| Online Application Starts | Active and Open Now |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 30 November 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 30 November 2026 |
| Admit Card Release Date | Available before exam |
| Written Exam / CBT Date | To be announced |
General / OBC: ₹1000 | SC / ST / PwBD: Nil
Payment Mode: Online (Net Banking, Debit / Credit Card, or UPI).
Born between 01/12/1994 and 30/11/2004 (both days inclusive)
Age relaxation provided for SC, ST, OBC, PwD as per Government norms.
Check Age Eligibility →Access the authorized board portals and download official gazettes.
Kerala High Court has issued a recruitment notification for the post of Research Assistant. The engagement is purely temporary and on a contract basis for a period of one year.
The official notification has been released under Recruitment Number 23/2026. There are 48 anticipatory vacancies open for law graduates.
Candidates will work under the guidance of High Court Judges, assisting them with legal research and bench work.
The selection process will take place through an online registration drive on the official recruitment portal.
| Parameter | Official Notification Specification |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Kerala High Court |
| Post Designation | Research Assistant |
| Total Openings | 48 (Anticipatory) |
| Remuneration / Pay Scale | ₹35,000 per month (Honorarium) |
| Place of Posting | High Court of Kerala, Kochi |
| Age Limit Benchmark | Born between 01/12/1994 and 30/11/2004 |
| Educational Qualification | LL.B Degree from recognized University |
| Selection Mode | Written Examination and/or Interview |
| Application Deadline | 30 November 2026 |
| Official Board Portal | https://hckrecruitment.keralacourts.in |
The registration portal is now active for eligible applicants. Make sure you don't wait for the final days to submit your forms.
The deadline for submitting online applications and fee payments is 30 November 2026. The schedule for screening tests and interview calls will appear on the court website later.
| Recruitment Event | Important Date / Deadline |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | Notification Active |
| Online Application Starting Date | Active and Open Now |
| Application Fee Payment Deadline | 30 November 2026 |
| Online Application Closing Date | 30 November 2026 |
| Admit Card Download Availability | To be announced |
| Written Exam / CBT Schedule | To be announced |
The notification lists 48 anticipatory openings for Research Assistants. Since these positions are anticipatory, the final intake may change based on court requirements.
Statutory reservation rules apply in accordance with the Kerala High Court service regulations and state government guidelines.
| Cadre / Candidate Category | Vacancy Allocation | Reservation Quota Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) / General | Open Merit Allocation | As per Government Guidelines |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | Reserved Allocation | 10% Central/State Reservation |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC - Non Creamy) | Reserved Allocation | 27% Central/State Reservation |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | Reserved Allocation | 15% Statutory Reservation |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | Reserved Allocation | 7.5% Statutory Reservation |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | Horizontal Allocation | 4% Horizontal Reservation |
| Total Notified Openings | 48 Posts (Anticipatory) | 100% Vacancies |
B) from a university recognized by the Bar Council of India or University Grants Commission. Candidates who've completed their five-year integrated law degree or three-year degree program are eligible.
Final year students may apply if they've completed all qualifying exams and acquired their graduation credentials before the application window closes.
Fresh law graduates are welcome to apply.
Prior legal practice or formal research experience isn't mandatory, though strong knowledge of case law, legal drafting, and search databases will give you an edge during evaluation.
Candidates must be born between 1 December 1994 and 30 November 2004, including both dates. Anyone born before or after this bracket isn't eligible.
Relaxations on upper age limits apply to reserved category candidates in line with state service orders.
| Candidate Category | Permissible Upper Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 5 Years Relaxation |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC - Non Creamy Layer) | 3 Years Relaxation |
| PwBD (Unreserved / General) | 10 Years Relaxation |
| PwBD (OBC - Non Creamy Layer) | 13 Years Relaxation |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | 15 Years Relaxation |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | Military Service Period plus 3 Years |
| Widows / Divorced Women (Unmarried) | Up to 35 Years (General) / 40 Years (SC/ST) |
Selected candidates receive a consolidated monthly honorarium of ₹35,000. Because this is a contractual engagement, candidates aren't entitled to regular government allowances like DA or HRA.
The engagement period runs for one year from the joining date. It doesn't grant any right or preference for permanent appointment in court service.
| Remuneration Parameter | Official Terms & Entitlements |
|---|---|
| Monthly Remuneration / Basic Pay | ₹35,000 per month (Consolidated) |
| Pay Standard / Structure | Fixed Honorarium Scheme |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | Not Applicable |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | Not Applicable |
| Leave Entitlements | Permissible leaves as per contract terms |
| Nature of Engagement | Contractual (1 Year Duration) |
The selection process involves shortlisting based on written examination scores or academic merits, followed by a viva-voce interview.
If applicant counts are high, the court will run an objective written test covering legal knowledge, English comprehension, and constitutional provisions.
Shortlisted candidates must then attend document verification and a personal interview at the High Court campus in Kochi.
The written test includes multiple-choice questions focusing on core legal subjects. There may be negative marking for incorrect choices, so guess with caution.
The question paper medium is English.
| Subject / Test Section | Questions | Max Marks | Language Medium | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constitutional Law & Civil Laws | 35 Questions | 35 Marks | English | Composite Test |
| Criminal Law & Procedural Codes | 35 Questions | 35 Marks | English | Composite Test |
| General Legal Awareness & Precedents | 30 Questions | 30 Marks | English | Composite Test |
| English Language Comprehension | 25 Questions | 25 Marks | English | Composite Test |
| Legal Reasoning & Drafting Aptitude | 25 Questions | 25 Marks | English | Composite Test |
| Total Examination Scheme | 150 Questions | 150 Marks | English | 120 Minutes Allocation |
The application fee is ₹1000 for General and OBC applicants. Candidates from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and unemployed PwBD categories don't have to pay any application fee.
All payments must go through the online gateway provided inside the portal. Don't pay any agent or third-party service.
Scanned passport size photograph (20 KB to 50 KB, clean background).
Scanned signature in running handwriting with black or blue ink (10 KB to 20 KB).
High School (Class 10th) certificate or birth certificate for age verification.
Degree, Diploma, or Marksheets for essential educational qualifications.
Valid Category or Caste Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) if claiming reservation.
Disability Certificate issued by competent medical authority for PwBD applicants.
Valid Government Photo Identity Card (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, or Passport).
Open the verified official portal using our direct links section below.
Click on the recruitment tab and select the candidate registration portal.
Enter your active mobile number and email ID to generate unique login credentials.
Log in and select the official advertisement notice.
Complete personal details, guardian name, date of birth, and communication address.
Enter educational details, passing years, roll numbers, and percentage of marks.
Upload scanned copies of your recent photograph, signature, and category certificates.
Pay the application fee through the online payment gateway.
Review all entered information carefully in the application preview window.
Submit the final application form and print two physical copies before the deadline.
Quick answers to common candidate queries for Research Assistant Recruitment
The last date to submit online applications is 30 November 2026. The examination and interview dates will be announced later on the official recruitment portal.
Selected Research Assistants will receive a fixed consolidated honorarium of ₹35,000 per month. Standard allowances like DA and HRA aren't applicable for this contractual post.
Applicants must hold a graduation degree in Law (LL.B) from a university recognized by the Bar Council of India or University Grants Commission. Both 3-year and 5-year graduates can apply.
Candidates must be born between 1 December 1994 and 30 November 2004. Standard age relaxations of 5 years for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC candidates apply as per rules.
The selection process involves an objective written test or academic screening, followed by an interview and document verification before the selection committee at Kochi.
Yes, if the number of applicants is high, a written examination will be held. Incorrect answers usually attract negative marks, so candidates should answer carefully.
The fee is ₹1000 for General and OBC applicants. Candidates belonging to SC, ST, and unemployed PwBD categories don't have to pay any application fee.
Candidates must apply online through the official portal hckrecruitment.keralacourts.in. Fill out the application form, upload your documents, pay the fee, and submit before 30 November 2026.
This appointment is purely temporary and on a contract basis for one year. It doesn't entitle the candidate to regular or permanent service in the court.
Candidates can download the notification directly from the official portal at hckrecruitment.keralacourts.in under Recruitment Number 23/2026.
Focus on your study. We will send an instant alert straight to your screen the minute Research Assistant releases its admit card, city slip, or final merit list. 100% free, zero ads.

Sarkari recruitment researcher specializing in official gazette notifications, eligibility norms, and application procedures.