The Supreme Court of India has officially released the Law Clerk-cum-Research Associate Recruitment Notification 2026, inviting online applications from eligible law graduates and final-year law students for short-term contractual engagement during the 2026–2027 term. This prestigious opportunity allows young legal professionals to work closely with the highest judicial institution in the country and gain unparalleled exposure to constitutional law, judicial research, and court procedures.
As per the notification issued on January 20, 2026, the Supreme Court aims to prepare a panel of approximately 90 candidates who will be engaged purely on a contractual basis with a consolidated monthly remuneration of ₹1,00,000.
Overview of Supreme Court Law Clerk Recruitment 2026
The engagement of Law Clerk-cum-Research Associates 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). The assignment is full-time, strictly contractual, and does not confer any right to regular appointment or continuation in service.
Selected candidates will assist Hon’ble Judges of the Supreme Court in legal research, case analysis, drafting of notes, and related judicial work.
Number of Vacancies
- Tentative number of candidates: Approximately 90
- The final number may vary depending on administrative requirements and decisions of the competent authority.
Salary and Tenure
- Monthly Remuneration: ₹1,00,000 (consolidated)
- Assignment Term: 2026–2027
- The engagement may be terminated at any time as per the terms of the scheme.
Law Clerks are not permitted to:
- Practice as advocates in any court of law during the assignment
- Take up any other professional or academic assignment simultaneously
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must fulfill one of the following conditions:
- Be a Law Graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (3-year or 5-year integrated course) from a recognized institution approved by the Bar Council of India
OR - Be a student currently studying:
- 5th year of a 5-year integrated law course, or
- 3rd year of a 3-year law course,
subject to acquiring the law degree before joining the assignment.
Skills Required
Applicants must possess:
- Strong research and analytical abilities
- Excellent legal writing skills
- Working knowledge of computers and legal research databases such as:
- SCC Online
- Manupatra
- LexisNexis
- Westlaw
- e-SCR
Age Limit (As on 07 February 2026)
- Minimum Age: 20 years
- Maximum Age: 32 years
Candidates outside this age bracket are not eligible to apply.
Selection Process
The selection process will be conducted in three phases:
Part I – Objective Test
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Tests legal aptitude, comprehension, and application of law
- Conducted online
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer
Part II – Subjective Written Test
- Focuses on writing and analytical skills
- Question paper visible on computer screen
- Answers to be written in pen-paper mode
Part III – Interview
- Candidates qualifying both written tests will be shortlisted for interview
- Interview ratio: 1:3 against the number of tentative vacancies
Examination Date and Key Schedule
- Written Examination Date: 07 March 2026
- Model Answer Keys Upload: 08 March 2026
- Objection Window for Answer Keys: Till 09 March 2026 (11:59 PM)
- Fee per Objection: ₹100 (refundable if objection is found valid)
Examination Centres
The written examination will be conducted in 23 cities across India, including:
Ahmedabad, Ambala, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Dehradun, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Imphal, Jodhpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Pune, Raipur, Ranchi, Srinagar, Thiruvananthapuram, and Visakhapatnam.
The number of centres may increase or decrease depending on applications received.
Application Process
How to Apply
- Applications must be submitted online only
- Registration link will be available on the official Supreme Court website
- No offline or postal applications will be accepted
Important Dates
- Start of Online Applications: 20 January 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 07 February 2026
Application Fee
- ₹750 (non-refundable) + applicable bank charges
- Payment to be made online through UCO Bank payment gateway
Admit Card and Communication
- Admit cards will be issued online
- All communication will be sent via:
- Registered email ID
- Registered mobile number (SMS)
Issuance of an admit card does not guarantee selection.
Facilities for PwD Candidates
- Eligible Persons with Disabilities (PwD) can avail the facility of a scribe
- Relevant medical certificates (Annexure-I or Annexure-IA) must be produced
- The scribe must not be a law graduate or law student
Why Apply for Supreme Court Law Clerkship?
- Direct exposure to constitutional litigation
- Opportunity to work with Hon’ble Judges
- Strengthens academic, research, and drafting skills
- Highly valuable for careers in litigation, academia, and public service
Final Words
The Supreme Court of India Law Clerk-cum-Research Associate Recruitment 2026 is a rare and prestigious opportunity for aspiring legal professionals to gain first-hand experience in the Indian judicial system. Interested candidates are advised to carefully read the official notification, ensure eligibility, and submit their applications well before the closing date.
