If you have a graduate degree, live in Bihar, and want a stable government job that doesn't need years of coaching in Patna, the Patna High Court Assistant post deserves a serious look. It's a court job, which means respect, job security, and a decent starting salary, and the good news is that a fresh notification just came out.
This post breaks down everything you need before you fill the form: vacancy numbers, dates, fee, syllabus, pay, and where most candidates go wrong in preparation. No fluff, just what you need to plan the next two months.
Quick Answer
The Patna High Court Assistant 2026 notification was released on 21 July 2026 for 68 Ex-Cadre Assistant (Group-C) posts. Online applications opened on 28 July 2026 and close on 27 August 2026, with fee payment allowed till 30 August 2026. The exam date has not been announced yet, so keep checking patnahighcourt.gov.in and pareeksha.in/news for updates.
Latest Notification and Important Dates
Here's the full timeline as released by Patna High Court. Some dates further down, like the exam date and admit card release, are not out yet, so treat them as tentative once announced.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | 21 July 2026 |
| Online application starts | 28 July 2026 |
| Last date to apply online | 27 August 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Last date for fee payment | 28-30 August 2026 |
| Preliminary/Written exam date | Not announced yet (tentative, expect late 2026) |
| Admit card release | Not announced yet |
This is a fresh cycle, so if you're reading this in August 2026, you still have time to apply. Don't wait till the last two days, the server usually gets slow and payment gateways fail.
What the Job Actually Is
A Patna High Court Assistant works in the administrative wing of the High Court, handling court records, case files, correspondence, and clerical work under various sections like the registry, judicial branch, or establishment branch. You're not arguing cases or sitting with judges, but you are part of the machinery that keeps the court running.
Day to day, the work includes maintaining files, typing and drafting letters, data entry into court software, handling RTI applications, coordinating between departments, and assisting senior officers with documentation. It's desk work, mostly 9 to 5, with the dignity and job security that comes from working directly under the judiciary. Many assistants later get promoted to higher administrative posts within the court establishment, so it's also a good long-term career, not just an entry job.
Vacancy Details
There are 68 vacancies this year for the Ex-Cadre Assistant post. Here's the category-wise split as per the notification:
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 29 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 11 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 1 |
| Extremely Backward Class (EBC) | 12 |
| Backward Class (BC) | 8 |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 7 |
| Total | 68 |
Within this total, 35% seats are reserved horizontally for women, and 4% (around 3 posts) for locomotor disabled candidates. Sixty-eight posts is not a huge number, so competition will be tight, especially from graduates across Bihar who already have computer diplomas.
Eligibility
You need a bachelor's degree from a recognized university plus a minimum 6-month diploma or certificate course in Computer Application to apply. Without the computer certificate, your application will not be accepted, so check this before you start filling the form.
Age limit (as on 1 January 2026):
| Category | Upper Age Limit |
|---|---|
| UR/EWS Male | 37 years |
| UR/EWS Female | 40 years |
| BC/EBC (Male and Female) | 40 years |
| SC/ST (Male and Female) | 42 years |
| Minimum age for all | 18 years |
There's no separate domicile relaxation mentioned, but preference in reserved categories follows Bihar state reservation rules. Physical standards aren't applicable for this post since it's a desk job, but locomotor disabled candidates get their own reserved quota with relaxed norms.
Application Process and Fee
You apply online through the official Patna High Court recruitment portal. Here's the fee structure:
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| UR/BC/EBC/EWS | ₹1,500 |
| SC/ST/Locomotor Disabled | ₹750 |
Steps to apply:
- Go to the official website patnahighcourt.gov.in and find the recruitment/careers section.
- Register with a valid mobile number and email ID.
- Fill in personal, educational, and category details carefully.
- Upload your photo, signature, and required certificates (degree, computer diploma, category certificate if applicable).
- Pay the fee online through net banking, debit card, or UPI.
- Submit and download a copy of the confirmation for your records.
Double-check your name spelling and date of birth against your matric certificate before submitting. Corrections after final submission are usually not allowed, and a small mistake can cost you the whole cycle.
Exam Pattern
The selection process has four stages. Here's how each one is structured:
| Stage | Marks | Duration | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Test (if conducted) | 50 | 60 minutes | General English (20), Reasoning & Quantitative (20), General Awareness (10). Qualifying, marks not added to final merit. |
| Written Test | 100 | 90 minutes | English (30), Reasoning & Quantitative (30), General Awareness (20), General Hindi (10), Computer Awareness (10) |
| Computer Proficiency Test | 50 | 30 minutes | Word processing (20), Spreadsheets (20), Internet basics (10) |
| Interview | 10 | - | Minimum 3 marks required to qualify |
There's negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer in the written test, so guessing randomly can actually hurt your score. The qualifying mark in the written test is usually around 40%, but final selection depends on merit, not just qualifying marks.
Detailed Syllabus
General English: comprehension passages, error spotting, fill in the blanks, synonyms and antonyms, one word substitution, idioms and phrases, sentence correction, active-passive voice, and para jumbles.
General Hindi: व्याकरण के मूल नियम (basic grammar rules), संधि, समास, मुहावरे, पर्यायवाची और विलोम शब्द, वाक्य शुद्धि, अनुच्छेद और गद्यांश आधारित प्रश्न।
Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude: coding-decoding, blood relations, series completion, direction sense, syllogism, seating arrangement, puzzles, ratio and proportion, percentage, profit and loss, simple and compound interest, time and work, average, number system, and simplification.
General Awareness: current affairs of the last 6-8 months, Bihar-specific GK (history, geography, government schemes), Indian polity and constitution basics, static GK like important days, books and authors, sports, and general science.
Computer Awareness: basics of computer hardware and software, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, internet and email basics, operating systems, and common shortcuts.
For structured preparation, use topic-wise practice sets and take free mock tests that mirror this exact pattern. If your basics in Quant or Reasoning are weak, start with the Quantitative Aptitude guide and the Reasoning guide before jumping into mock tests.
Salary, Pay Scale and Career Growth
The Patna High Court Assistant post carries Pay Level-4 of the 7th Pay Commission, which is ₹25,500 to ₹81,100. With dearness allowance, house rent allowance, and other benefits under the Patna High Court Officers and Staff Rules, 2021, the in-hand salary usually comes to around ₹35,000 to ₹40,000 per month at the starting level, depending on your posting location and applicable HRA slab.
This is a respectable starting package compared to many other Bihar Group-C posts. Over time, Assistants get promoted within the court's administrative cadre, moving up to senior assistant, section officer, and further administrative grades based on seniority and departmental exams. It's a slow but steady climb, and working directly under the High Court adds real weight to your service record.
Previous Year Cut-off
The last cycle's cut-off marks (out of 100 in the written test) give you a fair idea of the competition level:
| Category | Cut-off Marks |
|---|---|
| UR | 66 |
| EWS | 63.5 |
| BC | 63.5 |
| EBC | 60.5 |
| SC | 56 |
| ST | 57.5 |
| OH (Other Handicapped) | 51.5 |
Female candidates within each category generally get a slightly lower cut-off. Keep in mind that cut-offs shift every year based on how many candidates appear and how tough the paper is, so treat this as reference, not a fixed target. Aim comfortably above these numbers to be safe.
Best Books and Preparation Strategy
You don't need ten books for this exam. Pick one solid book each for Quant, Reasoning, and General Hindi/English grammar, and rely on daily current affairs and mock tests for the rest.
Month 1-2: Build your basics. Cover number system, percentage, profit-loss, and simple interest in Quant. In Reasoning, master coding-decoding, blood relations, and series. In English and Hindi, revise grammar rules daily.
Month 3: Start solving previous year papers and topic-wise tests from pareeksha.in/practice. Track your accuracy in each section separately so you know where you're weak.
Month 4: Shift to full-length mock tests under exam time limits. Read current affairs daily, focusing on Bihar government schemes and national events from the past 6 months. Also start practicing basic MS Word and Excel operations if you haven't used them recently, since the Computer Proficiency Test is practical, not just theory.
Use the General Awareness guide and browse free study material at the Reading Room to keep your GK sharp without spending on expensive books. A proper study plan helps a lot if you're preparing alongside a job or college.
Common Mistakes and Honest Advice
Most candidates lose marks in the Computer Proficiency stage because they only study computer awareness theory and never actually practice typing or Excel formulas on a real keyboard. Sit at a computer and practice, don't just read about it.
Another common mistake is ignoring Hindi grammar because it feels "easy." The Hindi section is only 10 marks in the written test, but many candidates drop 4-5 marks here simply because they never revised sandhi and samas rules since school. Small sections add up in a close competition.
Also, don't skip the interview stage prep just because it's worth only 10 marks. A weak interview after clearing three tough stages is a painful way to miss selection. Practice basic questions about your background, the court system, and current affairs before you go in.
FAQ
Is the Patna High Court Assistant 2026 notification out? Yes, it was released on 21 July 2026 for 68 Ex-Cadre Assistant posts. Applications are open from 28 July to 27 August 2026.
How many vacancies are there in Patna High Court Assistant 2026? There are 68 total vacancies across UR, SC, ST, EBC, BC, and EWS categories.
What is the last date to apply for Patna High Court Assistant 2026? The last date to submit the online application is 27 August 2026, with fee payment allowed till 30 August 2026.
What is the salary of a Patna High Court Assistant? The post carries Pay Level-4 (₹25,500 to ₹81,100) under the 7th Pay Commission, with in-hand pay typically around ₹35,000 to ₹40,000 per month after allowances.
What is the age limit for Patna High Court Assistant? UR male candidates can apply up to 37 years, UR female and BC/EBC up to 40 years, and SC/ST up to 42 years, as on 1 January 2026.
What qualification is needed for Patna High Court Assistant? You need a bachelor's degree from a recognized university plus a minimum 6-month diploma or certificate in Computer Application.
What is the exam pattern for Patna High Court Assistant? There are four stages: a qualifying preliminary test (50 marks), a written test (100 marks with negative marking), a Computer Proficiency Test (50 marks), and an interview (10 marks).
Is there negative marking in Patna High Court Assistant exam? Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer in the written test.
When will the Patna High Court Assistant exam be held? The exact exam date has not been announced yet. Keep checking the official website and pareeksha.in/news for updates.
What was the previous cut-off for Patna High Court Assistant? In the last cycle, the UR cut-off was around 66 marks out of 100, SC around 56, and EBC around 60.5, with slight relaxation for women candidates.
Related reads on Pareeksha
If you're preparing for Bihar government exams broadly, these guides on Pareeksha will help you plan better:
- Bihar Police Constable recruitment guide
- BPSC 72nd CCE complete guide
- Also browse all exam guides for other Bihar and central government posts you may be eligible for
Final word
Sixty-eight posts is a small number, but that also means fewer distractions. This isn't a lottery ticket exam with lakhs of applicants like SSC CGL, it's a focused Bihar-level exam where consistent preparation over 3-4 months can genuinely put you in the merit list. Get your computer diploma certificate ready, revise your grammar basics, and practice on an actual keyboard, not just on paper.
Keep an eye on patnahighcourt.gov.in for the exam date once it's announced, and use pareeksha.in/online-test-series to test yourself under real exam conditions before the day arrives. Good luck.
💬 Comments (0)
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts.