Society for Centralized Recruitment of Staff in Subordinate Courts (SSSC), High Court of Punjab and Haryana, on behalf of the District and Sessions Judges of Punjab
Last Date: 04/11/2026  

Punjab Court Clerk Recruitment 2026: Quick Overview

Organization	Society for Centralized Recruitment of Staff in Subordinate Courts (SSSC), High Court of Punjab and Haryana, on behalf of the District and Sessions Judges of Punjab
Advertisement No.	37C/SSSC/PB/2026, dated 03/10/2026
Post Name	Clerk, District Courts of Punjab
Total Vacancies	1,270
Job Type	State judiciary establishment, direct recruitment
Application Mode	Online only
Application Start Date	07/10/2026, 04:00 PM
Last Date to Apply	04/11/2026, 04:00 PM
Minimum Qualification	BA or BSc (or equivalent) degree, matriculation with Punjabi as a subject, computer proficiency
Age Limit	18 to 37 years as on 01/01/2026, with category-wise relaxation
Selection Process	Online written test (100 marks), qualifying Computer Proficiency Test, checking of original documents and interaction
Salary / Pay Scale	Rs 29,200 (Level 5)
Job Location	District Courts across Punjab
Helpline	For technical assistance related to the application form or admit card => +91 95948-04606 or 022-61087580 on working days between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.  For queries related to the recruitment notice and its provisions => 0172-2722012 or +91 91158-98394 on working days between 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM.
Official Website	www.sssc.gov.in
Topic/Subject-wise Practice Quizzes For All Types of Exams	apnaupdates.com/apna-quiz

Punjab Court Clerk Recruitment 2026: Quick Intro

The Society for Centralized Recruitment of Staff in Subordinate Courts (SSSC), functioning under the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, has announced 1,270 Clerk vacancies for the District Courts of Punjab. The online application process will begin on 7 October 2026 at 4:00 PM and close on 4 November 2026 at 4:00 PM. Candidates with a graduation degree who have studied Punjabi up to matriculation level can apply. The selection process will consist of a computer-based test, followed by a qualifying computer proficiency test for shortlisted candidates.

The Clerk is an important support role in the day-to-day functioning of district courts. This recruitment is being conducted by the Society for Centralized Recruitment of Staff in Subordinate Courts (SSSC), which handles the centralized recruitment of subordinate court staff on behalf of the District and Sessions Judges of Punjab. Candidates selected through this recruitment may be posted to district courts across Punjab, depending on the applicable allocation and administrative requirements.

The current recruitment has 1,270 Clerk vacancies, making it a significantly larger recruitment drive than the previous one. In August 2022, the SSSC had advertised 759 Clerk posts for Punjab, while the present notification includes 1,270 posts, an increase of around 67%. The higher vacancy count provides a larger number of available posts, although the vacancy and reservation structure has changed compared with the earlier recruitment.

Vacancy Details

The recruitment offers a total of 1,270 Clerk vacancies. Of these, 1,243 vacancies were available as on 31 August 2026, while 27 vacancies are anticipated to arise up to 28 February 2027. This means the majority of the 1,270 posts are existing vacancies. The detailed category-wise vacancy distribution is provided below:

Note: A wife or dependent child of an Ex-serviceman will be considered for the relevant benefit only when eligible Ex-servicemen from Punjab are not available. A grandchild of a gallantry award winner can claim the benefit only when neither the award winner nor the award winner's children have already availed the benefit.

The notified vacancy numbers are subject to change. The number of posts may increase or decrease before the final merit list and posting process are completed. The High Court of Punjab and Haryana will decide the final number of candidates to be recommended for appointment.
If suitable and qualified candidates are not available in a particular reserved category, the High Court may fill the remaining vacancies from eligible candidates in the unreserved category, as per the applicable rules.

Application Fee

Every candidate is required to pay an online facilitation charge of ₹550. In addition to this amount, an examination fee is charged according to the candidate's category. The detailed category-wise application fee structure is given below:

Note: The application fee must be paid online only through Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card or UPI. The fee is non-refundable under any circumstances. An application will be treated as successfully submitted only after the applicable fee has been paid. An unpaid application will not be considered a valid submission.

Candidates should also consider the travel expenses involved in appearing for the examination, as no TA/DA will be provided. The examination centre may be allotted anywhere in Northern India, so candidates may need to bear the travel and related expenses themselves.
Since the application fee varies by category and the category cannot be changed after final submission, candidates should verify their category carefully before proceeding to the payment stage.

Age Limit

The age limit is calculated as on 1 January 2026, rather than the application closing date. The minimum age is 18 years for all candidates, while the maximum age for General category candidates is 37 years. The applicable higher upper age limits for other categories are given below:

The 37-year upper age limit provides an opportunity for candidates who are beyond the usual age range for many clerical-level recruitment exams. For comparison, SSC CHSL generally has a 27-year upper age limit for General category candidates for the applicable posts. This makes the current recruitment open to a broader age group, subject to the category-wise age limits and other eligibility conditions. 

The notification doesn't mention any separate age relaxation for EWS, Women, Freedom Fighter or Sportsman candidates. Candidates belonging to these categories who are above 37 years of age should confirm their eligibility with the SSSC helpline before paying the application fee.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must hold a graduation degree or equivalent qualification from a recognised university. In addition, they must have passed matriculation with Punjabi as one of the subjects. Both eligibility conditions must be fulfilled by the application closing date, 4 November 2026. Candidates whose graduation results are still awaited should ensure that their degree qualification will be completed by the prescribed date.

Computer proficiency is also part of the eligibility requirements, but candidates do not need to submit a separate computer certificate such as CCC at the application stage. Computer skills will be assessed later through the Computer Proficiency Test. There is also no minimum percentage requirement prescribed for either the graduation degree or matriculation qualification. 

Note: An applicant will generally not be eligible for appointment if they marry a person who already has a living spouse, or if they marry again while their own spouse is living. An exception may be allowed if the High Court grants an exemption and the marriage is permitted under the applicable personal law.

Selection Process

The selection process consists of three stages, with only the written test marks being counted towards the final merit list:
1. Online Written Test (Computer-Based Test): A 2-hour examination carrying 100 marks, covering General Knowledge and English Composition.
2. Computer Proficiency Test (CPT): This stage is qualifying in nature and includes a spreadsheet test and an English typing test.
3. Document Verification and Interaction: Candidates who qualify in both the written examination and CPT will be called for verification of their original documents and interaction.

The detailed examination pattern and other important information related to the Online Written Test are provided below: 

Each incorrect multiple-choice answer carries a penalty of 0.25 marks, while unattempted questions have no negative marking. To qualify for the next stage, candidates must secure at least 33% marks in each subject and 40% marks in aggregate. The subjective English section will be evaluated only for candidates who score at least 33% in General Knowledge. If the examination is conducted in multiple shifts, the objective-test marks will be normalised using the standard deviation method to account for differences in difficulty between shifts. 

The Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) has two parts. Part I is a Spreadsheet Test of 10 marks, with a duration of 10 minutes. Candidates need to score at least 4 marks to qualify for the next part. Part II is an English Typing Test with a required speed of 30 words per minute (WPM). It will be evaluated only for candidates who qualify in Part I. The typing speed is calculated using the formula (Words Typed − Mistakes) ÷ 10. However, the notification does not specify the time duration for the typing test. The CPT is qualifying in nature, and its marks will not be added to the final merit list.

Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) can apply for exemption from the Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) within 15 days from the declaration of the written test result. The required disability certificates and supporting documents must be submitted as specified in the recruitment notice. The Competent Authority will take the final decision on whether the exemption can be granted. Candidates who qualify in both parts of the CPT, along with eligible candidates granted exemption, will be called for document verification and interaction. The number of candidates called from each category will be decided by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana based on the applicable category-wise selection criteria.

The final merit list will be prepared strictly on the basis of marks obtained in the written test, with candidates securing higher marks placed higher in the ranking. In case of a tie in marks, the older candidate will be given preference. If the candidates also have the same date of birth, their names will be arranged alphabetically.

Since the High Court decides the number of candidates to be called for the CPT, the 40% aggregate requirement is only the minimum qualifying standard. Candidates scoring just above 40% may still not be shortlisted for the next stage if their marks are not high enough compared with other candidates. The interaction stage mainly involves checking original testimonials and documents. Therefore, candidates should ensure that all required certificates and documents are valid, updated and readily available, as missing or outdated documents may affect their candidature.

A provisional answer key will be released after the written examination. Candidates can raise objections against the provisional key by paying ₹25 per objection. The objection fee is non-refundable, and cross-objections are also permitted.
Re-evaluation of answer sheets is not permitted. However, candidates can request re-checking of an answer sheet by paying ₹500 per answer sheet through Indian Postal Order. Such requests must be submitted within 30 days from the declaration of the final result.

Salary, Job Location and Service Conditions

The Clerk post carries a monthly basic pay of ₹29,200 under Pay Level 5. This pay applies to fresh recruits appointed on or after 17 July 2020, in accordance with the Punjab Government's letter dated 12 September 2024, which has been adopted by the High Court. The figures mentioned in the Pay Matrix represent monthly basic pay and do not include applicable allowances or other benefits.

Selected candidates will be posted in the District Courts of Punjab. At the time of applying, every candidate must give an undertaking to serve anywhere in the state of Punjab at the place of posting assigned by the competent authority. 

A Clerk in the District Courts may be posted in areas such as the establishment branch, record room, filing counter or a judge's office. The work is mainly desk-based, involving tasks such as maintaining registers, handling files and correspondence, and entering or updating data in the court's computer system. The working schedule generally follows the official working days and timings of the court.

No TA or DA will be paid for appearing in the written examination or during document verification. The service conditions of the Clerk post will be governed by the Punjab Subordinate Courts Establishment (Recruitment and General Conditions of Service) Rules, 1997. Candidates interested in the post should refer to the applicable provisions, particularly those relating to probation and promotion, to understand the service structure and career progression.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online only, and no other mode is valid.

1. Candidates can visit the official SSSC website after 4:00 PM on 7 October 2026 and open the application link available under “Clerk District Courts of Punjab” to begin the online application process.
2. During registration, provide own valid email ID and active mobile number. Do not use another person's contact details, as these details should remain unchanged throughout the recruitment process.
3. Log in and fill the application form with your personal, category and sub-category details.
4. Capture your real-time photograph using the inbuilt or attached camera of the device you are using.
5. Upload your scanned passport-size photograph, taken within the last one month against a white background, and your scanned signature.
6. Pay the fee through net banking, debit card, credit card or UPI.
7. Check every detail before final submission, because no change is allowed afterwards.
8. Save the submitted form and take a printout. Keep five copies of the uploaded photograph for the later stages.

Note: If you face any technical error while filling the application form, take a screenshot of the error message and share it with the SSSC helpdesk for assistance. Candidates can also use the grievance window available on the application portal to report and resolve issues. 

Required Documents and Important Instructions

Candidates should keep the following documents and details ready before starting the application:

1. Matriculation certificate showing Punjabi as a subject.
2. Degree certificate and marksheets as proof of educational qualification.
3. Valid category certificate for the category being claimed, such as SC, BC, EWS, Freedom Fighter, Sportsman or disability, issued by the competent authority and valid on 4 November 2026.
4. EWS candidates: Income and Assets Certificate for 2026-27, based on family income for the 2025-26 financial year, issued on or before 4 November 2026.
5. BC candidates: Required undertaking confirming that their status has not changed and that they do not fall under the creamy layer, wherever applicable.
6. Sportsman candidates: Valid Gradation Certificate.
7. Serving government employees: No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Head of Office or Department, to be produced when required.
8. Candidates selecting “Others” in the gender column must have an identity certificate issued by the District Magistrate.
9. Scanned passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
10. A device with a working camera, if required during the online application process.
 

Candidates should carefully note the following instructions before applying:

> Only one application can be submitted for a particular category. If multiple applications are submitted, the latest application will be considered.
> The category and sub-category selected in the application are final. The notice does not provide for a correction window after submission.
> Reservation, age relaxation and fee concessions are available only to eligible residents of Punjab. Reserved-category candidates from other states will be treated as UR/General candidates.
> The live photograph, uploaded photograph and photograph on the E-Admit Card must match. The E-Admit Card photograph must be attested by a Gazetted Officer or self-attested, as applicable. A mismatch may result in denial of entry to the examination centre.
> PwBD candidates may apply for posts not specifically reserved for their disability category if the post has been identified as suitable for them. However, they will be considered on the general merit standard without any relaxation.
> Admission at every stage is provisional. If a candidate is found ineligible at any stage, including after selection, their candidature may be cancelled. False or incorrect information may also lead to criminal prosecution.
> Mobile phones, electronic devices, watches and jewellery are not permitted inside the examination centre.
> The examination may be conducted anywhere in Northern India on the date or dates decided by the recruiting authority. The allotted examination centre, date and shift will be final.
> Candidates should regularly check their email inbox and spam folder for recruitment-related communication. The mobile number and email ID provided during registration should not be changed. Admit cards will not be sent by post.
> The application form is available only through the official SSSC website, www.sssc.gov.in. SSSC will not be responsible for any fraud or loss arising from applications made through other websites.
> Qualifying the examination does not create an automatic right to appointment. Appointment will remain subject to fulfilment of all applicable eligibility and recruitment conditions.

• Note: For technical assistance related to the application form or admit card, candidates can contact the helpline at +91 95948-04606 or 022-61087580 on working days between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

• For queries related to the recruitment notice and its provisions, candidates can contact 0172-2722012 or +91 91158-98394 on working days between 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM.

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• SSC CHSL Recruitment 2026: 2536 Group C Vacancies
• Delhi High Court Recruitment 2026: 150 Group B Posts

❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many vacancies are there in Punjab Court Clerk Recruitment 2026?

There are 1,270 Clerk posts in the District Courts of Punjab. Of these, 1,243 are vacancies as on 31 August 2026 and 27 are anticipated up to 28 February 2027. The High Court can increase or reduce the number before the merit list and posting are prepared.

What is the last date to apply?

Applications close on 4 November 2026 at 4:00 PM, and the form opens on 7 October 2026 at 4:00 PM. The closing time is 4:00 PM and not midnight.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any graduate with a BA or BSc (or an equivalent degree) who passed matriculation with Punjabi as a subject and has computer proficiency can apply. Reserved-category applicants of other states can apply only under General, because reservation, age relaxation and fee concession are limited to Punjab residents.

What qualification is required for the Clerk post?

You need a BA or BSc degree or equivalent from a recognised university, plus matriculation with Punjabi as one of the subjects, both complete by 4 November 2026. Minimum percentage is not required.

What is the age limit and relaxation?

Candidates must be 18 to 37 years old as on 1 January 2026. SC and BC/OBC candidates of Punjab get 5 years, PwBD candidates of Punjab get 10 years, and in-service employees can apply up to 45 years. Ex-servicemen get their years of military service plus 3 years.

What is the selection process?

Three stages decide selection: an online written test of 100 marks, a qualifying Computer Proficiency Test with a spreadsheet test and a 30 words per minute English typing test, and a check of original documents with interaction. 

What is the salary for the Clerk post?

Pay is Rs 29,200 under Level 5 for graduates, applicable to fresh recruits appointed on or after 17 July 2020. 

What is the application fee?

SC, BC, OBC, Ex-servicemen and EWS candidates of Punjab pay Rs 710. Persons with Benchmark Disabilities of Punjab pay Rs 875, and all other categories pay Rs 1,200. 

How can I apply online?

Visit www.sssc.gov.in, open the link for Clerk District Courts of Punjab, register with your email ID and mobile number, fill the application form, capture the live photograph, upload your photo and signature, and pay the fee online. The form counts as submitted only after payment.

What is the official website for this recruitment?

www.sssc.gov.in. 

Do the spreadsheet and typing test marks count towards final merit?

No. The Computer Proficiency Test is only qualifying. You must score at least 4 out of 10 in the spreadsheet test and type at 30 words per minute, but the final merit list is prepared strictly on marks from the online written test.

Is there negative marking in the written test?

Yes, in the multiple-choice questions, where each wrong answer costs one-fourth of a mark and unattempted questions carry no penalty. 

Conclusion

We at apnaupdates.com hope the information above helps you easily understand the key aspects of this recruitment and prepare your application with confidence.
The application process begins on 7 October 2026, so it is better to keep the required documents and details ready in advance. Candidates applying under SC, BC, EWS, Sportsman or disability categories should check that their certificates are valid on 4 November 2026. For EWS candidates, the 2026-27 Income and Assets Certificate must also be issued on or before this date.

Keep other essentials ready, including a recent passport-size photograph taken within the last month, scanned signature, active email ID and mobile number, and a laptop or phone with a working camera.

All official updates related to the recruitment, including the exam date, E-Admit Card, demo test link, answer key and result, will be published on the official SSSC website, www.sssc.gov.in. SSSC may also send important updates through email and SMS, so candidates should regularly check their registered email inbox, including the spam or junk folder.
The next important update to watch for is the examination date notice, as it will determine the actual preparation time available before the written test.

 

Disclaimer: 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.

 
Tags: Punjab Court Clerk, SSSC Recruitment, Punjab Government Jobs, District Court Jobs, High Court Recruitment, Clerk Recruitment 2026, Graduate Govt Jobs, Punjab Jobs 2026