The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has issued an official notification for a significant recruitment drive, announcing 286 vacancies for the positions of Civil Judge (Junior Division) and Judicial Magistrate (First Class).
Law graduates seeking a career in the Maharashtra judiciary can submit their applications through the commission’s online portal. The application window opens on 1 May 2026, with a final submission deadline of 21 May 2026. Comprehensive details regarding eligibility requirements, age restrictions, the selection procedure, and the application process are outlined below.
Recruitment Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Organising Body | Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) |
| Position | Civil Judge (Junior Division) & Judicial Magistrate (First Class) |
| Total Vacancies | 286 |
| Application Method | Online |
| Job Location | Maharashtra, India |
| Official Website | mpsconline.gov.in |
Important Dates
Prospective candidates are advised to adhere to the following schedule established by the MPSC:
- Online Application Commencement: 1 May 2026 (from 14:00 hours)
- Application Deadline: 21 May 2026 (up to 23:59 hours)
- Final Date for Online Fee Payment: 21 May 2026
- Deadline to Generate Offline SBI Challan: 23 May 2026
- Final Date for Offline Fee Payment: 25 May 2026
- Preliminary Examination Date: 2 August 2026 (Sunday)
Vacancy Details
According to the official advertisement (Advt. No. 013/2026), the commission aims to fill a total of 286 vacancies for the Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate posts. The exact number of vacancies remains subject to potential revisions based on state government directives.
Eligibility Criteria for MPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026
Applicants must satisfy specific educational, professional, and age-related prerequisites to be considered for the position.
Educational Qualification and Experience
All candidates must possess a recognised Degree in Law (LLB). Further requirements vary based on the applicant’s current professional status:
- Advocates and Public Prosecutors: Candidates must possess a minimum of three years of active legal practice at the High Court of Bombay or its subordinate courts. This experience must be completed by the cut-off date of 30 April 2026.
- Ministerial Staff: Applicants must have a minimum of three years of service experience following the completion of their law degree.
- Linguistic Proficiency: A fundamental requirement for all applicants is the ability to speak, read, and write fluently in Marathi. Candidates must also be capable of translating text from English to Marathi and vice versa.
Age Restrictions (As of 30 April 2026)
For Advocates/Public Prosecutors:
- Minimum Age: 21 Years
- Maximum Age (Unreserved Category): 35 Years
- Maximum Age (Reserved/PWD Categories): 40 Years
For Ministerial Staff:
- Minimum Age: 21 Years
- Maximum Age (Unreserved Category): 45 Years
- Maximum Age (Reserved/PWD Categories): 50 Years
Application Fees
Applicants are required to remit an application fee based on their respective categories. Payment can be processed either online or offline via an SBI Challan.
- Unreserved (General) Category: Rs. 394/-
- Reserved / PWD / Orphan Categories: Rs. 294/-
(Note: Additional bank charges may apply. All fees are non-refundable.)
Selection Procedure
The MPSC will evaluate candidates through a three-stage selection process:
- Preliminary Examination: 100 Marks (Objective Multiple Choice format)
- Main Examination: 200 Marks (Descriptive format)
- Personal Interview: 50 Marks
Examination Pattern and Syllabus for MPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026
The commission has detailed the structure and syllabus for the initial phases of the examination:
1. Preliminary Examination
- Total Marks: 100
- Medium of Instruction: English
- Format: Objective Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Core Subject Areas: Code of Criminal Procedure, Civil Procedure Code, Evidence Act, Transfer of Property Act, Specific Relief Act, Maharashtra Rent Control Act, Limitation Act, Constitution of India, Indian Penal Code, Law of Contracts, Sale of Goods Act, Partnership Act, Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023, and Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita 2023.
2. Main Examination
- Total Marks: 200 (divided into two papers of 100 marks each)
- Medium of Instruction: Marathi and English
- Format: Conventional (Descriptive written examination)
Remuneration
Successful candidates appointed to the position will be placed under the state government’s Pay Matrix Level J-1.
- Basic Pay Scale: Rs. 77,840/- (Additional state allowances will be provided as per prevailing regulations).
Application Process
Candidates must follow the standard online procedure to lodge their applications:
- Navigate to the official MPSC application portal at mpsconline.gov.in.
- New users must create a profile by selecting the ‘User Registration’ option.
- Once logged in, candidates must update their profiles with relevant educational qualifications, professional experience, and personal details.
- Locate the listing for the “Civil Judge Junior Division and Judicial Magistrate First Class Examination 2024” and select ‘Apply’.
- Upload the necessary documentation, including a recent photograph, signature, educational certificates, and experience records (files must be in PDF format, sized between 50KB and 500KB).
- Process the requisite application fee based on the applicable category.
- Review all entered information carefully before submitting the final application. It is advisable to retain a printed copy of the confirmation page for future reference.
Official Links
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Direct Application Portal: Apply Online Here
- Official MPSC Website
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the final deadline to apply for the MPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026? The closing date for online application submissions is 21 May 2026.
Q2: How many vacancies have been announced in this recruitment cycle? The commission has notified a total of 286 vacancies for the Civil Judge position.
Q3: What are the primary qualifications required for this post? Applicants must hold an LLB degree. Additionally, practising advocates must have three years of experience, and all candidates must be highly proficient in the Marathi language.
Q4: When is the Preliminary Examination scheduled? According to the official notification, the preliminary examination is slated for 2 August 2026.
Q5: What are the age limits for applicants? For practicing advocates, the age limit is set between 21 and 35 years for unreserved categories. Age relaxations apply for reserved categories in accordance with state regulations.
