Karnataka High Court SDA Recruitment 2026 – 20 Vacancies, Eligibility, Salary, Selection Process & Apply Online

The Karnataka High Court SDA Recruitment 2026 notification has been released for the recruitment of Second Division Assistants (SDA) through direct recruitment. The High Court of Karnataka has issued two separate notifications for the post—one for the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) and another for the Kalyana Karnataka Region (KKR).

According to the Gazette notification dated 11 August 2026, there are 18 SDA vacancies under RPC and 2 backlog vacancies under KKR, making a total of 20 Second Division Assistant vacancies. Eligible graduates can submit their applications online through the official High Court of Karnataka website from 13 August 2026 to 11 September 2026, up to 11:59 PM. The prescribed pay scale is ₹25,500 to ₹81,100 under Level-4, along with admissible allowances.

This article explains the complete Karnataka High Court SDA Recruitment 2026 notification, including vacancy details, educational qualification, age limit, application fee, salary, selection process, exam pattern, documents required and the step-by-step application process.

High Court SDA Recruitment 2026 – Overview

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The official notification states that applications must be submitted only through the online link provided on the High Court of Karnataka website.

Karnataka High Court SDA Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates

Candidates are advised not to wait until the final day to submit their applications. The notification specifically advises candidates to apply well in advance to avoid last-minute technical problems.

Karnataka High Court SDA Vacancy 2026

The recruitment consists of 18 vacancies under the Residual Parent Cadre (RPC) and 2 backlog vacancies under the Kalyana Karnataka Region (KKR).

Therefore:

RPC – 18 vacancies
KKR – 2 backlog vacancies
Total – 20 vacancies

The RPC notification contains vacancies across General Merit, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Category-I, Category-II(A), Category-II(B) and horizontal reservation categories.

RPC Vacancy Details – 18 Posts

The RPC notification shows a total of 18 posts, including horizontal reservation for women, rural candidates and Persons with Benchmark Disability. The PwBD identification specified in the notification is Blindness and Low Vision at Horizontal Point No. 4.

MCB Meaning

The Gazette notes that MCB means Most Backward Class.

KKR SDA Vacancy 2026 – 2 Backlog Posts

The second notification, HCRB/SDA-5/2026 (KKR), is specifically for 2 backlog Second Division Assistant posts under the Kalyana Karnataka Region.

Both KKR vacancies are identified under the PwBD horizontal reservation at Point No. 4 for Blindness and Low Vision.

Candidates applying under KKR reservation must possess the prescribed Kalyana Karnataka Region (371-J) certificate under the applicable eligibility certificate rules.

Karnataka High Court SDA Eligibility Criteria 2026

Candidates must satisfy the educational qualification and other eligibility conditions prescribed by the High Court of Karnataka.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must possess a Degree from a recognized University in any of the following disciplines:

• Science
• Arts
• Commerce
• Business Management
• Computer Applications
• Business Administration

For candidates belonging to the General Category and Other Backward Categories, a minimum of 55% aggregate marks is required.

For candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe, a minimum of 50% aggregate marks is required.

Candidates must also have knowledge of computer operation.

Important Qualification Point

A candidate should not assume that merely possessing a degree is sufficient. The notification specifically mentions both the required percentage of marks and knowledge of computer operation. Therefore, candidates should verify their qualification carefully before applying.

Karnataka High Court SDA Age Limit 2026

The minimum age prescribed for the post is 18 years.

The maximum age mentioned in the notification is as follows:

The notification states that a five-year age relaxation has been provided to all categories as a one-time measure under Government Order No. DPAR 262 SeNeNi 2025 dated 29 January 2026.

Accordingly, the one-time relaxation can take the stated upper limits to:

• General Merit – 40 years
• Category-II(A)/II(B)/III(A)/III(B) – 43 years
• SC/ST/Category-I – 45 years

Candidates should carefully verify the applicable age condition in the official application system before submission.

Karnataka High Court SDA Application Fee 2026

The application fee varies according to the candidate’s category.

The fee must be paid through the State Bank of India online payment gateway using:

• Net Banking
• Credit Card
• Debit Card
• UPI

The notification clearly states that an application submitted without payment of the prescribed fee will be rejected and that the fee, once paid, will not be refunded.

Karnataka High Court SDA Salary 2026

Selected candidates appointed as Second Division Assistants will receive a pay scale of:

₹25,500 – ₹81,100

The post is classified under Level-4, along with admissible allowances.

The official Gazette does not specify a fixed in-hand monthly salary. Therefore, candidates should not rely on unofficial figures when calculating the expected monthly take-home salary.

The actual amount received may vary depending on applicable allowances and deductions.

Karnataka High Court SDA Selection Process 2026

The selection process consists of:

1. Competitive Test
2. Interview

The Competitive Test has a duration of 90 minutes.

The marks distribution is:

The notification states that the selection will be conducted according to the applicable High Court of Karnataka Service Rules and Direct Recruitment by Selection Rules.

Karnataka High Court SDA Exam Pattern 2026

The written Competitive Test carries 80 marks, while the Interview carries 20 marks.

1. English Essay – 30 Marks

Candidates must write an essay in English. A minimum of 20 marks is prescribed for passing this component.

2. Kannada to English Translation – 30 Marks

Candidates will be tested on their ability to translate from Kannada into English. A minimum of 20 marks is required.

3. General Knowledge – 20 Marks

The General Knowledge test carries 20 marks, with 10 marks prescribed as the minimum.

4. Interview – 20 Marks

The interview carries 20 marks, with 10 marks as the prescribed minimum.

The total minimum passing requirement shown in the notification is 60 marks out of 100.

How Candidates Are Shortlisted for the Competitive Test

The High Court will shortlist candidates for the Competitive Test based on the percentage of total marks secured in the qualifying examination.

Candidates will be called in the ratio of:

1:10

This means 10 candidates for each notified vacancy in each reserved category.

If two or more candidates have the same percentage of marks in the qualifying examination, the candidate who is older in age will be placed higher in merit.

Interview Shortlisting

After the Competitive Test, successful candidates will be called for the Interview in the ratio of:

1:5

That means five candidates will be called for each notified vacancy in each reserved category.

The interview carries 20 marks.

Karnataka High Court SDA Probation Period

Candidates appointed to the Second Division Assistant post will initially be placed on probation for:

2 Years

The notification also states that the probation period may be extended if necessary.

Documents Required for Karnataka High Court SDA Application

Candidates should keep their documents ready before starting the online application.

Important documents include:

• Degree certificate / educational qualification records
• SSLC or equivalent certificate
• Date of birth proof
• Caste certificate, where applicable
• Employment-purpose Caste and Income Certificate, where applicable
• Rural reservation certificate, where applicable
• PwBD Disability Certificate, where applicable
• Ex-servicemen certificate, where applicable
• Widow reservation certificate, where applicable
• Kalyana Karnataka Region 371-J certificate for eligible KKR candidates
• Recent photograph
• Scanned signature
• NOC for applicable serving government/PSU employees

Candidates must possess the relevant certificates issued by the competent authority on or before the last date prescribed for submission of the online application.

Photograph and Signature Specifications

The High Court has prescribed specific specifications for uploading the photograph and signature.

Photograph

• Colour photograph
• Size: 5 cm × 3.6 cm
• Maximum file size: 50 KB
• Format: JPG
• White background
• Photograph should not contain the candidate’s signature

Signature

• Sign on white paper
• Use a black ball-point pen
• Size: 2.5 cm × 7.5 cm
• Maximum file size: 25 KB
• Format: JPG

These specifications are expressly mentioned in the notification.

How to Apply for Karnataka High Court SDA Recruitment 2026

Eligible candidates can submit their applications online by following these steps.

Step 1: Visit the Official Website

Visit the official High Court of Karnataka website:

The Gazette specifically directs candidates to use the official website for the online application.

Step 2: Open the Recruitment/Application Link

Find the relevant Second Division Assistant recruitment/application link.

Candidates should carefully identify the applicable notification, particularly if they are claiming KKR reservation.

Step 3: Read the Notification

Before beginning the application, read all instructions carefully.

Incorrect, false or incomplete information may result in rejection of the application.

Step 4: Enter Personal Details

Enter the required personal information accurately.

Candidates must provide a valid mobile number and email ID.

Step 5: Enter Educational Details

Enter degree details and other qualification information as required by the application form.

Step 6: Select Reservation Details

Candidates claiming reservation should enter all applicable reservation information in the application.

The notification states that candidates claiming various reservations should submit only one application mentioning all reservations claimed.

Step 7: Upload Photograph and Signature

Upload the photograph and signature according to the prescribed size and format.

Step 8: Verify the Application

Check all details carefully before proceeding to payment.

Step 9: Pay Application Fee

Pay the applicable fee through the SBI online payment gateway using Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card or UPI.

Step 10: Submit the Application

Submit the application before:

11 September 2026 – 11:59 PM

Step 11: Download Application and Payment Receipt

After successful submission and payment, download and retain:

• Submitted application copy
• Online fee payment receipt

The High Court advises candidates to preserve these documents until completion of the recruitment process.

Important Instructions for Candidates

Candidates should pay particular attention to the following instructions in the notification.

Only Online Applications Accepted

Applications submitted through any mode other than the online application system will not be considered.

Valid Mobile Number and Email Required

Candidates must provide a valid mobile number and email ID. The High Court will not be responsible if communications fail to reach the candidate because of incorrect or inaccessible contact details.

Reservation Certificates

Candidates claiming reservation must possess the required certificates issued by the competent authority.

For rural reservation under General Merit, the notification requires the prescribed Form-2 along with Form-1.

Employment-Purpose Caste and Income Certificate

The notification specifically states that the Caste and Income Certificate should have been obtained for Employment Purpose.

Certificates issued for education purposes or for obtaining benefits under schemes will not be considered.

PwBD Certificate

Candidates claiming PwBD reservation must possess a Disability Certificate issued by the competent authority.

Original Documents

Candidates must produce original documents during document verification, including educational qualification documents, SSLC/equivalent certificate for date of birth, caste certificate and other reservation certificates claimed.

If discrepancies are found between the online application and original documents, candidature may be cancelled.

Kalyana Karnataka Region Candidates – Important Information

Candidates applying for the KKR backlog vacancies must pay special attention to the 371-J eligibility requirement.

The KKR notification requires the prescribed Kalyana Karnataka Region (371-J) certificate under the Karnataka Public Employment (Reservation in Appointment for Hyderabad-Karnataka Region) (Issue of Eligibility Certificates) Rules, 2013.

Since the two KKR vacancies are specifically notified as backlog posts under SC and Category-II(A), candidates should verify their eligibility and supporting certificates before submitting the application.

Where Will Karnataka High Court SDA Candidates Be Posted?

Candidates appointed to the Second Division Assistant post may be posted at:

• High Court of Karnataka, Principal Bench, Bengaluru
• High Court of Karnataka Bench, Dharwad
• High Court of Karnataka Bench, Kalaburagi

The posting location will be determined by the High Court according to administrative requirements.

Preparation Tips for Karnataka High Court SDA Exam 2026

Candidates preparing for the SDA Competitive Test should focus on the three written components mentioned in the official notification.

Focus on English Essay

Since the English Essay carries 30 marks, candidates should practise writing essays within a fixed time.

Focus on:

• Introduction
• Main points
• Logical flow
• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Conclusion

Practise Kannada to English Translation

Translation carries another 30 marks, making it one of the most important sections of the Competitive Test.

Candidates should practise:

• Kannada-to-English sentence translation
• Grammar
• Tenses
• Vocabulary
• Sentence formation
• Accurate expression of meaning

Prepare General Knowledge

General Knowledge carries 20 marks.

Candidates should maintain a regular study routine covering relevant static and current general knowledge.

The Gazette supplied for this recruitment does not provide a detailed topic-wise General Knowledge syllabus, so candidates should follow official updates if the High Court later publishes additional examination instructions.

Prepare for Interview

The Interview carries 20 marks.

Candidates should be prepared to communicate clearly and confidently and should remain familiar with their educational background, general awareness and the nature of the post.

Why Karnataka High Court SDA Recruitment 2026 Is Important

The Second Division Assistant recruitment provides an opportunity for eligible graduates to enter the High Court establishment through direct recruitment.

The post offers a Level-4 pay scale of ₹25,500–₹81,100, along with admissible allowances.

However, the total number of vacancies is limited to 20, so candidates should ensure that they meet every eligibility condition and prepare seriously for the Competitive Test.

Another important aspect is that candidates are shortlisted for the Competitive Test based on their qualifying examination percentage in a 1:10 ratio, meaning academic marks play an important role in reaching the examination stage.

Karnataka High Court SDA Recruitment 2026 – Important Links

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FAQ – High Court Second Division Assistant Recruitment 2026

Karnataka High Court SDA Recruitment 2026 – Conclusion

The Karnataka High Court SDA Recruitment 2026 is an important opportunity for eligible graduates looking for a government job in the High Court establishment. The Gazette notifications together provide 20 Second Division Assistant vacancies, including 18 RPC vacancies and 2 KKR backlog vacancies.

Candidates must have the prescribed degree qualification, required percentage of marks and computer-operation knowledge. The minimum age is 18 years, while the maximum age varies according to category. The prescribed application fee is ₹350 for several categories and ₹200 for SC, ST, Category-I of OBC and PwBD candidates.

The selection process consists of a 90-minute Competitive Test followed by an Interview, with English Essay, Kannada-to-English Translation and General Knowledge forming the written examination.

Eligible candidates should complete the online application carefully between 13 August 2026 and 11 September 2026, 11:59 PM. Candidates should also retain their submitted application and fee receipt and ensure that all reservation and qualification certificates are valid and available when required.

The official source for this recruitment is the High Court of Karnataka Gazette notification dated 11 August 2026, covering notification numbers HCRB/SDA-4/2026 (RPC) and HCRB/SDA-5/2026 (KKR).