Judiciary Vacancy 2026: State-Wise Recruitment and Exam Updates

For law graduates aiming to become judges, 2026 is shaping up to be a significant year. State High Courts and Public Service Commissions across India are expected to release a wave of recruitment notifications for Civil Judge posts throughout the year.

However, as of March 2026, only one state has officially released its notification: Bihar. All other states are yet to announce their vacancies. This blog gives you the latest available information on judiciary vacancies in 2026 and what you need to know to prepare.

The One Critical Requirement: Three Years of Bar Practice

Before we get into state-specific details, there is one requirement that cuts across all upcoming judiciary exams. Whether it is Bihar, Gujarat, Rajasthan, or any other state, candidates must have a minimum of three years of continuous practice as an enrolled Advocate.

This is not optional. It is a mandatory eligibility condition. Candidates who do not have three years of advocacy experience will not be considered, regardless of their academic qualifications.

The experience is counted from the date of enrolment or registration with the State Bar Council.

Bihar Judiciary 2026: The Only Official Notification So Far

The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) officially released the notification for the 33rd Bihar Judicial Service Examination (BJSE) on 23 February 2026 (Advertisement No. 12/2026). This is the only active, officially notified state judiciary exam as of March 2026.

Key details of the Bihar BJSE 2026:

Bihar BJSE 2026: Selection Process

The selection process consists of three stages:

Stage 1: Preliminary Examination

• MCQ-based, conducted on OMR answer sheets

• Qualifying in nature (marks not counted in final merit)

• Paper I: General Studies (100 marks, 1.5 hours)

• Paper II: Law (150 marks, 2 hours)

Stage 2: Mains (Written) Examination

• Descriptive / subjective format

• Includes 5 compulsory papers and 3 optional papers (chosen from 5)

• Marks from Mains count towards the final merit list

Stage 3: Viva-Voce / Interview

• Total marks: 100

• Qualifying threshold: 35 percent

• Shortlisting ratio: 1:3 (vacancies to candidates called for interview)

• Final merit is based on combined Mains and Interview scores

Vacancy Distribution in Bihar BJSE 2026

Common Eligibility Criteria Across States

While exact requirements will vary from state to state, the following broad eligibility norms apply across most upcoming judiciary recruitments:

• Nationality: Indian citizen

• Education: LLB degree from a Bar Council of India recognised university

• Enrolment: Registered Advocate under the Advocates Act, 1961

• Experience: Minimum 3 years of continuous Bar practice (mandatory, not waivable)

• Age: Generally between 22 and 35 years, with relaxations for SC, ST, OBC, and PwBD candidates

Which Other States Are Expected to Notify in 2026?

As of March 2026, no other state has released an official judiciary recruitment notification. However, vacancies are anticipated throughout 2026 from states including:

• Gujarat

• Karnataka

• Rajasthan

• Madhya Pradesh

• Punjab

• Delhi

Candidates targeting these states should use the current period for focused preparation, so they are ready the moment notifications are released.

Exam Preparation Point of View (POV)

Prelims

For Judiciary Prelims in 2026:

• Focus on high-weightage law subjects: Constitutional Law, IPC / BNS, CrPC / BNSS, CPC, and Evidence Law

• Practise state-specific PYQs if you are targeting a particular state

• Solve mock tests regularly to improve speed and accuracy

Mains

For Judiciary Mains 2026:

• Build strong answer writing skills now, not after Prelims

• Study the new criminal laws (BNS, BNSS, BSA) in depth

• Practise descriptive answers with a focus on structure and legal accuracy

Interview

For the judiciary interview:

• Be confident and clear about why you want to join the judiciary

• Know the vacancy details and exam pattern of your target state

• Stay updated on recent Supreme Court judgments and legal changes

Aashayein Judiciary, led by Nitesh Sir, offers state-specific judiciary courses that are tailored to the exact syllabus and pattern of each state's exam. Whether you are targeting Bihar, UP, MP, Rajasthan, or any other state, the preparation at Aashayein Judiciary is structured to take you from basics to interview-readiness.

Conclusion

The 2026 judiciary recruitment cycle has officially begun with Bihar notifying 173 vacancies for the 33rd Bihar Judicial Service Examination. Other states are expected to follow with their own notifications throughout the year.

The one common requirement across all states is the mandatory three-year advocacy experience. If you are at or approaching that threshold, now is the time to start preparing seriously. Use this period to build your foundation, practise regularly, and stay ready for notifications as they come.

Judiciary preparation is a long game. The aspirants who start early and stay consistent are the ones who ultimately clear the exam.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Which state has officially notified judiciary vacancies in 2026 so far?

As of March 2026, only Bihar has officially notified judiciary vacancies through the 33rd Bihar Judicial Service Examination (BJSE) 2026.

Q2. How many vacancies are there in the Bihar BJSE 2026?

There are 173 total vacancies for the post of Civil Judge / Munsiff (Lower Court).

Q3. Is three years of Bar practice mandatory for all judiciary exams?

Yes. Across all state judiciary exams, a minimum of three years of continuous practice as an enrolled Advocate is mandatory.

Q4. What is the age limit for Bihar BJSE 2026?

The minimum age is 22 years (as of 01.08.2025) and the maximum age is 35 years (as of 01.08.2022). Reserved category women and PwBD candidates get a relaxation up to 40 years.

Q5. What is the exam fee for Bihar BJSE 2026?

The exam fee is 100 rupees for all candidates. An additional 200-rupee biometric fee applies if Aadhaar is not linked.

Q6. What is the selection process for Bihar BJSE 2026?

The selection process has three stages: Preliminary Examination, Mains (Written) Examination, and Viva-Voce / Interview.

Q7. When should I start preparing for judiciary exams in 2026?

Start now. Most state notifications are expected later in 2026. Use this time to build your foundation in core law subjects.

Q8. Which subjects are covered in the Bihar BJSE Preliminary Examination?

The Preliminary Examination has two papers: General Studies (covering current affairs, general science, and general knowledge) and Law (covering civil, criminal, constitutional, and other major law subjects).