Job Overview
The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has officially released the recruitment notification for the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division) in the Odisha Judicial Service, 2025. This is a significant opportunity for eligible law graduates seeking a career in the judiciary. The notification, advertised under Advertisement No. 02 of 2026-27, invites online applications for 78 vacancies across various categories in the state of Odisha.
Candidates possessing a Graduate Degree in Law (LLB) with a minimum of 3 years of practice as an Advocate are eligible to apply. The online application portal opens on 08-05-2026 and closes on 08-06-2026. This recruitment drive is among the Latest Govt Jobs 2026 announced for legal professionals in the region. Applicants must ensure they meet the age, qualification, and language proficiency criteria before submitting their forms through the official OPSC website.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Date of Advertisement | 30-04-2026 |
| Opening of Online Application Portal | 08-05-2026 |
| Last Date for Online Application Submission | 08-06-2026 (upto 5:00 PM) |
| Age Calculated As On | 01-04-2025 |
| Preliminary Written Examination Date | 05-07-2026 (Sunday) |
| Main Written Examination Date | To be notified on OPSC website |
Application Fee
Candidates are required to pay a non-refundable examination fee online through the OPSC application portal. Applications without payment of examination fees (except for exempted categories) will be considered incomplete and rejected. The fee paid will be refunded only to candidates who appear in the Preliminary Written Examination.
| Category | Examination Fee |
|---|---|
| General / SEBC / Others (excluding SC, ST, PwD) | Rs. 700/- (Online mode only) |
| SC / ST / PwD Candidates | Nil (No fee) |
Age Limit
Candidates must be not below 23 years and not above 42 years of age as on the 1st day of April, 2025. The date of birth as entered in the High School Certificate or equivalent certificate will only be accepted. Age relaxation is admissible for reserved categories as per government rules.
| Category | Age Limit (as on 01-04-2025) |
|---|---|
| General (Un-reserved) | 23 to 42 years |
| SC / ST / SEBC / Women / Ex-Servicemen / Defence Services Officers | 5 years relaxation (Max 47 years) |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 10 years relaxation (in addition to normal relaxation) |
| Candidates with experience as Law Clerk/Research Assistant | 7 years relaxation |
Qualification
Applicants must fulfill all eligibility conditions by the closing date of the online application. Candidates must be citizens of India, of good character, and sound health. Proficiency in the Odia language is mandatory.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| Essential (Law Degree) | Graduate in Law (LLB) from a recognized University or Institution |
| Essential (Experience) | Minimum 3 years of practice as an Advocate as on 1st April 2025 |
| Counted towards legal practice | Period of experience as Law Clerk / Research Assistant to any Judge, Judicial Officer, or Constitutional Authority |
| Mandatory Language Requirement | Odia language proficiency equivalent to M.E. School standard (Class VII); HSC with Odia subject OR Odia test pass certificate |
Vacancy Details
A total of 78 vacancies have been announced for the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division). These are distributed across UR, SEBC, SC, ST, and PwBD categories with reservation for Women within each category.
| Sl. No. | Category | Total Vacancies | Vacancies Reserved for Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Un-reserved (UR) | 35 | 12 |
| 2 | SEBC | 09 | 03 |
| 3 | Scheduled Caste (SC) | 13 | 04 |
| 4 | Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 18 | 06 |
| 5 | Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 03 | 01 |
| Total | – | 78 | 26 |
Note: PwBD reservation is horizontal (4%) across all categories. Candidates must possess a Permanent Disability Certificate indicating minimum 40% permanent disability.
Salary Details
Selected candidates will be placed in the Odisha Judicial Service under the Law Department, Government of Odisha. The pay scale and allowances are as follows:
- Pay Scale: Rs. 77,840 – 1,36,520/-
- Allowances: Usual dearness and other allowances as sanctioned by Govt. of Odisha
Selection Process
The selection process consists of 3 successive stages as per the Orissa Superior Judicial Service & Odisha Judicial Service Rules, 2007. Candidates must clear the minimum qualifying marks at each stage to proceed to the next.
Stage 1 – Preliminary Written Examination
| Paper | Type | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Paper (Objective MCQ) | OMR-based, 100 questions of 1 mark each; negative marking of 25% | 100 | 1 hour 30 minutes |
Syllabus: Constitution of India, CPC, CrPC/BNSS, Evidence Act/BSA, IPC/BNS, Limitation Act, Transfer of Property Act, Law of Contract, Law of Succession, Specific Relief Act, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, etc.
Stage 2 – Main Written Examination
| Paper | Subject | Type | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (Compulsory) | General English (Translation, Essay, Precis, Comprehension) | Descriptive | 150 | 2½ Hours |
| Paper 2 (Compulsory) | Procedural Laws (CrPC/BNSS, CPC, Evidence Act/BSA) | Descriptive | 150 | 2½ Hours |
| Optional Paper I | Law of Crime & Law of Torts | Descriptive | 150 | 3 Hours |
| Optional Paper II | Personal Laws (Hindu Law & Mohammedan Law) | Descriptive | 150 | 3 Hours |
Stage 3 – Interview
The final merit list will be prepared on the basis of marks secured in the Main Written Examination and Interview combined.
How to Apply
Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through the OPSC e-Chayan portal. Follow the steps below:
- Visit the official website of Odisha Public Service Commission at opsc.gov.in.
- Navigate to the ‘Apply Online’ or ‘e-Chayan’ section.
- Register yourself by providing basic details to generate a login ID and password.
- Log in and fill out the application form for Civil Judge (Junior Division) Recruitment 2026.
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and relevant documents (LLB Degree, Practice Certificate, Odia Proficiency Certificate, etc.).
- Pay the application fee online (if applicable) using Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI, or Net Banking.
- Submit the form and take a printout of the final application for future reference.
Important Links
FAQs
1. What is the last date to apply for OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026?
The last date for online application submission is 08-06-2026 upto 5:00 PM.
2. What is the age limit for this post?
Candidates must be between 23 to 42 years of age as on 01-04-2025. Age relaxation is available for reserved categories.
3. Is there an application fee for SC/ST candidates?
No, SC / ST / PwD candidates are exempted from paying the examination fee.
4. What is the educational eligibility?
Candidates must possess a Graduate Degree in Law (LLB) and have a minimum of 3 years of practice as an Advocate as on 1st April 2025.