The High Court of Karnataka, Bengaluru has officially released two recruitment notifications — HCRB 8/2025 (Residual Parent Cadre) and HCRB 9/2025 (Kalyana Karnataka Region), both dated 22 April 2026 — for direct recruitment to 101 Group-D posts. Posts include Peon, Watchman, Sweeper, Peon (House Keeping), Lift Attender, Assistant Binder, Tailor, and Dhobi. Notifications were published in the Karnataka Rajyapatra (Official Gazette). The minimum qualification is 10th Standard (SSLC) pass or equivalent; some posts additionally require relevant work experience. No written examination — candidates are shortlisted based on 10th Standard marks percentage and called for a 10-mark interview in a 1:10 ratio. Apply online at judiciary.karnataka.gov.in by 21 May 2026 (11:59 PM). Pay Scale: Level-2 (₹19,900–₹63,200) for most posts; Level-3 (₹21,700–₹69,100) for Lift Attender and Tailor.
Quick Facts:
- 101 Group-D Posts — Karnataka HC
- RPC: 93 Posts + KKR: 8 Posts
- Apply: 22 April–21 May 2026
- Last Date: 21 May 2026 (11:59 PM)
- Qual: 10th Standard (SSLC) Pass
- Pay Level-2 ₹19,900–₹63,200
- No Written Exam — 10th Marks + Interview
- Fee: ₹200 (Gen/OBC) | ₹100 (SC/ST)
At a Glance:
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Posts | 101 |
| Last Date | 21 May |
| Minimum Qual | 10th Pass |
| Interview | 10 Marks |
| Starting Pay | ₹19.9K+ |
01. Recruitment Overview
Two notifications HCRB 8/2025 (RPC) + HCRB 9/2025 (KKR) — both dated 22 April 2026 — Karnataka Gazette
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | High Court of Karnataka, Bengaluru |
| Notification Nos. | HCRB 8/2025 (Group D — RPC) & HCRB 9/2025 (Group D — KKR) |
| Notification Date | 22 April 2026 (Published in Karnataka Rajyapatra / Official Gazette) |
| Posts | Peon, Watchman, Sweeper, Peon (House Keeping), Lift Attender, Assistant Binder, Tailor, Dhobi |
| Total Vacancies | 101 posts — 93 under RPC + 8 under KKR (Article 371J) |
| Post Group | Group D (permanent, pensionable) |
| Educational Qualification | 10th Standard (SSLC) pass or equivalent from recognised board. Some posts need additional experience. |
| Age Limit | 18–40 years (General Merit) as on 21 May 2026 | OBC 43 yrs | SC/ST/Cat-I 45 yrs |
| Application Opens | 22 April 2026 |
| Application Closes | 21 May 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Application Mode | Online only at judiciary.karnataka.gov.in — no offline/email/postal applications |
| Application Fee | ₹200 (General/OBC) | ₹100 (SC/ST/Category-I/PwBD) — SBI online payment gateway |
| Pay Scale | Level-2: ₹19,900–₹63,200 (Peon, Watchman, Sweeper, Binder, Dhobi) | Level-3: ₹21,700–₹69,100 (Lift Attender, Tailor) |
| Selection Process | No written exam — shortlist by 10th marks (10:1 ratio) → Interview (10 marks) → DV |
| Probation Period | 2 years from date of appointment (extendable as per rules) |
| KKR Posts | 8 posts reserved under Article 371(J) — Kalyana Karnataka Region districts only |
| Subject to Writ Petitions | Subject to outcome of WP Nos. 200448/2025, 17968/2025, and 3145/2023 before High Court |
| Official Website | judiciary.karnataka.gov.in |
02. Two Notifications — RPC & KKR
HCRB 8/2025 = 93 posts (Residual Parent Cadre) | HCRB 9/2025 = 8 posts (Kalyana Karnataka Region)
HCRB 8/2025 — Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) — All Karnataka Candidates Eligible — 93 Posts (including 1 backlog)
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Peon/Watchman/Sweeper/HK Peon | 85 posts (84+1 backlog) |
| Lift Attender | 5 posts (Level-3) |
| Assistant Binder | 1 post (Level-2) |
| Tailor | 1 post (Level-3) |
| Dhobi | 1 post (Level-2) |
| Special req. | Article 371J cert NOT needed |
| Apply at | judiciary.karnataka.gov.in |
HCRB 9/2025 — Kalyana Karnataka Region (KKR) — Only KKR District Candidates Eligible — 8 Posts (Article 371J Reserved)
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Post type | Peon/Watchman/Sweeper category |
| Constitutional basis | Article 371(J) — KKR provision |
| Districts covered | Kalaburagi, Bidar, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari, Vijayanagara |
| Special requirement | Article 371J eligibility cert (before 21 May) |
| Can also apply RPC? | Yes — separate application + fee |
| Apply at | judiciary.karnataka.gov.in |
Applying for Both RPC and KKR: If you are from a Kalyana Karnataka Region district and hold a valid Article 371(J) certificate, you can apply to both HCRB 8/2025 (RPC) and HCRB 9/2025 (KKR). However, each requires a completely separate online application, separate fee payment, and separate document upload through the respective links at judiciary.karnataka.gov.in. Do not assume one application covers both — submit two independent applications.
03. Post-wise Details — 8 Posts, 2 Pay Levels
Level-2 ₹19,900 for most posts | Level-3 ₹21,700 for Lift Attender & Tailor
| Post | Vacancies | Qualification | Pay Level | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peon / Watchman / Sweeper / Peon (HK) | 85 (incl. 1 backlog) | 10th Standard pass | Level-2 | ₹19,900–₹63,200 |
| Lift Attender | 5 | 10th pass + Lift mechanism experience | Level-3 | ₹21,700–₹69,100 |
| Assistant Binder | 1 | 10th pass + min 2 years binding experience | Level-2 | ₹19,900–₹63,200 |
| Tailor | 1 | 10th pass + min 3 years tailoring experience | Level-3 | ₹21,700–₹69,100 |
| Dhobi | 1 | 10th pass + relevant Dhobi work experience | Level-2 | ₹19,900–₹63,200 |
| RPC Total (HCRB 8/2025) | 93 | Including 1 backlog post | ||
| KKR Posts (HCRB 9/2025) | 8 | Article 371(J) — Kalyana Karnataka Region candidates only | ||
| Grand Total | 101 | Both notifications combined |
Experience certificates for Lift Attender, Assistant Binder, Tailor, and Dhobi must be uploaded at the time of online application. Documents NOT uploaded during application will NOT be accepted later under any circumstances — this is explicitly stated in the official notification.
04. Important Dates
Apply by 21 May 2026 (11:59 PM) — age calculated as on 21 May 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notifications HCRB 8/2025 & HCRB 9/2025 Released — Published in Karnataka Rajyapatra (Official Gazette) | 22 April 2026 |
| Online Application Portal Opens — judiciary.karnataka.gov.in → Recruitment → HCRB 8/2025 (RPC) or HCRB 9/2025 (KKR) | 22 April 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Online Application & Pay Fee (11:59 PM) — Age is calculated as on this date; ensure 10th marks card is ready for upload | 21 May 2026 |
| Shortlisting & Interview — 10:1 shortlisting based on 10th Standard marks; interview date/venue notified at judiciary.karnataka.gov.in | To be notified |
| Document Verification (at interview) + Final Selection + Appointment — 2-year probation | After interview |
This recruitment is subject to the outcome of Writ Petition Nos. 200448/2025, 17968/2025, and 3145/2023 pending before the High Court of Karnataka. If the writ petitions are decided against the recruitment, the process may be affected. Candidates should follow updates on judiciary.karnataka.gov.in.
05. Eligibility Criteria
10th pass minimum — experience for 4 posts — age max 40 years (General) as on 21 May 2026
| Post | Qualification | Experience Required |
|---|---|---|
| Peon, Watchman, Sweeper, Peon (House Keeping) | SSLC / 10th Standard pass or equivalent | None — 10th pass sufficient |
| Lift Attender | SSLC / 10th Standard pass or equivalent | Experience in lift mechanism — upload experience certificate |
| Assistant Binder | SSLC / 10th Standard pass or equivalent | Minimum 2 years experience in binding work — upload certificate |
| Tailor | SSLC / 10th Standard pass or equivalent | Minimum 3 years experience in tailoring — upload certificate |
| Dhobi | SSLC / 10th Standard pass or equivalent | Experience working as Dhobi — upload experience certificate |
All qualifications and experience must be held as on 21 May 2026. Final year 10th standard students who have not yet received their certificate are NOT eligible. Candidates must upload all experience certificates at the time of application — these will not be accepted separately later.
Age Limit (as on 21 May 2026):
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| General Merit (UR) | 40 years (min 18 years) |
| OBC — Category IIA / IIB / IIIA / IIIB | 43 years (+3 years over General) |
| SC / ST / Category-I | 45 years (+5 years over General) |
A special one-time age relaxation of 5 years has been granted as per Government Notification DPAR 262 SRR 2025 dated 29.01.2026 — this is already incorporated in the above figures. Age cutoff date is 21 May 2026. Candidates who cross the maximum age limit by even one day as on 21 May 2026 are not eligible.
06. Horizontal Reservations
Women ~33% of Peon/Watchman seats | Rural 23 seats | Kannada Medium 5 seats | Ex-SM | PwBD | Transgender
| Horizontal Category | Approx. Seats | Certificate Required |
|---|---|---|
| Women | ~28 out of 85 Peon/Watchman/Sweeper/HK posts (RPC) — ~33% | No additional certificate — stated in application |
| Rural Candidates | ~23 seats (RPC) | Rural candidate certificate countersigned by Block Education Officer (BEO) — studied from Class I to X in rural areas |
| Kannada Medium Candidates | ~5 seats (RPC) | Kannada Medium certificate — studied from Class I to X in Kannada medium |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | As per Karnataka Govt rules | Disability certificate from competent authority |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per Karnataka Govt rules | Ex-SM discharge certificate |
| Transgender | As per Karnataka Govt rules | Certificate from competent authority |
All horizontal reservation certificates must be uploaded at the time of online application. Women reservation (33%) is significant — women applicants have considerably better odds in these posts. Rural reservation rewards candidates who completed schooling in rural Karnataka — obtain the BEO-countersigned certificate before applying.
07. Selection Process — No Written Exam
10th marks shortlist (10:1 ratio) → 10-mark interview → Document Verification → 2 years probation
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 — Merit List | All eligible applicants are ranked by their percentage of marks in 10th Standard qualifying examination within each reservation category. Candidates with higher 10th marks rank higher in their category. This is the primary competitive factor. |
| Stage 2 — Interview Call (1:10 ratio) | Candidates are called for interview in the ratio of 10 candidates for every 1 vacancy in each category. Shortlisted candidates receive interview call letters via the official website judiciary.karnataka.gov.in. Candidates must appear at their own cost at the notified venue and time. |
| Stage 3 — Interview (10 marks) | A personal interview carrying a maximum of 10 marks is conducted. This is NOT a written test — it is a personal interaction assessing suitability for High Court Group-D service. Document verification (originals) is also conducted during the interview stage. Character certificates must also be produced. |
| Final Merit | Combined merit = 10th Standard qualifying exam marks + Interview marks (10). Final selection is made in merit order within each category, subject to availability of posts. |
| Probation | Selected candidates are on probation for 2 years from the date of appointment. This may be extended as per High Court service rules. |
There is NO written examination. Your 10th Standard marks percentage is your primary competitive tool — candidates with high SSLC percentages have a strong advantage. Start collecting original certificates now — SSLC marks card, caste certificate, experience certificate, and other documents must be produced in original at the interview.
08. Application Fee
₹200 General/OBC | ₹100 SC/ST/Cat-I/PwBD — SBI payment gateway — non-refundable
| Category | Application Fee | Payment Mode |
|---|---|---|
| General Merit / OBC (Category IIA/IIB/IIIA/IIIB) | ₹200/- | Online via SBI Payment Gateway — integrated with judiciary.karnataka.gov.in portal |
| SC / ST / Category-I / PwBD | ₹100/- | Online via SBI Payment Gateway — integrated with judiciary.karnataka.gov.in portal |
Fee once paid is non-refundable under all circumstances. If a candidate submits more than one application for the same post, only the last submitted application is considered. Candidates applying to both RPC (HCRB 8/2025) and KKR (HCRB 9/2025) must pay the fee separately for each application.
09. How to Apply + Documents to Upload
Online only at judiciary.karnataka.gov.in — separate applications for RPC and KKR — no corrections after submit
- Visit judiciary.karnataka.gov.in → Recruitment Section — Go to the official judiciary.karnataka.gov.in and find the “Recruitment” section. Find the link for HCRB 8/2025 (Group D — RPC) or HCRB 9/2025 (Group D — KKR). Download and read the official notification PDF completely before applying. Register on the online recruitment portal using a valid Email ID to create your account (User ID and Password). Keep login credentials safe.
- Fill Application Form — Personal, Educational & Category Details — Select the post you wish to apply for, fill personal details, educational qualification (10th board/year/marks — these marks determine your merit rank), category/reservation details, and other required information. If applying for Lift Attender, Binder, Tailor, or Dhobi — ensure you have your experience certificate ready before proceeding.
- Upload Photograph, Signature & All Required Documents — Upload: Passport-size photograph (JPG, white background, max 50KB, 5cm×3.5cm) and Signature (JPG, max 25KB, 2.5cm×7.5cm). Upload scanned documents in PDF format: SSLC Marks Card, Caste/Category Certificate, experience certificates (for Lift Attender, Binder, Tailor, Dhobi), Rural candidate certificate (if claiming rural reservation), Kannada Medium certificate (if applicable), Income Certificate (if applicable), and Article 371(J) certificate (KKR posts only). Documents not uploaded now cannot be submitted later.
- Pay Application Fee via SBI Payment Gateway — Pay ₹200 (General/OBC) or ₹100 (SC/ST/Cat-I/PwBD) online through the SBI payment gateway integrated with the portal. Save the payment receipt and transaction ID. Fee is non-refundable. If applying to both RPC and KKR, pay separately for each application.
- Preview, Submit & Print Confirmation — Before 21 May 2026 (11:59 PM) — Carefully review all filled details and uploaded documents in the preview. Once satisfied, click “Submit.” Note the Application/Request Number generated after submission — this is your reference for all future correspondence. Print the confirmation for your records. No changes are permitted after submission. Apply well before the deadline — last-day SBI gateway issues are common.
Quick Checklist: judiciary.karnataka.gov.in only | Separate application for RPC and KKR | Upload experience certs NOW — not accepted later | Last date: 21 May 2026 (11:59 PM) | Note application number after submission
10. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How many total posts are in Karnataka High Court Group D Recruitment 2026?
A total of 101 posts — 93 posts under Residual Parent Cadre (HCRB 8/2025) for all Karnataka candidates, and 8 posts under Kalyana Karnataka Region (HCRB 9/2025) exclusively for candidates from KKR districts (Kalaburagi, Bidar, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari, Vijayanagara) under Article 371(J). RPC breakdown: 85 Peon/Watchman/Sweeper/HK Peon (including 1 backlog), 5 Lift Attender, 1 Assistant Binder, 1 Tailor, 1 Dhobi.
Q2. Is there a written exam for Karnataka High Court Group D 2026?
No written exam. The selection process is: (1) Candidates are ranked by their 10th Standard percentage — 10 candidates per vacancy are called for interview; (2) Interview of max 10 marks is conducted; (3) Document Verification at interview. Final merit = 10th marks + interview marks. Your SSLC percentage is the primary competitive factor — the higher your 10th marks, the better your chances of being called for interview.
Q3. What is the age limit for Karnataka High Court Group D 2026?
Age calculated as on 21 May 2026. Minimum 18 years for all. Maximum age: General Merit — 40 years; OBC (Category IIA/IIB/IIIA/IIIB) — 43 years; SC/ST/Category-I — 45 years. A special one-time 5-year age relaxation as per DPAR 262 SRR 2025 is already incorporated. A General Merit candidate born on exactly 21 May 1986 would be exactly 40 — still eligible. Born on 22 May 1985 = 40 years and 1 day — not eligible.
Q4. What is the Kalyana Karnataka Region (KKR) quota and Article 371J certificate?
The KKR notification (HCRB 9/2025) reserves 8 posts under Article 371(J) of the Constitution — a special constitutional provision for the historically backward Hyderabad-Karnataka region. Eligible districts: Kalaburagi, Bidar, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Bellary/Ballari, and Vijayanagara. To apply, you must hold a valid Article 371(J) eligibility certificate issued by the Competent Authority on or before 21 May 2026. This is a separate application from RPC — you can apply to both.
Q5. I want to apply for Lift Attender — do I need an experience certificate?
Yes. The Lift Attender post requires experience in lift mechanism — and this experience certificate must be uploaded at the time of online application. Similarly, Assistant Binder requires 2-year binding experience, Tailor requires 3-year tailoring experience, and Dhobi requires Dhobi work experience. The official notification explicitly states: certificates not uploaded during online application will not be accepted at a later stage under any circumstances. Do not apply for these posts without the experience certificate in hand.
Q6. What are the rural and Kannada medium reservations in this recruitment?
Rural reservation (approximately 23 seats) is for candidates who studied from Class I to X in rural areas of Karnataka — requires a certificate countersigned by the Block Education Officer (BEO). Kannada Medium reservation (approximately 5 seats) is for candidates who completed schooling from Class I to X in Kannada medium — requires a Kannada Medium certificate. These are horizontal reservations — applicable across all vertical categories (SC/ST/OBC/General). Both certificates must be uploaded during online application.
Q7. Can I modify my application after submission?
No. Applications submitted for Karnataka High Court Group D 2026 cannot be withdrawn or modified under any circumstances after submission. If a candidate submits multiple applications for the same post, only the last submitted application is considered. Carefully verify all details, documents uploaded, fee payment, and category details before clicking the final submit button. Do not rush the application.
Q8. What is the pay scale for Karnataka High Court Group D posts?
Level-2 (₹19,900–₹63,200 per month) applies to: Peon, Watchman, Sweeper, Peon (House Keeping), Assistant Binder, and Dhobi. Level-3 (₹21,700–₹69,100 per month) applies to: Lift Attender and Tailor. Both pay levels are as per the 7th Pay Commission. In addition, selected candidates receive DA, HRA, and other allowances applicable as per the High Court of Karnataka (Officers & Officials) Revised Pay Rules and Karnataka Government norms. These are permanent government posts with pension benefits.
Q9. What does “subject to writ petitions” mean in this recruitment?
The official notification mentions that this recruitment is subject to the final outcome of Writ Petition Nos. 200448/2025, 17968/2025, and 3145/2023 pending before the High Court of Karnataka. This means that if any of these writ petitions result in a court order that stops or modifies the recruitment, the process could be halted or altered. Candidates should be aware of this, apply normally, and monitor judiciary.karnataka.gov.in for any corrigendum or stay orders. This is standard language for Karnataka High Court recruitments and should not deter eligible candidates from applying.
Q10. Are women given preference in Karnataka High Court Group D 2026?
Yes — women have a strong reservation advantage. Approximately 28 out of 85 Peon/Watchman/Sweeper/HK Peon posts (about 33%) under RPC are reserved for women candidates as horizontal reservation, as per Karnataka Government rules. This is the largest horizontal reservation category in this recruitment. Women candidates who meet the educational qualification (10th pass) and age criteria should particularly note this — the competition for women’s reserved seats is from women candidates only, significantly improving selection odds.
11. Official Links
Apply only at judiciary.karnataka.gov.in — separate links for RPC and KKR
- Download Karnataka HC Group D Notification HCRB 8/2025 (RPC) — Official Gazette PDF — https://judiciary.karnataka.gov.in/common_folder/notification//GROUP-D%20GAZETTE2026.pdf
- Apply Online — judiciary.karnataka.gov.in → Recruitment → HCRB 8/2025 (RPC) — Last Date: 21 May 2026 — https://judiciary.karnataka.gov.in
- Apply Online — KKR Posts — judiciary.karnataka.gov.in → Recruitment → HCRB 9/2025 (KKR) — Last Date: 21 May 2026 — https://judiciary.karnataka.gov.in
Last-Minute Checklist Before Applying:
- 10th marks card ready to upload — your SSLC percentage determines your merit rank and shortlisting for interview; ensure marks card is clear and legible
- Experience certificates for Lift Attender, Binder, Tailor, Dhobi — cannot be uploaded after submission; get them ready before you start the application
- Rural / Kannada Medium certificates — if claiming these horizontal reservations, get the BEO-countersigned certificate or Kannada Medium certificate arranged
- KKR candidates: Article 371(J) certificate must be issued by competent authority before 21 May 2026 — do not wait until the last day
- Writ petition awareness: Monitor judiciary.karnataka.gov.in for any corrigendum or court orders that may affect this recruitment
- Separate applications for RPC and KKR — each needs its own registration, form filling, document upload, and fee payment
- No changes after submission — double-check everything including category, post applied for, and uploaded documents before clicking Submit
Leave a Comment