UPSC Law Officer Recruitment 2026: Vacancy, Eligibility, Apply Online & Exam Details

Only 11 posts. A fee of just Rs 25. A deadline of 16 October 2026, 6:00 PM. These three facts define the UPSC Law Officer recruitment announced under Advt. No. 12/2026.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has opened applications for two law posts. Eight are for Assistant Legislative Counsel in the Indian Legal Service, and three are for Law Officer in the Government of NCT of Delhi. Applications opened on 26 September 2026.

The number of seats is small, so every detail matters. This post explains both posts, the vacancies, who can apply, how selection works and how to fill the form without a mistake.

Two posts, two departments

The notification covers two different jobs. They have different departments, different pay levels and very different experience requirements, so read them separately.

Note the vacancy numbers. You must select the post by its vacancy number while filling the online form, so keep the right one ready before you start.

How the seats are split by category

The reserved seats are few, which makes the category column important for every applicant.

One of the SC seats for Assistant Legislative Counsel is reserved for a Person with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) in the Blindness or Low Vision category. It is part of the SC seat and not an extra vacancy.

Read Blog: Andhra Pradesh Civil Judge Recruitment 2026

Dates to mark before you open the form

The reckoning date decides your age, your degree and your years of experience. Everything is counted as it stands on 16 October 2026. If you complete a required year of work after that date, it does not count.

Who can apply for Assistant Legislative Counsel

This is a senior legal post. It needs an LLB degree from a recognised university and then one of five kinds of background. The source lists them as follows:

1.     At least 7 years of service in a State Judicial Service.

2.     At least 7 years in a superior post in the legal department of a State Government.

3.     At least 7 years of experience in legal affairs in the Central Government.

4.     An LLM degree plus at least 5 years of teaching or research experience.

5.     A qualified legal practitioner (advocate or pleader) of not less than 30 years of age, with at least 7 years of active legal practice.

In plain words, a fresh law graduate cannot apply for this post. It is meant for people who already have years in courts, government legal work or law teaching.

Age limit and pay

The age limit as on 16 October 2026 is 40 years for UR and EWS, 43 years for OBC and 45 years for SC. The post carries Pay Level-11 in the 7th CPC Pay Matrix and is a Group A Gazetted post.

Who can apply for Law Officer in Delhi

This post is more reachable for early-career lawyers. The source asks for an LLB degree from a recognised institute or university, plus at least 2 years of experience. That experience can be as an active legal practitioner or as 2 years of legal work in a Government office.

The age limit is 30 years for UR and 33 years for OBC (Delhi). The post carries Pay Level-07 in the 7th CPC Pay Matrix and is a Group B Gazetted post.

For PwBD candidates, up to 10 additional years of age relaxation is allowed on reserved vacancies as per government rules.

Selection: shortlisting first, interview second

This is recruitment by selection, so there is no fixed exam for everyone. UPSC may shortlist candidates on educational merit and experience. It may also hold a written Recruitment Test (RT). The source does not say which route will be used for these posts.

Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview carrying 100 marks. There is a minimum mark to qualify in the interview:

The source gives no syllabus, no exam pattern and no cut-off from earlier years. This post therefore does not comment on them.

The Rs 25 fee and who does not pay it

The application fee is Rs 25. Female candidates, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are fully exempt. Payment is made online through UPI, Net Banking or Debit and Credit Cards, wherever a fee applies.

Applying online, step by step

Only online applications are accepted. There is no offline form. The official portal is upsconline.nic.in.

1.     Visit upsconline.nic.in.

2.     Click "Online Recruitment Application (ORA) for Various Recruitment Posts".

3.     If this is your first time, complete account creation or the Universal Registration and Common Application Form (CAF).

4.     Select your post using its vacancy number.

5.     Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, enrolment and professional experience.

6.     Upload your photograph, signature and experience certificates in PDF format.

7.     Pay the Rs 25 fee online, if it applies to you.

8.     Submit before 16 October 2026, 6:00 PM, and download the confirmation PDF.

Documents and the rules that can cost you the application

Keep three things scanned and ready: your photograph, your signature and your experience certificates. The certificates must be issued by the competent authority and must follow the UPSC-prescribed format. Check the format before you upload.

Two more rules from the source. The form cannot be edited, corrected or withdrawn once submitted. And all qualifications and experience are counted as on 16 October 2026. Fill the form once and fill it carefully.

Questions candidates are asking about UPSC Law Officer 2026

How many posts are open in this recruitment?

There are 11 posts in all: 8 for Assistant Legislative Counsel and 3 for Law Officer.

What is the last date to apply?

The last date is 16 October 2026 at 6:00 PM. Applications opened on 26 September 2026.

Which advertisement number covers these posts?

The recruitment is under UPSC Advt. No. 12/2026.

Which vacancy number should I choose?

Choose 26091202226 for Assistant Legislative Counsel and 26091203226 for Law Officer in the Land and Building Department, GNCTD.

Can a fresh LLB graduate apply?

Not for either post as listed. Law Officer needs at least 2 years of experience. Assistant Legislative Counsel needs 5 to 7 years, depending on the route.

What is the maximum age for Law Officer?

It is 30 years for UR and 33 years for OBC (Delhi), counted as on 16 October 2026.

Who is exempt from the fee?

Female candidates, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are fully exempt from the Rs 25 fee.

What is the minimum interview mark to qualify?

The interview is for 100 marks. The minimum is 50 for UR and EWS, 45 for OBC, and 40 for SC, ST and PwBD.

Where do I apply?

Apply online only, at upsconline.nic.in, through the ORA link for various recruitment posts.

Do not let a small vacancy count slow you down

Eleven posts will draw serious competition, and the experience rules already narrow the field. If you meet them, apply early instead of waiting for the last evening. Check your certificate format, keep your vacancy number ready and submit before the deadline.

For law graduates planning their next step, Aashayein After LLB, guided by Nitesh Sir, is building preparation support for Law Officer and other career paths after LLB. Follow Aashayein After LLB to stay updated on the next vacancy that fits your profile.