Judicial Service Exams 2025, State-Wise Prelims And Mains Syllabus, Eligibility
Judicial Service Exams 2025: In this article, learn about Judicial Service Exams in different states, including Prelims and Mains, along with eligibility criteria and syllabus details.
Praveen Kushwah17 Sept, 2025
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Judicial Service Exams 2025
Judicial Service Exams: Indian Judicial Service Examination 2025, also known as the Provincial Civil Service Judicial Examination (PCS-J), is an entry-level exam for law graduates. Law graduates don't need to pass the All India Bar Examination to take this exam. Through this exam, law graduates can become district magistrates, additional district magistrates, or district court judges in India.
Members are appointed by state governments under the supervision of their respective high courts, based on the Judicial Services Examinations. Each High Court oversees the members of the subordinate judiciary within its jurisdiction. These members, commonly referred to as the judicial service or PCS (J) - Provincial Civil Service Judicial, hold positions ranging from presiding officers of various courts to District Judges.
Judicial Service Examination 2025 State-Wise
In India, each state conducts its Judicial Service exams differently. A total of 24 states in India conduct upcoming Judicial Service examinations almost every year. These states are:
| 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 2025 Eligibility
The judicial service exam 2025 eligibility criteria differ for lower judiciary and higher judiciary services.
Lower Judiciary Services:
Candidates must be Indian citizens. Candidates must have a degree in either 3-year LLB or 5-year LLB. They should be enrolled or qualified to be enrolled as an Advocate under the Advocates’ Act 1961. Final year candidates can also take the exam, and no experience is required. The age limit is usually between 21 to 35 years, but it varies by state, with some states having an upper age limit of over 40 years.
Higher Judiciary Services:
Candidates must be law graduates and usually require a minimum number of years of litigating practice, typically seven years.
Application Process for Judicial Service Exams 2025
The application process for judicial service exams can vary. Candidates should stay updated on upcoming exams. Each state releases its application forms separately.
- Preliminary exams for Judicial services are usually held about a month after the application form opens.
- Some states release their application forms on the official website of the state High Court, while others release them on their respective Public Service Commission State websites.
- After filling out the application form, aspirants must pay a prescribed fee, which varies for general and reserved categories.
Judicial Service Exams 2025 Stages
To become a civil judge/district magistrate/additional district magistrate, you'll need to pass three exams. These stages are:
| 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 2025 Syllabus
The syllabus for judiciary exams varies by state. While procedural and substantive laws are similar across states, local language and laws differ.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. |
| Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Manipur, Nagaland -Judicial Services Examination | 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. |
| Rajasthan Judicial Service Examination | Rajasthan specific laws |
Judicial Service Syllabus Mains Examination
The syllabus for each state's mains exam is different. Below is a breakdown of the syllabi for the judicial service mains exam in various states:
Delhi Judicial Services Examination Syllabus
| Paper | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Paper I | General Knowledge and Language |
| - Current Affairs | |
| - Essay | |
| - Translation and precise writing | |
| Paper II | Civil Law 1 |
| - Indian Sale of Goods Act | |
| - Indian Partnership Act | |
| - Indian Contract Act | |
| - Specific Relief Act | |
| - Hindu Law | |
| - Muslim Law | |
| - Delhi Rent control Act | |
| - Law of Torts | |
| Paper III | Civil Law 2 |
| - Law of Evidence | |
| - Law of Limitation | |
| - Civil Procedure Code | |
| - Law of Registration | |
| Paper IV | Criminal Law |
| - Criminal Procedure Code | |
| - Indian Penal Code | |
| - Indian Evidence Act |
UP Judicial Services Syllabus
| Paper | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Knowledge |
| Paper 2 | Language |
| Paper 3 | Law –I (Substantive Law) |
| Paper 4 | Law – II (Procedure and Evidence) |
| Paper 5 | Law – III (Penal, Revenue and Local Laws) |
West Bengal Judicial Service Exam Syllabus
| Papers | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Compulsory Papers | - English composition |
| - Essay and precise writing | |
| - Bengali /Hindi /Urdu/Nepali /Santali composition | |
| - Essay & translation from English to Hindi to Bengali/Hindi/Urdu/Nepali/Santali | |
| - General knowledge and current affairs | |
| - Civil Procedure Code | |
| - Criminal Procedure Code | |
| - Indian Penal Code | |
| - Indian Evidence Act | |
| - Law of Contracts and Torts | |
| - Transfer of Property Act | |
| Optional Paper | - Candidates shall choose any three of the following papers: |
| - Hindu Law | |
| - Mohammedan Law | |
| - Jurisprudence and Principles of Legislation | |
| - Indian Law Relating to Companies & Insurance | |
| - Principles of Equity including the Law of Trusts and Specific Relief | |
| - Partnership Act | |
| - Law of Limitation and Law of Prescription | |
| - The Indian Constitution & Constitutional Law |
Bihar Judicial Service Exam Syllabus
| Papers | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Part 1- Compulsory paper | - General Knowledge including Current Affairs |
| - Elementary Science | |
| - General Hindi | |
| - General English | |
| - Law of Evidence and Procedure | |
| Part 2 - Optional paper | - Constitutional Law of India and England |
| - Hindu and Muslim Law | |
| - Transfer of Property | |
| - Principles of Equity | |
| - Law of Trusts and Specific Relief Act | |
| - Law of Contract and Torts | |
| - Commercial Law |
MP Judiciary Exam Syllabus
| Papers | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Paper I | Civil law and procedure |
| Paper-II | Criminal law and procedure |
| Paper III | Writing skill, court practice, translation, and current legal knowledge |
| Paper IV | Judgement writing |
Jharkhand Judiciary Syllabus
| Papers | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Paper I | Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, Indian Evidence Act, Limitation Act |
| Paper-II | Civil Procedure Code, Transfer of Property, Indian Contract Act, Sales of Goods Act, Arbitration and Conciliation Act |
| Paper III | Hindu Law, Muslim Law, Rent Control Law, Specific Relief Act, and Jurisprudence |
| Paper IV | Hindi and English |
Goa Judicial Services Examination Syllabus
| Papers | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Paper I | The Indian Contract Act, 1872 |
| The Specific Relief Act, 1963 | |
| The Limitation Act, 1963 | |
| Sales of Goods Act, 1930 | |
| Indian Partnership Act, 1932 | |
| The Code of Civil Procedure Code, 1908 | |
| Transfer of Property Act, 1882 | |
| The Easement Act,1882 | |
| Family Laws in Goa | |
| Paper-II | The Code of Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 |
| The Indian Penal Code, 1860 | |
| The Evidence Act,1872 | |
| The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 | |
| The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 | |
| Essay on Current Legal Topics |
Haryana and Punjab Judiciary Syllabus
| Papers | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Paper I | - Civil Law I |
| - Code of Civil Procedure | |
| - Punjab Courts Act | |
| - Indian Contract Act | |
| - Indian Sale of Goods Act | |
| - Indian Partnership Act | |
| - Specific Relief Act | |
| Paper II | - Civil Law II |
| - Hindu Law | |
| - Muslim Law | |
| - Customary Law | |
| - Law of Registration | |
| - Law of Limitation | |
| Paper III | - Criminal Law |
| - Indian Penal Code | |
| - Code of Criminal Procedure | |
| - Indian Evidence Act | |
| Paper IV | - English Composition |
| Paper V | - Language (Hindi in Devanagari Script) |
Odisha Judicial Service Exam Syllabus
| Papers | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Paper I | - General English |
| Paper II | - Procedural Laws |
| - Civil Procedure Code | |
| - Criminal Procedure Code | |
| - Indian Evidence Act | |
| Paper III | - Optional Papers |
| - Law of Crime and Law of Torts | |
| - Hindu and Muslim Law | |
| - Law of Property | |
| - Law of Contract | |
| - Jurisprudence | |
| - Constitution of India |
Karnataka Judicial Service Exam Syllabus
| Papers | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Paper I | - Translation Paper |
| Paper II | - Law Paper I |
| - Civil Procedure Code | |
| - Criminal Procedure Code | |
| - Indian Evidence Act | |
| - Principles of Pleading | |
| - Indian Constitution | |
| Paper III | - Law Paper II |
| - Framing of Issues | |
| - Writing Judgments in Civil Cases | |
| Paper IV | - Law Paper III |
| - Framing of Charges | |
| - Writing Judgments in Criminal Cases |
Himachal Pradesh Judicial Service Exam Syllabus
| Papers | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Paper I | - Civil Law I |
| - Code of Civil Procedure | |
| - Indian Stamp Act | |
| - Indian Evidence Act | |
| - Himachal Pradesh Courts Act | |
| - Specific Relief Act | |
| Paper II | - Civil Law II |
| - Indian Contract Act | |
| - Hindu Law | |
| - Transfer of Property Act | |
| - Himachal Pradesh Urban Rent Control Act | |
| - Indian Limitation Act | |
| Paper III | - Criminal Law |
| - Indian Penal Code | |
| - Code of Criminal Procedure | |
| - Negotiable Instruments Act | |
| - HP Excise Act | |
| - Wildlife Protection Act |
Rajasthan Judiciary Syllabus
| Papers | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Paper I | - Law Paper I |
| - Constitution of India | |
| - Civil Procedure Code | |
| - Contract Law | |
| - Tort Laws | |
| - Rent Control Law | |
| - Personal Laws | |
| - Transfer of Property | |
| Paper II | - Law Paper II |
| - Criminal Law | |
| - Narcotic Law | |
| - Cybercrimes and Electricity Theft Law | |
| - Law of Probation | |
| - Law on Juvenile Delinquency | |
| Paper III | - Language Paper I |
| - Hindi Essay Writing and Grammar | |
| Paper IV | - Language Paper II |
| - English Essay Writing, Translation, and Grammar |
Sikkim Judicial Service Exam Syllabus
| Papers | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Paper I | - Procedural Law |
| - Local Law | |
| - Indian Evidence Act | |
| - Limitation Act | |
| Paper II | - Hindu Law |
| - Contract Law | |
| - Sales of Goods Act | |
| - Partnership Act | |
| - Specific Relief Act | |
| - General Clauses Act | |
| - Transfer of Property Act | |
| - Indian Penal Code | |
| - Constitutional Law |
Uttarakhand Judicial Service Exam Syllabus
| Papers | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Paper I | - Substantive Law |
| Paper II | - Evidence and Procedure |
| Paper III | - Revenue and Criminal Law |
| Paper IV | - Current Affairs and General Knowledge |
| Paper V | - Language |
Kerala Judicial Service Exam Syllabus
| Papers | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Paper I | - General English |
| Paper II | - Indian Contract Act |
| - Transfer of Property | |
| - Limitation Act | |
| - Specific Relief Act | |
| - Easements Act | |
| - Kerala Building Act | |
| - Hindu Succession Act | |
| - Indian Succession Act | |
| - Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act | |
| - Kerala Court Fees and Suits Valuation Act | |
| - Kerala Stamp Act | |
| - Legal Services Authorities Act | |
| - Kerala Panchayat Raj Act | |
| - Kerala Municipality Act | |
| - Negotiable Instruments Act | |
| - Registration Act | |
| Paper III | - Criminal Laws |
| - Indian Penal Code | |
| - Indian Evidence Act | |
| - Abkari Act | |
| - Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act | |
| - Juvenile Justice Act | |
| - Kerala Police Act | |
| - Probation of Offenders Act | |
| - Forest Act |
Other States Judicial Exam Syllabus
| State | Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Maharashtra, and Jammu & Kashmir | 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 |
Judicial Service Exams 2025 Restrictions for Candidates
Law graduates can individually apply for each state they want to appear in, with no restrictions on the number of states. However, there are certain limitations to be mindful of:
- Age Restriction: The upper age limit varies by state, ranging from 32 to 48 years. Candidates should carefully check the age criteria before applying.
- Attempts Restriction: The number of attempts allowed also varies, with some states permitting up to 6 attempts and others limiting it to 4. Candidates should consider this limit before applying.
Judicial Service Exam 2025 Selection Process
The Judicial Service Exam 2025 selection process consists of multiple stages, including a preliminary exam, a main written exam, and an interview. The preliminary exam is objective-based, testing candidates on legal knowledge and general awareness. The mains exam is a descriptive test which focuses on in-depth legal knowledge and writing skills. Candidates who qualify the written exams get shortlisted for the interview rounds. In the interview round, candidates are evaluated based on their legal knowledge, communication skills, and suitability for the role.Judicial Service Exams 2025 Preparation Tips
Preparing for the Judicial Service Exams 2025 requires a strategic and disciplined approach. Some preparation tips for the Judicial Service Exams are as follows.- Thoroughly familiarize yourself with the syllabus and exam pattern for the specific judicial exam.
- Prioritize subjects such as Criminal Law, Civil Law, Constitutional Law, and the Indian Evidence Act. These are important topics for most Judicial Service Exams.
- Practice solving judiciary previous year question papers. This will give you a clear understanding of the exam format and commonly asked topics, improving your exam strategy.
- For Judicial Service Mains Exams, practice writing structured and concise answers. Focus on clarity, legibility, and presentation of arguments.
- Plan your preparation based on priority subjects and allocate specific time for each topic.
- Keep yourself updated with the latest legal developments, amendments, and landmark judgments. These are important for both prelims and mains examinations.
| Judiciary Other Related Topics | |
| UP PCS J Notification 2025 | Chhattisgarh Judiciary Exam 2025 |
| Rajasthan Judiciary exam 2025 | Bihar Judiciary Notification 2025 |
Judicial Service Exams 2025 FAQs
How many exams are there in judiciary?
The judiciary exam has three parts: prelims, mains, and interviews. To understand how the Bihar Civil Judge Exam is structured, check out the tables below. During the interview, you'll be assessed for a total of 100 marks. You need to get at least 35% in the interview to be included in the list of successful candidates.
Is judiciary exam tougher than UPSC?
The UPSC Civil Services Exam is a bit harder than the Judiciary exam because it covers a wider range of topics.
What is the qualification for judiciary exam?
To be eligible for the judiciary exam, you need to be an Indian citizen. You must also be between 22 and 35 years old. Having an LLB degree from a Bar Council of India-recognized institute is necessary. In the Preliminary Examination, general candidates need at least 45% marks, while reserved candidates need 40%.
Can I become judge after LLB?
Yes, after finishing your LLB, you can aim to become a civil judge. You can apply for the PCS J Exam either from your home state or a nearby state. Alternatively, you can become a civil judge through direct recruitment.
Is IAS equal to judge?
Judges have the authority to call for an IAS officer to discipline them and instruct them on what to do or not. However, IAS officers don't have this power over judges. Also, in the government's structure, judges hold a higher and more powerful position compared to IAS officers.
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