Islamabad High Court Announces Vacancies for Civil Judges-cum-Magistrates (BPS-18)
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Examination Wing has officially released Advertisement No. 8/2026/CJM/EW/IHC, inviting applications from qualified Pakistani citizens for the positions of Civil Judges-cum-Magistrates (BPS-18). This recruitment drive also includes specific allocations for Female Civil Judges (Family) / Presiding Officers, offering a highly prestigious career path within the Islamabad Judicial Service.
Interested legal professionals can apply online before the deadline at the end of July. Below are the comprehensive details regarding eligibility, quota allocation, examination structure, and the application process.
⚖️ Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for these vacant positions, candidates must fulfill the following strict criteria as prescribed under the Islamabad Judicial Service Rules, 2011:
- Educational Qualification: The applicant must possess a degree in law from a recognized university that entitles them to practice the profession of law.
- Experience: Must be an Advocate who has actively practiced law for not less than two years preceding the date of the advertisement. During this period, the candidate must not have been engaged in any other whole-time service, business, or occupation for gain.
- Age Limit: Applicants must be between 21 and 35 years of age. The age will be calculated based on the last date fixed for the submission of the online application.
- Health: Candidates must be in good mental and physical health, free from any physical defects likely to interfere with the efficient performance of their judicial duties.
📊 Quota Breakdown
The appointments will be distributed based on the following structural quotas:
- Open Merit: 50% of the appointments will be filled via initial recruitment on merit.
- Regional Quota: 50% of appointments are reserved for eligible candidates holding a domicile from the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
- Special Reserved Quotas: Across the board, 10% of seats are reserved for women, and 2% of seats are reserved for Persons with Disabilities (subject to suitability).
📝 Examination & Selection Process
The selection procedure involves a rigorous written examination followed by an interview/viva voce.
1. Written Examination
The written exams will be conducted exclusively within the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). The exam pattern is structured as follows:
- Law & Other Subjects: Each paper is divided into two segments: 25% Objective and 75% Subjective.
- General Knowledge Paper: This paper will be 100% objective/MCQ-based.
2. Passing Criteria
- Candidates must secure a minimum of 40% marks in each individual written paper.
- An overall aggregate of 375 marks is required to qualify for the next stage.
3. Interview / Viva Voce
- Qualified candidates will undergo a mandatory viva voce worth 100 marks.
- A minimum of 30% qualifying marks in the interview is mandatory to be declared successful.
💳 Examination Fee & Registration
- Application Fee: A non-refundable examination fee of Rs. 5,000/- (Rupees five thousand only) must be paid.
- Payment Method: Candidates must generate a bank challan via the IHC Job Portal and deposit the fee at any branch of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) into Account No. 4243787815 (IBAN No. PK24NBPA2164004243787815), titled “Human Resource of Islamabad High Court”.
- Note: Payments made through online mobile banking or any other online medium will not be accepted.
📅 Important Dates & How to Apply
- How to Apply: Applications must be submitted ONLINE ONLY via the official Islamabad High Court Job Portal: jobs.ihc.gov.pk. Applications submitted by hand or through postal mail will not be entertained.
- Last Date to Apply: July 31, 2026
- Exam Dates: The exact schedule for the written examinations will be announced and intimated at a later stage.
Candidates are strongly advised to thoroughly review the Islamabad Judicial Service Rules, 2011, and the detailed guidelines available on the IHC portal before submitting their applications.
