High Court of Judicature at Patna
Last Date: 27.08.2026

The High Court of Judicature at Patna has opened its Ex-Cadre Assistant cadre for direct recruitment, inviting applications for 68 Group-C posts under Advertisement No. PHC/03/2026. Online applications began on 28 July 2026 and will close on 27 August 2026. Selected candidates will receive pay in Level-4 of the 7th Pay Revision Commission matrix, ranging from ₹25,500 to ₹81,100 a month.

Patna High Court Assistant Recruitment 2026: Quick Overview

Patna High Court Assistant Recruitment 2026: Quick Intro

The High Court of Judicature at Patna is the highest judicial authority in Bihar. It conducts recruitment for various posts in its own establishment through separate recruitment notifications. This Patna High Court Assistant Recruitment 2026 has been announced under Advertisement No. PHC/03/2026, dated 23 July 2026 and a total of 68 Ex-Cadre Assistant (Group-C) vacancies have been notified. The selected candidates will be placed in Pay Level-4 under the 7th Pay Revision Commission and will be appointed in the establishment of the Patna High Court. This recruitment is only for the High Court and doesn't include appointments in the district or subordinate courts of Bihar.

The Ex-Cadre Assistant post has been filled through direct recruitment by the Patna High Court in the past as well and a similar recruitment process was conducted in 2022. Earlier, in 2016, the Patna High Court had also conducted a recruitment drive for the Assistant post, notifying 179 vacancies, close to three times the size of this year's vacancy number. The Assistant post is open to graduates from any recognized discipline. As the eligibility is broad and the number of vacancies is limited this year, therefore candidates should prepare well for the selection process.

Vacancy Details

The Patna High Court Assistant Recruitment 2026 has 68 vacancies. The category-wise vacancy distribution is as per the reservation policy applicable to the recruitment and is given below:

Note: Out of the 68 vacancies, 3 posts are reserved for Locomotor Disabled (LD) candidates under the 4% horizontal reservation and these posts are adjusted within the respective category-wise vacancies. The Unreserved (UR) category has the highest number of vacancies with 29 posts, making it the largest share of the total vacancies.
The Patna High Court has clarified that the 68 vacancies are tentative. The number of posts may increase or decrease at any stage of the recruitment process

Application Fee

The category-wise application fee for Patna High Court Assistant Recruitment 2026 is provided below:

Note: The application fee concession for SC/ST candidates is available only to permanent residents of Bihar. SC/ST candidates from other states must pay the full application fee of ₹1,500.
Payment is accepted through online mode only, and once paid, the fee is not refunded under any circumstance. Also if any transaction charge levied by the bank is also borne by the candidate.

Age Limit

Candidates must be at least 18 years old as on 1 January 2026 and the maximum age limit varies by category. The category-wise age limit and eligible date of birth details are provided below:

Note: Candidates who are employees of the Central Government or the Government of Bihar are eligible for an additional 5 years of upper age relaxation. Candidates with Locomotor Disability (LD) are eligible for an additional 10 years of upper age relaxation, subject to the submission of a valid Disability Certificate. There is no upper age limit for candidates who are already working in the Patna High Court establishment, serving on daily wages in subordinate courts, or working on deputation.

The age relaxation available for reserved categories is applicable only to permanent residents of Bihar. Candidates from other states are considered under the Unreserved (UR) age limit.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must have a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university or institution and they must also possess a Computer Application Diploma or Certificate of at least six months from a recognized institution.

Candidates must have completed both the graduation degree and the required Computer Application Diploma/Certificate on or before 1 January 2026, so, candidates who are still pursuing the required six-month Computer Application course and complete it after the prescribed cutoff date are not eligible for this recruitment.

Note: Candidates who have completed at least two years of service in the Territorial Army or hold an NCC 'B' Certificate are given preference only in case of a tie. This preference is applied when candidates have equal merit and does not provide any additional marks or weightage.

Selection Process

The selection process includes a Written Test, Computer Proficiency Test, and Interview. If required, the High Court may also conduct a Preliminary or Screening Test to shortlist candidates. The complete selection process and exam pattern are provided below:

Preliminary or Screening Test Syllabus:

Written Test Syllabus:

Since the Written Test carries 100 marks and the Interview carries 10 marks, candidates should focus mainly on the Written Test, as it has the greatest impact on the final merit list. Candidates must secure at least 30% i.e., 3 marks in the Interview to qualify. So, it means Interview is mainly conducted to assess the candidate's suitability after qualifying the earlier stages.

If a Preliminary Test is conducted, candidates up to 10 times the category-wise vacancies will be shortlisted for the Written Test. After the Written Test, candidates up to 6 times the vacancies will be called for the Computer Proficiency Test, and candidates up to 3 times the vacancies will be shortlisted for the Interview. If two or more candidates secure the same marks as the last shortlisted candidate in a category, all such candidates will also be shortlisted, even if the total number exceeds the prescribed limit.

A negative marking of 0.25 marks is applicable for each incorrect answer in both the Preliminary Test and the Written Test. There is no negative marking in the Computer Proficiency Test or the Interview.

Salary, Job Location and Service Conditions

Selected candidates will be appointed in Pay Level-4 of the 7th Pay Revision Commission Pay Matrix, with a pay scale of ₹25,500 to ₹81,100, along with applicable allowances as per the Patna High Court Officers and Staff Rules, 2021. The appointment is subject to a probation period of one year.

The appointment is made in the Patna High Court establishment and is not for subordinate courts located in different districts of Bihar. This recruitment is specifically for a post in the Patna High Court headquarters.

How to Apply

1. Visit the official website of Patna High Court at https://patnahighcourt.gov.in
2. Open the Recruitments tab on the left-hand menu and click on Ex-Cadre Assistant Recruitment Examination, 2026
3. Click on Apply Online and then on New Registration
4. Fill in Full Name, Father's Name, Mother's Name, Gender, Reservation Category, Date of Birth, Mobile Number and Email ID carefully, since these fields cannot be changed once submitted
5. Note the Registration Number and Password sent by SMS and email, and print the registration page for safekeeping
6. Log in and complete the Personal Details section, then submit it
7. Fill in the Education Details section and submit it
8. Capture a live photograph following the specified guidelines and upload a scanned signature
9. Upload all required documents and certificates in the specified size and format
10. Preview the completed application on the Print Preview page and confirm every detail is correct
11. Pay the application fee online; the form is only finally submitted after successful payment
12. Download and save the final application form and payment receipt for future reference

Required Documents and Important Instructions

Candidates should keep the following documents ready before filling out the online application:

• Scanned signature, signed in running hand with a black pen on white paper
• Matriculation Certificate and Marksheet
• Graduation Degree Certificate and Marksheet
• Computer Application Diploma or Certificate of at least six months
• No-Objection Certificate, for candidates already in government or public sector service
• Valid photo identity proof
• Domicile Certificate and Caste/NCL/EWS Certificate, where reservation is claimed
• Disability Certificate, for Locomotor Disabled candidates
• Identity Card of Patna High Court or a subordinate court, where applicable

**The scanned signature must be between 50 KB and 80 KB, in JPG or JPEG format only and all other documents must be between 100 KB and 300 KB, in JPG, JPEG or PDF format.

The uploaded photograph must clearly show the full face, both ears, and neck, with a light or white background. Caps, hats, sunglasses, or dark glasses are not allowed. Religious headwear is permitted if the face remains fully visible. Candidates wearing power glasses should ensure there is no glare or reflection covering the eyes.

Candidates already working in the Central Government, State Government, or a Government-owned undertaking must apply after informing their employer and they are also required to produce a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) at the Interview stage, as failure to submit the NOC may lead to cancellation of candidature, even if the candidate has qualified in all earlier stages.

Candidates who have changed their name after Matriculation must produce a notarized affidavit, Gazette Notification, and proof of publication in one national and one local newspaper during document verification. Candidates must disclose details of any pending FIR, criminal case, or departmental proceeding in the application. Failure to provide this information may result in cancellation of candidature, even after appointment.

The important points below will help you understand this recruitment better:

Why the Written Test Matters More Than the Interview

The final merit list is prepared using the Written Test and Interview marks only, and Interview carries only 10 marks, while the Written Test carries 100 marks, this means candidates need at least 3 out of 10 marks to qualify in the Interview. As a result, the Written Test plays the most important role in the final selection. Therefore, candidates should focus on scoring well in the Written Test, as a low written score cannot be significantly offset by the Interview marks in the final merit list.

Bihar Residency Rules for Reserved Category Benefits

The benefits of age relaxation, reserved category application fee, women's reservation, and disability reservation are available only to permanent residents of Bihar. An SC candidate from a state other than Bihar must pay the Rs.1,500 application fee and is not eligible for caste-based age relaxation under this recruitment. This rule is important because reserved-category candidates from states other than Bihar cannot claim Bihar's reservation benefits, even if they belong to an eligible reserved category.

What Does "Ex-Cadre" Mean?

An Ex-Cadre post is a position outside the regular cadre of the court. Candidates should note that the service conditions, seniority, and promotion rules for an Ex-Cadre post may differ from those of regular cadre posts, as per the applicable rules. Candidates should also check the promotion and career progression rules for this Ex-Cadre Assistant post from the Patna High Court before applying, as they may differ from those of regular cadre Assistant posts.

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❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many vacancies has the Patna High Court announced under this notification?

The High Court has announced 68 vacancies for the Ex-Cadre Assistant post, spread across Unreserved and reserved categories, with 3 posts additionally earmarked for Locomotor Disabled candidates under horizontal reservation.

What is the last date to apply for Patna High Court Ex-Cadre Assistant Recruitment 2026?

Online applications close on 27 August 2026. Candidates who have submitted their form by this date get an extended window, till 30 August 2026, only to complete fee payment.

Who is eligible to apply for this post?

A candidate meeting the nationality conditions in the notification, holding a graduation degree in any discipline plus a minimum six-month Computer Application diploma or certificate, both completed by 1 January 2026, and falling within the category's age limit, can apply.

What is the age limit for this recruitment, and are relaxations available?

The Unreserved limit is 37 years for men and 40 for women, rising to 40 for BC/EBC and 42 for SC/ST, all counted as on 1 January 2026. Government employees get 5 extra years, and Locomotor Disabled candidates get 10 extra years, though caste-based relaxation applies only to Bihar residents.

What educational qualification does this post require?

Candidates need a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university, along with a diploma or certificate of at least a six-month Computer Application course, both held as on 1 January 2026.

What does the selection process for this recruitment involve?

Selection runs through a Written Test, a Computer Proficiency Test, and an Interview, with a Preliminary Test added only if applicant numbers are very high. Final merit is based on Written Test and Interview marks alone; the Computer Proficiency Test is purely qualifying.

What salary will a selected Ex-Cadre Assistant receive?

Selected candidates are placed in Level-4 of the 7th Pay Revision Commission matrix, with basic pay between ₹25,500 and ₹81,100 a month, plus usual allowances, starting with a one-year probation period.

How much is the application fee for this recruitment?

Unreserved, BC, EBC and EWS candidates pay ₹1,500. SC, ST and Locomotor Disabled candidates pay ₹750, but only if they are permanent residents of Bihar with a valid domicile certificate. Payment is online only and non-refundable.

How can candidates apply online for this post?

Candidates need to visit patnahighcourt.gov.in, register under the Ex-Cadre Assistant Recruitment Examination 2026 link, fill in personal and education details, upload photograph and documents, and pay the fee online before the form is finally submitted.

What is the official website for this recruitment?

All updates, the application link, and the notification PDF are available only on the official Patna High Court website at https://patnahighcourt.gov.in.

Does the Computer Proficiency Test count toward the final merit list?

No. The Computer Proficiency Test only needs to be cleared at 40 percent. Its marks are not added to the Written Test and Interview scores that decide the final ranking.

Can candidates from outside Bihar get the reserved-category fee concession or age relaxation?

They can apply, but the concessional fee, caste-based age relaxation, and the horizontal reservation for women and Locomotor Disabled candidates are all restricted to permanent residents of Bihar. Candidates from other states are assessed as Unreserved category regardless of their caste.

Conclusion

We have shared all the important information related to this recruitment to help you understand the selection process and complete your application correctly. Before applying, make sure your graduation documents and the required six-month Computer Application certificate are ready and uploaded in the prescribed format to avoid any issues during the application process.

Candidates from outside Bihar should carefully check the domicile eligibility rules provided above in the article before claiming any reserved category benefits such as, fee or age, because once the application fee is paid, it will not be refunded under any circumstances.

The Patna High Court will publish all recruitment updates, including the exam date and other important notices, only on its official website patnahighcourt.gov.in. Therefore, candidates should regularly check the official website for the latest updates, as no separate communication will be sent individually.

This article is based on the official notification and simplified for easy understanding. For the most accurate and updated information, always refer to the official website.