The Office of the District Judge, Kandhamal, Phulbani has issued Advertisement No. 02 dated 06 April 2026 inviting applications for appointment to 1 vacant post of Counsellor in the Court of the Judge, Family Court, Phulbani. The official notice states that the appointment will be made by the Hon'ble High Court of Orissa, Cuttack, and the recruitment is governed by Rules 5 and 6 of the Family Courts (Orissa) Rules, 1990. This is a specialised court-linked counselling appointment, not a routine clerical or support staff vacancy. The post is meant for candidates with a Master's Degree in Social Science, preferably Sociology or Psychology, along with at least 3 years of family counselling experience. The notice also provides an alternative eligibility route for certain candidates above 35 years who are engaged in social service and family and child welfare work. The application process is offline and has to be completed in the prescribed format. Candidates must send the filled application with self-attested supporting documents by Speed Post so that it reaches the Office of the Registrar, Civil Courts, Phulbani on or before 27 April 2026 by 5:00 PM. The advertisement does not announce any written test date, interview date or application fee.

Recruitment Overview

The District Judge, Kandhamal, Phulbani has invited applications for appointment to 1 vacant post of Counsellor in the Court of the Judge, Family Court, Phulbani. The official notice makes it clear that the appointment will be made by the Hon'ble High Court of Orissa, Cuttack.

The recruitment is governed by the Family Courts (Orissa) Rules, 1990. This is a counselling and reconciliation role connected with family court proceedings, not a standard court establishment post.

ItemDetails
Recruiting authorityOffice of the District Judge, Kandhamal, Phulbani
PostCounsellor
Vacancy01
Place of postingCourt of the Judge, Family Court, Phulbani
Governing rulesFamily Courts (Orissa) Rules, 1990
Appointing authorityHon'ble High Court of Orissa, Cuttack

Eligibility and Core Qualification

The official notice sets out the minimum qualification and experience needed for the Counsellor post. Candidates must satisfy the academic, experience and language requirements given in the advertisement.

  • The candidate must be a citizen of India.
  • The candidate must have passed Master's Degree in Social Science, preferably in Sociology or Psychology.
  • The candidate must have minimum experience of 3 years in family counselling.
  • The candidate must be able to speak, read and write Odia and must have passed the Odia test equivalent to M.E. standard.

The qualification standard is specific, and applicants should not rely on general counselling or unrelated work experience as a substitute for the required profile.

Alternative Eligibility Route

The notice also provides an alternative eligibility clause. If candidates with the standard 3 years of family counselling experience are not available, another category of applicants may be considered.

In that situation, persons above 35 years of age working in the field of social service and welfare activities and engaged in promoting the welfare of family and child care may be eligible, provided they hold a Degree in Social Science, preferably Sociology or Psychology.

This clause broadens eligibility in a limited way, but it does not remove the requirement of relevant social science background and real work in family and child welfare activities.

Other Personal Conditions

In addition to qualification and experience, the advertisement includes several personal and legal conditions that applicants must satisfy.

  • The applicant should be of sound health and good physique.
  • The applicant should be free from organic defects or bodily infirmity.
  • The applicant should not have more than one spouse living, if married.
  • No criminal case should be pending against the applicant.

These conditions are directly stated in the official notification, so candidates should make sure their application and declaration are fully consistent with them.

Functions of the Counsellor

The official notice states that the functions of the Counsellor shall be regulated in accordance with Rule 8 of the Family Court (Orissa) Rules, 1990 and any amendments made from time to time.

In practical terms, the Counsellor works with parties in family disputes and helps the court's settlement and reconciliation process. The role is therefore service oriented and linked directly to family court proceedings rather than routine administrative work.

  • Assist the parties in resolving family disputes.
  • Support reconciliation efforts as per the Family Courts rules.
  • Function according to the legal framework laid down for counsellors under the Orissa rules.

Fees and Service Terms

The official advertisement does not mention a fixed monthly salary figure. Instead, it states that the Counsellor shall be entitled to retainer fees per month and assisting fee per day of actual work at the rate fixed by the Government of Odisha from time to time.

This means the financial terms are rule based and government-fixed, not a regular pay scale like a standard court establishment post. Candidates should therefore read the engagement as a rule-based counselling appointment rather than a permanent salaried service post.

ComponentStatus in official notice
Retainer fee per monthPayable at rate fixed by Government of Odisha from time to time
Assisting fee per day of actual workPayable at rate fixed by Government of Odisha from time to time
Application feeNot mentioned in the official notice

Documents Required

The application must be submitted in the prescribed format with the required self-attested documents. The official notice specifically lists what has to be enclosed.

  • Self-attested photocopies of all educational qualification certificates and mark sheets, including Master's Degree or Degree in Social Science, preferably Sociology or Psychology.
  • Experience certificate in family counselling or in social service and welfare activities connected with the welfare of family and child care.
  • Self-attested copy of date of birth proof, preferably H.S.C. Examination certificate or equivalent.
  • Two character certificates issued by two different Gazetted Officers.
  • Two self-signed recent passport size photographs, with one affixed on the application form.
  • Two self-addressed envelopes without affixing postage stamp.

Incomplete applications or applications without the required enclosures are liable to be rejected.

How to Apply Offline

The application process is offline and has to be completed in the prescribed format printed in the official notification.

  1. Fill the prescribed application form carefully and sign it in full by hand.
  2. Attach all required self-attested certificates, photographs and envelopes.
  3. Place the application and documents in one envelope.
  4. Address the envelope to the Registrar, Civil Courts, Phulbani, At/Po-Phulbani, District-Kandhamal, PIN-762001.
  5. Send the application through Speed Post so that it reaches the office on or before 5:00 PM on 27 April 2026.
  6. Write Application for the post of Counsellor on the envelope.

The notice clearly says that applications received after 5:00 PM on 27 April 2026 will not be taken into consideration.

Important Dates and Application Deadline

The recruitment timeline in the official notice is straightforward. The main actionable date for candidates is the last date of receipt of application.

EventDetails
Advertisement date06 April 2026
Last date for receipt of application27 April 2026
Last time for receipt5:00 PM

The notice does not announce a written test date, interview date, document verification date or final result date. Candidates should therefore keep checking the official Kandhamal District Court website for later updates.

Other Important Conditions

The notice contains several compliance points that candidates should note before submitting the form.

  • Applications received without full signature of the applicant will be rejected.
  • Applications found defective, incomplete or in non-compliance with the advertisement will be summarily rejected.
  • If any qualification certificate is later found fraudulent, the appointment will be cancelled and the person may be prosecuted according to law.
  • Canvassing in any form will lead to disqualification.
  • Applicants are advised to visit the official District Court, Kandhamal, Phulbani recruitment page from time to time for updates.

These are practical rejection conditions, so candidates should review their form carefully before dispatch.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many vacancies are available in Family Court Kandhamal Counsellor Recruitment 2026?

There is 1 vacancy for the Counsellor post in the Court of the Judge, Family Court, Phulbani.

What is the last date to apply for Family Court Kandhamal Counsellor Recruitment 2026?

The last date for receipt of application is 27 April 2026 by 5:00 PM.

What qualification is required for the Counsellor post?

The core qualification is a Master's Degree in Social Science, preferably Sociology or Psychology, along with minimum 3 years of family counselling experience.

Is there any alternative eligibility route if experienced family counsellors are not available?

Yes. Persons above 35 years working in social service and welfare activities related to family and child care may be considered if they hold a Degree in Social Science, preferably Sociology or Psychology.

How should candidates submit the application form?

The application must be sent offline through Speed Post to the Registrar, Civil Courts, Phulbani so that it reaches the office before the deadline.

Is any application fee mentioned in the official notice?

No. The official advertisement does not mention any application fee.

Who will appoint the Counsellor for Family Court Phulbani?

The Counsellor will be appointed by the Hon'ble High Court of Orissa, Cuttack.

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