According to the notification, the recruitment aims to engage law graduates to assist judges of the Supreme Court in legal research, case analysis, drafting of notes and examination of judicial records. The engagement will be purely contractual, typically for a fixed term, and is intended to provide practical exposure to constitutional and legal processes at the apex court level.
Candidates who have completed a Bachelor’s degree in Law from a recognised university are eligible to apply. Final-year law students who are likely to graduate before the commencement of the assignment may also be permitted to apply, subject to conditions mentioned in the official guidelines. Applicants must meet the prescribed age criteria as on the cut-off date specified in the notification.
The application process is online-only. Interested candidates must register on the Supreme Court’s official recruitment portal, fill in personal and academic details, upload required documents and submit the application within the stipulated deadline. Applicants are advised to carefully review eligibility conditions and instructions before submission, as incomplete or incorrect forms are liable to be rejected.
The selection is expected to be conducted through a written examination followed by an interview. The written test generally assesses legal knowledge, analytical ability, writing skills and understanding of constitutional law. Candidates shortlisted after the written examination will be called for interviews conducted by a panel constituted by the Supreme Court.
Why the role matters
The Law Clerk-cum-Research Associate position is considered a prestigious entry point for young legal professionals. It offers first-hand exposure to judicial functioning, legal research at the highest level, and the opportunity to work closely with Supreme Court judges. Many former law clerks have gone on to build distinguished careers in litigation, academia and public service.
Important advisory
Candidates have been advised to rely only on the official Supreme Court website for authentic information regarding dates, syllabus, fees and updates. The court has cautioned applicants against misinformation and unofficial sources.
With the application window now open, law graduates across the country are expected to apply in large numbers, making the 2026 law clerk recruitment highly competitive.
