Being a judge in the court of law seems fascinating, right? But do you know how to become a judge, which exam is required, what the syllabus is, and eligibility? Well, in this article, we’ll discuss the Judicial Service Examination and the Judiciary Exam Syllabus.
The Judicial Service Examination is conducted by the State Public Service Commission and High Courts for law graduates (LLB) who want to become judges. The Judicial Service Exam is also known as PCS (J) or Civil Judge Exam. However, if you want to know all about this exam, click here- Judicial Service Exam.
In this article, we will particularly talk about the Judiciary Exam Syllabus. While each state releases its own PCS (J) syllabus, the main subjects and exam pattern remain mostly similar across India.
Judiciary Exam Overview
The Judicial Service Exam or Judiciary exam is conducted in three stages- Prelims, Mains, and Interview. By clearing all three stages, a law graduate can start a career as a judge in lower courts, as a Civil Judge (Lower Division). Later, with experience, can be promoted to District Judge, Chief Judicial Magistrate. The highest positions with year of experience can be High Court Judge, Supreme Court Judge, and Chief Justice.
Let’s understand all three stages of the Judiciary Exams.
1. Preliminary Examination
It is an Objective Type exam, with Multiple-choice questions. Tests legal knowledge, general knowledge, reasoning, and language. It is a qualifying exam; marks are not added to the final merit list.
2. Mains Examination
Judicial Service Exam Mains includes written papers (Descriptive). It includes law subjects and language papers. Marks will be content with the final cutoff.
3. Interview
It is a Personality test, in which the board can ask personal, legal, and practical application-oriented questions.
Also Read: How to Become a Judge in India
Judiciary Exam Syllabus
Judiciary Exam Syllabus varies by state; each state syllabus may have some variations in local state laws and a few terms. However, procedural and substantive laws are mostly the same across all states. Generally, in the Judiciary Exam Prelims Syllabus, there are two subjects- General Knowledge and Law. And in the Mains Exam, often 6-7 subjects- GK, English, Hindi, and three law papers. Subjects may vary as per the state.
Judicial Service Exam- Prelims Syllabus
As we mentioned above, in the Preims exam of the Judiciary exams, there are mainly two subjects- GK and Law. You can have a look at the topics of Law and GK below.
| Subjects |
Topics |
| General Knowledge |
- Current Affairs
- Geography of India
- History of India
- India and the World
- Indian Culture
- Indian Economy
- Indian Polity
- Science and Technology, etc
|
| Law |
- Indian Penal Code (IPC)
- Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)
- Civil Procedure Code (CPC)
- Indian Evidence Act
- Constitution of India
- Indian Contract Act
- Transfer of Property Act
- Law of Torts
- Family Law (Hindu Law, Muslim Law)
- Administrative Law
|
Subjects such as English Language and Computer knowledge can be part of the Judiciary exam syllabus- prelims, depending on the state.
Judicial Service Exam- Mains Syllabus
In the Judiciary service mains exam, the syllabus for every state is different. You can check the Judicial Service mains exam state-wise syllabus below
Uttar Pradesh Judicial Services examination syllabus 2025
| Subjects |
Topics |
| General Knowledge |
- History of India and Indian Culture
- Geography of India
- Indian Polity
- Current National Issues
- Topics of Social Relevance
- India and the world
- Indian Economy
- International Affairs and Institutions and developments in the field of Science and Technology Communications and Space
|
| English |
- Essay to be written in English
- English Précis writing
- Translation of passage from Hindi to English
- Translation of passage from English to Hindi
|
| Hindi |
- Essay to be written in Hindi
- Hindi Précis writing
- Translation of passage from English to Hindi
|
| Law-1 (Substantive Law) |
- Law of contracts
- Law of Partnership
- Law concerning easements and torts
- Law relating to transfer of property including the principles of equity, specifically applicable there to
- Principal of Equity with special reference to the Law of trust and specific relief
- Hindu Law and Mohammedan Law
- Constitutional Law
|
| Law-II(Procedure and Evidence) |
- Code of Civil Procedure
- Evidence of witnesses
- Framing of charges
- Practical matters
- Principles of pleading
- The conduct of cases
- The Criminal Procedure Code
- The Law of Evidence
- Writing of judgment
|
| Law III (Penal, Revenue, and Local Laws) |
- Indian Penal Code
- Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code, 2006
- Uttar Pradesh Urban Building (Regulation of Letting, Rent and Eviction) Act, 1972
- The Uttar Pradesh Regulation of Urban Premises Tenancy Act, 2021
- Uttar Pradesh Municipalities Act
- U.P. Panchayat Raj Act
- U.P. Consolidation of Holdings Act
- Uttar Pradesh Urban (Planning and Development) Act 1973, together with rules framed under the aforesaid Acts
|
Delhi Judicial Services examination syllabus 2025
| Subject |
Topics |
| Paper 1: General Legal Knowledge & Language |
Section I : General Legal Knowledge-
- current legal affairs etc. (100 Marks).
Section II: Language (Essay, Translation and Precis Writing):-
- English- two passages for translations, one in English to Hindi (in Devnagri Script) and the second passage in Hindi to English.
|
| Paper 2: Civil Law I |
- The Indian Contract Act, 1872
- The Sale of Goods Act, 1930
- The Transfer of Property Act, 1882
- The Specific Relief Act, 1963
- Hindu Law
- Mohammaden Law
- The Delhi Rent Control Act, 1958
- Law of Torts; The New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994
- The Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957
- The Commercial Courts Act, 2015.
|
| Paper 3: Civil Law-II |
- The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
- The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
- The Limitation Act, 1963
- The Registration Act, 1908
- The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996
- The Trade Marks Act, 1999
- The Copyright Act, 1957
|
| Paper 4: Criminal Law The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 |
- The Indian Penal Code; The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
- The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
- The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
- The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
- The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
|
West Bengal Judicial Service Exam Syllabus 2025
The WBPSC Civil Judge Mains Syllabus is divided into two sections- Compulsory and Elective.
| Main Subjects |
| English Composition, Essay, Précis writing |
| Bengali /Hindi/Urdu/Nepali/Santali composition, essay and translation from English into |
| Bengali/Hindi/Urdu/Nepali/Santali |
| General Knowledge and Current Affair |
| Civil procedure Code |
| Criminal Procedure Code and Indian Penal Code |
| Indian Evidence Act |
| Law of Contracts and Torts |
| Transfer of Property Act. |
Check the list of optional papers (any 3 papers to be chosen by the candidate)
| Hindu Law |
| Muhammad an Law |
| Partnership Act |
| Jurisprudence and Principles of Legislation |
| Indian law relating to Companies and Insurance |
| Principles of equity including the Law of Trusts and specific relief |
| Law of limitation and Law of Prescription |
| The Indian Constitution and Constitutional Law |
Bihar Judicial Service exam syllabus 2025
In the Bihar Judicial Service Mains Exam, there are five compulsory papers. Candidates will also be given a choice of five optional papers in Bihar Judiciary Syllabus 2024, from which, candidates have to select three. Check the five compulsory papers syllabus below:
| Subject |
Syllabus |
| General Knowledge / General Studies |
- Current events of national and international importance
- History of India and the Indian National Movement
- Indian and World Geography
- Indian Polity and Economy
|
| General Hindi |
This paper difficulty level is same as the Hindi of the secondary test that the Bihar School Examination Committee will be administering. |
| General English |
- Spotting Errors in sentences and phrases
- Antonyms and Synonyms
- Fill in the blanks with missing words
- Usage of prepositions, idioms, and phrases
- Word analogies
- Test of spellings
- Re-arranging sentences
- Questions to test comprehension – with a passage to be read and questions based on the same.
- Questions will be set to test the understanding of and the power to write English. A passage or passages will usually be set for summary or precis.
- Questions will include letter writing on a given subject
|
| Constitutional Law and Administrative Law |
Constitution of India – Article 1 to 395 and Schedules Administrative Law
- Delegated Legislation
- Control of Delegated Legislation – Judicial & Legislative Fair Hearing; Rules of Natural Justice; Rules Against Bias; Audi Alteram Partem
- Tribunals and Quasi-Judicial Authorities; Judicial Control over them
- Regulatory- Authorities
- Judicial Review of Administrative Action
- Writ Jurisdiction and Statutory Judicial Remedies, Scope, Extent & Distinction
- Public Interest Litigation
- Tortious Liability of State and Compensation
- Promissory Estoppel, Legitimate Expectation & Doctrine of Proportionality
- Government Contracts
- Ombudsman
|
| Law of Evidence & Procedure |
- Indian Evidence Act (1 of 1872)
- Civil Procedure Code (5 of 1908)
- Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996
- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974)
- Provincial Small Cause Courts Act, 1887
|
| Hindu Law and Mohammedan Law |
- Hindu Law including Schools, Marriage, Adoption, Impartible Estate, Endowment
- Muhammadan Law including Marriage Law, Adoption, Wills, Legitimacy, Acknowledgement, Guardianship
|
| Commercial Law |
The main principles of law relating to
- Sale of Goods
- Negotiable Instruments
- Company Law
- Partnership
|
Madhya Pradesh (MP) Judiciary Exam Syllabus 2025
| Subject/Papers |
Syllabus |
| Civil law and procedure |
- Constitution of India
- Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
- Transfer of Property Act, 1882
- Indian Contract Act, 1872
- Specific Relief Act, 1963
- Limitation Act, 1963
|
| Criminal law and procedure |
- Indian Penal Code, 1860
- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
- Indian Evidence Act, 1872
- Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (Chapter 13 and Chapter 17)
- M. P. Land Revenue Code, 1959
- M.P. Location Control Act, 1961
|
| Writing skill, court practice, translation, and current legal knowledge |
- Stabilization of issues
- Accusative structure
- Judgment Writing (Civil)
- Judgment Writing (Criminal)
|
| Judgment writing |
- Articles, on social subjects
- Articles on legal topics
- Condensation (legal)
- Translation, Hindi to English
- Translation, English to Hindi
|
Odisha Judicial Service Exam Syllabus 2025
| Subject/Papers |
Syllabus |
| Civil law and procedure |
- Constitution of India
- Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
- Transfer of Property Act, 1882
- Indian Contract Act, 1872
- Specific Relief Act, 1963
- Limitation Act, 1963
|
| Criminal law and procedure |
- Indian Penal Code, 1860
- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
- Indian Evidence Act, 1872
- Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (Chapter 13 and Chapter 17)
- M. P. Land Revenue Code, 1959
- M.P. Location Control Act, 1961
|
| General English |
- Spotting Errors in sentences and phrases
- Antonyms and Synonyms
- Fill in the blanks with missing words
- Usage of prepositions, idioms, and phrases
- Word analogies
- Test of spellings
- Re-arranging sentences
- Questions to test comprehension – with a passage to be read and questions based on the same
- Questions will be set to test the understanding of and the power to write English. A passage or passages will usually be set for summary or precis
- Questions will include letter writing on a given subject
|
Kerala Judiciary Syllabus
| Subject/Papers |
Syllabus |
| Paper – I |
- English Grammar
- General Essays (two)
- Translation of Malayalam Depositions/ Documents to Enlgish and Precis writing (English)
|
| Paper – II |
- Code of Civil Procedure
- Civil Rules of Practice
- Limitation Act
- Contract Act
- Partnership Act
- Specific Relief Act
- Kerala Court Fees and Suit Valuation Act
- Stamp Act (State & Central)
- Kerala Civil Courts Act
- Law relating to ADR and Kerala Building (Lease and Rent Control) Act.
|
| Paper – III |
- Transfer of Property Act
- Panchayat Raj Act
- Municipalities Act
- Family Courts Act
- Revenue Recovery Act
- Negotiable Instruments Act (except Ch.XVII)
- Easements Act
- Registration Act and Personal Laws - Hindu, Muslim & Christian.
|
| Paper IV |
Part A:
- Code of Criminal Procedure
- Criminal Rules of Practice
- Information Technology Act
- Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.
Part B:
- Indian Evidence Act
- General Principles of Criminal Jurisprudence
|
| Paper V |
- Indian Penal Code
- Kerala Police Act
- Abkari Act
- Probation of Offenders Act
- Prevention of Food Adulteration Act
- Forest Act
- N.D.P.S. Act, Negotiable Instruments Act - Ch. XVII
|
Jharkhand Judiciary Syllabus
| Subject/Papers |
Syllabus |
| Paper – I |
- Procedural Law (The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 and The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973).
- The Indian Penal Code, 1860.
- The Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
- The Limitation Act, 1963.
|
| Paper – II |
- The Contract Act, 1872
- The Sales of Goods Act, 1930
- The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
- The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996
- The Transfer of Property Act, 1882
|
| Paper – III |
- The Hindu Law and The Mohammedan Law
- Rent Control Law.
- The Specific Relief Act, 1963
- Jurisprudence
|
| Paper IV (Language) |
- Hindi & English (Essay, Precise writing, Translation & Paraphrasing)
|
Goa Judicial Services Exam 2025
| Subject/Papers |
Syllabus |
| Paper – I |
- The Indian Contract Act, 1872
- The Specific Relief Act, 1963
- The Limitation Act, 1963
- Sale of Goods Act, 1930
- Indian Partnership Act, 1932
- The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
- Transfer of Property Act, 1882
- The Easement Act, 1882
- Family Laws in Goa including Hindu Laws and Muslim Laws
- Land Laws: The Goa, Daman & Diu Agricultural Tenancy Act, 1964, The Goa, Daman & Diu Mundkars (Protection from Eviction) Act, 1975, The Goa, Daman & Diu Buildings (Lease, Rent & Eviction) Control Act, 1968 and Rules, 1969
- Constitution of India
|
| Paper – II |
- The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
- The Indian Penal Code, 1860
- The Evidence Act, 1872
- The Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
- The Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881
- Essay on Current Legal Topic (Approximately 800 words
|
Haryana and Punjab Judicial Services Exam Syllabus 2025
| Subject/Papers |
Syllabus |
| Paper – I |
- The Sale of Goods Act, 1930
- The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
- The Transfer of Property Act, 1882
- The Punjab Courts Act, 1918
- Specific Relief Act, 1963
- The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
- The Indian Partnership Act, 1932
- The Indian Contract Act, 1872
- The East Punjab Urban Rent Restriction Act, 1949
|
| Paper – II |
- Muslim Law
- Limitation and Registration Law
- Customary Law
- Hindu Law
|
| Paper-III |
- The Code of Criminal Procedure,1973
- The Indian Penal Code,1860
- The Indian Evidence Act,1872
|
| Paper IV |
- Essay writing (1000-1100 words)
- Comprehension
- Correction of sentence
- Precis writing
- Making sentences with particular phrases and words
|
| Paper V |
- Translations of Punjabi, which are given in the Gurumukhi script
|
Karnataka Judiciary Exam Syllabus 2025
| Subject/Papers |
Syllabus |
| Paper – I |
- The Constitution of India and Principles of Pleading
- The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
- The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
- The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
|
| Paper – II |
- Framing of issues and writing of judgments in Civil cases
|
| Paper-III |
- Framing of charges and writing of judgments in Criminal cases
|
| Paper IV |
- Translation of an English Passage into KannadaTranslation of a Kannada Passage into English
- The passages given for translation include depositions, judgments, and documents.
|
Himachal Pradesh Judiciary Exam Syllabus 2025
| Subjects/Papers |
Topics |
| Paper I |
- Code of Civil Procedure
- Indian Evidence Act
- Himachal Pradesh Stamp Act
- Himachal Pradesh Courts Act, 1976 and Specific Relief Act.
|
| Paper II |
- Indian Contract Act
- Hindu Law
- Indian Limitation Act
- Transfer of Property Act and H.P. Urban Rent Control Act
|
| Paper III |
- Indian Penal Code
- Criminal Procedure Code
- Chapter-XVII (Section 138 to 143) of the Negotiable Instruments Act
- H.P. Excise Act-2011
- Wildlife Protection Act
- Indian Forest Act and Module on Judicial Sensitivity to Sexual Offences
|
| Paper IV |
- A Choice from Three Essays on General Subjects.
- Translation of Hindi Passage into English
|
| Paper V |
- Language (Hindi): Hindi (in Devnagari Script)
|
Rajasthan Judiciary Syllabus 2025
| Subjects/Papers |
Topics |
| Paper I |
- The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
- Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
- The Constitution of India
- Indian Contract Act, 1872
- The Specific Relief Act, 1963
- The Limitation Act, 1963
- The Transfer of Property Act, 1882
- The Rajasthan Rent Control Act, 2001
- Interpretation of Statutes
- Order/Judgment Writing
|
| Paper II |
- The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
- The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
- The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
- Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
- The Negotiable Instruments Act, of 1881 (Chapter XVII)
- Framing of Charge /Judgment Writing
- The Indian Penal Code, 1860
- The Probation of Offenders Act, 1958
|
| Paper III |
The Paper III comprises of Language Paper 1 and Langugae Paper 2. Check details below: Paper 1- English Syllabus
- Articles and Determiners with Tenses
- Verb phrasing and idioms
- Both Passive and Active Voice
- Both Subordination and Coordination Speech
- Both Direct and Indirect
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Modals for expressing a range of ideas, including condition, probability, possibility, purpose, reason, companions, contrast, obligation, request, permission, prohibition, intention, and condition.
Paper 2- Hindi Syllabus • शब्द रचनाः संधि एवं संधि विच्छेद, समास, उपसर्ग, प्रत्यय – शब्द प्रकारः (क) तत्सम, अर्द्धतत्सम, तत्भव, देशज, विदेशी (ख) संज्ञा, सर्वनाम, विशेषण, क्रिया, अव्यय (क्रिया विशेषण, संबंध सूचक, विस्मयबोधक निपात) • शब्द ज्ञान : पर्यायवाची, विलोम, शब्द युगमो का अर्थ भेद, वाक्यांश के लिए सार्थक शब्द, समश्रुत भिन्नार्थक शब्द, समानार्थी शब्दों का विवेक, उपयुक्त शब्द चयन, संबंधवाची शब्दावली – शब्द शुद्धि । • व्यऎकणिक कोटियाँ: परसर्ग, लिंग, वचन, पुरुष, काल, वुल, वृत्ति (mood), पक्ष (aspect), वाच्य (voice) • वचनाय वाक्य शुद्धि • वॿराम चिन्हों का प्रयोग ुहावरे / लोकोक्तियाँ। • पब्दावलीः प्रशासनिक, विधिक (विगेषतः) |
Sikkim Judicial Service Examination Syllabus 2025
| Subjects/Papers |
Topics |
| Paper I |
Procedural Law & Local Laws Group A:
- Procedural Law
- Code of Civil Procedure
- Criminal Procedure Code
- Indian Evidence Act
- Limitation Act
Group B:
- Local Laws
- Property Law
- Registration Law
- House Rent & Eviction Law
- Land Laws
- Court Fee & Stamp Laws
- Adoption Laws
- Civil Courts Act
- Municipal Laws
- Interpretation & General Clauses Act
- Other Local Laws
- Notification on Issuance of Certificate of Identification
- Rural Indebtedness Act
- Language Test
|
| Paper II |
Substantive Laws
- Hindu Law
- Indian Contract Act
- Sale of Goods Act
- Partnership Act
- Specific Relief Act
- General Clauses Act
- Transfer of Property Act
- Indian Penal Code and
- Constitutional Law of India
|
Uttarakhand Judiciary Syllabus 2025
| Subjects/Papers |
Topics |
| Paper-I |
|
| Paper-II |
Language
- Translation from English to Hindi
- Translation from Hindi to English
- Précis Writing in English
|
| Paper-III |
Substantive Law
- Indian Contract Act, 1872
- Partnership Act,
- Law concerning easements and Torts
- Transfer of Property Act, 1882
- Principles of Equity : Law of Trust and Specific Relief
- Hindu Law
- Mohammedan Law
|
| Paper-IV |
Law of Evidence & Procedure
- Indian Evidence Act, 1872
- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
- Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
- Principles of Pleading
- Framing of Charges and Issues
- Methods of dealing with the evidence of witness
- Writing of Judgment
- Conduct of cases
|
| Paper – V |
Land Revenue and Criminal Law
- U.P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act , 1950 (as applicable in Uttarakhand)
- Indian Penal Code, 1860
|
| Paper – VI |
Basic Knowledge of Computer Operation
- Windows and Internet
- M.S. - Word
- M.S. - Access
- M.S. - Excel
- M.S. - Power Point
|
List of Judiciary Exams in India
- Uttar Pradesh Judicial Services Exam (UP PCS-J)
- Delhi Judicial Services Exam
- Madhya Pradesh Judicial Services Exam (MP PCS-J)
- Rajasthan Judicial Services Exam (RJS)
- Bihar Judicial Services Exam (Bihar PCS-J)
- Maharashtra Judicial Services Exam
- Haryana Judicial Services Exam
- Gujarat Judicial Services Exam
- West Bengal Judicial Services Exam
- Tamil Nadu Judicial Services Exam
Candidates who want to appear for the Judicial Service Examination must note that to take this exam it is not mandatory to give AIBE exam.
Also Read: Difference Between AIBE and Judiciary Exam