The High Court of Judicature at Bombay has issued an official advertisement for recruitment to the post of Associate on the establishment of the High Court, Original Side, Principal Seat at Bombay. The notice invites online applications from eligible candidates for preparation of a Select List of 27 candidates and a Wait List of 7 candidates, against 28 vacant posts including present vacancies and vacancies that may arise in the next two years.

This recruitment has a few details that candidates should read carefully before applying. The post carries a pay scale equivalent to Civil Judge Junior Division [A.C.P.-I], the application window opens on 16 April 2026 at 11:00 AM and closes on 30 April 2026 at 5:00 PM, and the examination fee is Rs. 1000 to be paid online through SBI Collect. The official notice also states that the screening test will be held only at Mumbai.

Eligibility depends on the candidate category. High Court staff and staff in subordinate judiciary with a law degree and computer proficiency are eligible, while practicing advocates must also have 5 years of experience in the Bombay High Court or its subordinate courts on the date of application. The notice further requires domicile in Maharashtra and sets out document, character, and selection conditions in detail.

Bombay High Court Associate Recruitment 2026 Overview

This recruitment is for the post of Associate on the establishment of the High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Original Side, Principal Seat at Bombay. The official notice is meant for preparation of a select list and wait list rather than direct appointment against a fixed single-day roster only.

ItemDetails
PostAssociate
EstablishmentOriginal Side, Principal Seat at Bombay
Total vacant posts28
Select List27 candidates
Wait List7 candidates
List validity2 years
Reserved for persons with disability1 post noted in the table; the notice says it will be filled after framing of guidelines by the High Court

The vacancy figure includes present vacancies as well as vacancies likely to arise in the next two years, which is why the advertisement links the recruitment to a two-year validity period.

Important Dates

The official notification gives a short online application window. Candidates should complete fee payment and form submission well before the closing time because the registry has clearly stated that applications in any other mode will not be accepted.

EventDate and Time
Advertisement date08 April 2026
Online application start16 April 2026, 11:00 AM
Online application closing30 April 2026, 5:00 PM
Screening test dateNot yet announced
Viva-voce dateNot yet announced

Vacancy, Pay Scale, and Appointment Basis

The official advertisement places the post in a higher pay bracket and also explains how appointments will operate once the select list is finalized.

FieldDetails
Total vacant posts28
Post reserved for persons with disability1
Select List27
Wait List7
Pay ScaleEquivalent to Civil Judge Junior Division [A.C.P.-I], J2, Rs. 92,960 to Rs. 1,36,520
AllowancesAdmissible as per rule
ProbationInitially 2 years

The notice also states that during probation, and until a certificate of satisfactory completion is issued, the services of the appointee may be terminated without notice or assigning any reason.

Eligibility Criteria by Candidate Category

The Bombay High Court has specified two main candidate categories for this recruitment. The age limit is different for practicing advocates, while for staff members the advertisement does not apply a maximum age limit in the same way.

CategoryMinimum AgeMaximum AgeQualificationExperience
Members of High Court staff and staff in subordinate judiciary21 yearsNot applicableDegree in law from a recognized university and certificate of computer proficiencyNot required
Practicing Advocate21 years38 years for open category, 43 years for reserved categoryDegree in law from a recognized university and certificate of computer proficiency5 years practice in the Bombay High Court or its subordinate courts on the date of application

For reserved-category age relaxation, the notice refers to candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Other Backward Class, or Special Backward Class as specified by the Government of Maharashtra.

Domicile, Computer Proficiency, and Preferences

The notice adds conditions beyond a law degree. These are important because the court has linked eligibility to domicile, character, and prescribed computer standards.

  • The candidate must be a citizen of India and domiciled in the State of Maharashtra.
  • The candidate must be competent to enter into a contract.
  • The candidate must possess good character and antecedents.
  • The candidate should not have a criminal conviction or pending criminal complaint as described in the notice.
  • The candidate should comply with the small family condition and spouse condition stated in the advertisement.
  • The candidate must possess a certificate about computer proficiency from recognized institutions listed in the notice, unless exempted under the GCC-TBC typing provision.

The notification also says preference will be given to candidates who have a minimum speed of 80 words per minute in English shorthand and 35 words per minute in English typing, and to candidates who can read, write, and speak Marathi.

Selection Process and Exam Pattern

The selection process has two stages: a screening or written test and a viva-voce. Only successful eligible candidates from the written stage will be called for viva-voce.

StageMarksDetails
Screening or Written Test100Three hours duration
Viva-voce50Called after written test screening
Written Test SubjectTopicsMarks
General EnglishEssay, Precis Writing, Letter Writing, Grammar, etc.30
Legal KnowledgeThe Bombay High Court Original Side Rules50
Legal KnowledgeC.P.C., Cr.P.C. or B.N.S.S., Limitation Act, Maharashtra Court Fees Act, Maharashtra Stamp Act20

The minimum passing marks in the written test are 50. The advertisement also reserves the right to increase this benchmark if a large number of candidates score above 50.

Application Fee and Online Form Rules

The application process is fully online, and fee payment is part of the application itself. The registry has stated that the application will not be considered without successful payment.

ItemDetails
Fee amountRs. 1000
Mode of paymentSBI Collect only
Refund policyNon-refundable
Application modeOnline only
Other modesPost, hand delivery, and courier are not accepted

Candidates have to generate the SBI Collect alphanumeric reference number and enter it correctly in the online application form. The notice says that if the number does not match, the application will be rejected.

How to Apply Online

The official instructions are detailed and candidates should follow them in sequence to avoid rejection.

  1. Visit the official Bombay High Court website and open the Recruitment section.
  2. Choose the Associate recruitment link once the application window opens.
  3. Pay the examination fee of Rs. 1000 through SBI Collect.
  4. Keep the SBI Collect reference number ready and enter it correctly in the application form.
  5. Fill in name, address, email, mobile number, date of birth, and educational details exactly as per documents.
  6. Upload photograph and signature in the prescribed image format and size.
  7. Upload the required supporting documents in PDF format at the specified places.
  8. Submit the form before 5:00 PM on 30 April 2026.

The notice says the online application should be filled on a computer using web browsers, and candidates are advised not to wait until the last minute.

Documents Required

The advertisement lists the documents that candidates likely called for verification must submit as self-attested copies and also produce in original.

  • Proof of date of birth such as School Leaving Certificate, Birth Certificate, or SSC Board Certificate
  • Mark sheets and passing certificates of Graduation, Law Graduation, and Post Graduation, wherever applicable
  • For practicing advocates, Sanad, certificate of practice, and Bar Council identity card
  • Typing or shorthand certificate, if possessed
  • Computer proficiency certificate
  • Caste certificate, wherever applicable
  • Maharashtra domicile certificate
  • Name change document, if applicable
  • Small family declaration in Form-A
  • Two original character certificates in Form-B issued after publication of the advertisement
  • No Objection Certificate for candidates already in government or court service
  • Any additional supporting document asked by the registry

For uploading at the application stage, the notice also mentions scanned photograph, signature, LL.B. board certificate, payment receipt, and category or domicile documents as applicable.

Exam Centre, Hall Ticket, and Shortlist Rules

The notification makes a few operational rules very clear. These are especially important for candidates planning travel and document preparation.

  • The screening test will be held only at Mumbai.
  • Timetable, venue, stage-wise results, and further instructions will be displayed only on the official Bombay High Court website.
  • Candidates must download the Hall Ticket or Admit Card from their individual profile.
  • Candidates must appear at their own expense for tests and viva-voce.
  • Printout of Hall Ticket and original photo identity proof are mandatory for appearing in the tests and viva-voce.
  • The Selection Committee reserves the right to shortlist candidates by an appropriate method at any stage.

The High Court also reserves the right to change the type of examination, number of vacancies, mode of selection, postpone the examination, or cancel the process if required.

Select List, Wait List, and Appointment Conditions

The advertisement explains how the select list and wait list will operate after the recruitment process is completed.

  • The select list and wait list will be prepared in order of merit based on performance in the screening test and viva-voce.
  • Both lists will be published on the official website.
  • The select list and wait list will remain valid for 2 years from publication unless extended by the Chief Justice.
  • The wait list can be operated for non-joining, early resignation, or similar vacancy situations within the validity period.
  • Mere inclusion in the wait list does not create a right to appointment.
  • Appointment is subject to medical examination and police verification.

The official notice also says that if any information furnished in the application form is found false, incorrect, misleading, or concealing material facts, the candidate can be rejected or removed from the list.

What Is Confirmed and What Is Not Yet Announced

The official advertisement confirms the number of vacant posts, the select list and wait list size, pay scale, eligibility categories, domicile requirement, application dates, fee, written test pattern, and the Mumbai-only screening test venue.

The notification does not publish the exact date of the screening test, the viva-voce schedule, or the final result date. Those details are to be announced later on the official Bombay High Court website.

Candidates should therefore rely on the published advertisement for the confirmed criteria and keep checking the court's recruitment page for the hall ticket, schedule, and later stage updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last date to apply for Bombay High Court Associate Recruitment 2026?

The online application closes on 30 April 2026 at 5:00 PM.

How many vacancies are there in Bombay High Court Associate Recruitment 2026?

The advertisement mentions 28 vacant posts, with a Select List of 27 candidates and a Wait List of 7 candidates.

Who can apply for the Bombay High Court Associate post?

Eligible candidates include members of High Court staff and staff in subordinate judiciary with a law degree and computer proficiency, and practicing advocates with a law degree, computer proficiency, and 5 years of relevant practice.

What is the age limit for Bombay High Court Associate Recruitment 2026?

The minimum age is 21 years. For practicing advocates, the maximum age is 38 years for open category and 43 years for reserved category. For High Court staff and staff in subordinate judiciary, the advertisement shows no applicable maximum age limit in that category table.

What is the application fee for the Bombay High Court Associate post?

The examination fee is Rs. 1000 and it must be paid online through SBI Collect.

What is the selection process for Bombay High Court Associate Recruitment 2026?

The selection process consists of a 100-mark screening or written test followed by a 50-mark viva-voce.

Where will the Bombay High Court Associate screening test be held?

The official notice states that the screening test will be held only at Mumbai.

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