Advt. No. 09/2026 • PSSSB Punjab • 170 ADA Posts • Apply: 30 Apr–20 May 2026
PSSSB ADA Recruitment 2026 — 170 Posts Assistant District Attorney (Sahayak Zila Attorney) • Department of Home Affairs & Justice, Punjab • LLB + 2 Years Bar Practice • Apply Online 30 April–20 May 2026 • sssb.punjab.gov.in
📋 Advt. No. 09/2026 — 170 ADA Posts
📍 Punjab Justice Department
📅 Apply: 30 April–20 May 2026
⚠ Last Date: 20 May 2026
👦 56 Posts Reserved for Women
💰 Pay Level-6 ₹35,400/month
⚖ LLB + 2 Years Bar Practice
📋 120 Q | 480 Marks | OMR
📋
170
ADA Posts
🚫
20 May
Last Date
👦
56
Women Reserved
📋
120 Q
480 Marks OMR
💰
₹35.4K
Starting Pay
01
Recruitment Overview
Verified from PSSSB Advt. No. 09 of 2026 — Department of Home Affairs & Justice, Punjab
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board (PSSSB / SSSB Punjab) |
| Advertisement No. | 09 of 2026 |
| Notification Date | 23 April 2026 (short notice) | Detailed notification: 24 April 2026 |
| Post Name | Assistant District Attorney (ADA) — Sahayak Zila Attorney (ਸਹਾਇਕ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਾ ਅਟਾਰਨੀ) |
| Department | Department of Home Affairs & Justice, Government of Punjab |
| Post Group | Group B (Gazetted) |
| Total Vacancies | 170 posts (including backlog vacancies) |
| Women Reserved | 56 posts reserved for women candidates |
| Pay Scale | Pay Level-6 (7th CPC): ₹35,400–₹1,12,400 per month + DA, HRA, TA, and other Punjab Govt allowances |
| Educational Qualification | LLB (Professional Degree) from recognised university + minimum 2 years Bar practice after enrolment |
| Age Limit | 18–37 years as on 01 January 2026 |
| Application Opens | 30 April 2026 |
| Application Closes | 20 May 2026 |
| Correction Window | No correction allowed after final submission — verify all details before submitting |
| Eligibility Cutoff Date | 20 May 2026 (last date — all qualifications must be fulfilled by this date) |
| Selection Process | Written Competitive Examination (OMR) → Document Verification → Medical |
| Interview | No interview — merit based on written exam only |
| Official Website | sssb.punjab.gov.in |
02
Important Dates
Apply from 30 April — last date 20 May 2026 — no correction after submission
📣PSSSB ADA Recruitment 2026 Short Notice Released — Advt. No. 09 of 2026 published at sssb.punjab.gov.in23 April 2026
🟢Online Application Portal Opens at sssb.punjab.gov.in → Online Applications → Advt. 09/202630 April 2026
🚫Last Date to Submit Online Application & Pay Fee
Eligibility cutoff date — all qualifications (LLB, 2 yrs Bar practice, Punjabi Matric) must be fulfilled by this date20 May 2026
Eligibility cutoff date — all qualifications (LLB, 2 yrs Bar practice, Punjabi Matric) must be fulfilled by this date20 May 2026
💻Written Competitive Examination (OMR-based) — 120 questions, 480 marks, 2 hours — Law subjects + Legal Glossary PunjabiTo Be Announced
📋Document Verification + Medical Examination — Final stages before appointmentAfter Written Exam
⚠ No correction window — once the application is submitted, no modification is permitted. Verify all personal details, qualification dates, Bar enrolment number, and category information carefully before clicking submit.
03
Vacancy Distribution — 170 Posts
Group B posts — 56 reserved for women — all categories as per Punjab reservation policy
| Category | Vacancies | Note |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | As per Punjab norms | Open to all eligible candidates |
| Scheduled Caste — Mazhabi & Balmiki | As per Punjab norms | Punjab domicile certificate required for reservation |
| Scheduled Caste — Ramdasia & Others | As per Punjab norms | Punjab domicile certificate required for reservation |
| Backward Class (BC) | As per Punjab norms | Non-Creamy Layer certificate required |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) | As per Punjab norms | Valid EWS certificate from Punjab authority |
| Ex-Servicemen & Dependents | As per Punjab norms | Horizontal reservation across all categories |
| Sports Persons | As per Punjab norms | Horizontal reservation across all categories |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | As per Punjab norms | Horizontal reservation; age relaxation up to 47 yrs |
| Women Reserved Posts | 56 out of 170 | Reserved for women candidates across all categories |
| Total | 170 Posts | Including backlog vacancies |
| Category-wise detailed breakup is available in the official notification PDF at sssb.punjab.gov.in → Advt. No. 09/2026. Reservation benefits are available ONLY to candidates domiciled in Punjab who produce a valid Domicile/Residence Certificate not older than 5 years. Candidates from other states will be treated as general category candidates. | ||
04
Eligibility Criteria
LLB + 2 years Bar practice + Punjabi Matric + Punjab Domicile — all by 20 May 2026
Educational Qualification (any one of the following):
⚖ LLB + 2 Years Bar Practice — Both Mandatory
- Option 1: Bachelor of Laws (LLB) — Professional Degree from a University or Institution recognised by the Bar Council of India, with minimum 2 years of active practice at the Bar after enrolment as an Advocate
- Option 2: Barrister of England or Ireland, or a member of Faculty of Advocates of Scotland, who is eligible for enrolment as an Advocate under the Advocates Act, 1961 — with 2 years Bar practice
- Punjabi Language: Must have passed Matriculation (10th) examination with Punjabi as a compulsory or elective subject, or any other equivalent examination, as per Rule 17 of Punjab Civil Services (General and Common Conditions of Service) Rules, 1994
- All qualifications cutoff: Must be fulfilled on or before 20 May 2026 (last date of application) as per Punjab Government Notification No. G.S.R.7/Const./Art.309/Amd.(23)/2026 dated 21.01.2026
- Punjab Domicile: Domicile/Residence Certificate of Punjab (not older than 5 years) is mandatory for ALL candidates claiming reservation benefits. Male or female, all reserved category candidates must produce this.
Age Limit (as on 01 January 2026):
| Category | Maximum Age | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 37 years | No relaxation (Min 18 years) |
| SC / BC (Punjab) | 42 years | +5 years over General |
| Government Employees (Punjab) | 45 years | +8 years over General |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | 47 years | +10 years over General |
| Age cutoff date: 01 January 2026. Age relaxation for Ex-Servicemen as per Punjab Government rules. Candidates who are regular employees of any Punjab Government department/board/corporation have a relaxed upper age limit of 45 years, subject to production of relevant service certificate. | ||
05
Application Fee
Non-refundable — no exemption for any category — pay online only at sssb.punjab.gov.in
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Freedom Fighter / Sports Persons | ₹1,500/- |
| SC / BC (Punjab) | ₹750/- |
| Ex-Servicemen & Dependents | ₹200/- |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | ₹500/- |
| Fee is non-refundable under any circumstances. No fee exemption for any category — all candidates must pay. Incomplete fee payment will result in rejection of the application. Payment is online through the sssb.punjab.gov.in portal. There is no correction window — submit only after verifying all details. | |
06
Pay Scale & Benefits
Pay Level-6 ₹35,400–₹1,12,400 — DA, HRA, TA + pension and medical benefits
07
Written Exam Pattern — PSSSB ADA 2026
120 MCQ | 480 marks | 2 hours | OMR offline | +4 correct | –1 wrong | English medium
Part A — Must Qualify First
Law Subjects (BNS, BNSS, BSA, IPC, CrPC, Evidence Act, CPC, Constitutional Law + 4 new Acts)
400
Marks (100 Questions × 4 marks each)
Questions100 MCQs
Marks per Q4 marks
Negative Marking–1 per wrong
Min. QualifyingGeneral: 40% | SC/BC Punjab: 35%
NatureMust qualify — then Part B evaluated
MediumEnglish only
Part B — Merit-Based
Legal Glossary in Punjabi — Including Revenue Terms (Jamabandi, Khasra, Mutation etc.)
80
Marks (20 Questions × 4 marks each)
Questions20 MCQs
Marks per Q4 marks
Negative Marking–1 per wrong
Min. QualifyingGeneral: 40% | SC/BC Punjab: 35%
NatureMerit-based — counts in final selection
ContentLegal Glossary in Punjabi + Revenue Terms
PSSSB ADA 2026 — Marks Calculation Formula
Score = (Correct Answers × 4) — (Wrong Answers × 1)
120 Questions | 480 Maximum Marks | 2 Hours | Offline OMR | English Medium | No Interview
| Component | Part A | Part B | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Questions | 100 | 20 | 120 |
| Marks | 400 | 80 | 480 |
| Marks per Question | 4 | 4 | — |
| Negative Marking | –1 per wrong | –1 per wrong | — |
| Nature | Qualifying (qualify first) | Merit-based | — |
| Min. Qualifying (General) | 40% = 160 marks | 40% = 32 marks | — |
| Min. Qualifying (SC/BC Punjab) | 35% = 140 marks | 35% = 28 marks | — |
| Duration | 2 hours total (composite) — Offline OMR mode — English medium — No sectional timer | ||
| Part A (Law) must be qualified first — candidates who do not clear the Part A qualifying marks are not considered for Part B evaluation or final merit. Part B (Legal Glossary Punjabi) marks count in the final merit list. No interview — final merit is based solely on combined written exam performance. Tie-break: (1) older candidate first, (2) higher LLB marks. | |||
08
PSSSB ADA 2026 Syllabus — Updated for 2026
BNS, BNSS, BSA newly added — 4 new Acts added for first time — Legal Glossary Punjabi in Part B
Part A — Law Subjects (100 Questions, 400 Marks):
🔴 BNS — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (NEW)
🔴 BNSS — Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (NEW)
🔴 BSA — Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (NEW)
CrPC — Code of Criminal Procedure
IPC — Indian Penal Code
Indian Evidence Act
CPC — Code of Civil Procedure
Constitutional Law
🔴 IT Act (NEW)
🔴 Punjab Excise Act (NEW)
🔴 Prevention of Corruption Act (NEW)
🔴 Prevention of Damage to Property Act (NEW)
Part B — Legal Glossary in Punjabi (20 Questions, 80 Marks):
📄 Part B — Legal Glossary in Punjabi (Including Revenue Terms)
- Legal terminology in Punjabi — including legal and judicial terms used in Punjab courts and official proceedings
- Revenue terminology in Punjabi — including key terms like: Jamabandi (land records/register), Khasra (field numbers in land records), Mutation / Intiqal (transfer of ownership in revenue records), Girdawari (crop inspection), Tatima (location sketch), Shajra Nasb (genealogical tree), and other common revenue/patwari terms used in Punjab
- Candidates who have practised in district courts or rural areas of Punjab and are familiar with Punjabi revenue terminology will have a natural advantage in Part B
⚠ 2026 Syllabus Major Updates — Know Before You Prepare
- Three completely new criminal laws added: BNS (replaces IPC), BNSS (replaces CrPC), and BSA (replaces Indian Evidence Act) are all in the 2026 syllabus alongside the older laws. This is a significant change from previous ADA cycles.
- Four new Acts added for the first time: IT Act, Punjab Excise Act, Prevention of Corruption Act, and Prevention of Damage to Property Act are new inclusions in the 2026 ADA syllabus — they were not part of earlier cycles.
- Preparation strategy: Do not rely on previous years' question papers alone — many topics are new. Get updated study material for BNS, BNSS, and BSA. Compare provisions with IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act to understand changes.
09
Selection Process — No Interview
Written exam → Document Verification → Medical — merit based on written marks only
| Stage | Component | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Written Competitive Examination — 120 MCQ, 480 marks, OMR offline, 2 hours | Part A (Law, 100Q) + Part B (Legal Glossary Punjabi, 20Q) | Merit-based ★ — Final selection rank based on this |
| Stage 2 | Document Verification — originals of LLB, Bar enrolment, 2-year practice certificate, Punjabi Matric, domicile, category certificate etc. | Qualifying — Must pass to proceed |
| Stage 3 | Medical Examination — fitness test as per Punjab Govt norms for Group B gazetted post | Qualifying — Must pass for final appointment |
| No interview. Final merit list = combined marks of Part A + Part B of the Written Competitive Examination. Tie-break rule: (1) older candidate (DoB) first; (2) if still tied, candidate with higher LLB marks ranks higher. | ||
10
How to Apply Online
sssb.punjab.gov.in — Register → Fill form → Upload docs → Pay fee → Submit by 20 May 2026
1
Visit sssb.punjab.gov.in → Online Applications
Go to sssb.punjab.gov.in and click on "Online Applications". Find Advertisement No. 09 of 2026 — Assistant District Attorney under Live Exams. If not yet registered, click "New Registration" and create your account using a valid Email ID — this generates your User ID and Password. Keep your credentials secure.
2
Fill Application Form — Personal, Legal & Educational Details
After logging in, open the ADA 2026 application. Fill in: personal details, date of birth, category, LLB degree details (university, year, marks), Bar Council enrolment number and date, 2-year practice start and end date, Punjabi Matric details (board, year, pass/fail), domicile certificate details, and contact information. Every detail must match your original documents — no correction is allowed after submission.
3
Upload Documents
Upload scanned copies of: Passport-size photograph (recent, JPEG), Scanned signature (JPEG), 10th Matric certificate (for Punjabi language proof), LLB degree certificate, Bar Council enrolment certificate, 2-year Bar practice certificate from the court or Bar Association, Category certificate (SC/BC/EWS — must be current/non-creamy layer), Domicile/Residence Certificate of Punjab (not older than 5 years), Aadhaar card. File formats and size limits are specified on the portal.
4
Pay Application Fee Online
Proceed to fee payment: General/Freedom Fighter/Sports: ₹1,500; SC/BC Punjab: ₹750; Ex-Servicemen/Dependents: ₹200; PwD: ₹500. Pay online through the portal using Net Banking, UPI, or Debit/Credit card. Save the payment receipt/transaction ID. Fee is non-refundable — no exemption for any category.
5
Preview, Submit & Save Confirmation — Before 20 May 2026
Review every detail in the application preview — personal information, LLB details, Bar enrolment and practice period, category, uploaded documents. Once satisfied, click "Final Submit". Download and save the confirmation/acknowledgement page — this is proof of submission. Note: There is NO correction window — any mistake in the submitted application cannot be rectified. Apply well before 20 May to avoid last-minute portal issues.
sssb.punjab.gov.in — official portal only
No correction after submission — double-check everything
Upload LLB + Bar enrolment + practice certificate
Punjab Domicile Certificate (≤5 years old) mandatory
Last date: 20 May 2026
11
Frequently Asked Questions
Complete Q&A — PSSSB ADA Recruitment 2026 (Advt. No. 09/2026)
What is the PSSSB ADA Recruitment 2026?+
PSSSB ADA Recruitment 2026 is a state-level recruitment by the Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board (SSSB Punjab) under Advertisement No. 09 of 2026 to fill 170 Group-B posts of Assistant District Attorney (ADA) / Sahayak Zila Attorney in the Department of Home Affairs and Justice, Government of Punjab. The notification was released on 23 April 2026. Online applications are accepted from 30 April to 20 May 2026 at sssb.punjab.gov.in.
What is the eligibility for PSSSB ADA 2026?+
Three mandatory conditions must all be fulfilled: (1) LLB (Professional Degree) from a recognised university or institution, (2) Minimum 2 years of active practice at the Bar after enrolment as an Advocate (not internship/training — actual court practice), (3) Punjabi language passed at Matriculation level (as compulsory or elective subject). Additionally, all qualifications must be completed on or before 20 May 2026 (the last date). Punjab Domicile Certificate (not older than 5 years) is mandatory for all reservation-claiming candidates.
I completed LLB but have only 1 year of Bar practice — am I eligible?+
No. A minimum of 2 years of active practice at the Bar after enrolment is a mandatory eligibility condition — not desirable. If you have less than 2 years of Bar practice as on 20 May 2026, you are not eligible to apply. The 2-year practice period must be completed after formal enrolment as an Advocate with the Bar Council — internships, pupillage, or legal assistance work before enrolment does not count.
What is the exam pattern for PSSSB ADA 2026?+
Written Competitive Examination: 120 MCQ questions for 480 marks in 2 hours, offline OMR mode, English medium. Part A: 100 questions, 400 marks — Law subjects (BNS, BNSS, BSA, CrPC, IPC, Evidence Act, CPC, Constitutional Law, IT Act, Punjab Excise Act, Prevention of Corruption Act, Prevention of Damage to Property Act). Part B: 20 questions, 80 marks — Legal Glossary in Punjabi including Revenue Terms. Each correct answer: +4 marks; each wrong answer: –1 mark. Part A qualifying marks: General 40%, SC/BC Punjab 35%. No interview — merit based on written exam only.
What new laws are in the PSSSB ADA 2026 syllabus?+
The 2026 ADA syllabus has major updates. The three new criminal laws effective from July 2024 — BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) replacing IPC, BNSS (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita) replacing CrPC, and BSA (Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam) replacing the Indian Evidence Act — have been added. These appear alongside the older laws (IPC, CrPC, Evidence Act still in syllabus). Four entirely new Acts added for the first time: IT Act, Punjab Excise Act, Prevention of Corruption Act, and Prevention of Damage to Property Act. This is a significant departure from previous cycles.
Is there an interview in PSSSB ADA Recruitment 2026?+
No interview. The selection process for PSSSB ADA 2026 has only three stages: (1) Written Competitive Examination (OMR-based, 120Q, 480 marks), (2) Document Verification, and (3) Medical Examination. The final merit list is prepared solely on the basis of marks obtained in the written competitive examination — DV and Medical are qualifying stages. This means maximising your written exam score is the only way to secure selection.
What is the application fee for PSSSB ADA 2026 and who is exempted?+
Application fee: General/Freedom Fighter/Sports: ₹1,500; SC/BC Punjab: ₹750; Ex-Servicemen/Dependents: ₹200; PwD: ₹500. No fee exemption for any category — all candidates must pay the applicable fee. Fee is non-refundable under all circumstances. Incomplete fee payment results in rejection of the application. Payment is online only.
What is the Punjab Domicile requirement for PSSSB ADA 2026?+
A Domicile/Residence Certificate of Punjab not older than 5 years is mandatory for all candidates claiming reservation benefits (SC, BC, EWS, Ex-SM, PwD, women reservation etc.). Candidates from other states who do not have Punjab domicile will be considered as general category candidates — they are still eligible to apply but will not get reservation benefits. The domicile certificate must be issued by the competent authority of Punjab.
Can I make corrections after submitting the PSSSB ADA 2026 application?+
No. PSSSB ADA Recruitment 2026 has no correction window after final submission. Once the application is submitted and fee is paid, no modification is permitted. This is unlike SSC or UPSC exams that provide a correction window. If you submit wrong information, your application cannot be amended. Carefully verify all details — especially Bar enrolment number, practice period dates, category, and uploaded documents — before clicking "Final Submit".
How are ties broken in PSSSB ADA merit list 2026?+
If two or more candidates score equal marks in the PSSSB ADA written examination, the tie is resolved as: First preference: older candidate (by date of birth — senior candidate gets priority). Second preference (if DoB also same): higher LLB marks. This tie-breaking mechanism is specified in the PSSSB ADA recruitment rules and applies across all categories.
12
Official Links — PSSSB ADA 2026
Apply only at sssb.punjab.gov.in — download notification PDF before applying
📄 Official PSSSB ADA 2026 Links
📄 Download PSSSB ADA Official Notification PDF — Advt. No. 09 of 2026 — sssb.punjab.gov.in
🔗 Apply Online — sssb.punjab.gov.in → Online Applications → Advt. 09/2026 (Open 30 April–20 May 2026)
📋 PSSSB Official Website — sssb.punjab.gov.in — All updates: exam date, admit card, result, merit list
⚖ About the Post — Role of an Assistant District Attorney in Punjab
The Assistant District Attorney (ADA) is a Group-B Gazetted officer in the Department of Home Affairs and Justice, Government of Punjab. ADAs represent the State of Punjab in criminal courts at the district and sessions level, arguing on behalf of the prosecution in criminal trials. They work alongside the District Attorney and Senior Additional District Attorney, assisting in cases under the IPC (now BNS), CrPC (now BNSS), Punjab Excise Act, NDPS Act, and other criminal statutes. Knowledge of local Punjabi legal terminology (Part B syllabus) is essential because much of the court record, revenue documentation, and evidence in Punjab district courts is in Punjabi. ADAs also provide legal opinions to district administration on criminal matters. This is a prestigious gazetted post in the Punjab Law Department with stable career growth prospects within the state prosecution services.
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Chandan Kumar is the founder of Jobtheta.com, a platform focused on providing the latest government job updates, results, admit cards, and career guidance for aspirants across India.
With a strong interest in recruitment trends and exam processes, he regularly publishes well-structured articles covering railway, SSC, banking, and apprenticeship opportunities. His content focuses on delivering accurate information along with practical guidance such as document verification tips, selection process breakdowns, and application support.
Through Jobtheta, his goal is to simplify complex job notifications and help candidates make better decisions during their preparation and application journey.
With a strong interest in recruitment trends and exam processes, he regularly publishes well-structured articles covering railway, SSC, banking, and apprenticeship opportunities. His content focuses on delivering accurate information along with practical guidance such as document verification tips, selection process breakdowns, and application support.
Through Jobtheta, his goal is to simplify complex job notifications and help candidates make better decisions during their preparation and application journey.
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