The Judicial Service Examination is an entry-level test for law graduates and is conducted by various states in India. Notably, this exam is not conducted on an all-India basis. Successful candidates can secure positions such as district magistrates, additional district magistrates or district court judges in India.
Appointments are made by state governments under the supervision of their respective high courts, based on the results of the Judicial Services Examinations. Each High Court oversees the subordinate judiciary within its jurisdiction, with members commonly referred to as part of the judicial service or PCS (J) – State Civil Service Judicial. These members hold various positions, ranging from presiding officers of different courts to District Judges.
Each state in India conducts its own Judicial Service exams with specific requirements and eligibility criteria. Currently, 24 states hold these exams almost every year:
Serial Number
State
1
Arunachal Pradesh
2
Chhattisgarh
3
Himachal Pradesh
4
Jharkhand
5
Madhya Pradesh
6
Mizoram
7
Punjab
8
Assam
9
Goa
10
Haryana
11
Karnataka
12
Maharashtra
13
Nagaland
14
Rajasthan
15
Bihar
16
Delhi
17
Jammu & Kashmir
18
Kerala
19
Manipur
20
Odisha
21
Sikkim
22
Uttarakhand
23
Uttar Pradesh
24
West Bengal
In each state, there are specific requirements you need to meet to take the judiciary exam. These include things like how old you can be, how many times you can try the exam, which language you need to know and more.
Judicial Service Exams Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for the All India Judicial Service exam vary between lower and higher judiciary services.
Lower Judiciary Services
Citizenship: Candidates must be Indian citizens.
Educational Qualification: Candidates should hold either a 3-year LLB or a 5-year LLB degree.
Enrollment: They must be enrolled or eligible for enrollment as an Advocate under the Advocates’ Act 1961.
Final Year Students: Final year law students are also eligible to apply.
Experience: No prior experience is required.
Age Limit: The age limit generally ranges from 21 to 35 years, though some states allow an upper age limit of over 40 years.
Higher Judiciary Services
Educational Qualification: Candidates must be law graduates.
Experience: A minimum of seven years of litigating practice is typically required.
Application Process for Judicial Service Exams
The application process for judicial service exams can vary by state. It is essential for candidates to stay informed about upcoming exams as each state releases its application forms separately.
Application Forms: States may release application forms on the official website of the state High Court or their respective Public Service Commission websites.
Preliminary Exams: These exams are usually scheduled about a month after the application forms are made available.
Application Fee: After filling out the application form, candidates must pay a prescribed fee, which varies for general and reserved categories.
Stages of Judicial Service Exams
To qualify as a civil judge/district magistrate/additional district magistrate, candidates must pass through three examination stages:
Stage
Description
Preliminary Examination
– Multiple-choice questions.
– Screening test before the main exam.
– Marks here don’t decide final selection.
Mains Examination
– Comes after the preliminary results.
– Usually within 20 to 40 days.
– More about writing answers than choosing options.
– Marks here count for the final selection.
Interview
– The last part of the selection process.
– Candidates assessed based on interests, smarts and personality.
Post-Selection Steps
– Clear all stages and qualify for the merit list.
– Join the respective state’s judicial academy for a year-long training as a Judge.
Post-Training
– Successful candidates taught about legal or judicial procedures, manners of being a judge and the duties and power the position carries.
Post-Training Appointment
– After successfully completing training, candidates are appointed as judges in lower courts or tribunals.
Judicial Service Exams Syllabus
The syllabus for Judicial Service exams varies by state, encompassing both procedural and substantive laws. While core legal principles remain consistent across states, variations exist in local languages and specific laws.
Judicial Service Syllabus Preliminary Examination
Topics
Description
Constitutional Law
Understanding the constitution and its principles.
Contract Law and Tort Law
Knowledge of contract laws and tort laws.
General Knowledge and Current Affairs
Awareness of current events and general knowledge topics.
IPC, CPC, CrPC and The Indian Evidence Act
Familiarity with the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, Criminal Procedure Code and The Indian Evidence Act.
Proficiency in English Language and Aptitude
Competency in English language skills and logical reasoning.
Transfer of Property law
Understanding the laws related to property transfer.
General Knowledge (Additional Topics)
Various general knowledge topics including Communications, National Issues, Geography, History, India and the World, Indian Culture, Indian Economy, Indian Polity, International Affairs, Science and Technology.
Indian Judicial Service Examination State Wise Subjects
States
Additional Subjects
Delhi Judicial Service Examination
Principles Governing Arbitration Law, the Partnership Act.
Goa Judicial Service Examination
Sales of Goods Act, Land laws of Goa, The Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste (Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989).
Kerala Judicial Service Exam
Kerala Building (Lease and Rent Control) Act.
Madhya Pradesh Judicial Services Exam
Madhya Pradesh Accommodation Control Act, Madhya Pradesh Land Revenue Code.
Proficiency in the official language of respective states.
Bihar Judicial Service Examination
Elementary General Science, Administrative law, Hindu and Muslim personal laws, Principles of Equity, Law of trusts, Specific Relief Act, Commercial law.
Chhattisgarh Judicial Service Examination
Accommodation Control Act, Court fees act, Registration Act and Chhattisgarh Land revenue code, Limitation and Specific relief acts.
Karnataka Judicial Service Examination
Karnataka Rent Act.
Judicial Service Syllabus Mains Examination
The syllabus for each state’s mains exam is different. Below is a breakdown of the syllabus for the judicial service mains exam in various states:
Paper I: Essay, Precise Writing, Grammar Paper II: Objective Test, Aptitude Test Paper III: Transfer of Property, Civil Procedure Code, Indian Contract Act, Constitution of India Paper IV: Indian Penal Code, CRPC, Law of Torts, Indian Evidence Act
Chhattisgarh
– Framing of Issues and Writing of Judgment in Civil Cases – Framing of Charges and Writing of Judgment in Criminal Cases – Translation: English to Hindi, Hindi to English
Restrictions for Candidates in Judicial Service Exams
Law graduates can apply for Judicial Service Exams in multiple states, with no restrictions on the number of states they can apply to. However, candidates must be aware of the following limitations:
Age Restriction
The upper age limit for candidates varies by state, typically ranging from 32 to 48 years.
Candidates should carefully check the age criteria specific to each state before applying.
Attempts Restriction
The number of attempts allowed also varies by state.
Some states permit up to 6 attempts, while others limit the number of attempts to 4.
Candidates should consider the attempt limits when planning their applications.
These restrictions ensure that candidates meet the specific eligibility criteria of each state, maintaining a fair and competitive examination process.
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