Orissa High Court District Judge (Direct Recruitment) 2026

Orissa High Court District Judge (Direct Recruitment) 2026 — 38 posts

The High Court of Orissa, Cuttack, has invited online applications from advocates for 38 posts of District Judge by direct recruitment, under Advertisement No. 03 of 2026 dated 4 November 2026. Applications open on 9 November 2026 at 10:00 AM and close on 25 November 2026 at 11:59 PM, through the Examination Portal on the High Court website. This is a SEPARATE advertisement from the District Judge LDCE (Advt No. 04 of 2026, 46 posts for serving Judicial Officers) issued the same day — the two are different recruitments with different eligibility, and this post is the direct recruitment for advocates.

Vacancies

38 posts: UR 19 (Women 7), S.E.B.C. 4 (Woman 1), Scheduled Caste 6 (Women 2), Scheduled Tribe 9 (Women 3); women 13 in total. 3 posts are reserved horizontally for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (excluding cerebral palsy). Vacancies are subject to change at the Court's discretion.

Who can apply

A Law graduate from a recognised university who is an advocate in continuous practice for not less than seven years as on the date of application. Also eligible: an advocate previously in judicial service with combined service of 7 years or more as judicial officer and advocate; a Judicial Officer with 7 years' continuous practice as an advocate before joining judicial service; or a Judicial Officer with combined service of 7 years or more as advocate and judicial officer. The candidate must be able to speak, read and write Odia fluently and must have passed an examination in Odia equivalent to Middle English School standard. Public Prosecutors are eligible with a No Objection Certificate.

Age

Not below 35 years and not above 45 years as on the date of application. Relaxations: 1 year for ALL candidates for recruitment year 2026 (the 2025 vacancies could not be notified); 5 years for SC, ST, S.E.B.C. (Non-Creamy Layer) and Women; 10 years for PwBD (cumulative for PwBD candidates belonging to SC, ST or SEBC (Non-Creamy Layer)). Where more than one relaxation applies, only the most beneficial one is given.

Fee

Rs. 750 (non-refundable, non-adjustable), payable online by Net Banking, Debit card, Credit card or UPI. SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempted at their option.

Pay

Rs. 1,44,840 – Rs. 1,94,660 with usual dearness allowance and other allowances.

Selection

Written examination: Paper-1 (CPC, Personal Laws, Transfer of Property, Specific Relief, Limitation, Contract, Odisha land laws, Motor Accident, Arbitration, Commercial Courts) 100 marks, Paper-2 (CrPC/BNSS, IPC/BNS, Evidence/BSA, NDPS, Food Safety, Prevention of Corruption, Essential Commodities, Environment, Water, SC-ST (POA), Domestic Violence, POCSO, Juvenile Justice) 100 marks, and Paper-3 General English (qualifying, 100 marks — translation Odia to English and English to Odia, essay, precis and passage, with a minimum of 45% required), 2 hours each; Interview 30 marks, called in a 1:10 ratio (minimum 45% in each written paper and 50% aggregate; PwBD 40% in each paper and 45% aggregate). The final merit list is on Paper-1, Paper-2 and Interview, with a minimum of 40% in the interview. A Medical Board examination is held before final appointment. Training is under Rule-30-A and probation under Rule-33 of the O.S.J.S. and O.J.S. Rules, 2007.

How to apply

Apply online only from 9 November 2026, 10:00 AM, to 25 November 2026, 11:59 PM, at orissahighcourt.nic.in (Recruitment Corner, Examination Portal, Direct Recruitment to the posts in the cadre of District Judge, 2026). For queries, contact the Recruitment Cell on 9437498780 or ohcrecruitment1948@gmail.com (working days, 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM).