BPSC 33rd Bihar Judicial Service Exam 2026: 173 Civil Judge Vacancies, Eligibility, Dates & Apply Online

The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has announced the 33rd Bihar Judicial Service Competitive Examination for recruitment to 173 posts of Civil Judge (Junior Division), offering a major opportunity for law graduates aspiring to join the Bihar Civil Service (Judicial Branch).

Vacancies are distributed across categories including UR, EWS, SC, ST, EBC, and BC, with 35% horizontal reservation for women (61 posts) and 1% reservation for candidates with locomotor disability (2 posts). Eligible candidates must possess a law degree from a Bar Council of India–recognized institution and have at least three years of practice as an advocate (counted from provisional enrollment), with law clerk experience also considered. Age limits vary by category, with relaxation for reserved, female, and disabled candidates.

The selection process comprises a Preliminary Exam (objective), Main Written Exam, and a 100-mark Interview requiring a minimum 35% score. Applications must be submitted through BPSC’s One Time Registration (OTR) system, involving profile completion, document uploads (via DigiLocker optional), live photo capture, signature submission, and fee payment (₹100 plus ₹200 biometric fee if Aadhaar is not provided). Key dates include advertisement release on 23.02.2026, application window from 25.02.2026 to 18.03.2026, and certificate issuance deadline of 18.03.2026.

Recruitment Overview: BPSC Civil Judge 2026

The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has officially announced the 33rd Bihar Judicial Service Competitive Examination, inviting applications for the position of Civil Judge (Junior Division). This is a prime opportunity for legal professionals looking to serve in the Bihar Civil Service (Judicial Branch).

The commission is looking to fill a total of 173 vacancies for the Junior Division Civil Judge post.

Vacancy Breakdown by Category

Note: There is a 01% horizontal reservation (02 posts) specifically for candidates with Locomotor Disability (OH).

Eligibility Criteria & Experience

Before you jump into the application, make sure you meet these specific requirements:

1. Educational Qualification

• You must hold a Law Graduation degree (or equivalent) from a university or institute recognized by the Bar Council of India (BCI), New Delhi.
• Candidates must provide a certificate from their college/university principal or competent authority stating that the institution was BCI-recognized during their session.

2. Mandatory Work Experience

• 3 Years of Practice: As of February 23, 2026, you must have at least three years of experience as a practicing advocate.
• Counting Experience: This is calculated from the date of your provisional enrollment/registration with a State Bar Council.
• Judicial Clerks: Time served as a Law Clerk with any Judge or Judicial Officer in the country also counts toward this experience.

3. Age Limit (as of August 2025/2022)

• Minimum: Must be over 22 years old as of 01.08.2025.
• Maximum (General Male): Must be under 35 years old as of 01.08.2022.
• Maximum (Reserved/Female/Disabled): Must be under 40 years old as of 01.08.2022.

The Selection Process

The road to the bench involves three distinct stages:

Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Objective)

If there is a high volume of applicants, a Prelims exam will be held consisting of two papers:

• Paper 1: General Studies (100 Marks, 1.5 Hours).
• Paper 2: Law (150 Marks, 2 Hours).

Qualifying Marks: 45% for Unreserved and 40% for Reserved categories.

Stage 2: Main (Written) Examination

This stage consists of compulsory and optional subjects.

• Compulsory Papers: General Hindi, General English (qualifying only), General Knowledge, Elementary General Science, and Law of Evidence & Procedure.+2
• Optional Papers: Candidates must choose three out of five subjects, including Constitutional/Administrative Law, Hindu/Muslim Law, Transfer of Property, Contracts & Torts, or Commercial Law.

Stage 3: Interview

Candidates successful in the Mains will be invited for a 100-mark interview. You must score at least 35% in the interview to be considered for the final merit list.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

BPSC has shifted to a One Time Registration (OTR) system.

1. Register: Visit bpsconline.bihar.gov.in and complete the OTR using a valid email and mobile number.
2. Profile Creation: Fill in personal details, address, qualifications, and experience across 6 steps.
3. Upload Documents: You can use your Digilocker account to link and upload necessary certificates.
4. Photo & Signature: A live photo via webcam is required, along with scanned signatures in both Hindi and English.
5. Payment: Complete the application by paying the fee.

Application Fees

• General Fee: ₹100.
• Biometric Fee: An additional ₹200 is required if you do not provide an Aadhaar number in the application.

Important Dates to Remember

Pro-Tip: Ensure your reservation certificates (Caste, EWS, etc.) for married women are issued based on their father’s name and address, not their husband’s.

For more details and to download the syllabus, head over to the official BPSC website at www.bpsc.bihar.gov.in.

FAQs

What is the 33rd Bihar Judicial Service Examination?
It is a competitive recruitment exam conducted to appoint Civil Judges (Junior Division) in the Bihar Civil Service (Judicial Branch).

Who conducts the Bihar Judicial Service Exam 2026?
The examination is conducted by the Bihar Public Service Commission.

How many vacancies are announced for Civil Judge (Junior Division)?
A total of 173 vacancies have been announced.

Is there reservation for women candidates?
Yes, 35% horizontal reservation is provided for women across categories.

Is there reservation for persons with disabilities?
Yes, 1% reservation (2 posts) is allotted for candidates with locomotor disability.

What educational qualification is required?
Candidates must hold a law degree from an institution recognized by the Bar Council of India.

Is work experience mandatory for this exam?
Yes, a minimum of three years of practice as an advocate is required.

How is the three-year practice calculated?
It is counted from the date of provisional enrollment with a State Bar Council.

Does law clerk experience count toward eligibility?
Yes, experience as a law clerk with a judge or judicial officer is considered valid.

What is the minimum age requirement?
Candidates must be older than 22 years as per the specified cutoff date.

What is the maximum age limit?
For general category males it is 35 years, with relaxations up to 40 years for reserved, female, and disabled candidates.

What are the stages of the selection process?
The process includes Preliminary Exam, Main Written Exam, and Interview.

Is the Preliminary Exam compulsory for all candidates?
It is conducted only if the number of applicants is high.

What type of questions appear in the Preliminary Exam?
The prelims consist of objective-type questions covering General Studies and Law.

What subjects are included in the Main Examination?
It includes compulsory papers like language, general knowledge, science, and law, plus optional law subjects.

How many optional subjects must candidates choose?
Candidates must select three optional subjects.

What is the interview weightage?
The interview carries 100 marks.

Is there a minimum qualifying mark for the interview?
Yes, candidates must score at least 35%.

How can candidates apply for the exam?
Applications must be submitted online through the One Time Registration (OTR) system.

Is Aadhaar mandatory for application?
No, but an additional biometric fee is charged if Aadhaar is not provided.

What is the application fee?
The basic application fee is ₹100.

What is the last date to apply?
The application deadline is 18.03.2026.

By when must certificates be issued?
All required certificates must be issued by 18.03.2026.

Where can candidates find official updates?
All official information is available on the BPSC website.