diff --git a/backend/database.py b/backend/database.py
index e04068b..6720b5c 100644
--- a/backend/database.py
+++ b/backend/database.py
@@ -45,6 +45,13 @@ def init_db():
             cur.execute("""
                 CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS ocr_jobs_submitted_at_idx ON ocr_jobs(submitted_at DESC)
             """)
+            # Unique constraint: prevent duplicate (author, chapter, page) submissions.
+            # Applies only when all three fields are non-null.
+            cur.execute("""
+                CREATE UNIQUE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS ocr_jobs_author_chapter_page_unique
+                ON ocr_jobs (author, chapter, page)
+                WHERE author IS NOT NULL AND chapter IS NOT NULL AND page IS NOT NULL
+            """)
         conn.commit()
         print("Database initialized.")
     except Exception as exc:
diff --git a/backend/main.py b/backend/main.py
index b86ba20..48b4566 100644
--- a/backend/main.py
+++ b/backend/main.py
@@ -675,6 +675,12 @@ async def commit_job(
             os.remove(image_path)
         except Exception:
             pass
+        # Unique constraint violation (author + chapter + page already exists)
+        if getattr(exc, 'pgcode', None) == '23505':
+            raise HTTPException(
+                status_code=409,
+                detail="A job with this Author, Chapter, and Page already exists."
+            )
         print(f"Job commit DB error: {exc}")
         raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail="Failed to save job to database.")