Kathmandu, The Judicial Service Commission has opened applications for 21 vacant positions of district judges. The decision was made during the Commission’s meeting held on Bhadra 31 (September 16), and a public notice has been issued accordingly. Interested candidates have 30 days from the date of publication to submit their applications.

Of the total 21 positions, quotas have been allocated as follows: 11 through internal competition, 6 open category, 1 for women, 2 for Indigenous/Nationalities, and 1 for the Madhesi community. The application fee is set at NPR 2,000 for both internal and open categories, with an additional NPR 500 for each inclusive group applied under.

According to Article 149 of the Constitution of Nepal, the appointment of district judges shall be made by the Chief Justice upon the recommendation of the Judicial Council. The article outlines the following provisions:

• Sub-clause (2)(a): 20% of the vacant posts shall be filled through evaluation of seniority, merit, and performance among second-class gazetted officers in the judicial service who hold a law degree and have at least three years of service.

• Sub-clause (2)(b): 40% of the positions shall be filled through open competitive examination among the same class of officers.

  

• The remaining 40% of posts shall be filled through open competition among Nepali citizens who hold a law degree and meet any of the following criteria: at least 8 years of continuous legal practice as an advocate; 8 years of service in a gazetted post within the judicial service; or 8 years of continuous work experience in teaching, research, or other law and justice-related fields.