Kerala High Court Research Assistant Recruitment 2026 – 48 Vacancies
The High Court of Kerala has invited online applications from eligible Indian citizens for the recruitment of Research Assistants on a contract basis. According to Notification No. 23/2026, a total of 48 anticipatory vacancies have been announced. Law graduates and eligible final-year or final-semester law students can apply for these positions.
Selected candidates will receive a monthly honorarium of ₹35,000. The initial appointment period will be one year, with a possibility of extension to a second year subject to Government sanction and performance assessment. Interested candidates should complete the online application process before the deadline.
Kerala High Court Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Organization | High Court of Kerala |
| Notification Number | HCKL/7351/2026-REC2-HC KERALA |
| Recruitment Number | 23/2026 |
| Recruitment Name | Research Assistant Recruitment 2026 |
| Post Name | Research Assistant |
| Job Location | High Court of Kerala, Kochi |
| Employment Type | Temporary appointment on contract basis |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Total Vacancies | 48 (Anticipatory) |
| Monthly Honorarium | ₹35,000 |
| Application Starting Date | 02 November 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 November 2026 |
| Notification Date | 29 October 2026 |
Vacancy Details
The High Court of Kerala has announced 48 anticipatory vacancies for the following post:
| Post Name | Vacancies | Appointment Type |
|---|---|---|
| Research Assistant | 48 (Anticipatory) | Contract Basis |
| Total | 48 | Temporary |
Important: The vacancies are anticipatory. Vacancies that arise during the validity period of the ranked list will also be filled from the list.
The ranked list will remain in force for a minimum period of one year from the date it comes into force. It will continue until a fresh list is published or until the expiry of two years, whichever is earlier.
Educational Qualification
The prescribed educational qualification for the Research Assistant post is:
- Graduation in Law.
Final-year and final-semester law students are also eligible to apply. However, their applications will be considered only after producing all the required certificates and consolidated mark sheet at the time of certificate verification, which takes place before the Viva Voce examination.
Experience and Additional Requirements
- Separate work experience requirements are not specified in the official notification.
- Candidates possessing degrees awarded by universities outside Kerala must obtain a certificate of recognition for their degrees from any University in Kerala.
- The recognition certificate should be kept ready and produced whenever required. Failure to produce it will result in cancellation of candidature.
- Candidates must produce original documents to establish their age, qualifications and other claimed eligibility details when called for.
Salary Details
Selected Research Assistants will receive an honorarium of:
₹35,000 per month
The notification states that the honorarium may be enhanced on the basis of Government sanction.
Tenure of Appointment
- Initial appointment period: 1 year.
- Extension: May be extended to the second year.
- Extension conditions: Government sanction for continuation of the post and performance assessment.
This is a temporary contractual appointment and should not be considered a permanent government post.
Age Limit
As per the official notification, candidates born between the following dates are eligible:
01 December 1994 to 30 November 2004 (both dates inclusive).
Candidates must satisfy the prescribed date-of-birth condition to apply for this recruitment.
Separate age-relaxation details are not specified in the official notification.
Application Fee
The application fee for the Research Assistant recruitment is:
₹1,000 (Rupees One Thousand only).
The following categories are exempted from payment of the application fee:
- Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates.
- Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates.
- Unemployed differently abled candidates with benchmark disabilities.
Candidates who are required to pay the fee can use either the system-generated Fee Payment Challan or online payment through Debit Card, Credit Card or Net Banking by following the instructions displayed on the screen.
Any applicable bank transaction charges must be borne by the candidate.
Reservation and Fee Exemption
The notification specifically provides application fee exemption for SC, ST and unemployed differently abled candidates with benchmark disabilities.
A detailed category-wise vacancy distribution or reservation-wise vacancy breakdown is not specified in the official notification.
Selection Process
The selection of candidates for the Research Assistant post will be based on:
- Written Test and/or Scientific/Computer Based Test.
- Viva Voce examination.
The notification states that the High Court will conduct the selection process according to its prescribed procedures.
How to Apply Online
Eligible candidates must submit their applications through the official High Court of Kerala recruitment portal. Applications through any other means or modes will not be accepted.
Follow the application procedure mentioned in the notification:
- Visit the official recruitment portal: https://hckrecruitment.keralacourts.in/hckrecruitment/.
- Complete the One Time Registration using the One Time Registration Login link available on the website.
- Read the recruitment notification and the How to Apply instructions carefully before proceeding.
- Keep scanned images of your photograph, signature and qualification-related documents ready.
- After completing registration, enter the required information under the My Profile section.
- Open the Dashboard and select Apply Now for the Research Assistant recruitment.
- Proceed according to the instructions displayed on the recruitment portal.
- Pay the applicable application fee using one of the permitted payment methods.
- Check the application preview carefully and verify that all details are correct before final submission.
- Submit the application within the prescribed deadline.
Important: Once submitted, the application cannot be edited or modified. An application once filed will not be allowed to be withdrawn.
Documents Required
The notification specifically instructs candidates to keep scanned images of the following ready for online application:
- Photograph.
- Signature.
- Details and certificates relating to educational qualifications.
Candidates should also be prepared to produce original documents when called for verification, including:
- Documents proving age.
- Educational qualification certificates.
- Consolidated mark sheet, where applicable.
- Caste/Community Certificate, if claiming applicable benefits.
- Disability Certificate, if applicable.
- Degree recognition certificate for degrees awarded by universities outside Kerala.
- Medical certificate in the prescribed format, where required for scribe or compensatory time facilities.
The relevant original certificates must be produced as and when required by the High Court.
Scribe and Compensatory Time for Differently Abled Candidates
The notification provides specific facilities for differently abled candidates appearing for the written examination.
- Candidates whose writing speed is affected can avail themselves of the services of a scribe. They must indicate their intention to use a scribe in the online application form.
- The use of a scribe will be governed by the guidelines prescribed by the High Court.
- Candidates must produce a medical certificate and declaration in the prescribed format at the time of the test.
- The qualification of the scribe must be at least one step below the minimum qualification prescribed for the post.
- Differently abled candidates may be allowed compensatory time of 20 minutes for every hour of examination, with the required medical certificate, whether or not they use a scribe.
The prescribed medical certificate format is available in the Downloads section of the recruitment portal.
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Applications submitted without complying with the notification and recruitment portal instructions will be rejected.
- Candidates must ensure that all details furnished in the application are correct.
- Any incorrect or false information or suppression of material facts may result in cancellation of candidature.
- Original documents must be produced whenever required.
- Certificates claiming caste, community or disability benefits must be valid on the last date of online application or on the date of certificate verification, as applicable.
- Anything not specifically claimed in the application against the appropriate field will not be considered at a later stage.
- Candidates applying from abroad must email their location and public IP address to recruitment.hckerala@nic.in to obtain access to the recruitment portal. They must also inform the High Court by email after completing the online application process.
- Candidates must visit the recruitment portal regularly for updates regarding the examination and interview.
- The High Court reserves the right to modify or cancel the notification at any stage of the selection process.
Admission Tickets and Call Letters
- Admission tickets for the test will be available for download approximately three weeks before the test date.
- Call letters for the interview will be available approximately two weeks before the interview.
- Candidates must log in to their profiles to download admission tickets and call letters.
- Intimation regarding the availability of these documents will be sent through SMS or email.
- Candidates who face difficulties downloading their admission tickets or call letters may contact the High Court at 0484-2562235.
- Using an edited or modified admission ticket instead of the originally available document will result in disqualification and may lead to debarment.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Publication Date | 29 October 2026 |
| Commencement of Online Application and Online Fee Payment | 02 November 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Application and Online Fee Payment | 30 November 2026 |
| Commencement of Offline Fee Payment | 04 December 2026 |
| Last Date for Offline Fee Payment | 11 December 2026 |
Note: The online application submission deadline is 30 November 2026. The offline fee payment dates are separate and do not extend the online application submission deadline.
Contact Details
Candidates who require clarification regarding the recruitment can contact the High Court of Kerala.
- Phone: 0484-2562235
- Email: recruitment.hckerala@nic.in
- Fax: 0484-2391720
- Location: Kochi – 682 031
- Telephone Enquiry Time: All working days between 10:00 AM and 4:30 PM.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many vacancies are available in Kerala High Court Research Assistant Recruitment 2026?
A total of 48 anticipatory vacancies have been announced for the Research Assistant post.
2. What is the educational qualification required?
Candidates must have Graduation in Law. Final-year and final-semester law students are also eligible, subject to producing all certificates and the consolidated mark sheet before the Viva Voce examination.
3. What is the monthly salary of a Research Assistant?
The monthly honorarium is ₹35,000. It may be enhanced subject to Government sanction.
4. What is the age limit for this recruitment?
Candidates born between 01 December 1994 and 30 November 2004, both dates inclusive, are eligible to apply.
5. What is the application fee?
The application fee is ₹1,000. SC, ST and unemployed differently abled candidates with benchmark disabilities are exempted.
6. What is the last date to apply online?
The last date for online application submission and online fee payment is 30 November 2026.
7. Can final-year law students apply?
Yes. Final-year and final-semester law students can apply. However, they must produce all certificates and the consolidated mark sheet during certificate verification before the Viva Voce examination.
8. What is the selection process?
Selection will be based on a written test and/or Scientific/Computer Based Test and Viva Voce examination.
9. Is this a permanent government job?
No. This is a temporary appointment on a contract basis for one year. It may be extended to a second year subject to Government sanction and performance assessment.
Final Reminder
Eligible candidates interested in Kerala High Court Research Assistant Recruitment 2026 should carefully read the official notification and complete their online applications before 30 November 2026. Candidates should verify their eligibility, prepare the required documents and follow all instructions provided by the High Court.
For complete recruitment details and online application, use the official links provided below.
Official Links
| Official Website | Visit Official Website |
| Official Notification PDF | Download Official Notification PDF – Link needs manual replacement. |
| Apply Online | Apply Online |
Recruitment information is based on the High Court of Kerala notification dated 29 October 2026, Recruitment No. 23/2026.
