Gazette No 289: 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.]

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.

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