Supreme Court Law Clerk Recruitment 2026: Apply for 90 Posts with ₹1 Lakh Salary

Your Application Timeline and Age Eligibility for Supreme Court Law Clerk 2026

The Crucial 18-Day Application Window

The Supreme Court of India has opened applications for Law Clerk-cum-Research Associates from 20 January 2026 to 07 February 2026. This gives candidates exactly 18 days to complete their online registration. The selection process begins with a written examination scheduled for 07 March 2026. A unique feature of this recruitment is the answer key release and objection window - the provisional answer key for Part-I will be published on 08 March 2026, and candidates have until 11:59 PM on 09 March 2026 to submit objections at ₹100 per question. The notification does not specify any interview dates yet.

Understanding the Age Criteria

To be eligible for the Law Clerk position, candidates must be between 20 and 32 years of age as on 07 February 2026, which is the application closing date. This means your age must not be less than 20 years and should not exceed 32 years on this specific date. While the notification mentions age relaxation for various categories, the exact details are governed by the "Scheme of Engaging Law Clerk-cum-Research Associates on Short-Term Contractual Assignment" dated January 2024. Candidates should refer to this scheme document for specific relaxation details for SC, ST, OBC, PwD, and other categories.

The Gateway to Supreme Court Legal Research

Understanding the Law Clerk Role

The position of Law Clerk-cum-Research Associate is purely temporary and contractual for the period 2026-2027. Selected candidates will work closely with Supreme Court Judges, providing crucial research assistance, analyzing case laws, and preparing legal briefs. It's important to understand that this engagement does not confer any right to regular appointment in the Supreme Court. The appointment can be terminated at any time with prescribed notice. This role is ideal for fresh law graduates seeking hands-on experience in the highest judicial institution of the country.

Multiple Eligibility Pathways

The primary qualification required is a Bachelor's Degree in Law from any institution recognized by the Bar Council of India, whether it's a 3-year LL.B. after graduation or a 5-year integrated law program. Notably, final-year law students are also eligible to apply - those in their 5th year of 5-year LL.B. or 3rd year of 3-year LL.B. programs. However, they must obtain their degree before actually joining the position. The notification emphasizes the need for strong legal research skills and familiarity with legal databases like Manupatra, SCC Online, and e-SCR, which are essential tools for Supreme Court research work.

90 Prestigious Positions at India's Apex Court

A Tentative Panel for Legal Excellence

The Supreme Court plans to engage approximately 90 candidates as Law Clerk-cum-Research Associates for the 2026-2027 term. It's important to note that this number is tentative and may change as per the requirements of the Court. The notification does not provide category-wise, gender-wise, or PwD-specific vacancy details in the main document. Candidates should check for any corrigendum or additional notification for this information. These positions represent one of the most sought-after opportunities for young law graduates to work at the highest judicial level in India.

Attractive Remuneration for Contractual Role

Selected candidates will receive a consolidated remuneration of ₹1,00,000 per month. Since this is a purely contractual position, there is no traditional pay scale, grade pay, or pay matrix applicable. The ₹1 lakh per month is an all-inclusive amount. The notification does not specify whether any allowances like Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, or Transport Allowance are provided separately. Being a contractual assignment, typical government employee benefits like pension, medical facilities, or leave encashment might not apply, though candidates should refer to the January 2024 Scheme for complete service conditions.

Fee Structure and Document Checklist

Understanding the Application Costs

All candidates applying for the Law Clerk position must pay a non-refundable application fee of ₹750, plus any applicable bank charges. This fee is uniform for all categories as per the notification. A unique aspect is the objection fee system for answer key challenges - candidates need to pay ₹100 per question they wish to challenge, which is refundable only if their objection is found valid. Payment must be made exclusively through online modes as the Supreme Court does not accept any offline or postal applications. The fee once paid will not be refunded even if the candidate is found ineligible later.

Preparing Your Digital Application Package

Applicants need to prepare scanned copies of their recent photograph and signature for uploading during the online application process. While specific size and format requirements aren't mentioned in the main notification, candidates should have clear, professional-looking scans ready. It's crucial to note that original academic certificates and category certificates are not uploaded initially but will be required for physical verification at the final engagement stage. For Persons with Disabilities (PwD), specific certificates in the prescribed formats (Annexure-I for physical limitation and Annexure-IA for scribe requirement) must be produced both during the examination and final verification.

Navigating the Supreme Court's Online Application System

A Step-by-Step Guide to Application

The entire application process is completely online through the Supreme Court's official website. Candidates must first gather their details and scanned documents before starting. Between 20 January and 07 February 2026, they should visit the Supreme Court website, complete the registration, and fill in all details with utmost accuracy. A critical warning in the notification states that once submitted, the application cannot be withdrawn or modified. After uploading documents and paying the fee, candidates should download and save the confirmation receipt. All future communications will be through the registered email and the judicial clerkship portal.

Staying Updated Through Official Channels

The only authentic source for all information is the Supreme Court website (sci.gov.in). The main website hosts the application portal, while the specific judicial clerkship sub-page will contain admit cards, updates, and results. Candidates must regularly check both these official links. The original notification PDF should be downloaded and carefully read for complete details. Since no helpline or support contact is mentioned in the notification, candidates must rely on information published on these official portals and avoid any third-party information sources.

The Three-Tier Selection Architecture

Progressive Screening for Legal Excellence

The selection process follows a three-stage progressive elimination system. The first stage is an online Multiple Choice Based Test (Part-I). Only candidates scoring 60% or above in Part-I will be considered for the next stage. From these qualified candidates, a 1:10 ratio against vacancies is maintained for shortlisting to Part-II. The second stage is a Subjective Written Test where candidates write answers on paper while questions are displayed on screen. From Part-II, candidates are shortlisted in a 1:3 ratio for the final interview. This structured approach ensures only the most capable candidates progress to each subsequent stage.

Understanding the Examination Dynamics

The notification confirms that Part-I has negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer, making accuracy crucial. However, detailed information about subjects, number of questions, duration, and marks distribution is not provided in this notification document. These details are governed by the "Scheme of Engaging Law Clerk-cum-Research Associates on Short-Term Contractual Assignment in the Supreme Court of India – January 2024", as amended. Candidates must refer to this Scheme document for the complete exam pattern, syllabus, and marking scheme. The subjective test (Part-II) requires handwritten answers, testing both legal knowledge and writing ability.

• Contractual Nature with No Regularization: The engagement is purely temporary and contractual with no right to regular appointment. The Supreme Court can terminate the engagement at any time with prescribed notice without assigning any reason.
• Complete Professional Restrictions: Law Clerks cannot practice as Advocates during their tenure and cannot accept any other assignment. This is a full-time commitment that may involve working odd hours and holidays as required.
• All-India Service Conditions: While the jurisdiction for legal matters is Delhi courts only, selected candidates can be posted anywhere - Registry, Courts, Chambers, or even Residence of CJI/Judges as per administrative requirements.
• Strict Scribe Requirements for PwD: If a scribe is used, they must NOT be a law graduate and must be at least one qualification level below the candidate. Proper certificates (Annexure-I & IA) must be produced at examination and verification stages.
• Zero Tolerance for False Information: Furnishing false information or documents will lead to immediate disqualification and possible legal action. This applies even after selection or engagement.
• Single Application Rule: If multiple applications are submitted, only the last application will be considered and all previous ones will be rejected automatically.
• No Withdrawal or Modification: Once submitted, the application cannot be withdrawn or modified under any circumstances. Candidates must verify all details before final submission.
• Unfair Means Consequences: Use of unfair means in examination will result in disqualification, debarment from future exams, and legal proceedings as per Supreme Court rules.

The Backbone Document: January 2024 Scheme

Your Ultimate Reference Guide

The entire recruitment process is governed by the "Scheme of Engaging Law Clerk-cum-Research Associates on Short-Term Contractual Assignment in the Supreme Court of India – January 2024", as amended. This is the master document that contains all details missing from the notification - complete exam pattern, syllabus, marking scheme, age relaxations, service conditions, and procedural guidelines. Notably, this Scheme document is not attached with the notification PDF. Candidates must obtain it separately from the Supreme Court website or office. All references in the notification point to this Scheme, making it essential reading for every serious applicant.

Accommodation for Persons with Disabilities

The Supreme Court provides specific accommodations for PwD candidates through standardized certificate formats. Annexure-I is for certifying physical limitations, while Annexure-IA is specifically for candidates with less than 40% disability who require a scribe. The scribe requirements are particularly strict - they cannot be law graduates and must be academically at least one level below the candidate. These certificates must be produced at two stages: during the examination and again during final document verification. Failure to produce these certificates at either stage will result in immediate cancellation of candidature, highlighting the importance of proper documentation.