Latest Update: Kerala High Court Office Attendant Notification 21/2026 Released
Online Application ActiveLatest Update (September 2026): The High Court of Kerala officially issued the recruitment notification for Office Attendant under Recruitment Number 21/2026 (Ref. HCKL/7597/2026-REC3-HC KERALA) on 16 September 2026. Online registration and application submission have commenced on 23 September 2026 and will close on 26 October 2026. Candidates remitting application fees offline through system-generated challan can pay between 30 October 2026 and 6 November 2026 at designated bank branches. Eligible candidates with SSLC qualification who have not acquired graduation can submit their applications online at hckrecruitment.keralacourts.in.
⚡ Kerala High Court Office Attendant Recruitment 2026 – Quick Answer
The High Court of Kerala has invited online applications from eligible candidates for appointment as Office Attendant (Recruitment No. 21/2026) against 17 anticipated vacancies in the scale of pay of ₹23,000 – ₹50,200 through direct recruitment. The minimum educational qualification is a pass in S.S.L.C. or its equivalent, with the mandatory statutory condition that candidates should not have acquired graduation. The selection process consists of an Objective Written Examination (100 marks) followed by an Interview (10 marks).
1. Introduction: Kerala High Court Office Attendant Recruitment 2026
The High Court of Kerala, seated at Ernakulam (Kochi), is the apex judicial institution for the State of Kerala and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. As part of its annual establishment staffing drive, the Registry of the High Court has notified direct recruitment for the post of Office Attendant under official Recruitment Number 21/2026.
A total of 17 anticipated vacancies have been announced in the revised scale of pay of ₹23,000 – ₹50,200. Online applications are accepted exclusively through the official Kerala High Court Recruitment Portal from 23 September 2026 until 26 October 2026. The recruitment offers an esteemed career entry into the judicial service establishment for matriculate candidates across Kerala who meet the prescribed age limits and educational criteria.
Prospective candidates must note that this recruitment enforces a distinct statutory eligibility rule: applicants must possess S.S.L.C. or an equivalent qualification and must not have acquired a university degree (graduation) on or before the application closing date.
2. Kerala High Court Office Attendant Recruitment 2026 – Overview
The key administrative and operational highlights of Kerala High Court Recruitment No. 21/2026 are summarized in the structured overview table below:
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | High Court of Kerala (Ernakulam, Kochi) |
| Post Name | Office Attendant |
| Recruitment Number | 21/2026 |
| Notification Reference | HCKL/7597/2026-REC3-HC KERALA |
| Notification Release Date | 16 September 2026 |
| Number of Vacancies | 17 Anticipated Vacancies |
| Method of Appointment | Direct Recruitment |
| Scale of Pay | ₹23,000 – ₹50,200 |
| Minimum Educational Qualification | Pass in S.S.L.C. or equivalent (Must NOT have acquired graduation) |
| Application Mode | Online via Official Recruitment Portal |
| Online Application Window | 23 September 2026 to 26 October 2026 |
| Offline Fee Payment Window | 30 October 2026 to 06 November 2026 |
| Selection Process | Written Examination (100 Marks) + Interview (10 Marks) |
| Official Recruitment Portal | hckrecruitment.keralacourts.in |
3. Vacancy Details: Understanding "Anticipated Vacancies"
Official Notification No. 21/2026 specifies 17 anticipated vacancies for the post of Office Attendant. In administrative terminology of the High Court of Kerala, the term "anticipated vacancy" denotes the estimated number of vacancies projected to occur due to superannuation (retirements), promotions, deputations, and sanctioned cadral additions over a given recruitment cycle.
⚠️ Important Rule on Ranked List Utilization
The official notification explicitly states that vacancies that may arise during the period of validity of the ranked list shall also be filled up from the ranked list, subject to statutory rules and reservation rosters in force. This means that if additional vacancies arise beyond the initial 17 during the active validity of the list, candidates next in line on the merit list may be advised for appointment.
*Note: The High Court of Kerala does not declare an arbitrary community-wise vacancy breakup at the notification stage. Category-wise reservations (SC, ST, OBC, EWS, Differently Abled) are operated dynamically strictly as per the Kerala Judicial Ministerial Service Rules and applicable State reservation roster turns during candidate advice.
Candidates must clearly distinguish between this recruitment and Office Attendant recruitments conducted by the Kerala Public Service Commission (Kerala PSC):
-
Separate Autonomous Exercise: Recruitment No. 21/2026 is conducted independently by the High Court of Kerala for its own judicial establishment through its dedicated portal (
hckrecruitment.keralacourts.in). It is NOT conducted through Kerala PSC's Thulasi portal. - Separate Eligibility & Rules: The educational benchmarks, graduation disqualification clause, fee structure (₹500), syllabus distribution, and interview component are specific to High Court Service Rules and should not be confused with Kerala PSC district-wise or company/board Office Attendant exams.
- Application Venue: You cannot apply for this recruitment via a Kerala PSC user profile; you must register separately on the High Court recruitment portal.
5. Educational Qualification: Strict Non-Graduation Rule
The prescribed educational qualification for Kerala High Court Office Attendant Recruitment 2026 has two interdependent components:
✓ Minimum Educational Requirement
Candidates should have passed S.S.L.C. (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) or its equivalent examination recognized by the Government of Kerala.
⚠️ Mandatory Negative Disqualification
Candidates should NOT have acquired graduation (university degree) in any discipline as on the date of closure of online application.
Key Statutory Qualification Guidelines:
- Crucial Date: All educational qualifications must have been acquired on or before the last date of online application submission (26 October 2026).
- The Degree Restriction: If a candidate has completed graduation (e.g. B.A., B.Sc., B.Com., B.Tech., etc.), they are ineligible for this post, even if they have passed SSLC with distinction. Suppressing higher graduation credentials during registration constitutes misrepresentation and will lead to summary disqualification.
- Equivalent Qualification Protocol: Candidates who claim an equivalent qualification to SSLC must produce the applicable Government Order (G.O.) issued by the Government of Kerala establishing equivalence as and when demanded.
- Post-Notification Orders Invalid: Qualifications declared as equivalent by the Government subsequent to the date of issuance of the notification (16 September 2026) shall not be accepted as sufficient qualification.
6. Age Limit & Date of Birth Eligibility
Eligibility with respect to age is calculated strictly on the basis of candidate Date of Birth (DOB) as recorded in the SSLC certificate. The notification provides precise date-of-birth windows (both days inclusive):
| Candidate Category | Permitted Date of Birth Range (Both Days Inclusive) |
|---|---|
| General Candidates (Unreserved) | Born between 02/01/1986 and 01/01/2008 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | Born between 02/01/1983 and 01/01/2008 |
| Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) | Born between 02/01/1981 and 01/01/2008 |
7. Upper Age Relaxation Provisions
Upper age relaxation is admissible to special categories in accordance with High Court Service Rules, subject to a strict overarching ceiling of 50 years:
Ex-Servicemen & Uniformed Forces Personnel
Ex-servicemen, ex-General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) personnel, and disembodied Territorial Army personnel are permitted to exclude the actual period of military/force service and the period of unemployment on discharge up to a maximum of 5 years from their actual age, provided the candidate has not completed 50 years of age.
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (Blindness & Low Vision, Deaf & Hard of Hearing)
Candidates with benchmark disabilities falling under Blindness & Low Vision or Deaf & Hard of Hearing are entitled to age relaxation of up to 15 years, subject to the condition that in no case shall the upper age limit exceed 50 years.
Other Benchmark Disability Categories
Candidates with other benchmark disabilities (locomotor disability, cerebral palsy, etc.) are entitled to age relaxation of up to 10 years, subject to the maximum ceiling of 50 years.
Widows
Widow candidates are eligible for upper age relaxation of up to 5 years over the standard category limit, provided they have not completed 50 years of age.
8. Application Fee & Remittance Guidelines
| Category of Candidate | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC Candidates | ₹500/- (Rupees Five Hundred Only) |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) / Scheduled Tribes (ST) | NIL (Exempted) |
| Unemployed Differently Abled Candidates | NIL (Exempted) |
Payment Methods & Conditions:
- Online Mode: Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI through the integrated payment gateway on the portal up to 26 October 2026.
- Offline Mode: Candidates who select offline payment must download the system-generated Fee Payment Challan and remit the fee at designated branches between 30 October 2026 and 6 November 2026.
- Bank Charges: Transaction/convenience charges levied by banks are to be borne by the candidate.
- Strict Prohibition: Remittance by Demand Draft (DD), Cheque, Money Order, or Postal Order will not be accepted. Fee once paid is non-refundable and non-transferable under all circumstances.
9. Important Dates & Official Timeline
| Recruitment Event | Official Date / Schedule |
|---|---|
| Release of Official Notification (No. 21/2026) | 16 September 2026 |
| Commencement of Online Application & Online Fee Remittance | 23 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Online Application & Online Fee | 26 October 2026 |
| Commencement of Offline Fee Remittance (Challan) | 30 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Offline Fee Remittance | 06 November 2026 |
| Written Examination Date | To Be Announced by High Court |
| Interview Date | To Be Announced Following Written Test |
10. Selection Process
Direct appointment to the cadre of Office Attendant in the High Court of Kerala involves two structured stages of assessment:
Stage 1: Written Examination (100 Marks)
An objective multiple-choice examination conducted on OMR answer sheets designed to evaluate fundamental reasoning, numerical grasp, general knowledge, and language proficiency.
Stage 2: Interview (10 Marks)
A personal interview to evaluate demeanor, communicativeness, and suitability for judicial administrative service. Minimum qualifying mark: 35% in interview (3.5 marks out of 10) for inclusion in the ranked list.
11. Written Examination Pattern
The written test is an objective-type test answered on OMR sheets. The test duration is 75 minutes and comprises 4 sections:
| Section | Subject / Paper | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | General Knowledge & Current Affairs | 50 Marks |
| (b) | Numerical Ability | 20 Marks |
| (c) | Mental Ability | 15 Marks |
| (d) | General English | 15 Marks |
| Total Marks | 100 Marks | |
12. Syllabus Scope & Sectional Coverage
In accordance with official Notification No. 21/2026, the examination assesses four distinct curriculum areas. Candidates should note that the notification defines these four broad sections and marks; any detailed topic-by-topic sub-syllabus, if issued by the High Court of Kerala, will be hosted separately on the recruitment portal.
Section A: General Knowledge & Current Affairs (50 Marks)
Carrying 50% of the written exam weightage, this section tests broad general knowledge, national and international events, historical and socio-cultural developments with particular emphasis on Kerala and Indian geography, polity, basic constitution principles, and scientific developments.
Section B: Numerical Ability (20 Marks)
Evaluates primary mathematical competence at matriculation level, including fundamental arithmetic operations, number systems, percentages, ratios, simple interest, profit and loss, averages, and time/work calculations.
Section C: Mental Ability (15 Marks)
Assesses basic logical reasoning, sequence completion, coding-decoding, analogies, pattern recognition, and problem-solving reasoning abilities.
Section D: General English (15 Marks)
Tests standard secondary-level English comprehension, elementary grammar, vocabulary, correct usage, sentence structures, and spelling.
13. Designated Examination Centres
The written examination for Office Attendant will be administered across 5 major urban nodal zones in Kerala:
*Candidates select their preferred examination centre during the online application process. The High Court reserves administrative discretion to re-allot centres depending on candidate volume and logistical feasibility.
14. Ranked List & Validity Period
Following the completion of the written examination and interview, a composite Ranked List will be prepared and published by the Registry:
- Minimum Validity Period: The ranked list prepared pursuant to Notification No. 21/2026 remains in force for a minimum period of one year from the date on which it is officially brought into force.
- Maximum Operation: The ranked list continues to remain in force until the publication of a fresh list or until the expiry of two years, whichever occurs earlier.
- Appointment Advice: Vacancies arising during the validity of the ranked list are filled chronologically from the list as per statutory communal reservation rotations. Inclusion in the ranked list does not confer an absolute right of appointment unless an official vacancy arises and is duly advised.
15. Salary & Scale of Pay
The scale of pay officially sanctioned for Office Attendant under Recruitment No. 21/2026 is:
In addition to basic pay in the ₹23,000 – ₹50,200 scale, appointed candidates receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), medical reimbursement, and pension/terminal benefits in accordance with the High Court of Kerala Service Rules.
16. Job Profile & Location of Posting
Nature of Duties: The post of Office Attendant forms an integral part of the administrative machinery of the High Court. Duties encompass general office maintenance, official case file movement between sections, courtroom assistance, dak delivery, and support functions assigned by Section Officers and Judicial Registrars.
Posting Location: Appointed candidates are posted at the High Court of Kerala premises at Marine Drive / Banerji Road, Ernakulam (Kochi), or other judicial establishments/benches administratively governed under the High Court establishment.
17. How to Apply Online at hckrecruitment.keralacourts.in
Candidates must submit their applications exclusively online through the official portal. Follow this structured 10-step procedure:
Ensure Active Email & Mobile Number
Maintain an active personal email and mobile number. Admission Tickets, exam notices, and OTPs will be delivered strictly through SMS and email.
Visit the Official Portal
Navigate to the official portal: hckrecruitment.keralacourts.in.
Complete One Time Registration (OTR)
Click on 'One Time Registration Login'. If you are a new applicant, register your primary details and create your secure login credentials.
Fill 'My Profile' Information
Enter personal particulars, address, community reservation, educational certificates, and employment history.
Upload Scanned Images
Upload recent clear passport-size photograph and specimen signature conforming strictly to the prescribed format and dimension requirements.
Navigate to Dashboard & Select Post
From the candidate dashboard, locate 'Office Attendant – Recruitment Number 21/2026' and click on 'Apply Now'.
Verify Application Preview
Check the preview of the application thoroughly. Confirm spelling, date of birth, category, and educational declaration. Once final submission is made, no modification is permitted.
Submit the Application
Click 'Submit' to lodge your application for Recruitment No. 21/2026.
Remit Application Fee
Pay ₹500 (if non-exempt) online or generate the fee challan for offline payment within the designated timeframe.
Print & Retain Confirmation
Download and save the PDF of the completed application form and fee payment receipt for document verification.
18. Documents Checklist for Application & Verification
Required for All Applicants:
- SSLC Book / Certificate showing Date of Birth and Registration Number.
- Recent passport-size colour photograph (scanned as per specifications).
- Scanned specimen signature on clean white paper.
- Valid personal email ID and mobile number for OTP authentications.
Required Only Where Applicable:
- Community/Caste certificate for SC / ST applicants seeking fee exemption and age relaxation.
- Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate for OBC candidates availing reservation.
- Medical Disability Certificate from competent medical board for benchmark PwBD candidates.
- Discharge certificate and pension payment order for Ex-servicemen / GREF / Territorial Army.
- Death certificate of husband and non-remarriage certificate for Widow applicants.
- Government Order (G.O.) proving equivalence for candidates claiming equivalent qualifications.