Karnataka High Court SDA Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 18 Second Division Assistant Posts

Karnataka High Court SDA Recruitment 2026

The High Court of Karnataka, Bengaluru, has released Notification No. HCRB/SDA-4/2026 (RPC) dated 11 August 2026 inviting online applications for the post of Second Division Assistant (SDA) under the Residual Parent Cadre, on Direct Recruitment basis. A total of 18 vacancies are on offer. This article covers the complete category-wise vacancy details, eligibility criteria, age limit, pay scale, application fee, selection process and how to apply for the Karnataka High Court SDA Recruitment 2026.

Karnataka High Court SDA Recruitment 2026 – Overview

Important Dates

Vacancy Details

A total of 18 Second Division Assistant posts are advertised under the Residual Parent Cadre, distributed across reservation categories as per applicable Government of Karnataka orders. The category-wise vacancy classification is given below.

Within the General Merit category, horizontal reservation is applicable for Women (3), Rural candidates (3) and Kannada Medium students (1), along with 1 post reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability under Horizontal Reservation Point No. 4 (Blindness and Low Vision). The classification of vacancies has been made based on Government Orders dated 08.05.2026, 13.05.2026, 25.05.2026 and 08.03.2023, along with the PwBD identification order dated 25.09.2020.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification: A Degree in Science/Arts/Commerce/Business Management/Computer Applications/Business Administration from a recognized University, with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate for General Category and Other Backward Category candidates, and a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates. Candidates must also possess knowledge of computer operation.

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Age Limit

Minimum age: 18 years. The maximum age limit varies by category, as given below.

*A 5-year relaxation is provided to all categories of candidates as a one-time measure, as per Government Order No. DPAR 262 SeNeNi 2025 dated 29 January 2026.

Application Fee

The application fee must be paid only through the State Bank of India online payment gateway via Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card or UPI, using the link provided in the online application. Applications submitted without fee payment will be rejected, and the fee, once paid, is non-refundable under any circumstances.

Selection Process

Selection is made in accordance with the High Court of Karnataka Service (Conditions of Service and Recruitment) Rules, 1973, and the High Court of Karnataka Service (Direct Recruitment by Selection) Rules, 1984, as amended. Selection to the post of Second Division Assistant will be based on a Competitive Test (90 minutes duration) followed by an Interview, as detailed below.

Candidates will be called for the Competitive Test based on the percentage of marks secured in the qualifying examination, in the order of merit, in a ratio of 1:10 (10 candidates per notified vacancy) within each reserved category. Successful candidates in the Competitive Test will then be called for interview in a ratio of 1:5 (5 candidates per notified vacancy) within each reserved category. If two or more candidates secure equal percentage of marks in the qualifying examination, the order of merit will be fixed based on age, with the older candidate placed higher. Selected candidates will be on probation for an initial period of 2 years, extendable if necessary, and may be posted at the Principal Bench in Bengaluru or the Benches at Dharwad and Kalaburagi.

How to Apply

1. Visit the official website of the High Court of Karnataka at judiciary.karnataka.gov.in and locate the online application link for Notification No. HCRB/SDA-4/2026 (RPC).
2. Read all instructions carefully before starting; applications with incorrect, false or incomplete information are liable to be rejected.
3. Candidates claiming multiple reservations should submit only one application, mentioning all claimed reservations in that single application.
4. Furnish a valid mobile number and email ID compulsorily, as all communication will be sent to these details.
5. Upload a recent colour photograph (5cm x 3.6cm, max 50KB, JPG format, white background, without signature) and a scanned signature in black ball-point pen (2.5cm x 7.5cm, max 25KB, JPG format).
6. Pay the prescribed application fee online through the SBI payment gateway, and download and retain a copy of the submitted application and fee payment receipt.
7. Submit the completed application on or before 11 September 2026, 11:59 PM. Candidates are advised to apply well in advance to avoid last-minute rush.

Important Instructions

• Applications submitted through any mode other than the online system will not be considered under any circumstances.
• Candidates currently employed in Central/State Government or a Public Sector Undertaking must correctly indicate their in-service status and, if selected, produce a No Objection Certificate as per Rule 11 of the Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977.
• Candidates claiming reservation must possess certificates issued by the competent authority on or before the last date of application; the Caste and Income certificate must have been obtained specifically for employment purposes, not for education or scheme benefits.
• Candidates claiming Rural Candidate reservation under General Merit must possess a certificate in Form-2 along with Form-1.
• Data furnished in the online application regarding caste/reservation will be treated as final, and requests for modification will not be entertained under any circumstances.
• Candidates must appear for the Competitive Test/Interview at their own cost; merely attending does not confer any right to appointment.
• Any attempt to obtain extraneous support for candidature from officials or non-officials will lead to disqualification.
• False, incomplete or incorrect information found at any stage, even after appointment, will lead to cancellation/termination and may attract criminal prosecution.

About the Post

The Second Division Assistant is a foundational clerical cadre post within the High Court of Karnataka’s administrative establishment, responsible for case-related documentation, record maintenance, correspondence and general office support functions across the Principal Bench and its Benches. Recruitment under the “Residual Parent Cadre” specifically refers to filling vacant SDA posts that remain within the High Court’s own parent establishment cadre, as distinct from posts attached to subordinate district and taluk courts, which are filled through separate recruitment drives conducted by individual District Courts. For graduates seeking a stable, pensionable Karnataka State Government career within the judicial administrative stream, an SDA post at the High Court of Karnataka offers a structured pay-scale, defined promotional avenues within the court’s clerical hierarchy, and the opportunity to work directly within one of India’s premier constitutional courts.

Why the Competitive Test Structure Matters

The selection scheme for this recruitment places significant weight on written communication skills in both English and Kannada, rather than relying solely on multiple-choice questions. The English Essay and the Kannada-to-English Translation components together account for 60 of the 100 total marks, reflecting the fact that a Second Division Assistant’s daily responsibilities at the High Court involve drafting correspondence, translating case-related documents, and maintaining records that must be precise in both languages. Candidates preparing for this exam are therefore advised to practise structured essay writing on contemporary and administrative topics, alongside translation exercises that preserve legal and procedural terminology accurately between Kannada and English, since even strong general knowledge scores cannot compensate for weak performance in the two 30-mark language sections.

The two-stage funnel – a 1:10 shortlisting ratio for the Competitive Test followed by a tighter 1:5 ratio for the Interview – means that a candidate’s percentage in the qualifying degree examination matters at the very first stage, even before the Competitive Test begins. Candidates from Category-II(B), which carries 3 of the 18 notified vacancies, and General Merit, which carries 9 vacancies including horizontal reservations for Women, Rural and Kannada Medium candidates, form the two largest applicant pools this cycle, so competition within these categories is expected to be higher than in categories with a single vacancy such as SC-A, SC-B, SC-C, ST and Category-I.

Important Links

• Notification PDF
• Official Website
• NaukriPatra App
• WhatsApp Channel
• Telegram Channel

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many total posts are advertised in Karnataka High Court SDA Recruitment 2026?

18 posts of Second Division Assistant under the Residual Parent Cadre.

2. What is the last date to apply online?

11 September 2026, till 11:59 PM. Online applications commenced from 13 August 2026.

3. What is the minimum educational qualification required?

A Degree in Science/Arts/Commerce/Business Management/Computer Applications/Business Administration with 55% marks (General/OBC) or 50% marks (SC/ST), plus knowledge of computer operation.

4. What is the maximum age limit for General Merit candidates?

35 + 5 years (including the one-time 5-year relaxation as per Government Order dated 29 January 2026).

5. What is the application fee?

Rs.350/- for General Merit and OBC categories; Rs.200/- for SC/ST/Category-I OBC/PwBD candidates.

6. What is the pay scale for Second Division Assistant?

Rs.25,500 – Rs.81,100/- (Level-4), with admissible allowances.

7. What is the selection process?

A Competitive Test of 100 marks (English Essay, Kannada-to-English Translation, General Knowledge) followed by a 20-mark Interview; minimum 60 marks required overall to qualify.

8. Where can selected candidates be posted?

At the High Court of Karnataka’s Principal Bench in Bengaluru, or the Benches at Dharwad and Kalaburagi.

9. What is the probation period?

2 years initially, extendable if necessary.

10. Is there a No Objection Certificate requirement?

Yes, candidates currently employed in Central/State Government or a PSU must indicate their in-service status correctly and, if selected, produce an NOC as per the applicable Karnataka Civil Services Rules.