive
Examination):
a) One who have put in not less than 3 years of qualifying service as Civil Judge (Senior
Division) by the end of 31st March of the year and the total service including service
rendered as a Civil Judge (Junior Division) and Civil Judge (Senior Division) shall be
minimum of 7 years, and shall have completed thirty five (35) years of age as on the
first day of the month in which the notification inviting applications for such
appointment is published on the website of High Court. If the candidates are not
available for this 25% of cadre strength, or are not able to qualify in the examination
in a panel year, then, the vacant posts in this cadre strength are to be filled up by
regular promotion in accordance with these rules, and;
b) Any Officer in the cadre of Civil Judge (Senior Division) who has committed any
copying or misconduct during the course of Screening Test/Written Examination or
has been convicted in a Criminal Case or is compulsorily retired, removed, or
dismissed, compulsory retired from Judicial Service or any other service or could not
successfully complete probation period of any post in Judicial Service or any other
service shall not be eligible to appear for the competitive examination.
c) Any Officer having found to be of doubtful integrity in any year, shall not be eligible
to appear for the post of District Judge through Limited Departmental Competitive
Examination.
d) Provided that no Civil Judge (Senior Division) who is facing disciplinary charges or
is undergoing punishment for any irregularity in discharge of his/her duties shall be
eligible for appointment through Limited Departmental Competitive Examination to
the post of District Judge.22
3(3). District Judge by Regular Promotion (RP) from among the Civil Judges
(Senior Division):
(a) For appointment of District Judge (Entry Level) by Promotion from among the
category of Civil Judge (Senior Division) the Officer shall have put in at least 5 years
of qualifying service by the end of 31st March of the year and that inter alia the
appointment shall be on the basis of merit-cum-seniority.
(b) The Officer shall have completed thirty five (35) years of age as on the first day of
the month in which the notification published on the website of High Court calling for
Judgments for viva voce.
c) Any Officer having found to be of doubtful integrity in any year, shall not be eligible
to be appointed for the post of District Judge through regular promotion.
d) Any Officer facing disciplinary charges or is undergoing punishment for any
irregularity in discharge of his/her duties shall not be eligible for appointment by
regular promotion to the post of District Judge.
(e) The suitability of a candidate for being promoted to the Cadre of District Judge
from the Cadre of Civil Judge (Senior Division), shall be based on the factors like:
(i) Whether the candidate possess updated knowledge of law;
(ii) The quality of judgments rendered by the Judicial Officer;
(iii) ACRs of the Judicial Officer of the preceding five years;
(iv) Disposal rate in the preceding five years;
(v) Performance of the Judicial Officer in the Viva voce; and23
(vi) General perceptions and awareness as also communication skills.
(f) Apart from the above, the candidate shall undergo a viva voce of 50 marks so as
to assess legal knowledge and efficiency in legal field for discharging higher duties
and responsibilities. The Candidate is required to obtain a minimum of 50 % marks
in viva voce.
4) Recruitment, methodology for conducting examination, selection process,
fee etc., for direct recruitment/limited competitive examination.
a. On or before 15th March of every year in the case of District Judge, the
Recruitment Wing shall be informed of the number of existing vacancies and the
vacancies that are likely to occur within one year for the post of District Judge by the
Registry concerned.
b. The Recruitment Wing shall place the vacancy position of District Judges on the
website of the High Court by 31st March of every year.
c. Every year, the High Court, by Notification on the website of High Court/ at least
two news papers, one in Telugu and the other in English, invite applications in such a
form as it may determine from the intending candidates who possess the requisite
qualifications for filling the vacancies, indicating inter alia, the eligibility criteria, the
syllabus, the number of marks allotted for the written examination, the qualifying
marks to be secured, the number of marks allotted for the viva voce, the ratio in which
the candidates are to be called for the written examination/Viva voce. The Notification
shall also specify that the recruitment to these posts shall be made in accordance with
the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial (Service and Cadre) Rules, 2026.
d. For the purpose of short listing the candidates, applying for the post of District
Judge (Entry Level) by direct recruitment and by promotion through Limited
Departmental Competitive Examination, the High Court may, if necessary conduct a24
Screening Test comprising of multiple choice objective type questions, an online Test
(Computer based) and call upon the candidates in the ratio of 1:10 of the available
vacancies, who have secured 40% and above marks, be shortlisted in the Screening
Test for a written examination. Securing minimum qualifying marks in the Screening
Test will not vest any right to be considered for the written examination.
d(i) Provided that, if there is more than one candidate who have secured identical
marks in the Screening Test in particular category, all such candidates shall be called
for the written examination.
e. The High Court shall hold written examinations consisting of three papers i.e., (I)
Constitution and Civil Laws, (II) Criminal Laws and (III) English (Translation and
Essay Writing) carrying 100 marks each, having a duration of 3 hours each
respectively.
e(i) English (Translation and Essay Writing) paper (III) is divided into two parts.
Part-I carries 40 marks and Part-II carries 60 marks. In Part-I the candidate is
required to translate a passage from English to Telugu and from Telugu to English. In
Part-II, candidate’s ability in Essay writing is tested. The Essay writing test shall be
on Legal Subjects only.
e (ii) The medium of Screening Test and written examination is English except the
translation paper.
e(iii) The syllabus for the Screening Test and written examination for District Judge
(Entry Level) by direct recruitment and through LDCE is as detailed in Schedule – C
appended to the rules.
e(iv) The candidates shall secure 40% of marks in each Part in Paper-III English
(Translation and Essay writing test) and the marks secured in Paper-III shall not be25
taken into account for eligibility for viva voce or selection. The marks secured in
Paper-I, Paper-II and viva voce shall be taken into account for selection.
f. The candidates applying for being appointed under Open Competition /
Economically Weaker Section under Direct Recruitment who secure not less than
55% of marks each in Paper-I and Paper-II and not less than 60% of marks in
aggregate in the written examination shall be eligible for viva voce carrying 50 marks.
f(i) The candidates belonging to Backward Class category for being appointed under
Direct Recruitment who secure not less than 50% marks each in Paper-I and Paper-
II and not less than 55% of marks in aggregate in the written examination shall be
eligible for the Viva voce.
f(ii) The candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Persons
with Benchmark Disabilities for being appointed under Direct Recruitment who
secure not less than 45% marks each in Paper-I and Paper-II and not less than 50%
of marks in aggregate in the written examination shall be eligible for the viva voce.
f(iii) Provided that the candidates applying for being appointed through LDCE, who
secure not less than 55% marks each in Paper-I and Paper-II and not less than 60% of
marks in aggregate in the written examination shall be eligible for the viva voce.
g. The High Court shall call the candidates for viva voce for the post of District Judge
(Entry Level) under direct recruitment and by promotion through Limited
Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) at the ratio of 1:3 of the available
vacancies .26
g(i) If there is more than one candidate who have secured identical marks, for
maintaining the ratio of 1:3, all such candidates shall be called upon to appear for Viva
voce:
h. The candidates who secure at least 60% marks in aggregate in written examination
and viva voce in respect of Open Competition & Economically Weaker Section (EWS)
category, 55% marks in aggregate in written examination and viva voce in BC
category and 50% marks in aggregate in written examination and viva voce in respect
of SC/ST/Persons with Benchmark Disabilities category shall be eligible for
provisional selection for the post of District Judge (Entry Level) under Direct
Recruitment category.
h(i) Provided that the candidates who secure at least 60% marks in aggregate in
written examination and viva voce and above shall be eligible for provisional selection
for the post of District Judge through LDCE.
h(ii) Provided that if two or more candidates secure equal marks in the written
examination and Viva voce, the elder in age will be considered for provisional
selection. In case of a tie in age also, the candidate, who possesses higher educational
qualification would be considered. In case of tie in higher educational qualification
also, the candidate with highest marks in the prescribed educational qualification will
be considered.
i) The same pattern of examination including the syllabus, which is fixed for direct
recruitment of District Judges (Entry Level), shall be held for the promotion of District
Judges through LDCE.
j) The object of the written examination is to test the academic knowledge of the
candidates.
k) The object of the Viva voce is to assess the suitability of the candidates for the cadre
by judging the mental alertness, knowledge of law, clear and logical exposition,27
balance of judgment, skills, attitude, ethics, power of assimilation, power of
communication, character and intellectual depth.
l) A candidate who has committed any copying or misconduct during the course of
Screening Test/Written Examination or has been convicted in a Criminal Case or is
compulsorily retired, removed or dismissed from Judicial Service or any other service
or could not successfully complete probation period of any post in Judicial Service or
other service shall not be eligible to appear for the competitive examination.
m) Any candidate having found to be of doubtful integrity in any year, shall not be
eligible to appear for the post of District Judge.
n) Any candidate who remains absent for the Viva voce shall be deemed to have been
disqualified for the selection.
o) The decision of the High Court as to the eligibility or otherwise of a candidate for
admission to the written examination and Viva voce shall be final. The candidates who
are issued with Hall Tickets shall be admitted for the examination.
p) The High Court shall prepare in the order of merit, a list of candidates (group-wise)
eligible for appointment to the post of District Judge. The number of candidates to be
included in the list shall be equal to the number of vacancies notified. The list of
provisionally selected candidates will be placed on the website of the High Court.
q) Besides the selection list of District Judge, the High Court shall prepare wait list,
equal to ten percent (group –wise) of the number of vacancies notified for
recruitment or one, whichever is higher. The said waiting list will be valid only for six
months from the date of publication of provisional selection list or till the issue of
next notification, whichever is earlier.
r) The High Court shall recommend the names of the selected candidates to the
Government by completing the selection process.28
s) The Government within two months of receipt of the names of the selected
candidates being forwarded to it, shall complete the process of verification of the
antecedents of the candidates and medical examination. No person selected for
appointment by the direct recruitment shall be appointed unless he/ she is certified
by the Medical Authority specified by the High Court for the purpose that he /she is
medically fit to discharge the duties of the post to which he/she is selected for
appointment.
t) FEE: Every candidate for the post of District Judge (Entry Level) direct recruitment
shall pay fee as may be fixed by the High Court from time to time in the notification
inviting applications;
u) Provided that in the case of a candidate belonging to Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled
Tribes/ Persons with Benchmark Disabilities, the fee payable shall be one half of the
fee specified in the notification for other candidates.
v) All necessary steps not provided under these rules for recruitment, shall be
decided by the High Court.
w) Joining time for Appointment:
(i) A candidate selected by direct recruitment shall report for duty before the
Authority on the date specified in the order of appointment.
(ii) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (i) the High Court may, on
the application of the candidate, if satisfied that there are good and sufficient
reasons for doing so, by order in writing, grant such further time as deemed
necessary.
iii) The name of the candidate who fails to assume charge of the post within the
time specified in the sub-rule (i) or within the further time granted under
sub-rule (ii) shall stand deleted from the list of selected candidates and he/she
shall cease to be eligible for appointment.29
VII. DISTRICT JUDGES - SELECTION GRADE AND SUPER TIME SCALE
1. Appointing Authority: The Governor of the State shall be the Appointing Authority
for the above category of District Judges.
2) Method of appointment:
The High Court shall confer Selection Grade and Super Time Scale on merit-
cum-seniority basis to the officers in the cadre of District Judges as indicated in the
TABLE hereinto:
Cadre Eligibility Total Number of Officers
eligible
Selection Grade Five years of service as District 35% of the cadre strength of
Judges (Entry Level). District Judges.
Super Time Scale Three years of service as 15% of the cadre strength of
Selection Grade District Judges. District Judges.
The suitability of the candidates for being promoted from the category of District
Judge (Entry Level) to the category of Selection Grade and Super Time Scale shall be
based on the following norms:
i) The promotion of a District Judge to the Selection Grade shall be subject to
his/her being assessed ‘Satisfactory’ or above in at least seven of the ten
assessments, spread over in the immediately preceding five years.
ii) For the conferment of Super Time Scale Grade, the District Judge in Selection
Grade must have been assessed ‘Satisfactory’ or above in at least four of the
six assessments in the immediately preceding three years.30
iii) No departmental or criminal proceeding is pending against him/her nor have
charges been framed for misconduct, moral turpitude, and lack of integrity or
dereliction of duty.
iv) He/she has not been punished by the disciplinary authority on any of the
grounds mentioned above, or by a Criminal Court in respect of any
penal/criminal offence.
v) On the merit of the candidates being so assessed, they shall qualify for being
conferred the Selection Grade or the Super Time Scale, as the case may, in
accordance with the seniority.
vi) The deputation period of an officer shall be treated as “satisfactory”.
vii) The duration of the deputation of an officer shall be reckoned in multiples of
half years by treating the fraction of the period exceeding three (03) months
as one half year while ignoring the fraction, if it is less than three (03) months.
VIII. RESERVATION:
Rules 22 and 22-A of the Andhra Pradesh State and Subordinate Service Rules,
1996 insofar as they relate to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes
Economically Weaker Section, Women and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities
shall apply to the appointments to be made by direct recruitment, and Scheduled
Castes and Scheduled Tribes in so far as it relates to recruitment by transfer/LDCE.
IX. TRAINING:
a) District Judge: Every person who is appointed by direct recruitment to the
category of District Judge shall undergo training in the Academy, for a period of
six months or any such period and such spells as deemed fit by the High Court.31
(a)(i) Provided that the High Court, owing to the exigency in the service, may
prescribe the period of training less than the period prescribed in clause (a)
hereinabove.
b) Civil Judge (Junior Division): Every person who is appointed to the category of
Civil Judge (Junior Division) under direct recruitment and recruitment by
transfer shall compulsorily undergo at least one year of training in the Academy,
before presiding over a Court.
X. PROBATION AND OFFICIATION:
a) Every person who is appointed to the category of District Judge by direct
recruitment from the date on which he joins duty shall be on probation for
a period of two years.
b) Every person who is appointed to the category of District Judge otherwise
than on direct recruitment shall be on officiation for a period of two years.
c) Every person who is appointed to the category of Civil Judge (Junior
Division) shall be on probation for a period of two years;
d) The period of probation or officiation, may be extended by the High Court
by such period, not exceeding the period of probation or officiation, as the
case may be, as specified in clauses (a) to (c) herein above.
XI. CONFIRMATION/REGULARIZATION: A person who has been declared to have
satisfactorily completed his period of probation or officiation as the case may be shall be
confirmed as a full member of the service in the category of post to which he had been
appointed or promoted, as against the substantive vacancy which may exist or arise.
XII. DISCHARGE OF UNSUITABLE PROBATIONERS: The appointing authority on the
recommendation of the High Court may, at any time, before or during the period of
probation or during the extended period of probation, terminate the probation of the
probationer and discharge the probationer from service on account of unsatisfactory32
performance or conduct or for any other sufficient reason to be recorded in writing
and considers that the probationer is not suitable for full membership, after giving him
one month’s notice or pay in lieu of such notice.
XIII. REVERSION: At the end of the period of officiation or extended period of
officiation, the High Court, considers that, the person is not suitable to hold the post
in which he is officiating, may by order revert him to the post, which he has held prior
to his promotion or recruitment by transfer.
XIV. SENIORITY:
a) Civil Judge (Junior Division): Seniority of the persons appointed to the
category of Civil Judge (Junior Division) by direct recruitment as well as
recruitment by transfer shall be fixed as per the twenty point roster
prescribed in Schedule-D appended to the Rules.
b) Civil Judge (Senior Division): Seniority of the persons appointed to the
category of Civil Judge (Senior Division) by promotion as well as by promotion
through Limited Departmental Competitive Examination shall be fixed as per
the 100 (Hundred) point roster prescribed in Schedule-E appended to the
Rules.
c) District Judge: Seniority of the persons appointed to the category of District
Judge by direct recruitment, as well as by promotion through Limited
Departmental Competitive Examination and Regular Promotion shall be fixed
as per the forty point roster prescribed in Schedule-F appended to the Rules.
d) Inter se seniority: Whenever two or more persons are appointed
simultaneously to the service, the appointing authority may at the time of
passing, an order of appointment fix the inter se seniority as per the order of
merit.33
XV. TEMPORARY APPOINTMENTS:
a. Where it is necessary in the public interest owing to the exigency in the service
to fill up immediately vacancies in the category of District Judges and there
would be undue delay in making such appointments in accordance with sub
rules 2, 3 and 4 of Rule VI the Governor may in consultation with the High Court
make temporary appointments by transfer from among the category of Civil
Judges (Senior Division).
a(i) Where it is necessary in the public interest, owing to the exigencies of
service to fill up immediately any vacancies in the category of Civil Judges
(Senior Division) and there is unavoidable delay in making such appointments
in accordance sub-rule 2 and 3 of Rule V, the High Court may make promotions
from the category of Civil Judge (Junior Division) to the posts of Civil Judge
(Senior Division) from amongst the eligible Civil Judges (Junior Division) who
have put in not less than five (5) years of qualifying service.
b. Where it is necessary in the public interest owing to the exigency in the service
to fill up immediately vacancies in the category of Civil Judges (Junior Division)
and there would be undue delay in making such appointment in accordance
with sub-rules 2, 3 and 4 of Rule IV, the Governor may in consultation with the
High Court make temporary appointments from among the confirmed
members or approved probationers of any category specified in sub-rule 3(2)
of Rule IV .
(b)(i) Provided that no person shall be appointed under Rule IV unless he/she
is eligible to be appointed as per sub-rule 3(2) of Rule IV.
XVI. AD HOC APPOINTMENT OF FAST TRACK COURT JUDGES: Where it is necessary in
the public interest, the Governor may in consultation with the High Court make ad hoc34
appointments, in accordance with the Special Rules framed in regard thereto and the
persons appointed on ad hoc basis shall not be regarded as members of the cadre.
XVII. AGE OF SUPERANNUATION: The age of superannuation of a member of the
service shall be sixty one years or such further age as is fixed by the Government from
time to time.
XVIII. POSTINGS AND TRANSFERS: All postings and transfers in the service shall be
made by the High Court.
XIX. APPEAL: No appeal lies against the order of discharge or reversion.
XX. CONDITIONS OF SERVICE:
a) Pay and allowances: Pay and allowances of members of the service shall be as
recommended by the National Judicial Pay Commission from time to time and
accepted by the Government.
b) A member of the service shall be eligible for such leave and leave salary and
such travelling allowance as is admissible to the member of the Indian
Administrative Service governed by the All India Service Leave Rules, 1955
for the time being in force.
c) A member of the service shall be eligible for the other pensionary benefits
regulated under the All India Service (death-cum-retirement benefits)
Rules, 1958, which are in force at the time of his appointment.
d) The A.P. Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1991, the A.P.
Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, the Fundamental Rules, the A.P. Leave
Rules, 1933, and the Pension Rules for the time being in force shall insofar as they
may be applicable, and except to the extent expressly provided in these Rules,
govern members of the service in the matter of their pay, allowances, leave, leave
salary, pension and other conditions of service.35
XXI. ADDITION OF CERTAIN SERVICE FOR THE PURPOSE OF PENSION: An
advocate appointed to the service as Civil Judge (Junior Division) or District Judge
by direct recruitment shall be entitled to reckon as service qualifying for
superannuation pension, the actual period of practice put in by him at the Bar not
exceeding three years or seven years respectively.
XXII. TESTS: A person appointed to the category of Civil Judges (Junior Division) and
District Judges by direct recruitment is exempted from passing any Accounts test,
language test and other tests prescribed under the general rules of the A.P. State and
Subordinate Service Rules, 1996, and a certificate issued by the Academy in token of
having successfully completed the training shall be deemed to be a certificate of pass in
the relevant tests.
The Academy shall prepare the necessary curriculum for imparting training to
the officers of the respective categories as regards the above tests.
XXIII.RESIGNATION: A member of the service may resign by tendering his
resignation in writing and such resignation shall come into effect on the date
of its acceptance, on the recommendation of the High Court, by the Governor.
XXIV. RETIREMENT IN PUBLIC INTEREST: Notwithstanding anything contained in these
Rules, the Governor, on the recommendation of the High Court containing the
reasons in writing, if he is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to do so, has
the absolute right to retire any member of the service who has attained the age of
50, 55 or 58 years, by giving him notice of not less than three months in writing or
three months pay and allowances in lieu thereof.
XXV. RELAXATION OF RULES: The Governor in consultation with the High Court is satisfied
that operation of any of the provisions of these Rules causes or likely to cause undue
hardship in any particular case or class of cases may dispense with or relax such
provisions of the rules deemed proper, just and equitable.36 ANDHRA PRADESH GAZETTE, July 17, 2026
GOTTAPU PRATIBHA DEVI,
Secretary to Government,
Legal & Legislative Affairs & Justice,
Law Department.37
SCHEDULE – A
Syllabus for the Screening Test /written examination for the recruitment of
Civil Judges (Junior Division) under direct recruitment and recruitment by
transfer.
CIVIL LAWS:
1) The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
2) The Indian Contract Act, 1872
3) The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
4) The Hindu Succession Act, 1956
5) The Indian Easements Act, 1882
6) The Specific Relief Act, 1963
7) The Limitation Act, 1963
8) The Transfer of Property Act, 1882
9) The Civil Rules of Practice
10) The Registration Act, 1908 and Stamp Act, 1899
11) The A.P. Land Encroachment Act, 1905
12) The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
13) The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA)
CRIMINAL LAWS:
1) The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
2) The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
3) The Indian Penal Code, 1860
4) The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS)
5) The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA)38
6) The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS)
7) The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
8) The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
9) The Criminal Rules of Practice
10) The A.P. Excise Act, 1968
11) The A.P. Gaming Act, 1974
12) The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
13) The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
14) The Information Technology Act, 2000
15) The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012
16) The A.P. Forest Act, 1967.39
SCHEDULE – B
Syllabus for the Screening Test / written examination for the recruitment of
Civil Judges (Senior Division) under Limited Departmental Competitive
Examination (10% quota)
CIVIL LAWS:
1) The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
2) The Indian Succession Act, 1925
3) The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in
Land Acquisition Rehabilitation & Resettlement Act 2013.
4) The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
5) The Hindu Succession Act, 1956
6) The Specific Relief Act, 1963
7) The Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996
8) The A.P. Municipalities Act, 1965
9) The Civil Rules of Practice
10) The A.P.Civil Courts Act, 1972
11) The Indian Contract Act, 1872
12) The Indian Easements Act, 1882
13) The Limitation Act, 1963
14) The Transfer of Property Act, 1882
15) The Registration Act, 1908, and Stamp Act, 1899
16) The A.P.Land Encroachment Act, 1905
17) The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
18) The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA)40
CRIMINAL LAWS:
1) The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
2) The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
3) The Indian Penal Code, 1860
4) The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS)
5) The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA)
6) The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS)
7) The Criminal Rules of Practice
8) The Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, 1978
9) The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881(Section 138 to 148)
10) The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 200541
SCHEDULE – C
Syllabus for the Screening Test /written examination for the recruitment of
District Judges (Entry Level) under direct recruitment and Accelerated
Recruitment by Transfer.
CONSTITUTION AND CIVIL LAWS:
1) The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
2) The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
3) The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA)
4) The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land
Acquisition Rehabilitation & Resettlement Act 2013.
5) The Tenancy Laws including Land Reforms and Ceiling
6) The Constitution of India
7) Administrative Law
8) The Transfer of Property Act, 1882
9) The Indian Contract Act, 1872
10) The Motor Vehicle Act, 1988
11) The Specific Relief Act, 1963
12) The Laws on Inheritance, Succession, Marriage, Divorce, Adoption,
Guardianship and Custody including in-country and inter-country
adoptions.
13) The Family Courts Act, 1984.
14) The Indian Easements Act, 1882
15) The Law of Torts42
16) The Limitation Act, 1963
17) The Patents Act, 1970
18) The Copyright Act, 1957
19) The Trade Marks Act, 1999
20) The Registration Act, 1908, and Stamp Act, 1899
21) The Sale of Goods Act, 1930
22) The Guardian & Wards Act, 1890
23) The Indian Trusts Act, 1882
CRIMINAL LAWS:
1) The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
2) The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
3) The Indian Penal Code, 1860
4) The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS)
5) The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA)
6) The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS)
7) The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955
8) The Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of
Atrocities Act, 1989)
9) The Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881 (Section 138 to 148)
10) The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985
11) The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988
12) The A.P. Excise Act, 1968
13) The A.P. Prohibition Act, 1995
14) The Wild Life Protection Act, 1972
15) The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
16) The Electricity Act, 2003
17) The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 200543
18) The Arms Act, 1959
19) The A.P. Forest Act, 1967.
SCHEDULE-D
20 point Roster governing seniority of Civil Judges (Junior Division)
Sl.No. Category of Post Reserved
1
Direct Recruitment
Direct Recruitment
2
Direct Recruitment
3
Direct Recruitment
4
5 Recruitment by transfer
Direct Recruitment
6
Direct Recruitment
7
Direct Recruitment
8
Direct Recruitment
9
10 Recruitment by transfer44
Direct Recruitment
11
Direct Recruitment
12
Direct Recruitment
13
Direct Recruitment
14
15 Recruitment by transfer
Direct Recruitment
16
Direct Recruitment
17
Direct Recruitment
18
Direct Recruitment
19
20 Recruitment by transfer
SCHEDULE-E
100 point Roster governing seniority of Civil Judges (Senior Division)
Sl.No. Category of Post Reserved
Regular Promotion
1
Regular Promotion
245
Regular Promotion
3
Regular Promotion
4
Regular Promotion
5
Regular Promotion
6
Regular Promotion
7
Regular Promotion
8
Regular Promotion
9
Through Limited Departmental Competitive
10
Examination
Regular Promotion
11
Regular Promotion
12
Regular Promotion
13
Regular Promotion
14
Regular Promotion
15
Regular Promotion
16
Regular Promotion
1746
Regular Promotion
18
Regular Promotion
19
Through Limited Departmental Competitive
20
Examination
Regular Promotion
21
Regular Promotion
22
Regular Promotion
23
Regular Promotion
24
Regular Promotion
25
Regular Promotion
26
Regular Promotion
27
Regular Promotion
28
Regular Promotion
29
Through Limited Departmental Competitive
30
Examination
Regular Promotion
3147
Regular Promotion
32
Regular Promotion
33
Regular Promotion
34
Regular Promotion
35
Regular Promotion
36
Regular Promotion
37
Regular Promotion
38
Regular Promotion
39
Through Limited Departmental Competitive
40
Examination
Regular Promotion
41
Regular Promotion
42
Regular Promotion
43
Regular Promotion
44
Regular Promotion
45
Regular Promotion
4648
Regular Promotion
47
Regular Promotion
48
Regular Promotion
49
Through Limited Departmental Competitive
50
Examination
Regular Promotion
51
Regular Promotion
52
Regular Promotion
53
Regular Promotion
54
Regular Promotion
55
Regular Promotion
56
Regular Promotion
57
Regular Promotion
58
Regular Promotion
59
Through Limited Departmental Competitive
60
Examination49
Regular Promotion
61
Regular Promotion
62
Regular Promotion
63
Regular Promotion
64
Regular Promotion
65
Regular Promotion
66
Regular Promotion
67
Regular Promotion
68
Regular Promotion
69
Through Limited Departmental Competitive
70
Examination
Regular Promotion
71
Regular Promotion
72
Regular Promotion
73
Regular Promotion
74
Regular Promotion
7550
Regular Promotion
76
Regular Promotion
77
Regular Promotion
78
Regular Promotion
79
Through Limited Departmental Competitive
80
Examination
Regular Promotion
81
Regular Promotion
82
Regular Promotion
83
Regular Promotion
84
Regular Promotion
85
Regular Promotion
86
Regular Promotion
87
Regular Promotion
88
Regular Promotion
89
Through Limited Departmental Competitive
9051
Examination
Regular Promotion
91
Regular Promotion
92
Regular Promotion
93
Regular Promotion
94
Regular Promotion
95
Regular Promotion
96
Regular Promotion
97
Regular Promotion
98
Regular Promotion
99
Through Limited Departmental Competitive
100
Examination
SCHEDULE-F
40 point Roster governing seniority of District Judges
Sl.No. Category of Post Reserved
Regular Promotion
152
Regular Promotion
2
Through Limited Departmental Competitive
3
Examination
Direct Recruitment
4
Regular Promotion
5
Regular Promotion
6
Through Limited Departmental Competitive
7
Examination
Direct Recruitment
8
Regular Promotion
9
Regular Promotion
10
Through Limited Departmental Competitive
11
Examination
Direct Recruitment
12
Regular Promotion
13
Regular Promotion
14
Through Limited Departmental Competitive
1553
Examination
Direct Recruitment
16
Regular Promotion
17
Regular Promotion
18
Through Limited Departmental Competitive
19
Examination
Direct Recruitment
20
Regular Promotion
21
Regular Promotion
22
Through Limited Departmental Competitive
23
Examination
Direct Recruitment
24
Regular Promotion
25
Regular Promotion
26
Through Limited Departmental Competitive
27
Examination
Direct Recruitment
2854 ANDHRA PRADESH GAZETTE, July 17, 2026
GOTTAPU PRATIBHA DEVI,
Secretary to Government,
Legal & Legislative Affairs & Justice,
Law Department.
--x--
Published and Uploaded by the Commissioner of Printing, Government of Andhra Pradesh at
Government Regional Press, Vijayawada, www.apegazette.cgg.gov.in