The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has officially released a golden opportunity for aspiring legal professionals. OPSC has invited online applications for 78 posts of Civil Judge (Junior Division) under the Odisha Judicial Service, 2025. If you hold an LLB degree and have at least 3 years of advocacy experience, this could be the career-defining moment you have been waiting for.
Read this complete guide to understand everything vacancies, eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, important dates, and how to apply online.
OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 — Quick Overview
| Details | Information |
| Recruiting Body | Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) |
| Post Name | Civil Judge (Junior Division) |
| Department | Law Department, Government of Odisha |
| Advertisement No. | 02 of 2026-27 |
| Total Vacancies | 78 Posts |
| Women Reservation | 26 Posts |
| Pay Scale | Rs. 77,840 – 1,36,520/- per month |
| Job Type | Permanent Government Job |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Apply Start Date | 08 May 2026 |
| Apply Last Date | 08 June 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 05 July 2026 (Sunday) |
| Official Website | https://opsc.gov.in |
Vacancy Details — Category Wise Distribution
OPSC has announced a total of 78 Civil Judge (Junior Division) vacancies. The category-wise breakdown is as follows:
| Sl. No. | Category | Total Vacancies | Reserved for Women |
| 1 | Un-Reserved (UR) | 35 | 12 |
| 2 | SEBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 09 | 03 |
| 3 | Scheduled Caste (SC) | 13 | 04 |
| 4 | Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 18 | 06 |
| 5 | Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD) | 03 | 01 |
| Total | 78 | 26 |
Important Note: SC, ST, and SEBC reservations are applicable only to candidates who are domiciled in Odisha by birth.
Eligibility Criteria — Who Can Apply?
Before filling out the application form, carefully check whether you meet all the eligibility requirements.
1. Nationality
The candidate must be a citizen of India.
2. Age Limit (As on 1st April 2025)
- Minimum Age: 23 Years
- Maximum Age: 42 Years
- Candidates must not have been born earlier than 2nd April 1983 and not later than 1st April 2002.
Age Relaxation Applicable:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| SC / ST / SEBC / Women / Ex-Servicemen | 5 Years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD) | 10 Years |
| Law Clerk / Research Assistant to a Judge | 7 Years |
A candidate falling under more than one category will get the benefit of only the most favorable relaxation. Age limits cannot be relaxed beyond the prescribed limits under any circumstances.
3. Educational Qualification & Experience
- The candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from a recognized University or Institution approved by the Government.
- The candidate must have a minimum of 3 years of practice as an Advocate as on 1st April 2025.
Experience as a Law Clerk or Research Assistant to any Judge, Judicial Officer, or Constitutional Authority will be counted towards the period of legal practice.
4. Language Requirement
- The candidate must be able to speak, read, and write Odia fluently.
- The candidate must have passed an Odia language examination equivalent to Middle English School Standard (Class VII).
Examination Fee
| Category | Fee Amount |
| General / SEBC / Others | Rs. 700/- only |
| SC / ST / PwD | NIL (No Fee) |
Payment Mode: Online — Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI, Net Banking, Wallet
Fee Refund Policy: The examination fee will be refunded only to those candidates who actually appear in the Preliminary Written Examination. Candidates who apply but do not appear will not receive a refund.
Selection Process: How Will Candidates Be Selected?
The selection for OPSC Civil Judge (Junior Division) will be conducted through a three-stage competitive examination process:
- STAGE 1 → Preliminary Written Examination (Objective Type — 100 Marks)
- STAGE 2 → Main Written Examination (Descriptive — 750 Marks)
- STAGE 3 → Interview / Viva Voce (100 Marks)
Exam Pattern & Syllabus
A. Preliminary Written Examination
The Preliminary Examination is the first screening stage.
| Parameter | Details |
| Type | Objective Type (MCQ) |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 1 Hour 30 Minutes |
| Negative Marking | Yes — 25% for every wrong answer |
| Answer Sheet | OMR (Computer Evaluated) |
Subjects Covered in Preliminary Exam:
- The Constitution of India
- The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
- The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 & The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
- The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 & The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
- The Indian Penal Code, 1860 & The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
- The Limitation Act
- The Transfer of Property Act
- The Law of Contract
- The Law of Succession (Indian Succession Act & Hindu Succession Act)
- The Specific Relief Act
- The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
Minimum Qualifying Marks for Main Exam:
- General / Others: 40% marks
- SC / ST / PwD: 35% marks
B. Main Written Examination
Candidates who clear the Preliminary Exam will be called for the Main Written Examination. It consists of 2 Compulsory Papers and 3 Optional Papers chosen by the candidate.
Compulsory Papers:
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
| Paper 1 | General English (Translation, Essay, Precis Writing, Comprehension) | 150 | 2.5 Hours |
| Paper 2 | Procedural Laws (CrPC + BNSS 2023, CPC, Indian Evidence Act + BSA 2023) | 150 | 2.5 Hours |
Optional Papers — Choose Any 3:
| Option | Subject | Marks | Duration |
| (i) | Law of Crime & Law of Torts | 150 | 3 Hours |
| (ii) | Personal Laws (Hindu Law + Mohammedan Law) | 150 | 3 Hours |
| (iii) | Law of Property (TPA 1882, Specific Relief Act 1963, Limitation Act 1963) | 150 | 3 Hours |
| (iv) | Law of Contract (Contract Act 1872, Sales of Goods 1930, Partnership 1932, NI Act 1881) | 150 | 3 Hours |
| (v) | Jurisprudence & The Constitution of India | 150 | 3 Hours |
Critical Note: The optional subjects mentioned in the online application form will be treated as final and cannot be changed under any circumstances.
Minimum Qualifying Marks for Interview:
- General candidates: 45% aggregate + 33% in each paper
- PwD candidates: 40% aggregate + 30% in each paper
C. Interview / Viva Voce
- Total Marks: 100
- Questions in the interview may cover the syllabus of the Main Written Examination.
- Questions on broad national and international issues and topics in Arts and Science may also be asked.
- Candidates must secure a minimum of 40% marks in the interview to be included in the final merit list.
The final merit list will be prepared by combining Main Exam marks + Interview marks.
Exam Centres : Where Will the Exam Be Held?
The Preliminary Written Examination will be conducted at 6 Zonal Centres across Odisha:
- Balasore
- Berhampur
- Bhubaneswar
- Cuttack
- Jeypore
- Sambalpur
Candidates must select 2 preferred zones while filling the online application form. Zone change requests will not be entertained after form submission. Candidates must appear only at the centre allotted by the Commission.
Important Dates — Mark Your Calendar!
| Event | Date |
| Online Application Opens | 08 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 08 June 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Preliminary Examination | 05 July 2026 (Sunday) |
| Provisional Answer Key Upload | Within 10 days after Prelims |
Pro Tip: Do not wait for the last date. Apply early to avoid technical issues on the portal.
Documents Required — Keep These Ready Before Applying
While submitting the online application, candidates must upload scanned copies of the following documents:
- HSC or 10th Certificate (for Date of Birth proof)
- LLB Degree Certificate
- All Mark Sheets of LLB Examination
- Certificate of Practice as Advocate (minimum 3 years, duly certified)
- Bar Council Provisional Enrollment/Registration Certificate
- Odia Language Test Pass Certificate
- Caste Certificate — SC / ST / SEBC (wherever applicable)
- Permanent Disability Certificate — PwD (indicating 40% or more disability)
- Character Certificate (from College / University)
- 4 Recent Passport Size Photographs (within last 6 months)
- No Objection Certificate NOC (for Government Employees only)
- Any valid Identity Proof
- Transgender candidates: Identity Certificate issued by the Competent Authority
Do NOT attach original certificates to the application. Only upload scanned copies.
How to Apply Online for OPSC Civil Judge 2026?
Follow these simple steps to complete your application successfully:
- Step 1: Visit the official website https://opsc.gov.in
- Step 2: Find the “OJS 2025 / Civil Judge Recruitment 2026” notification on the homepage.
- Step 3: Complete your Online Registration by entering your name, email ID, and mobile number.
- Step 4: Log in using your registration credentials and fill in the Online Application Form carefully.
- Step 5: Upload your passport size photo, full signature, and Left Hand Thumb Impression (LTI) in the required format.
- Step 6: Upload all required documents and certificates as listed above.
- Step 7: Select your 2 preferred exam zones.
- Step 8: Pay the examination fee of Rs. 700/- online (SC/ST/PwD candidates are exempted).
- Step 9: Submit the form and note down your unique Permanent Public Service Account Number (PPSAN).
- Step 10: Take a printout of the finally submitted application form and keep it safe for future reference.
Important: Once submitted, the application cannot be modified. If you need to make corrections, cancel the application and re-apply before the closing date.
Salary & Pay Scale
Selected candidates for the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division) will receive:
Pay Scale: Rs. 77,840 – 1,36,520/- per month
In addition to the basic pay, candidates will also be entitled to Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other government perks as applicable under the Government of Odisha rules.
Helpline & Contact Information
For any technical issues during online registration or application, candidates can contact:
| Purpose | Contact |
| Technical Support | 0671-2304707 (10:30 AM – 1:30 PM & 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM) |
| General Queries | 0671-2304141 / 2305611, Extn. 227 |
| Email Complaints | opsc@od.gov.in (within 7 days of exam) |
| Official Website | https://opsc.gov.in |
OPSC Civil Judge Official Website Visit
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How many vacancies are available in OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026?
There are a total of 78 vacancies, out of which 26 posts are reserved for women candidates.
2. What is the last date to apply for OPSC Civil Judge 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 08 June 2026 by 5:00 PM.
3. When will the Preliminary Examination be held?
The Preliminary Written Examination is scheduled on 05 July 2026 (Sunday).
4. What is the application fee for OPSC Civil Judge 2026?
The examination fee is Rs. 700/- for General/SEBC candidates. SC, ST, and PwD candidates are exempted from paying any fee.
5. What is the minimum advocacy experience required?
Candidates must have at least 3 years of practice as an Advocate as on 1st April 2025.
6. Is there negative marking in the Preliminary Exam?
Yes, 25% of marks will be deducted for every wrong answer in the Preliminary Examination.
7. Can Government employees apply for this recruitment?
Yes, Government employees (temporary or permanent) can apply, but they must inform their employer and submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) at the time of document verification.
Q8. What is the pay scale for OPSC Civil Judge (Junior Division)?
The pay scale is Rs. 77,840 – 1,36,520/- per month, along with applicable allowances.
Also Check:
OPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026 — 78 Vacancies