(1)
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GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA
No.LAW-LAC/126/2025
The Karnataka Government Secretariat
Vidhana Soudha,
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar Veedhi,
Bengaluru, dated:17.12.2025
NOTIFICATION
The draft of the following rules further to amend the Karnataka Judicial
Service (Recruitment) Rules, 2004, which the Government of Karnataka proposes
to make in exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 read with
section 8 of the Karnataka State Civil Service Act, 1978 (Karnataka Act 14 of 1990)
is hereby published as required by clause (a) of sub-rule (2) of section 3 of the said
Act for the information of all the persons likely to be affected thereby and notice is
hereby given that the said draft will be taken into consideration after fifteen days
from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
Any objection or suggestion, which may be received by the State Government
from any person with respect to the said draft, before the expiry of the period
specified above will be considered by the State Government. Objections and
suggestions may be addressed to the Principal Secretary to Government, Law,
Justice and Human Rights Department, Vidhana Soudha, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Veedhi, Bengaluru-560 001.
DRAFT RULES
1. Title and commencement.-(1) These rules may be called the Karnataka
Judicial Service (Recruitment)(Amendment) Rules, 2025.
¨sÁUÀ – 4J
Part – IVA
17
, 2025 (
, 26,
, ೧೯೪7)
BENGALURU, WEDNESDAY 17, DECEMBER, 2025 (MARGASHIRA, 26, SHAKAVARSHA, 1947)
. 813
No. 813
2
(2) They shall come into force from the date of their final publication in the
Official Gazette.
2. Substitution of rule 2.- In the Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment)
Rules, 2004 (hereinafter referred to as the said rules), for rule 2, the following shall
be substituted, namely:-
“2. Definitions.-
In these rules, unless the context requires otherwise-
(a) “Country” means India;
(b) “Government” means the Government of Karnataka;
(c) “Governor” means the Governor of Karnataka;
(d) “High Court” means the High Court of Karnataka;
(e) “High Courts” means any of the High Courts in India;
(f) “LDCE” means Limited Departmental Competitive Examination;
(g) “Officer” means an Officer of the Karnataka Judicial Service;
(h) “Official Gazette” means the Karnataka Gazette;
(i) “Recruiting Authority” means the High Court of Karnataka;
(j) “Service” means the Karnataka Judicial Service; and
(k) “State” means the State of Karnataka.”
3. Amendment of rule 4.- In rule 4 of the said rules, for the table and entries
relating thereto the following table shall be substituted, namely:-
“
Sl.
No.
Cadre
Method of
Recruitment
Qualifications, age
limit, etc.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
1.
District Judge
(1) By Promotion:
Fifty percent of the
total posts in the
cadre shall be filled
by promotion from
the cadre of Senior
Civil Judge, on the
basis
of
seniority-
cum-merit
and
passing a suitability
test to be conducted
by the High Court.
Must have put in service
for a period of not less
than five years in the
cadre of Senior Civil
Judge.
3
(2)
By
Promotion
through LDCE:
Twenty-five
percent
of the total posts in
the cadre shall be
filled by promotion
from the cadre of
Senior Civil Judge,
strictly on the basis
of merit through the
LDCE.
Note-1: If any of the
posts remain vacant
under this category,
the same shall be
filled through regular
promotion
under
item
(1)
in
that
particular year.
Note-2: Filling up of
the vacant posts in
the ratio considered
for LDCE shall be
carried out from the
simultaneous
selection
process
carried
out
for
regular promotion of
the same year.
(i) Must have put in
service for a period of
not less than three years
in the cadre of Senior
Civil Judge; and
(ii) Must have completed
minimum seven years of
total service in the cadre
of
Civil
Judge
and
Senior Civil Judge; and
(iii) Must have attained
the age of 35 years.
(3)
By
Direct
Recruitment:
Twenty-five
percent
of the total posts in
the cadre shall be
filled
by
direct
recruitment on the
basis of the aggregate
marks obtained in a
competitive
examination (written
and
Viva-voce)
conducted
by
the
High Court.
(i) Must be holder of a
degree in law granted
by
auniversity
established by law in
India.
(ii) As on the last date
fixed for receipt of
applications –
(a) must be practicing as
an
advocate
in
the
Supreme Court of India
or
High
Courts
or
District and Trial Courts
in
the
Country
and
must have so practiced
4
continuously
for
a
period of not less than
seven years; or must be
working as a Public
Prosecutor/Assistant
Public
Prosecutor/Government
Counsel in full time
employment
of
the
Central Government or
State
Governmentsof
the Country and must
have so worked for a
period of not less than
seven years.
(b) must have attained
the age of 35 years; and
must not have attained
the age of 48 years in
the case of candidates
belonging to Scheduled
Castes
or
Scheduled
Tribes and 45 years in
the case of others.
Note: The maximum
age limit is relaxed by
three years in the case
of
Ex-servicemen
candidates.
2. Senior
Civil
Judge
(1) By Promotion:
Ninety percent of the
total posts in the
cadre shall be filled
by promotion from
the cadre of Civil
Judge, on the basis of
seniority-cum-merit
and
passing
a
suitability test to be
conducted
by
the
High Court.
Must
have
put
in
servicefor a period of not
less than five years in
the cadre of Civil Judge.
(2)
By
Promotion
through LDCE:
Ten percent of the
total posts in the
Must have put in service
for a period of not less
than three years in the
cadre of Civil Judge,
5
cadre shall be filled
by promotion from
the cadre of Civil
Judge, strictly on the
basis
of
merit
through the LDCE.
Note-1:If any of the
posts remain vacant
under this category,
the same shall be
filled through regular
promotion
under
item
(1)
in
that
particular year.
Note-2: Filling up of
the vacant posts in
the ratio considered
for LDCE shall be
carried out from the
simultaneous
selection
process
carried
out
for
regular promotion of
the same year.
excluding the period of
one
year
training
undergone.
3.
Civil Judge
By direct recruitment
on
the
basis
of
aggregate
marks
obtained
in
a
competitive
examination (written
and
Viva-voce)
conducted by High
Court.
(i) Must be holder of a
degree in law granted
by
a
university
established by law in
India.
(ii) As on the last date
fixed for receipt of
application,-
(a) must be practicing as
an
advocate
in
the
Supreme Court of India
or
High
Courts
or
District and Trial Courts
in
the
Country
and
must have so practiced
continuously
for
a
period of not less than
three years; or must be
working as a Public
Prosecutor/Assistant
Public
6
Prosecutor/Government
Counsel in full time
employment
of
the
Central Government or
State Governments of
the Country and must
have so worked for a
period of not less than
three years.
(b)
must
not
have
completed 40 years of
age
in
the
case
of
candidates belonging to
any of the Scheduled
Castes
or
Scheduled
Tribes or Category-I of
the Backward Classes;
38 years of age in the
case
of
candidates
belonging to any of the
Category-II(a) or II(b) or
Ill(a) or III(b) of Other
Backward Classes; and
35 years of age in the
case
of
any
other
candidates.
Note:The maximum age
limit is relaxed by 3
years in the case of Ex-
servicemen candidates.
4. Insertion of new rules 4-A, 4-B, 4-C and 4-D.- In the said rules, after rule
4 the following rules shall be inserted, namely:-
“4-A. Procedure for promotion to the cadre of District Judge on the basis
of seniority-cum- merit (50% category).-
(1) Zone of consideration shall be1:2 of the available/anticipated vacancies.
(2) The criteria to assess the merit and suitability of the Officer for promotion
shall be as hereunder, consisting of maximum 125 marks:
(a) Assessment of judgments rendered by the Officer during the period of
five years preceding the month during which promotion of the Officer
is being considered - 70 marks;
7
(b) Consideration of Annual Confidential Records of the Officer for a
period of five years preceding the year during which promotion of the
Officer is being considered - 15 marks;
(c) Consideration of percentage of disposal of cases by the Officer, against
the
quota
fixed,
for
a
period
of
five
years
preceding
the year during which promotion of the Officer is being considered-15
marks;
(d) Viva-voce – 25 marks.
The Officer shall be tested on the following aspects, namely:-
(i) Updated knowledge of Law;
(ii) General perceptions and awareness; and
(iii) Communication skills.
(3) Where the concerned Officer has been working or worked on a post in
which he does not have to write judgments, such as a deputation post in the High
Court or any other Authority or Forum or Government etc., the judgments rendered
and percentage of disposal of cases, prior to such postings shall be considered.
(4) An Officer shall secure minimum 50% of the aggregate marks prescribed
under clause 2(a) to 2(c) above to be eligible for Viva-voce and shall secure
minimum 25% of the marks prescribed for Viva-voce, to be successful in Viva-voce.
(5) The Officers who have secured minimum 50% of the aggregate marks
prescribed under clause 2(a) to 2(c) above and minimum 25% of the marks
prescribed for Viva-voce, shall be eligible to be considered for promotion, in the
order of seniority.
(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in rule 4-A, the High Court, upon
consideration of any of the remarks recorded in the Annual Confidential Records
and percentage of disposal of cases against the quota fixed during the past five
years; and the nature and gravity of the complaint/s and/or Disciplinary
Inquiry/ies, if any, pending or contemplated, in respect of the Officer who is
successful in the aforesaid assessment and Viva-voce, if arrives at the opinion that
the Officer does not deserve or is not eligible for promotion, the High Court for the
reasons to be recorded in writing, may take suitable decision in this regard.
4-B. Procedure for promotion to the cadre of District Judge, strictly on
the basis of merit through LDCE (25% category).-
(1) The criteria to assess the merit and suitability of the Officer for promotion
shall be as hereunder, consisting of maximum 125 marks:
(a) Written examination shall be of one paper of 3 hours duration carrying
100 marks consisting of following 2 parts, with maximum 50 marks for each of the
parts,-
(i) Constitutional and Civil Laws; and
(ii) Criminal Laws
(b) Viva-voce – 25 marks
The Officer shall be tested on the following aspects, namely:-
8
(i) Updated knowledge of Law;
(ii) General perceptions and awareness; and
(iii) Communication skills.
(2) Minimum marks to be secured for pass in the written examination shall
be 50.
(3) From among the Officers who are successful in the written examination,
as far as may be, such number of Officers as is equal to three times the number of
vacancies notified, selected in the order of merit, shall be called for Viva-voce. An
Officer shall secure minimum 25% of the marks prescribed for Viva-voce, to be
successful in Viva-voce.
(4) A list of Officers who are eligible for promotion shall be prepared consisting
such number of Officers, as far as may be, as is equal to the number of vacancies
notified, in the order of merit, on the basis of the aggregate of marks secured in the
written examination and the Viva-voce.
(5) The maximum number of attempts to appear in LDCE shall be 3 (three).
(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in rule 4-B, the High Court, upon
consideration of any of the remarks recorded in the Annual Confidential Records
and percentage of disposal of cases against the quota fixed during the past three
years; and the nature and gravity of the complaint/s and/or Disciplinary
Inquiry/ies, if any, pending or contemplated, in respect of the Officer who is
successful in the written examination and Viva-voce, if arrives at the opinion that
the Officer does not deserve or is not eligible for promotion, the High Court for the
reasons to be recorded in writing, may take suitable decision in this regard.
4-C. Procedure for promotion to the cadre of Senior Civil Judge on the
basis of seniority-cum-merit (90% category).-
(1) Zone of consideration shall be 1:2 of the available/anticipated vacancies.
(2) The criteria to assess the merit and suitability of the Officer for promotion
shall be as hereunder, consisting of maximum 125 marks:
(a) Assessment of judgments rendered by the Officer during the period of five
years preceding the month during which promotion of the Officer is being
considered - 90 marks;
(b) Consideration of Annual Confidential Records of the Officer for a period of
five years preceding the year during which promotion of the Officer is being
considered - 20 marks;
(c) Consideration of percentage of disposal of cases by the Officer, against the
quota fixed, for a period of five years preceding the year during which
promotion of the Officer is being considered -15 marks.
(3) Where the concerned Officer has been working or worked on a post in which
he does not have to write judgments, such as a deputation post in the High Court
or any other Authority or Forum or Government etc., the judgments rendered and
percentage of disposal of cases, prior to such postings shall be considered.
9
(4) The Officers who have secured minimum 50% of the aggregate marks
prescribed under clause 2(a) to 2(c) above shall be eligible to be considered for
promotion, in the order of seniority.
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in rule 4-C, the High Court, upon
consideration of any of the remarks recorded in the Annual Confidential Records
and percentage of disposal of cases against the quota fixed during the past five
years; and the nature and gravity of the complaint/s and/or Disciplinary
Inquiry/ies, if any, pending or contemplated, in respect of the Officer who is
successful in the aforesaid assessment, if arrives at the opinion that the Officer
does not deserve or is not eligible for promotion, the High Court for the reasons to
be recorded in writing, may take suitable decision in this regard.
4-D.Procedure for promotion to the cadre of Senior Civil Judge by
promotion, strictly on the basis of merit through LDCE (10% category).-
(1) The criteria to assess the merit and suitability of the Officer for promotion
shall be as hereunder, consisting of maximum 125 marks:
(a) Written examination shall be of one paper of 3 hours duration carrying
100 marks on the following subjects, namely:-
(i) Constitutional & Civil Laws.
(ii) Criminal Laws.
(iii) The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and Bharathiya Sakshya
Adhiniyam, 2023.
(iv) Special Laws.
(b) Viva-voce - 25 marks
The Officer shall be tested on the following aspects, namely:-
(i) Updated knowledge of Law;
(ii) General perceptions and awareness; and
(iii) Communication skills.
(2) Minimum marks to be secured for pass in the written examination shall be
50.
(3) From among the Officers who are successful in the written examination, as
far as may be, such number of Officers as is equal to three times the number of
vacancies notified, selected in the order of merit, shall be called for Viva-voce. An
Officer shallsecure minimum 25% of the marks prescribed for Viva-voce, to be
successful in Viva-voce.
(4) A list of Officers who are eligible for promotion shall be prepared consisting
such number of Officers, as far as may be, as is equal to the number of vacancies
notified, in the order of merit, on the basis of the aggregate of marks secured in the
written examination and the Viva-voce.
10
(5) The maximum number of attempts to appear in LDCE shall be 3 (three).
(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in rule 4-D, the High Court, upon
consideration of any of the remarks recorded in the Annual Confidential Records
and percentage of disposal of cases against the quota fixed during the past three
years; and the nature and gravity of the complaint/s and/or Disciplinary
Inquiry/ies, if any, pending or contemplated, in respect of the Officer who is
successful in the written examination and Viva-voce, if arrives at the opinion that
the Officer does not deserve or is not eligible for promotion, the High Court for the
reasons to be recorded in writing, may take suitable decision in this regard.”
5. Amendment of rule 5.- In rule 5 of the said rules,-
(i) for sub-rule I, the following heading shall be inserted, namely:-
“Procedure for Direct Recruitment of District Judges”
(ii) in sub-rule I,-
(a) for clause (1), the following shall be substituted, namely:-
“(1) Minimum marks for pass in the Preliminary Examination shall be 50 for
candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or Persons with
Benchmark Disability category and 60 for others.”
(b) for clause (2), the following shall be substituted, namely:-
“(2) The minimum marks for pass in each paper of the written examination
carrying 150 marks, shall be 50 marks in each paper for candidates belonging to
the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or Persons with Benchmark Disability
category and 60 marks for others. However, total marks to be secured for pass in
the written examination shall be 120 marks out of 300 for the candidates belonging
to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/Persons with Benchmark Disability
category and 150 marks out of 300 for others.”
(c) for clause (4), the following shall be substituted, namely:-
“(4) Candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or
Persons with Benchmark Disability category who obtains minimum of 20% marks
and candidates not belonging to a Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or
Persons with Benchmark Disability category, who obtains minimum of 25% marks
in the Viva-voce shall be eligible to be considered for selection to the posts.
A candidate belonging to the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/Persons
with Benchmark Disability category has to secure the following minimum marks
in the Preliminary Examination, Main Written Examination and Viva-voce in order
to be considered for selection under General Category, namely:-
11
Preliminary
Examination
60 Marks
Main Written
Examination
60 marks in each paper. However,
total marks to be secured in the
written examination shall be 150
out of 300.
Viva-voce
25% of marks
”
(iii) for sub-rule II, the following heading shall be inserted, namely:-
“Procedure for Direct Recruitment of Civil Judges”
(iv) in sub-rule II,in clause (1), in sub-clause (e),-
(a) for item (i), the following shall be substituted, namely:-
“(i) Minimum marks for pass in the Preliminary Examination shall be 50
for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or Persons
with Benchmark Disability Category and 60 for others.”
(b) for items (ii) and (iii), the following shall be substituted, namely:-
“(ii) Minimum marks for pass in each paper of the Written Examination
shall be 40 for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes
or Persons with Benchmark Disability category and 50 for others.
(iii) Minimum marks for pass in the Viva-voce shall be 20% of marks for
candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or Persons with
Benchmark Disability category and 25% of marks for others:
Provided that, no candidate who has secured less than the minimum
marks specified above:
(i) in any paper of the Written Examination shall be eligible for
Viva-voce.
(ii) in any paper of the Written Examination or in Viva-voce shall
be eligible for appointment as Civil Judge.
A candidate belonging to the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/
Persons with Benchmark Disability category has to secure the following
minimum marks in the Preliminary Examination, Main Written Examination
and Viva-voce in order to be considered for selection under General Category:
12
Preliminary
Examination
60 marks
Main Written
Examination
50 marks in
each paper
Viva-voce
25% of
marks
”
(v)
in sub-rule II, after clause (5), the following shall be inserted, namely:-
“(6) The candidates who are appointed to the post of Civil Judge pursuant to
their selection through direct recruitment must compulsorily undergo training for
a period of not less than 1 year, before presiding the Court.”
6. Insertion of new rule.-In the said rules,after rule 5, the following ruleshall
be inserted, namely:-
“5-A.Practicing Certificate for Direct Recruitment.-
(1) District Judges.-
(i) Must furnish a Certificate stating that the candidate is a practicing advocate
as on the date of issue of such certificate and indicating the length of continuous
practice:
(a) issued by the Presiding Officer of the Court in which the candidate is
actually practicing, if he is practicing before the District and Trial
Courts in the Country;
(b) issued by the Registrar (Judicial)/Additional Registrar General of the
High Courts, if the candidate is practicing before the High Courts;
(c) issued by an Officer of the Supreme Court of India designated for this
purpose, if the candidate is practicing before the Supreme Court of
India.
(ii) While computing the period of practice,-
(a) in case of a candidate who is practicing advocate, the period, if any,
during which he has held the post of Public Prosecutor/Assistant
Public Prosecutor/Government Counsel in full time employment of the
Central Government or State Governments of the Country, immediately
preceding the period of practice as an advocate, shall be considered; and
(b) in case of a candidate who is working as a Public Prosecutor/Assistant
Public Prosecutor/Government Counsel in full time employment of the
Central Government or State Governments of the Country, the period of
practice as an advocate, if any, by him, immediately preceding such
appointment, shall be considered. Such candidate shall furnish the
13
certificate of practice obtained from the Court where he was practicing
immediately preceding his appointment.
(2) Civil Judges.-
(i) Must furnish a Certificate stating that the candidate is a practicing
advocate as on the date of issue ofsuch certificate and indicating the length of
continuous practice:
(a) issued either by the Principal Judicial Officer of the Court in which the
candidate is actually practicing or by an advocate of that Court having
a minimum standing of ten years duly endorsed by the Principal
Judicial Officer of such District or a Principal Judicial Officer at such a
station, if he is practicing before the District and Trial Courts in the
Country;
(b) issued by an advocate who has a minimum standing of ten years, duly
endorsed by an Officer designated by Supreme Court of India/High
Courts for this purpose, if the candidate is practicing before the
Supreme Court of India/High Courts, as the case may be.
(ii) While computing the period of practice,-
(a) in case of a candidate who is practicing advocate, the period, if any,
during which he has held the post of Public Prosecutor/Assistant Public
Prosecutor/Government Counsel in full time employment of the Central
Government or State Governments of the Country, immediately
preceding the period of practice as an advocate, shall be considered;
(b) in case of a candidate who is working as a Public Prosecutor/Assistant
PublicProsecutor/ Government Counsel in full time employment of the
Central Government or State Governments of the Country, the period of
practice as an advocate, if any, by him, immediately preceding such
appointment, shall be considered. Such candidate shall furnish the
certificate of practice obtained from the Court where he was practicing
immediately preceding his appointment;
(c) the date of provisional enrollment/registration of the candidate with the
concerned State Bar Council shall be considered; and
(d) the period, if any, worked by the candidate as Law Clerk/Research
Assistant with any of the Judges or Judicial Officers in the Country,
shall be considered.”
7. Insertion of new rules 11-A and 11-B.- After rule 11 of said rules, the
following new rules shall be inserted, namely:-
14
“11-A. Norms.-
In addition to these rules, the High Court may frame the norms or guidelines
with regard to the different aspects of the suitability test to assess the merit of the
Officer for promotion.
11-B. Interpretation.-
If any question arises relating to the interpretation of these rules, the
decision of the High Court shall be final.”
By order and in the name of
Governor of Karnataka
(Lalitha)
Additional Secretary to Government
(Admin-1),
Law, Justice and Human Rights
Department
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