The High Court of Karnataka, Bengaluru, released two notifications on August 11, 2026, HCRB/SDA-4/2026 and HCRB/SDA-5/2026, opening 20 Second Division Assistant (SDA) posts through direct recruitment. Online applications open August 13 and close September 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM, with selection running through a 90-minute written test followed by an interview, no typing or computer practical test involved despite computer knowledge being a stated eligibility requirement.
This article separates the two notifications clearly, breaks down category-wise vacancies, and explains the exact marks distribution candidates need to clear for both the written test and interview.
The Karnataka High Court split this recruitment into two notifications because they draw from different vacancy pools: HCRB/SDA-4/2026 covers 18 regular posts under the Residual Parent Cadre, while HCRB/SDA-5/2026 covers 2 backlog posts specifically reserved under the Kalyana Karnataka Region. This split reflects Article 371-J of the Constitution, which grants special reservation status to the Kalyana Karnataka region (Kalaburagi, Bidar, Raichur, Yadgir, Koppal, and Ballari districts) to address historical underdevelopment in that area.
| Notification | Cadre/Region | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| HCRB/SDA-4/2026 (RPC) | Residual Parent Cadre | 18 |
| HCRB/SDA-5/2026 (KKR) | Kalyana Karnataka Region (Backlog) | 2 |
| Total | 20 |
The 2 backlog posts exist because they were reserved vacancies from a previous recruitment cycle that went unfilled, and both are now restricted specifically to Scheduled Caste and Category-II(A) candidates with Blindness and Low Vision disabilities. A candidate who doesn’t fall into that narrow eligibility bracket should apply against the 18 Residual Parent Cadre posts instead, since the backlog posts carry no other category options.
What Is the Category-Wise Vacancy Breakdown?
Within the 18 Residual Parent Cadre posts, General Merit candidates get 9 seats, while the remaining 9 spread across Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and various Other Backward Class categories. Horizontal reservations for women, rural candidates, Kannada medium students, and persons with disabilities sit inside these category totals rather than adding extra seats on top of them.
| Category | RPC Vacancies |
|---|---|
| General Merit | 9 |
| Scheduled Caste (Category A) | 1 |
| Scheduled Caste (Category B) | 1 |
| Scheduled Caste (Category C, Most Backward Class) | 1 |
| Scheduled Tribe | 1 |
| Category-I | 1 |
| Category-II(A) | 3 |
| Category-II(B) | 1 |
| Total | 18 |
Of these 18 posts, 4 carry a horizontal reservation for women and 4 for rural candidates, with 1 specifically reserved for a Person with Benchmark Disability under General Merit (identified for Blindness and Low Vision only). Category-III(A) and III(B) show zero vacancies in this cycle, and columns for Kannada Medium Student, project-displaced persons, ex-servicemen, and transgender candidates all list nil, meaning no seats exist for those specific reservations this time even though the application form still includes those options.
| Category | KKR Backlog Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (PwBD, Blindness/Low Vision) | 1 |
| Category-II(A) (PwBD, Blindness/Low Vision) | 1 |
| Total | 2 |
Who Is Eligible for Karnataka High Court SDA 2026?
Candidates need a degree in Science, Arts, Commerce, Business Management, Computer Applications, or Business Administration from a recognized university, along with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks for General Merit and OBC candidates, or 50% for SC/ST candidates. Both notifications apply this exact same educational standard, so the qualification bar doesn’t shift based on which of the two notifications a candidate applies under.
| Requirement | General/OBC | SC/ST |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum aggregate marks | 55% | 50% |
| Degree stream | Science, Arts, Commerce, Business Management, Computer Applications, or Business Administration | Same |
| Computer knowledge | Required (eligibility only, no practical test) | Same |
The “knowledge of computer operation” line matters differently than it appears at first read. It’s stated purely as an eligibility condition, and the official notification lists only three written papers plus an interview, no computer practical, typing speed test, or keyboard depression test appears anywhere in the selection process. This is a notable departure from how many other SDA-type postings in India test computer skills directly, and candidates shouldn’t waste preparation time on typing speed drills for this particular recruitment.
One related requirement often missed: the notification doesn’t ask for a separate Kannada language certificate, but one full paper tests Kannada-to-English translation, making working Kannada reading ability a practical necessity even though it isn’t formally listed as a qualification.
What Is the Age Limit for Karnataka High Court SDA 2026?
The base age limit ranges from 35 to 40 years depending on category, with every candidate additionally receiving a one-time 5-year relaxation under Government Order No. DPAR 262 SeNeNi 2025, dated January 29, 2026. This 5-year addition applies universally across all categories rather than being an alternate limit some candidates get and others don’t, which several older tracking pages describe ambiguously as two separate figures instead of one combined number.
| Category | Base Limit | With 5-Year Relaxation | Final Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Merit | 35 years | +5 years | 40 years |
| Category-II(A)/II(B)/III(A)/III(B) | 38 years | +5 years | 43 years |
| SC/ST/Category-I | 40 years | +5 years | 45 years |
Minimum age for every category is 18 years. The notification doesn’t specify an “as on” reckoning date for age calculation in either its Kannada or English text, and all supporting certificates must be issued on or before the application deadline, which candidates should treat as their practical cutoff for age verification.
How Much Does It Cost to Apply, and How Do You Pay?
The application fee is ₹350 for General Merit and OBC candidates, and ₹200 for SC, ST, Category-I, and PwBD candidates, payable only through the State Bank of India’s online payment gateway. Net banking, credit card, debit card, and UPI are all accepted through this single gateway, but the fee is non-refundable once paid, and any application submitted without the fee gets rejected outright regardless of how complete the rest of the form is.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General Merit / OBC Category-II(A)/II(B)/III(A)/III(B) | ₹350 |
| SC / ST / Category-I / PwBD | ₹200 |
Candidates should verify every field before final submission, since the notification states explicitly that caste and reservation entries cannot be modified after submission under any circumstances.
What Is the Selection Process and Exam Pattern?
Selection runs through a 90-minute Competitive Test worth 100 total marks, followed by an interview, with each of the four components carrying its own separate minimum qualifying mark rather than just an overall cutoff.
| Component | Maximum Marks | Minimum to Pass |
|---|---|---|
| English Essay | 30 | 20 |
| Translation from Kannada to English | 30 | 20 |
| Test of General Knowledge | 20 | 10 |
| Interview | 20 | 10 |
| Grand Total | 100 | 60 |
English Essay and Kannada-to-English Translation carry the heaviest individual weight at 30 marks each, meaning strong bilingual writing ability matters as much as general knowledge for this specific post. Clearing the overall 60-mark cutoff isn’t enough by itself; a candidate scoring 65 overall but only 15 on the Kannada translation paper (below its 20-mark minimum) still fails to qualify, since each row demands its own pass mark independent of the total.
Candidates get called for the Competitive Test in merit order based on their qualifying-exam percentage, in a ratio of 1:10 per notified vacancy within each reserved category. Those who clear the written test advance to interview at a 1:5 ratio per vacancy per category. If two candidates tie on percentage in their qualifying degree, the older candidate ranks higher, a tiebreaker rule stated explicitly in the notification.
| Stage | Shortlisting Ratio |
|---|---|
| Competitive Test | 1:10 per vacancy, per reserved category |
| Interview | 1:5 per vacancy, per reserved category |
| Document Verification | Originals of qualification, SSLC, caste/reservation certificates |
What Salary Does a Karnataka High Court SDA Earn?
Second Division Assistants at the Karnataka High Court receive a pay scale of ₹25,500 to ₹81,100 per month under Level-4, along with allowances admissible to Karnataka State Government employees, typically Dearness Allowance and House Rent Allowance. The notification itself doesn’t itemize these allowance amounts, so treat the base scale as the confirmed figure and any full take-home estimate as an approximation pending actual posting details.
Selected candidates serve a two-year probation period, extendable if the appointing authority finds it necessary. Because these posts sit on the High Court’s own establishment rather than at a lower district court level, they carry a clearer promotion track toward First Division Assistant and Superintendent roles within the court’s internal cadre structure over time.
How Do You Apply for Karnataka High Court SDA 2026?
Applications go through judiciary.karnataka.gov.in only, and the notification states clearly that any application submitted through another channel will not be considered.
Follow these steps in order:
- Read the complete HCRB/SDA-4/2026 or HCRB/SDA-5/2026 notification PDF carefully before starting, since the two notifications carry distinct category breakdowns
- Fill in all required particulars in the online application form, submitting only one application and listing every reservation claim in that single submission
- Upload a recent color photograph (5 cm x 3.6 cm, under 50 KB, JPG format, white background, no signature visible in the photo)
- Upload a scanned signature (2.5 cm x 7.5 cm, under 25 KB, JPG format, black ballpoint pen on white paper)
- Pay the applicable fee through the State Bank of India online gateway
- Provide a valid mobile number and email ID, since all Competitive Test and interview communication arrives only through SMS, email, and the official website
- Download and retain the submitted application and fee receipt until the entire recruitment process concludes
Rural-quota candidates applying against the 18 RPC posts need Form-2 submitted along with Form-1, since the KKR backlog notification carries no rural quota option. Caste and income certificates must be obtained specifically for employment purposes; certificates issued for education or scheme benefits don’t qualify, and using one forfeits the reservation claim entirely. Candidates currently serving in Central, State, or PSU roles must declare their in-service status and, if selected, produce a No Objection Certificate under Rule 11 of the Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a typing test for Karnataka High Court SDA 2026?
No. Despite computer knowledge being listed as an eligibility requirement, the notification prescribes no computer practical, typing, or keyboard depression test. Selection is limited to the written Competitive Test and interview.
Can I apply for both the RPC and KKR backlog posts?
The two notifications carry separate, non-overlapping eligibility criteria; the KKR backlog posts are restricted to SC and Category-II(A) candidates with Blindness and Low Vision disabilities holding a Kalyana Karnataka Region eligibility certificate under Article 371-J. Most candidates will only qualify for one of the two notifications, not both.
What happens if I score above 60 overall but below the minimum in one section?
You still fail to qualify. Each of the four components (English Essay, Translation, General Knowledge, Interview) carries its own independent minimum passing mark, not just the overall total.
Are Karnataka High Court SDA posts the same as District Court SDA posts?
No. These are separate recruitment cadres; High Court-level SDA posts sit on the High Court’s own establishment and carry a distinct promotion path compared to SDA posts at Karnataka’s district courts.
Is this the same notification as the Karnataka High Court’s Assistant Court Secretary or Data Entry Assistant recruitments?
No. Those are separate, concurrently running recruitment drives (70 posts and 21 posts respectively) under different notification numbers; this SDA notification is limited strictly to HCRB/SDA-4/2026 and HCRB/SDA-5/2026.