High Court of Kerala · Rec. No. 15/2026 · 5 vacancies
YUGA - High Court Gardener Batch
Pay scale ₹23,700 – ₹52,600 · Live classes
It may be an interview only, or a written test plus interview - the High Court decides later, based on the number of valid applications. Both routes measure the same gardening knowledge. So there is nothing to wait for - start now.
Not applied yet? Online applications and online fee payment close on 26/09/2026. The challan window runs 30/09/2026 - 07/10/2026, but the last date to submit the application is still 26/09/2026.
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The notification, verified
High Court Gardener 2026 at a glance
Every figure below is taken from the official notification of the High Court of Kerala, Ref. HCKL/7022/2025-REC1-HC KERALA, dated 21/08/2026. The High Court may modify or cancel the notification at any stage.
Notification details - Rec. No. 15/2026
| Recruiting body | High Court of Kerala, Kochi – 682 031 |
|---|---|
| Name of post | Gardener |
| Recruitment number | 15/2026 |
| Number of vacancies | 5 (five) |
| Scale of pay | ₹23,700 – ₹52,600 |
| Method of appointment | Direct recruitment |
| Who can apply | Qualified Indian citizens |
| Mode of application | Online only, through www.hckrecruitment.keralacourts.in. No other mode is accepted. |
| Application fee | ₹600. SC/ST and unemployed differently abled candidates are exempted. |
| Selection | Interview only, or written test + interview. The High Court decides which, based on the number of valid applications. |
| Written test centre | Ernakulam (if a written test is conducted) |
| Ranked list validity | At least 1 year from the date it comes into force. It stays in force until a fresh list is published or 2 years pass, whichever is earlier. |
| Notification reference | HCKL/7022/2025-REC1-HC KERALA · 21/08/2026 |
Not just the 5 posts. Vacancies that arise while the ranked list is valid will also be filled from the same list - so getting on the list is not a race for 5 seats alone.
Only four courses are on the qualification list
Any one of these + SSLC + good physique
- Diploma in Gardening
- VHSE in Nursery Management and Ornamental Gardening
- VHSE Agriculture (Plant Protection)
- VHSE Agriculture
Important dates
Applications close on 26 September 2026
Whichever way you pay the fee, the last date to submit the online application is 26/09/2026. The notification itself warns that the portal may fail to log you in near the deadline.
- Date of notification21/08/2026
- Online application and fee payment opened24/08/2026
- Last date for online application and online fee26/09/2026
- Offline (challan) fee payment opens30/09/2026
- Last date for offline (challan) fee07/10/2026
Admission ticket & call letter
Download from the portal
- Admission ticket (written test): available 3 weeks before the test date.
- Call letter (interview): available 2 weeks before the interview date.
- Candidates are informed by SMS / e-mail.
Check the portal at least once a week. That is the notification's own advice, for the test and interview schedule. If you cannot download your admission ticket, contact the High Court at least one week before the test.
Free webinar
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Post details, eligibility and how to apply - Agriguru's webinar covers the whole notification in one sitting. The quickest way to clear your doubts before you enrol.
High Court of Kerala Gardener Recruitment - Webinar
Watch on YouTube- Post details
- Eligibility criteria
- How to apply
Eligibility
Three things, all together
SSLC, any one of the four courses, and good physique - you need all three. Every qualification must be held on or before 26/09/2026.
Age limit - by date of birth (both dates included)
| Category | Date of birth between |
|---|---|
| General / others | 02/01/1986 – 01/01/2008 |
| OBC | 02/01/1983 – 01/01/2008 |
| SC / ST | 02/01/1981 – 01/01/2008 |
Age relaxations
| Group | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Ex-servicemen, ex-GREF, disembodied Territorial Army | May leave out their service period plus up to 5 years of unemployment after discharge · must not have completed 50 years |
| Low vision; deaf and hard of hearing | Up to 15 years · upper age limit never above 50 |
| Other benchmark disability categories | Up to 10 years · upper age limit never above 50 |
| Widows | Up to 5 years · upper age limit never above 50 |
B.Sc Agriculture is not on the list. Only the four courses named in the notification qualify. The notification does not say a higher degree can replace them. If you claim an equivalent qualification you must produce the Government order - and a qualification declared equivalent after 21/08/2026 will not be accepted for this selection.
Preference: horticulture / farm experience
As stated in the notification
Candidates with experience in horticulture and/or farm work will get preference. The notification does not say how the preference is applied. Since both selection methods include an interview, be ready to describe the garden work you have actually done.
PwBD reservation, scribe and extra timeDetails
Reservation
Under Rule 11(2) of the Kerala High Court Service Rules, 2007, 4% of Gardener vacancies are reserved for eligible differently abled candidates. Appointment from the ranked list follows Rules 14 to 17 of Part II of the KS&SSR, 1958.
Suitable disability categories - G.O. (P) No. 5/2024/SJD, 07.02.2024
(a) Low vision · (b) Deaf and hard of hearing · (c) Locomotor disability, including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism and acid attack victims, with at least one functional arm and one functional leg · (d) Autism spectrum disorder (mild), intellectual disability, specific learning disability, mental illness (40%-70%) · (e) Multiple disability combining the above.
Minimum functional requirements: sitting, standing, walking, bending, kneeling and crouching, manipulation by fingers, seeing.
Scribe and extra time
Candidates whose writing speed is affected may use a scribe. Say so in the online application and confirm it again in your candidate profile after the exam date is declared - only candidates who confirm in the profile can use a scribe. The scribe's qualification must be at least one step below the minimum qualification for the post.
With or without a scribe, differently abled candidates get 20 minutes (and/or part thereof) of extra time for every hour of the exam. The medical certificate and declaration must be in the format given in the portal's 'Downloads' section. Candidates claiming age relaxation must produce a job-oriented physical and functionality certificate as per G.O. (P) No. 5/2023/SJD dated 01.10.2023 at certificate verification.
Selection process
Two routes. One body of knowledge.
The High Court will choose one of these, depending on how many valid applications it receives. Nobody knows yet which it will be - but both assess the same theoretical and practical gardening knowledge.
Method A: Interview only
50 marks in total
- Interview: 50 marks
- Minimum to enter the ranked list: 20 out of 50
- What is assessed: theoretical and practical knowledge of gardening, and suitability for the post of Gardener.
Method B: Written test + interview
100 + 10 marks
- Written test: 100 marks · Interview: 10 marks
- Minimum to enter the ranked list: 40 out of 100 in the written test
- Questions come from the syllabi of the four qualifying courses. The notification does not say what the 10-mark interview assesses.
The minimum only gets you on the list. Whether it is 20 or 40, that is the minimum to enter the ranked list. It does not guarantee an appointment - rank is decided on merit. So the target is not 40; it is the highest score you can get.
Written test (if conducted)
100 questions · 75 minutes · negative marking
Objective questions, in English only. The notification does not mention separate general knowledge, reasoning or aptitude sections - the whole paper comes from your course subjects.
Written test pattern
| Type of questions | Objective multiple choice |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | 100 |
| Marks per question | 1 mark |
| Negative marking | 1/4 mark deducted for every incorrect answer |
| Duration | 75 minutes |
| Medium of questions | English |
| Maximum marks | 100 |
| Minimum for the ranked list | 40 |
| Interview after the test | 10 marks |
| Centre | Ernakulam |
45seconds
100 questions in 75 minutes - about 45 seconds per question, to read, think and mark. Practise full 100-question sets in 75 minutes.
4= 1 correct lost
Each wrong answer costs 1/4 mark - 4 wrong answers cancel 1 correct answer. Answer where you know or can rule out options; random guessing costs you marks.
The paper is in English. If you studied your course in Malayalam, learn the English terms: botanical names, plant parts, propagation terms, tool names, and pest and disease names. Keeping a glossary of English terms with their Malayalam meanings helps.
What to study
The topic list, subject by subject
Tap a subject to see its topics. Start with what all four qualifying courses share - propagation, nursery practices, ornamental plant identification, garden operations and plant protection.
1Ornamental gardening and landscaping
Ornamental plants
Annuals, perennials, shrubs, climbers, foliage plants - identification and classification
Garden design and styles
Formal and informal gardens, Japanese and Mughal gardens, lawn making and maintenance
Garden features
Rockery, water garden, topiary, arches and pergolas, hedges and edges, borders
Flower crops
Rose, jasmine, orchid, anthurium, chrysanthemum, gerbera, marigold
Bonsai and indoor plants
Bonsai styles and training, indoor plant care, interiorscaping
Landscaping
Landscape principles, site planning, planting design, maintenance schedules
2Nursery management and propagation
Nursery techniques
Types of nursery, layout, structures, potting and repotting, hardening
Propagation
Seed propagation, cutting, layering, grafting, budding, basics of tissue culture
Growing media
Potting mixture, cocopeat, vermicompost, soilless media, containers
Protected cultivation
Greenhouse, polyhouse, shade net, mist chamber, hardening units
3Agriculture fundamentals
Soil science
Soil types of Kerala, physical and chemical properties, pH, soil testing, soil conservation
Manures and fertilisers
Organic manures, compost, vermicompost, green manure, NPK fertilisers, micronutrients, deficiency symptoms
Irrigation
Irrigation methods, drip and sprinkler systems, drainage, crop water requirement
Crop production and fruit crops
Major crops of Kerala, vegetable cultivation, plantation crops, cropping systems; mango, banana, jackfruit, papaya, pineapple
Organic farming
Principles, biofertilisers, biopesticides, basics of certification
4Plant protection
Insect pests
Pests of ornamental, vegetable and fruit crops; identification, damage symptoms, life cycles
Plant diseases
Fungal, bacterial and viral diseases; symptoms and management
Weed management
Weed types; cultural, mechanical and chemical control
Pesticides
Classification, formulations, dosage and dilution, safe handling, waiting period
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
IPM components, biological control agents, pheromone and sticky traps
Plant protection equipment
Sprayers and dusters; parts, calibration, maintenance
5Practical garden operations
Garden tools
Secateurs, pruning saw, shears, spade, hoe, rake, lawn mower; uses and maintenance
Pruning and training
Objectives, seasons, methods, tools, pinching and disbudding
Flower arrangement
Ikebana and Western styles, cut flower handling, post-harvest care, dry flowers
Turf management
Lawn grasses, establishment methods, mowing, rolling, weed control in lawns
This is not the official syllabus. The notification only names the four courses. This is Agriguru's own reading of those course syllabi, meant to help you organise revision. Your VHSE / Diploma textbooks and the official course syllabi are the authority.
What you get
Everything in the YUGA Gardener Batch
A batch built only for the Kerala High Court Gardener post - the subject knowledge and practice that serve you whether the selection is a written test or an interview alone.
- Live classes, with your doubts answered directly
- Complete syllabus coverage across the subjects of all four qualifying courses
- Practice tests, to check yourself after each topic
- Full-length mock tests, to practise the real 100-question, 75-minute format
- PDF notes and study material inside the course
- Offline download on the app, and viewing on PC
- Course access until the exam is completed
100
Questions per mock, exam format
75min
Timed exactly like the real paper
Agriguru guidance
How to plan your preparation
This section is not part of the notification - it is Agriguru's own advice.
- 1
Prepare for the written test
You do not yet know whether it will be held. If it is not, the interview assesses the same subject knowledge - so one preparation serves both routes.
- 2
Master the common core first
The four courses overlap: propagation, nursery practices, ornamental plant identification, garden operations and plant protection. Fix these first, then cover what is specific to each course.
- 3
Build an English glossary
The questions are in English. Write down botanical names, plant parts, propagation terms, tools, pests and diseases - English term with its Malayalam meaning.
- 4
Practise for speed
45 seconds per question. Do full 100-question sets in 75 minutes, again and again.
- 5
Have real work to talk about
Both methods include an interview. Be ready to talk about plants you raised, pests you controlled and tools you used.
- 6
Study sources
VHSE / Diploma in Gardening textbooks (the notification bases the questions on these syllabi), the KAU Package of Practices, your own glossary, and practice identifying plants by name in real gardens.
Common mistakes to avoid
Each one costs you an application or marks
- Assuming a degree qualifies you - B.Sc Agriculture is not on the list, and qualifications declared equivalent after the notification are not accepted.
- Not completing the fee payment - paying the fee is the last stage; an application without it is incomplete.
- Not claiming relaxations in the form - anything not claimed in the correct field will not be considered later.
- Waiting to find out whether there will be a written test - start preparing without waiting for that decision.
- Ignoring the English medium - the questions are only in English.
- Guessing recklessly - every wrong answer costs 1/4 mark.
- Not checking the portal - the notification advises checking at least once a week.
- Aiming for only 40 marks - that is the minimum to enter the list, not a guarantee of appointment.
How to apply
Online only - until 26/09/2026
You can apply only through www.hckrecruitment.keralacourts.in. No other mode is accepted.
- 1
One Time Registration
Register using the 'One Time Registration Login' link on the portal. You must do this before applying.
- 2
Keep ready
A scanned passport-size photograph, a scanned signature and your qualification details. Face and shoulders must be clearly visible, the face centred, the background white or light coloured.
- 3
Fill My Profile
Anything you do not claim in the correct field will not be considered later, so claim every relaxation and preference you are entitled to here.
- 4
Apply Now
Apply from 'Apply Now' in the Dashboard. Check the preview carefully - once submitted, the application cannot be changed or edited.
- 5
Pay the fee (last stage)
Online: debit/credit card, net banking or UPI - confirm on the portal that the payment succeeded. Offline: download the challan and pay between 30/09/2026 and 07/10/2026. Demand draft, cheque, money order and postal order are not accepted.
- 6
Keep a printout
Take a printout of the application and keep it. Do not send the printout or any documents to the High Court.
Application fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General and all other categories | ₹600 |
| SC / ST | Exempted |
| Unemployed differently abled candidates | Exempted |
The fee is not refunded. A fee once paid is not refunded for any reason, and cannot be held over for another examination. The only exception: if the notification is cancelled, the fee is refunded to the designated bank account. Bank transaction charges, if any, are paid by the candidate.
Candidates applying from abroad
E-mail your location and public IP address to recruitment.hckerala@nic.in. You will then be given access to the recruitment portal. Send another e-mail after you finish the online application.
Government employees
Candidates serving under the Government of India or any State Government must mention this in the online application and get a No Objection Certificate / Service Certificate from their Head of Office or Department. If you do not submit it when asked, your candidature will be cancelled. The NOC format is in the portal's 'Downloads' section.
Documents and verification
When called, produce originals proving age, qualification, community, non-creamy layer status, EWS status and so on. If you do not, your candidature will be cancelled. Caste/community, non-creamy layer and EWS certificates must be valid either on the last date of the online application or on the date of certificate verification.
Admission to the written test and interview is provisional. Receiving an admission ticket or call letter does not mean your candidature has been finally cleared.
What can cancel your candidature
Canvassing in any form · misbehaviour or malpractice during the written test or interview · appearing with an edited or modified admission ticket · giving incorrect or false information, or hiding material facts (if found after appointment, you can be dismissed from service) · applications that do not follow the notification and portal instructions are summarily rejected. The High Court's decisions on eligibility, the conduct of tests and selection are final.
Official contact
| Office | Recruitment & Examination Cell, High Court of Kerala, Kochi – 682 031 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 0484-2562235 (working days, 10 a.m. – 4.30 p.m.) |
| recruitment.hckerala@nic.in | |
| Recruitment portal | www.hckrecruitment.keralacourts.in |
FAQs
Common questions
Quick answers about the notification and about the YUGA Gardener Batch.
Getting started
Start learning in three steps
Enrol on this page, or set up the app and continue from there.
- 1
Download the app
Get the Agriguru EdTech app from Google Play or the App Store. On iOS, enter the code IICZSG when the app opens.
- 2
Sign in & find the batch
Log in with your phone number, then search for "YUGA GARDENER BATCH" in the courses list.
- 3
Enrol and start learning
Purchase on the app or on the website and get instant access to live classes, study material and tests.
iOS: open app → enter code IICZSG
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