Kerala Judicial Services Examination: All you need to know

The Kerala Judicial Services Examination is a prestigious competitive exam conducted by the Government of Kerala for the recruitment of Civil Judges (Junior Division) in the Kerala Judicial Service. The selection process is designed to identify qualified candidates who possess a sound knowledge of law, good character, and the ability to serve in the judiciary effectively. 

This article provides a comprehensive guide to the Kerala Judicial Services Examination, covering eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, important dates, and other essential details.

Eligibility Criteria of Kerala Judicial Services Examination

Candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria to apply for the Kerala Judicial Services Examination.

Direct Recruitment

1. Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen.
2. Educational Qualification: A degree in law recognised by the Bar Council of India.
3. Age Limit: Candidates must be below 35 years of age as of 1st January 2024 (age relaxation of 5 years for reserved categories).
4. Other Requirements: Candidates must be of good character, sound health, and free from bodily infirmities that may hinder judicial duties.

Recruitment by Transfer

1. Educational Qualification: A law degree recognised by the Bar Council of India for the purpose of enrollment as an advocate.
2. Service Requirement: The candidate should be an approved probationer in one of the feeder categories specified by the Kerala Government.
3. Age Limit: Candidates must not exceed 54 years of age as of the last date for application submission.

Kerala Judicial Services Examination Process

The Kerala Judicial Services Examination consists of the following stages:

1. Preliminary Examination
2. Mains Examination
3. Viva-Voce (Interview)

Kerala Judicial Services Exam 2024: Exam Pattern

The Kerala Judicial Services Exam 2024 conducted in three stages namely Preliminary, Mains & Interview. The details regarding these stages of the exam are as follows:

Preliminary Examination

1. The Prelims Question Paper Examination shall consist of Objective type questions.
2. There will be 100 questions for 200 marks (2 mark Each) with negative marking of 1 Marks for each wrong answer.
3. Time Duration shall be 2 hours to attempt the paper.
4. Candidates qualifying the Prelims Exams shall be eligible to appear for Mains Examination.

Mains Examination

1. Mains Examination consists of four papers & shall be conducted in descriptive answer writing format with 3 hours allotted for each paper
2. Every paper shall carry 100 Marks each.
3. The four question papers of Mains Exam shall consist of:
4. Paper I: General English (100 Marks)
5. Paper II: Civil Law & Local Laws (100 Marks)
6. Paper III: Criminal Law (100 Marks)
7. Paper IV: Framing of Charges & Issues (100 Marks)

Interview Round

Those candidates who clear Mains Exams shall be called for Interview Round which constitute 50 Marks in Total. The final merit will be prepared on the basis of the marks attained by the candidates in the main examination & viva-voce.

Kerala Judicial Services Exam: Exam Syllabus

Preliminary Examination

Part A

• Code of Civil Procedure
• Indian Contract Act 
• Negotiable Instruments Act 
• Transfer of Property Act 
• Specific Relief Act 
• Kerala Building (Lease and Rent Control) Act

Part B

• Code of Criminal Procedure 
• Indian Penal Code 
• Indian Evidence Act

Part C

• Constitution of India 
• Legal G.K

Mains Examination

Paper I: General English (Marks – 100)

• English Grammar
• General Essays
• Translation of Malayalam Depositional
• Documents to English and vice-versa
• Precise writing.

Paper II: Civil Law & Local Laws (Marks – 100)

Part A

• Indian Contract Act
• Transfer of Property Act
• Limitation Act
• Specific Relief Act
• Easements Act
• Kerala Building (Lease and Rent Control) Act
• Hindu Succession Act, Indian Succession Act – Parts Y VI &X
• Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act.

Part B

• Kerala Court Fees and Suits Valuation Act
• Kerala Stamp Act
• Kerala State Legal Services Authorities Act
• The Kerala Panchayath Raj Act -Ch. X, XI, XXIA & XXIII
• Kerala Municipality Act -Ch. IX, X, XXIV & XXV
• Negotiable Instruments Act (except Ch. XVII), Registration Act.

Paper III: Criminal Law (Marks – 100)

Part A

• Indian Penal Code
• Indian Evidence Act
• Negotiable Instruments Act -Ch. XVII
•  Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.

Part B

• Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act
• Kerala Police Act
•  Probation of Offenders Act, Forest Act
• N.D.P.S. Act (provisions relating to bail and trial by Magistrates).

Paper IV: Framing of Charges/Issues (Marks – 100)

Part A

• Code of Civil Procedure
• Civil Rules of Practice
•  Kerala Civil Courts Act
• Order in Interlocutory Application/ Framing of issues/Judgment writing (Civil).

Part B

• Code of Criminal Procedure
• Criminal Rules of Practice
• The framing of charges/ Order in Criminal Miscellaneous Petitions.

Reference Books For Kerala Judicial Services Exam 

2022 Kerala Judicial Service Examination Prelims and Mains Paper

2020 Kerala Judicial Service Examination Prelims and Mains Paper

2019 Kerala Judicial Service Examination Prelims and Mains Paper

2017 Kerala Judicial Service Examination Prelims and Mains Paper

2016 Kerala Judicial Service Examination Prelims and Mains Paper

2013 Kerala Judicial Service Examination Prelims and Mains Paper

2012 Kerala Judicial Service Examination Prelims and Mains Paper

2011 Kerala Judicial Service Examination Prelims and Mains Paper