AP New Syllabus and Recruitment Pattern for Civil Judge (Junior Division)
ARAVIND RAO JUDICIAL ACADEMY
ANDHRA PRADESH STATE JUDICIAL SERVICE
New Syllabus and Recruitment Pattern for Civil Judge (Junior Division)
Under the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial (Service and Cadre) Rules, 2026
G.O.Ms.No.57 • Dated 16 July 2026 • Schedule–A
1. Introduction
The Government of Andhra Pradesh issued G.O.Ms.No.57 dated 16 July 2026 notifying The Andhra Pradesh State Judicial (Service and Cadre) Rules, 2026. These Rules supersede the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial (Service and Cadre) Rules, 2007 and implement the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in W.P. (Civil) No. 1022 of 1982 (orders dated 20.05.2025 and 19.11.2025) and Civil Appeal No. 3947 of 2020 (order dated 09.10.2025).
The Rules were framed after approval by the Hon’ble Rule Committee and the Full Court of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh (meeting dated 18.06.2026). They govern recruitment, promotion, seniority, training, probation and service conditions of the State Judicial Service.
For candidates targeting the entry-level post of Civil Judge (Junior Division), the most important change is the updated examination scheme and the syllabus in Schedule–A. This note sets out the scheme so that aspirants at Aravind Rao Judicial Academy can plan preparation in a structured manner.
2. Constitution of the Service and the Post
The Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service consists of five categories: Civil Judge (Junior Division); Civil Judge (Senior Division); District Judge (Entry Level); District Judge (Selection Grade); and District Judge (Super Time Scale). Cadre strength is fixed by the Government in consultation with the High Court.
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 (including Railways, Municipal and Juvenile Courts), Recovery Officer and Debts Recovery Tribunal.
3. Method of Appointment and Quota
The Governor of the State is the Appointing Authority. Vacancies in the cadre of Civil Judge (Junior Division) are filled by two methods:
• Direct recruitment from among eligible advocates, on the basis of written examination and viva voce as prescribed by the High Court from time to time.
• Recruitment by transfer on the basis of the same written examination and viva voce. One out of every five vacancies shall be filled by recruitment by transfer.
Inter-se seniority between the two streams is fixed according to the twenty-point roster in Schedule–D (Direct Recruitment at points 1–4, 6–9, 11–14 and 16–19; Recruitment by Transfer at points 5, 10, 15 and 20).
4. Eligibility
4.1 Direct Recruitment
A candidate for direct recruitment shall be:
• A holder of a degree in Law awarded by any University established by law in India.
• Not more than thirty-five years of age as on the first day of the month in which the notification is published in newspapers or on the official website. The upper age limit is relaxable by five years for Economically Weaker Sections, Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Service rendered in the Defence Services of the Indian Union is excluded in computing age.
• A person of good character, free from any infirmity that renders him or her unfit for appointment.
• One who has practised law for a minimum period of three years, calculated from the date of provisional enrolment or registration with the State Bar Council concerned. Experience as Law Clerk or Legal Research Assistant assisting a Judge of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh or any other High Court, any Tribunal in the country, or the Supreme Court of India, is counted towards the period of practice.
The candidate must produce a practice certificate duly certified either by the Principal Judicial Officer of that Court or by an advocate of that Court having a minimum standing of ten years, endorsed by the Principal Judicial Officer of the District or station. Candidates practising before the High Courts or the Supreme Court shall obtain a certificate from an advocate of ten years’ standing, endorsed by the Registrar (Judicial) or other designated officer.
No person is eligible if he or she is not a citizen of India; has been dismissed, removed or compulsorily retired from Judicial Service or any Government, statutory or local authority service; has been convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude; is permanently debarred or disqualified by the High Court, UPSC or any State PSC; influences the recruiting authority; has more than one wife living (in the case of a male candidate); marries a person who already has a spouse (in the case of a female candidate); or is arrested in connection with a crime involving moral turpitude.
4.2 Recruitment by Transfer
The candidate must hold a degree in Law and must be a confirmed member or approved probationer of one of the following:
• Categories 5 and 6 of Division-I and Categories 1 to 4 and 5(a) and 5(b) of Division-II of the Andhra Pradesh High Court Service Rules.
• Categories 1 to 9 of the Andhra Pradesh Judicial Ministerial and Subordinate Service Rules, 2019.
• Assistant Public Prosecutors, Senior Assistant Public Prosecutors and Additional Public Prosecutors Grade-II of the A.P. State Prosecution Service.
• Section Officers in the Law Department of the Secretariat; Section Officers in the Legislature Department; and Managers of the Offices of the Advocate General, Government Pleaders, Public Prosecutor, Editor and I.L.R.
The candidate shall not have completed forty-eight years of age as on the first day of the month of notification, shall maintain good character and conduct, and shall not fall within the disqualifications listed for direct recruitment. A person facing disciplinary charges, or who has undergone or is undergoing punishment for any irregularity in discharge of duties, is ineligible. An officer found to be of doubtful integrity in any year is also ineligible.
5. Recruitment Calendar and Process
• On or before 15 December of every year, the Registry informs the Recruitment Wing of existing vacancies and vacancies likely to arise within one year.
• The vacancy position is placed on the High Court website by 15 January every year.
• The High Court issues a notification on its website and in at least two newspapers (one Telugu and one English), specifying eligibility, syllabus, marks, qualifying standards and the ratio for calling candidates.
• A Screening Test (online, multiple-choice, computer-based) may be held if necessary. Candidates securing 40 per cent and above are short-listed in the ratio of 1:10 of available vacancies. Identical marks in a category are all called. Qualifying in the Screening Test does not confer a right to sit the
written examination.
• After written examination and viva voce, the High Court prepares a merit list equal to the number of notified vacancies (group-wise) and a waiting list equal to ten per cent of notified vacancies or one, whichever is higher. The waiting list is valid for six months from publication of the provisional selection list, or until the next notification, whichever is earlier.
• The High Court recommends names to the Government. The Government shall, within two months, complete antecedent verification and medical examination. No direct recruit is appointed without a medical fitness certificate from the authority specified by the High Court.
• Fee is fixed by the High Court in the notification. Candidates belonging to SC, ST and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities pay one-half of the specified fee.
• A selected candidate must join on the date specified in the appointment order. The High Court may grant further time for good and sufficient reasons. Failure to assume charge within the permitted time results in deletion from the selection list.
6. Scheme of Examination
The pattern is identical for direct recruitment and recruitment by transfer. Reservation under Rules 22 and 22-A of the Andhra Pradesh State and Subordinate Service Rules, 1996 applies to direct recruitment (SC, ST, BC, EWS, Women and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) and, in so far as it relates to SC and ST, to recruitment by transfer.
Paper | Subject | Marks / Duration |
Paper-I | Civil Laws | 100 marks / 3 hours |
Paper-II | Criminal Laws | 100 marks / 3 hours |
Paper-III | English — Part-I Translation (40) + Part-II Legal Essay (60) | 100 marks / 3 hours |
Viva Voce | Suitability: alertness, knowledge of law, exposition, judgment, ethics, communication, character | 50 marks |
The medium of examination is English except the translation paper. Candidates must secure 40 per cent of marks in each Part of Paper-III. Marks of Paper-III are not taken into account for eligibility for viva voce or for selection. Only Paper-I, Paper-II and viva voce count for ranking.
6.1 Qualifying Marks for Viva Voce
Candidates are called for viva voce in the ratio of 1:3 of available vacancies. If more than one candidate has identical cut-off marks, all such candidates are called. Absence from viva voce amounts to disqualification.
Category | Minimum in each of Papers I & II | Minimum aggregate (Papers I + II) |
Open / EWS (Direct Recruitment) | 55% | 60% |
Backward Classes (Direct Recruitment) | 50% | 55% |
SC / ST / PwBD (Direct Recruitment) | 45% | 50% |
Recruitment by Transfer (all) | 55% | 60% |
6.2 Final Selection Cut-offs
The following minimum aggregate of written examination (Papers I and II) and viva voce is required for provisional selection. In case of a tie, the elder in age is preferred; if age is also equal, higher educational qualification; if that is also equal, higher marks in the prescribed educational qualification.
Category | Minimum aggregate (Written Papers I + II + Viva Voce) |
Open / EWS | 60% |
Backward Classes | 55% |
SC / ST / Persons with Benchmark Disabilities | 50% |
Recruitment by Transfer | 60% |
The object of the written examination is to test academic knowledge. The object of the viva voce is to assess suitability for the cadre by judging 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.
A candidate who commits copying or misconduct in the Screening Test or written examination, or who has been convicted in a criminal case, or who has been compulsorily retired, removed or dismissed from Judicial Service or any other service, or who could not successfully complete probation in any such post, is ineligible. The decision of the High Court on eligibility for admission to the examination and viva voce is final. Only candidates issued hall tickets are admitted.
7. Syllabus — Schedule–A
The syllabus below applies to both the Screening Test and the written examination for Civil Judge (Junior Division) under direct recruitment and recruitment by transfer. Both the pre-2023 codes and the new criminal laws of 2023 appear in the list. Candidates must therefore study the corresponding provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, together with the transitional arrangements.
7.1 Civil Laws (Paper-I)
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 the Stamp Act, 1899
11. The A.P. Land Encroachment Act, 1905
12. The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
13. The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA)
7.2 Criminal Laws (Paper-II)
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 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
7.3 English — Paper-III
Part-I tests bidirectional translation of a passage between English and Telugu. Part-II tests essay-writing ability on legal subjects only. Forty per cent in each part is mandatory. The paper is qualifying in nature and its marks are not added to the merit list. Daily practice of legal translation and timed essays on current legal themes is essential.
8. Training, Probation and Conditions after Appointment
Every person appointed to the category of Civil Judge (Junior Division) under direct recruitment or recruitment by transfer shall compulsorily undergo at least one year of training in the Andhra Pradesh Judicial Academy before presiding over a Court. The High Court may, owing to exigency of service, prescribe a shorter period.
The officer remains on probation for two years from the date of joining. The High Court may extend the period, not exceeding the original period of probation. A person who satisfactorily completes probation is confirmed against a substantive vacancy. The appointing authority, on the recommendation of the High Court, may discharge an unsuitable probationer after one month’s notice or pay in lieu thereof.
An advocate appointed by direct recruitment as Civil Judge (Junior Division) is entitled to reckon, as service qualifying for superannuation pension, the actual period of practice at the Bar not exceeding three years. Direct recruits are exempted from Accounts, language and other departmental tests prescribed under the general State Service Rules; a certificate of successful completion of Academy training is treated as a pass in the relevant tests. Superannuation is at sixty-one years, or such further age as the Government may fix. All postings and transfers are made by the High Court.
9. Preparation Plan for Aspirants
1. Begin with the Code of Civil Procedure, the Indian Contract Act, the Specific Relief Act, the Transfer of Property Act and both evidence statutes. These form the backbone of Paper-I and of day-to-day work on the civil side.
2. On the criminal side, give equal weight to the old codes (IPC, CrPC, Evidence Act) and the new codes (BNS, BNSS, BSA). Map corresponding sections and study the special statutes that a Magistrate applies daily — the Negotiable Instruments Act, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, POCSO, the Juvenile Justice Act and the Information Technology Act.
3. Practise English–Telugu legal translation every day. Paper-III is qualifying; a weak translation paper can eliminate an otherwise strong candidate.
4. Keep a ready file of the practice certificate, enrolment certificate, community certificate and character documents. Incomplete applications are rejected at the threshold.
5. Follow the official website of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh for the annual vacancy statement (published by 15 January) and for the detailed notification. Do not rely on unofficial summaries for dates or vacancies.
6. Answer-writing under timed conditions is as important as reading. Allocate three-hour slots for each paper and obtain evaluation of judgments-style answers.
10. Closing Note
The 2026 Rules introduce a uniform examination pattern, a published annual vacancy calendar, explicit recognition of Law Clerk experience, and a syllabus that includes both the old and the new criminal laws. Candidates who cover Schedule–A systematically, practise translation and essay writing, and maintain documentary readiness will be well placed.
Aravind Rao Judicial Academy will align lectures, mock papers and translation drills with this syllabus. Aspirants are advised to enrol early and to treat the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam with the same seriousness as the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act.
Aravind Rao Judicial Academy
Source: The Andhra Pradesh State Judicial (Service and Cadre) Rules, 2026 — G.O.Ms.No.57 dated 16-07-2026
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