Published Sep 29, 2025 3 Min Read

Introduction to Judicial Service Exams

 
 

The following table lists the 24 Indian states that conduct separate Judicial Service Exams, along with their corresponding bodies responsible for the recruitment:

Region State /UT Exam name Conducting authority
Northern Delhi Delhi Judiciary (DJS) Delhi High Court
  Haryana Haryana Judiciary HPSC
  Punjab Punjab Judiciary (PCS-J) PPSC
  Uttar Pradesh UP Judiciary (UP PCS J) UPPSC
  Uttarakhand Uttarakhand Judiciary Exam (UKPSC‑J) UKPSC
  Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh Judiciary HPPSC
  Jammu and Kashmir JKPSC Civil Judge J&K High Court
Central Madhya Pradesh MP Judiciary MP High Court
  Chhattisgarh Chhattisgarh Judiciary CGPSC
Western Rajasthan Rajasthan Judiciary Rajasthan High Court
  Gujarat Gujarat Judiciary Gujarat High Court
  Maharashtra MPSC‑J (Maharashtra Judiciary) MPSC
Eastern Bihar BPSC Judicial Service BPSC
  Jharkhand Jharkhand Judiciary (JPSC‑J) JPSC
  West Bengal West Bengal Judiciary WBPSC
  Odisha Odisha Judicial Services Exam OPSC
Southern Tamil Nadu TNPSC Civil Judge Exam TNPSC
  Karnataka Karnataka Judiciary Karnataka High Court
  Andhra Pradesh APJS – Andhra Pradesh Judiciary Andhra Pradesh High Court
  Telangana TSJS – Telangana Judiciary Telangana High Court
Northeastern Assam AJS – Assam Judicial Services Gauhati High Court
  Tripura TJS – Tripura Judiciary Tripura High Court
  Meghalaya MJS – Meghalaya Higher Judicial Meghalaya High Court
  Manipur Manipur Judicial Service Exams Manipur High Court
  Nagaland NJS – Nagaland Judicial Services Nagaland High Court
  Mizoram MZJS – Mizoram Judicial Services Mizoram High Court
  Sikkim SJS – Sikkim Judicial Services Sikkim High Court


Indian Judiciary Exam 2025: Important dates

Below is a table highlighting some of the key application start dates, last dates, and exam dates for select state Judiciary Exams in 2025:

Exam/State Application start Last date to apply Exam date(s)
JPSC APO (Jharkhand PSC) 24 Jun 2025 15 Jul 2025
JKPSC Civil Judge 19 May 2025 18 Jun 2025
Delhi Judicial Services 4 Apr 2025 3 May 2025
Rajasthan High Court Civil Judge 1 Mar 2025 30 Mar 2025
AP High Court District Judge 12 Mar 2025 27 Mar 2025
AP Civil Judge 3 Feb 2025 12 Mar 2025
Karnataka High Court Civil Judge 10 Feb 2025 12 Mar 2025
Assam Judicial Service 17 Feb 2025 3 Mar 2025
Gujarat High Court Civil Judge 1 Feb 2025 1 Mar 2025 23 Mar 2025 (Prelims)
West Bengal Judicial Service 1 Jan 2025 31 Jan 2025
Himachal Pradesh Civil Judge 15 Dec 2024 5 Jan 2025 15–19 Jul 2025 (Exams)
Orissa High Court District Judge 6 Nov 2024 22 Nov 2024 5 Jan 2025
Bombay High Court District Judge 5 Sep 2024 26 Sep 2024 18–19 Jan 2025
Maharashtra Civil Judge 24 Jun 2024 8 Jul 2024 24 Aug 2024


Judiciary Exam 2025: Eligibility criteria

Examining the eligibility requirements:

Two entry levels:

  • Lower Judiciary Services (e.g., Civil Judge, Junior Division)
  • Higher Judicial Services (e.g., District Judge, Senior Division)

Lower Judicial Service — Eligibility criteria

Requirement Details
Nationality Indian citizen
Educational qualification LL.B. degree (3-year or 5-year)
Bar Enrolment Generally not mandatory, but some states require it; some states require enrollment and clearing the AIBE
Age Limit Typically 21–35 years; some states extend up to 40 or more


Higher Judicial Service — Eligibility criteria

While specifics vary by state, commonly:

  • Requires law degree.
  • Minimum years of practice (often 7 years) for higher judiciary positions.

How to apply for Judicial Service Examination 2025

Each state issues its own official notification via High Court or State PSC websites. Candidates must follow the prescribed process, which typically includes:

  • Filling the application form online.
  • Paying applicable fees (may vary for general vs reserved categories).
  • Submitting documents and fees via the official portal.

Judicial Services Exam 2025: Selection process

The selection usually involves three stages:

  • Prelims – Objective type (screening; often not counted in final merit).
  • Mains – Descriptive papers testing law knowledge and writing ability.
  • Interview (Viva-Voce) – Assesses personality, judgment, and suitability.

Prelims for Judiciary Exam

  • Objective questions on law and general knowledge.
  • Used to shortlist candidates for mains.

Mains for Judiciary Exam

  • Several descriptive papers on civil, criminal, constitutional law, and regional specifics.
  • Usually includes language or translation papers.
  • Marks are critical in determining final merit.

Interview (Viva-Voce)

Selected candidates are interviewed to assess suitability for judicial roles. Decision influenced by legal awareness and demeanour.

Judiciary syllabus and exam pattern 2025

Judicial Services Exams follow three-stage pattern: Prelims, Mains, Viva-Voce. Testing legal knowledge, analytical skills, and aptitude for judicial roles.

Judiciary Prelims – Key elements

  • Objectives covering Law, GK, regional proficiency.
  • Syllabus varies state-wise.

Judiciary Mains – Key elements

  • Descriptive law papers, essay writing, language translation.
  • State-specific laws included (e.g., Karnataka Rent Act, Goa Land Laws, MP Revenue Code).


Judicial Service Examination 2025 – State‑wise subjects

Here’s a snapshot of state-specific subject inclusion in prelims/mains:

State(s) Additional/Regional subjects covered
Delhi Partnerships, Arbitration law
Kerala Kerala Building (Lease & Rent Control) Act
Goa SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, Sales of Goods, Goa Land Laws
Madhya Pradesh MP Accommodation Control Act, MP Land Revenue Code
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, J&K, Maharashtra, Manipur, Nagaland Official language proficiency requirement
Bihar General science, personal laws, equity, trusts, specific relief, commercial law
Chhattisgarh Land revenue code, accommodation control, specific relief, court fees
Karnataka Karnataka Rent Act among core laws


How to prepare for Judicial Examination 2025

Strategies and tips:

  • Study Bare Acts diligently, especially procedural laws.
  • Focus on eliminating incorrect options during Prelims.
  • For Mains, refine writing skills, judgment drafting, and essay clarity.
  • Seek guidance from mentors, alumni, teachers, and judicial professionals.
  • Practice extensively with past papers and mock interviews.


Conclusion 

Preparing for the Judicial Service Examination is a significant step toward a prestigious and impactful career in the Indian judiciary. With multiple states conducting their own exams, candidates have diverse opportunities to serve in various judicial capacities across the country. Understanding the eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and state-specific syllabus is crucial for effective preparation. By following a disciplined study plan, focusing on key legal principles, and staying updated on important dates, aspirants can enhance their chances of success. Additionally, leveraging financial support options like a lawyer loan or a professional loan can provide the necessary resources to focus entirely on this career-defining journey. Embarking on this path requires dedication, but it opens the door to a rewarding role in upholding justice and the rule of law.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many exams are there in judiciary?

Judiciary exams typically consist of three stages: prelims, mains, and a personal interview. Each stage is crucial and requires thorough preparation.

Can I appear for multiple state judiciary exams in the same year?

Yes, candidates can apply for judiciary exams in multiple states, provided they meet the eligibility criteria of each state. However, this may involve additional costs for travel, lodging, and specialised training.

Is an LLM degree necessary for judicial exams?

An LLM degree is not mandatory for most state judiciary exams. However, having an LLM can provide an edge in terms of subject knowledge.

Which subjects are common across state judicial exams?

Common subjects include Constitutional Law, IPC, CPC, CrPC, and Contract Law. To excel in these subjects, you may need to invest in quality books, online courses, or coaching.

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