The Supreme Court of India is inviting online applications for the recruitment of Law Clerk-cum-Research Associates for the year 2026. This recruitment drive aims to fill approximately 90 vacant positions under advertisement number F.21(LC)/2026-SC(RC). This is a contractual assignment designed for qualified law graduates seeking an engaging and challenging role within the judiciary. The selected candidates will be appointed on a short-term basis for the 2026–2027 term and will receive a consolidated remuneration of ₹1,00,000 per month. Interested applicants are advised to carefully review the eligibility criteria, application process, examination pattern, and other important details provided below to ensure eligibility and successful submission of their application.
Supreme Court of India Law Clerk-cum-Research Associate Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Company Name | Supreme Court of India |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Law Clerk-cum-Research Associate |
| No of Posts | Approximately 90 |
| Advertisement Number | F.21(LC)/2026-SC(RC) |
| Salary/Remuneration | Rs. 1,00,000/- per month (Consolidated) |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree in Law (including Integrated Law Courses) |
| Age Limit | 20 to 32 years (as on 07.02.2026) |
| Application Start Date | 20 January 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 7 February 2026 |
| Official Website | www.sci.gov.in |
Vacancy Details and Eligibility Criteria
Vacancy Details
There are approximately 90 vacancies for the position of Law Clerk-cum-Research Associate, which are open to eligible law graduates across India.
Eligibility Criteria
Essential Qualifications
- The candidate must be a Law Graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law or an Integrated Law Course from a recognized university established by law in India and recognized by the Bar Council of India.
- Candidates currently in the fifth year of a Five-Year Integrated Law Course or in the third year of a Three-Year Law Course after graduation can also apply, provided they furnish proof of qualification before taking up the assignment.
- Candidates must possess research, analytical, writing skills, and proficiency in computer applications, including retrieval of information from legal search engines such as e-SCR, Manupatra, SCC Online, LexisNexis, and Westlaw.
Important Notes
- The engagement is purely contractual and on a full-time basis, with no claim of permanent appointment.
- Engagement may be terminated at any time by the Registry with due notice.
- Law Clerks must not undertake any other assignments during the tenure and must not practice as advocates in any Court of Law during their engagement.
Remuneration and Term of Engagement
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Consolidated Salary | ₹1,00,000 per month |
| Assignment Duration | 2026–2027 |
| Nature of Appointment | Purely contractual, short-term basis |
| Working Hours | Extended hours including holidays, as per exigency |
| Posting Location | The candidate may be posted at any location within the Registry, Courts, Chambers, or Residential Office of the Hon’ble Judges, based on administrative requirements. |
Age Limit
The candidate must be between 20 to 32 years old on the last date of application submission (07.02.2026).
Application Process and Fees
Application Mode
Applications must be submitted online through the official Supreme Court of India website.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee (INR) |
|---|---|
| All candidates | Rs. 750/- plus bank charges |
The fee is non-refundable and must be paid online via the UCO Bank Payment Gateway. No other mode of payment is accepted, and application fee refunds are not provided under any circumstances.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 20 January 2026 |
| Online Registration Start Date | 20 January 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 07 February 2026 |
| Written Test (Part-I & II) | 07 March 2026 |
| Model Answer Key Upload | 08 March 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Objections | 09 March 2026 (up to 11:59 PM) |
Selection Process
Stages of Selection
- Part I: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) — Tests legal understanding, comprehension, and application of law. Conducted online, with a minimum passing score of 60%. Negative marking of 0.25 marks per incorrect answer.
- Part II: Subjective Written Test — Assesses analytical and writing skills. Candidates will write answers on paper, with questions displayed on a computer screen.
- Part III: Personal Interview — Successful candidates from the written tests will be called for an interview in a 1:3 ratio based on merit.
Evaluation and Merit
All answer sheets from Part-II will be evaluated based on performance in Part-I. If a large number pass Part-I, the answer sheets for Part-II will be evaluated in a 1:10 ratio to the number of vacancies, ensuring merit-based selection.
Model Answer Keys and Objections
Model answer keys will be uploaded on 08 March 2026 and will be available till 09 March 2026, 11:59 PM. Candidates may raise objections against the answer keys by paying Rs. 100/- fee per objection, which will be refunded if the objection is found valid.
Test Centers
The exams will be held on 07 March 2026 in the following cities, with possible expansion or reduction based on application volume:
- Ahmedabad, Ambala, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Dehradun, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Imphal, Jodhpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Pune, Raipur, Ranchi, Srinagar, Thiruvananthapuram, Visakhapatnam
Note: No TA/DA will be provided for exam attendance.
General Instructions and Other Details
Applicants should carefully fill in their application forms, ensure correctness, and retain the application number for future reference. False information will lead to disqualification. The issuance of admission cards does not guarantee selection. Applicants must upload recent photograph and signature as instructed and submit only one application, with the latest one being considered if multiple are submitted.
Requests for modifications or cancellations after submission are not entertained. The Supreme Court reserves the right to alter the selection process, cancel recruitment at any stage, or change test centers as deemed necessary.
In case of disputes, legal jurisdiction will be Delhi.
Facility for Persons with Disabilities (PwD)
PwD candidates can avail scribe facilities by submitting relevant documentation and filling appropriate proforma. The scribe should not be a law graduate and must meet the eligibility criteria. Candidates should produce supporting documents at the examination center. No other attendants are allowed in the examination hall with PwD candidates.
How to Apply
Eligible candidates should follow these steps:
- Visit the official Supreme Court of India website: www.sci.gov.in.
- Navigate to the Judicial Clerkship section or directly access the application form via the link provided here.
- Register and fill in the application form with accurate details.
- Upload required scanned documents (photograph and signature).
- Pay the application fee online using UCO Bank’s Payment Gateway.
- Review your application and submit it before the last date, 07 February 2026.
- Print and save a copy of your application form for future reference.
Official Notifications and Useful Links
- Full Official Notification PDF: Download here
- Apply Online: Click here
- Official Website: www.sci.gov.in
Ensure all requirements are fulfilled, and adhere to deadlines for a successful application process. For further assistance, candidates can contact the helpline numbers available on the official website. Best wishes for your application and future career with the Supreme Court of India.