The High Court of Delhi has released the admit card for its Higher Judicial Service Preliminary Examination, giving experienced legal professionals a clear countdown to this prestigious direct recruitment exam. The Delhi Higher Judicial Service (DHJS) 2026 Preliminary Admit Card was released on 21 July 2026, ahead of the objective-type Preliminary Examination scheduled for 26 July 2026.
This recruitment aims to fill 27 vacancies in the Delhi Higher Judicial Service, comprising 24 existing and 3 anticipated posts, through direct recruitment from the Bar and eligible judicial officers. The online application process ran from 1 July 2026 (10:00 AM) to 15 July 2026 (5:30 PM), and eligible candidates who applied within this window can now download their hall ticket from the official Delhi High Court website.
Unlike the entry-level Delhi Judicial Service exam meant for fresh law graduates, this recruitment specifically targets experienced advocates with at least seven years of continuous practice, or judicial officers with equivalent combined experience, making it a rare and significant opportunity to join the higher judiciary directly. Below is a complete overview of important dates, application fee, age limit, vacancy details, eligibility, exam pattern, and the exact steps to download your admit card, along with official links.
Delhi HJS 2026: Short Details
The Delhi Higher Judicial Service Examination is conducted by the High Court of Delhi to directly recruit District Judges (Entry Level) from among experienced advocates and judicial officers. The selection process consists of three successive stages: a Preliminary Examination, a Mains Examination, and a Viva-Voce (interview). With the admit card now released, candidates should download it promptly and verify all exam details carefully ahead of the Preliminary Examination.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | June 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 01 July 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Online Application Last Date | 15 July 2026 (5:30 PM) |
| Admit Card Released | 21 July 2026 (Available Now) |
| Preliminary Examination | 26 July 2026 (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM) |
| Mains Examination | To be announced on the official website |
| Viva-Voce | To be announced on the official website |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General | Rs. 2000/- |
| SC / ST / PwBD | Rs. 500/- |
Payment was accepted online through debit card, credit card, or net banking only.
Age Limit (As on 15 July 2026)
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 35 Years |
| Maximum Age | 45 Years |
| Age Relaxation | As applicable per Delhi High Court recruitment rules |
Vacancy Details (Total 27 Posts)
| Category | Number of Posts |
|---|---|
| General | 17 |
| SC | 05 |
| ST | 05 |
| Total | 27 |
Of the total 27 vacancies, 24 are existing posts and 3 are anticipated. Notably, 3 out of the 5 SC vacancies and 4 out of the 5 ST vacancies are backlog reserved vacancies, and 3 posts are separately reserved for PwBD candidates.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must be citizens of India.
- Advocates must have been continuously practising for not less than 7 years as on 15 July 2026.
- Judicial Officers must have completed 7 years in the Bar before recruitment to subordinate judicial service, or must have a combined experience of 7 years or more as an Advocate and Judicial Officer, as on 15 July 2026.
- Candidates must meet the prescribed age limit of 35 to 45 years, as on 15 July 2026.
Exam Pattern (Preliminary Examination)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Type | Objective Type (MCQ) |
| Total Questions | 150 |
| Total Marks | 150 |
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer (25%) |
| Qualifying Marks | 50% for General category; 45% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates |
| Syllabus Coverage | General Knowledge, Current Affairs, English Language, Constitution of India, Indian Evidence Act/Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, CPC, CrPC/BNSS, IPC/BNS, Indian Contract Act, Transfer of Property Act, Arbitration & Conciliation Act, Negotiable Instruments Act, Motor Vehicles Act, POCSO Act, IT Act, Trade Marks Act, Copyright Act, Patents Act, and other allied Acts |
The number of candidates admitted to the Mains Examination will not exceed twenty times the total number of advertised vacancies per category.
Selection Process
- Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
- Mains Examination (Written/Descriptive)
- Viva-Voce (Interview)
Selected candidates will be appointed at Pay Level J-5, with a pay scale ranging from Rs. 1,44,840 to Rs. 1,94,660 per month, along with allowances as admissible under government norms.
Documents Required for the Exam
- Printed copy of the DHJS admit card
- Valid government-issued photo ID proof, such as an Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, or Passport
How to Download Delhi HJS 2026 Preliminary Admit Card
- Visit the official Delhi High Court website at delhihighcourt.nic.in.
- Look for the notice or recruitment link related to the DHJS 2026 Preliminary Examination admit card.
- Enter your registration number and date of birth as prompted.
- Your admit card will be displayed on the screen.
- Verify your exam centre, exam date, timing, and other instructions carefully.
- Download and save the admit card in PDF format.
- Take a clear printout for the exam day, along with a valid photo ID proof.
Important Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Download Admit Card | Click Here |
| Application Portal | Click Here |
| Check Official Notification | Click Here |
| Delhi High Court Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When was the Delhi HJS 2026 Preliminary admit card released?
The admit card was released on 21 July 2026, ahead of the Preliminary Examination scheduled for 26 July 2026.
2. How can I download my Delhi HJS admit card?
Candidates can download it directly from the official Delhi High Court website at delhihighcourt.nic.in, using their registration number and date of birth.
3. When is the Delhi HJS Preliminary Examination scheduled?
The Preliminary Examination is scheduled for 26 July 2026, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
4. How many vacancies are there under Delhi HJS Recruitment 2026?
A total of 27 vacancies have been announced, comprising 24 existing and 3 anticipated posts.
5. What is the eligibility criteria for Delhi HJS 2026?
Advocates need at least 7 years of continuous practice, while judicial officers need 7 years in the Bar or a combined 7 years of experience as an Advocate and Judicial Officer, as on 15 July 2026.
6. What is the age limit for this recruitment?
The age limit is 35 to 45 years, as on 15 July 2026.
7. What is the exam pattern for the Delhi HJS Preliminary Examination?
The Preliminary Examination consists of 150 objective-type questions for 150 marks, to be completed in 2 hours, with 0.25 negative marking per incorrect answer.
8. What documents are mandatory to carry to the examination centre?
Candidates must carry a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid government-issued photo ID proof, such as an Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, or Passport.
9. What is the selection process for Delhi HJS 2026?
Selection involves a Preliminary Examination, a Mains Examination, and a Viva-Voce (interview).
10. What is the official website for Delhi HJS 2026 updates?
The official website is delhihighcourt.nic.in, where all notifications, admit cards, and results related to this recruitment are published.