New Delhi : The Supreme Court of India has invited online applications for engagement of Law Clerks-cum-Research Associates for the 2026–2027 term under its short-term contractual scheme for law clerks, notified in January 2024 and subsequently amended.
As per the notification, the Court proposes to prepare a panel of around 90 candidates who will be engaged purely on a contractual basis. Selected candidates will be paid a fixed monthly remuneration of ₹1,00,000. The Court has made it clear that the engagement is full-time in nature and does not confer any right to permanent appointment or continuation in service. The Registry will retain the power to terminate the engagement at any stage, in accordance with the notice conditions prescribed under the scheme.
During the contractual period, appointees will not be permitted to take up any other professional assignment and will be barred from practising as advocates before any court or authority for the entire duration of their engagement. The Court has also cautioned that the work may require extended hours, including on holidays, depending on official needs.
To be eligible, applicants must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Law, including integrated law programmes, from an institution recognised by the Bar Council of India for enrolment as an advocate. Students currently in the final year of a five-year integrated law course or the third year of a three-year law programme after graduation are also eligible to apply, provided they submit proof of having obtained the degree before joining. Candidates are expected to demonstrate strong research and analytical abilities, sound legal writing skills, and proficiency in computers and legal research platforms such as e-SCR, Manupatra, SCC Online, LexisNexis and Westlaw.
The age of applicants must be between 20 and 32 years, calculated as on 7 February 2026.
The selection process will consist of three stages. Part I will be an objective multiple-choice test to assess legal understanding, application of law and comprehension. Part II will be a subjective written examination aimed at evaluating analytical and writing skills. Candidates who clear both written components will be called for an interview in the final stage.
The written examinations are scheduled to be held on 7 March 2026. Part I will be conducted online, while Part II will be displayed on a computer screen but answered in pen-and-paper mode. The tests will be conducted in two sessions on the same day across 23 cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Patna, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram and Srinagar. The Court has noted that the list of test centres may be revised depending on the number of applications received, subject to directions of the Chief Justice of India or the judges’ committee supervising the process.
The model answer key for the objective test will be uploaded on 8 March 2026. Candidates will be allowed to submit objections online until 11:59 pm on 9 March 2026, on payment of ₹100 per objection. The amount will be refunded if the objection is found to be valid.
Online applications will open on 20 January 2026 and close on 7 February 2026. Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application and test fee of ₹750, along with applicable bank charges, through online mode only. The Registry has warned that applications not submitted in accordance with the prescribed instructions will be rejected. Admit cards will be issued provisionally and will not by themselves guarantee selection.
The Court has also clarified that no travel or daily allowance will be paid for appearing in the examination. Any legal dispute arising out of the recruitment process will be subject to the jurisdiction of courts in Delhi.
