EXAM SYLLABUS

The syllabus covers the three-stage examination for direct recruitment to Civil Judge (Junior Division). 

The Delhi Judicial Service Examination is conducted by the High Court of Delhi in three successive stages:

Preliminary Examination (Objective – Screening Test)

Mains Examination (Written – Descriptive)

Viva-Voce (Interview)

Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)

Syllabus: Questions cover general legal knowledge, aptitude, power of expression, flair in English, and objective-type legal problems/solutions from the following Acts/Topics:

The Constitution of India

The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908

The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

The Indian Penal Code

The Indian Contract Act, 1872

The Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008

The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996

The Indian Evidence Act, 1872

The Specific Relief Act, 1963

The Limitation Act, 1963

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012

The Commercial Courts Act, 2015

EXAM PATTERN

The Delhi Judicial Service Examination is conducted by the High Court of Delhi in three successive stages:

Preliminary Examination (Objective – Screening Test)

Mains Examination (Written – Descriptive)

Viva-Voce (Interview)

Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)

Nature: Screening test (qualifying in nature). Marks not counted in final merit.

Format: One paper of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).

Total Marks: 200

Duration: Typically 2½ hours.

Negative Marking: 25% for each wrong answer.

Subjects / Coverage: Questions on general legal knowledge, aptitude, power of expression, flair in English, and objective-type legal problems/solutions covering:

The Constitution of India

The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908

The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

The Indian Penal Code and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

The Indian Contract Act, 1872

The Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008

The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996

The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023

The Specific Relief Act, 1963

The Limitation Act, 1963

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012

The Commercial Courts Act, 2015

Minimum Qualifying Marks:

General category: 60%

Reserved categories (SC/ST/PwD as specified): 55%

Shortlisting for Mains: Number of candidates called for Mains will not exceed 10 times the total vacancies per category.

Tie-breaker: If marks equal to the last shortlisted candidate, all such candidates are also shortlisted (even if exceeds 10x limit).

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The eligibility is for direct recruitment to the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division) through the competitive examination (Prelims, Mains, Viva-Voce). 

Nationality

Must be a citizen of India.

Age Limit

Not more than 32 years of age on the 1st day of January of the year in which applications for appointment are invited.

No minimum age specified in the rules.

Age relaxation for reserved categories (SC/ST, PwD, etc.) is applicable as per government orders/Central rules (typically 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, etc., but confirm in the specific notification when released).

The age is calculated strictly as per the notification date/year.

Educational & Professional Qualification / Practice Requirement

Must have not less than 3 years of practice as an Advocate as on the last date prescribed for submission of applications.

To prove this, the candidate must produce:

A certificate from the Principal Judicial Officer of the Court where practicing, or from an Advocate with minimum 10 years standing (endorsed by the Principal Judicial Officer of the District/Station).

If practicing in High Court or Supreme Court: Certificate from an Advocate with minimum 10 years standing (endorsed by designated officer).

Experience as Law Clerk with any Judge/Judicial Officer in India is counted towards the 3 years.

Note (from the rules): The practice period is calculated from the date of provisional enrolment/registration with the concerned State Bar Council.

Disqualifications (Rule 19)

No person who has more than one wife living shall be eligible.

Exception: Administrator may exempt on special grounds.

No woman married to a person who has a wife living shall be eligible.

Exception: Administrator may exempt on special grounds.

Other Important Conditions

Must be capable of efficiently discharging duties as a Judicial Officer (for PwD candidates: Medical Board satisfaction required under Rule 28).

Selected candidates must undergo at least one year compulsory training before presiding in a Court (Rule 19A, inserted 2026).

Medical fitness test required before appointment (Rule 30).

Reservation for SC/ST, PwD (as per Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016), ex-servicemen, etc., applies (Rule 28).

No specific number of attempts mentioned — can apply as long as age and other criteria are met.

IMPORTANT DATES

The Delhi High Court has not yet released any official notification for the Civil Judge (Junior Division) 2026 recruitment. The Preliminary Examination was held on 17 December 2023, and the results were declared on 2 February 2024, shortlisting candidates for the next stage. The Main Written Examination took place on 13 and 14 April 2024, testing candidates on detailed legal knowledge and answer-writing skills. The result of the Mains stage was officially declared on 7 January 2025, after which qualified candidates were called for the interview round.

EXAM ANALYSIS

The Delhi Judicial Service Preliminary Examination 2023 was conducted by the High Court of Delhi on 17 December 2023. The examination was an objective-type paper conducted to shortlist candidates for the Main Examination. Each question carried 1 mark, with 0.25 marks deducted for every incorrect answer.

The overall difficulty level of the DJS Prelims 2023 was Moderate to Difficult. The paper required strong knowledge of statutory provisions, legal concepts and case-law-based principles. Candidates with thorough Bare Act preparation were at an advantage, particularly because many questions tested precise understanding of provisions rather than broad conceptual knowledge.

The paper covered the major areas prescribed under the Delhi Judicial Service syllabus, including Constitutional Law, Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Evidence, Contract Law, Transfer of Property, Limitation, Family Law, Specific Relief, Commercial and other relevant laws, along with General Knowledge and Current Affairs. The paper also required candidates to distinguish between closely related legal provisions, making accuracy particularly important.

Legal and Bare Act-based questions formed the major portion of the paper. Candidates were required to recall specific provisions and apply legal principles to the questions. The paper was therefore more suitable for candidates who had combined conceptual preparation with detailed statutory reading rather than relying only on short notes.

Time management was another important factor. Since the examination had negative marking, candidates had to balance speed with accuracy. Guessing too many answers could significantly affect the final score because 25% negative marking was applicable.

The examination also went through a detailed answer-key objection and revision process. After objections were invited against the model answer keys, the High Court reviewed the objections. Subsequently, certain questions were revised/deleted, and the result was revised on more than one occasion. The official High Court archive records notices concerning revision of the answer key and deletion of questions.

The official High Court records also confirm that the DJS Preliminary Examination 2023 question paper is available on its Delhi Judicial Service page, making it an important previous-year paper for understanding the actual examination standard.

Overall Assessment

Overall, the Delhi Judicial Service Prelims 2023 was a Moderate to Difficult examination, with a strong emphasis on Bare Acts, statutory provisions, legal concepts and accuracy. The major challenges were the breadth of the syllabus, precise provision-based questions, negative marking and time management.

Overall Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Question Type: Objective, Legal, Conceptual & Provision-based

Negative Marking: 0.25 mark for each incorrect answer

Major Focus: Bare Acts, Core Laws, Legal Principles & Case Law

Major Challenge: Accuracy and Time Management

STUDY TIPS

Clearing the Delhi Judicial Service (DJS) examination, conducted by the Delhi High Court, demands a well-planned, concept-driven, and disciplined preparation strategy. The exam is known for evaluating analytical skills and depth of understanding rather than mere rote learning. The selection process comprises three stages-Preliminary (objective), Main (descriptive), and Interview—with significant emphasis on procedural laws and recent legal developments.

1. Master Bare Acts (Especially Procedural Laws)

Focus deeply on CPC, CrPC, Evidence Act, IPC/BNS, and Constitution.

Read Bare Acts line by line.

Pay special attention to definitions, provisos, illustrations, and landmark sections.

Delhi exam often frames tricky, analytical questions from procedural laws.

2. Prepare Prelims & Mains Together

Practice MCQs daily for objective clarity.

Write 2–3 structured answers daily for Mains preparation.

Improve answer presentation with proper headings, case laws, and clear conclusions.

3. Solve Previous Year Papers

Analyze trends of DJS questions.

Identify frequently tested topics.

Practice under time-bound conditions.

4. Strengthen Answer Writing for Mains

Follow structure: Introduction ? Relevant Law/Section ? Case Law ? Application ? Conclusion.

Focus on clarity, precision, and legal reasoning.

Practice judgment writing if required.

5. Stay Updated with Recent Legal Developments

Read legal news and recent Supreme Court/High Court judgments.

Focus on constitutional amendments and important procedural updates.

6. Time Management Strategy

Allocate separate time for Prelims MCQs and Mains writing practice.

Attempt mock tests regularly.

Analyze mistakes and revise weak areas.

7. Interview Preparation

Revise core legal concepts thoroughly.

Improve communication skills and confidence.

Be prepared for questions on current legal issues and your background.

STUDY PLANS

6 Month Study Plan

Month 1 – Foundation (Major Laws – Part 1)

Start with Constitution of India and CPC (very important for DJS).

Read Bare Acts thoroughly.

Make concise notes of important sections and case laws.

Practice 30–40 MCQs daily.

Write 1–2 Mains answers daily.

Month 2 – Major Laws (Part 2)

Cover CrPC, IPC/BNS, and Evidence Act.

Focus heavily on procedural provisions.

Increase MCQ practice (40–50 daily).

Write 2–3 descriptive answers daily.

Revise Month 1 subjects weekly.

Month 3 – Minor Subjects

Study Contract Act, Transfer of Property Act, Specific Relief Act, Partnership Act, Sale of Goods Act.

Start solving Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs).

Attempt 1 sectional mock per week.

Improve answer structure and speed.

Month 4 – Intensive Revision Phase

Revise all major laws again from Bare Acts.

Attempt 2 sectional Prelims mocks weekly.

Write 1 full Mains paper every week.

Start revising important Supreme Court and Delhi High Court judgments.

Month 5 – Full-Length Mock Practice

Attempt 2–3 full Prelims mocks weekly.

Write 2 full Mains papers weekly.

Focus on presentation, case law usage, and legal reasoning.

Analyze mistakes carefully and revise weak areas.

Month 6 – Final Revision & Interview Basics

Quick revision of all highlighted sections.

Re-solve PYQs.

Focus on high-weightage procedural laws.

Begin light interview preparation (legal awareness + personality development).

Last week: Only revision, no new topics.

Suggested Daily Routine

6–7 hours Law study

1–2 hours MCQs

1–2 hours Answer writing

30–45 minutes current legal updates

3 Month Study Plan

Month 1 – Major Laws Intensive Revision

Focus on high-weightage subjects:

Constitution of India

CPC (Very Important)

CrPC (Very Important)

Evidence Act

IPC/BNS

Strategy:

Read Bare Acts daily (line by line revision).

Practice 40–50 MCQs daily.

Write 2–3 structured Mains answers daily.

Revise landmark judgments.

Solve previous 5–10 years’ DJS Prelims questions.

Month 2 – Minor Laws + Mock Practice

Cover and revise:

Contract Act

Transfer of Property Act

Specific Relief Act

Partnership Act

Sale of Goods Act

Strategy:

Attempt 2 sectional Prelims mocks per week.

Write 1 full Mains paper weekly.

Improve answer presentation (headings, case laws, clarity).

Analyze weak areas and revise immediately.

Month 3 – Full-Length Tests & Final Revision

Prelims Focus:

Attempt 3 full-length mocks weekly.

Revise frequently asked sections.

Improve speed and accuracy.

Mains Focus:

Write 2 full-length papers weekly.

Practice problem-based questions.

Strengthen legal reasoning and structure.

Last 7–10 Days:

Quick revision of Bare Act highlights.

Re-solve important PYQs.

Avoi

STUDY TIPS

Clearing the Delhi Judicial Service (DJS) examination, conducted by the Delhi High Court, demands a well-planned, concept-driven, and disciplined preparation strategy. The exam is known for evaluating analytical skills and depth of understanding rather than mere rote learning. The selection process comprises three stages-Preliminary (objective), Main (descriptive), and Interview—with significant emphasis on procedural laws and recent legal developments.

1. Master Bare Acts (Especially Procedural Laws)

Focus deeply on CPC, CrPC, Evidence Act, IPC/BNS, and Constitution.

Read Bare Acts line by line.

Pay special attention to definitions, provisos, illustrations, and landmark sections.

Delhi exam often frames tricky, analytical questions from procedural laws.

2. Prepare Prelims & Mains Together

Practice MCQs daily for objective clarity.

Write 2–3 structured answers daily for Mains preparation.

Improve answer presentation with proper headings, case laws, and clear conclusions.

3. Solve Previous Year Papers

Analyze trends of DJS questions.

Identify frequently tested topics.

Practice under time-bound conditions.

4. Strengthen Answer Writing for Mains

Follow structure: Introduction ? Relevant Law/Section ? Case Law ? Application ? Conclusion.

Focus on clarity, precision, and legal reasoning.

Practice judgment writing if required.

5. Stay Updated with Recent Legal Developments

Read legal news and recent Supreme Court/High Court judgments.

Focus on constitutional amendments and important procedural updates.

6. Time Management Strategy

Allocate separate time for Prelims MCQs and Mains writing practice.

Attempt mock tests regularly.

Analyze mistakes and revise weak areas.

7. Interview Preparation

Revise core legal concepts thoroughly.

Improve communication skills and confidence.

Be prepared for questions on current legal issues and your background.

STUDY PLANS

6 Month Study Plan

Month 1 – Foundation (Major Laws – Part 1)

Start with Constitution of India and CPC (very important for DJS).

Read Bare Acts thoroughly.

Make concise notes of important sections and case laws.

Practice 30–40 MCQs daily.

Write 1–2 Mains answers daily.

Month 2 – Major Laws (Part 2)

Cover CrPC, IPC/BNS, and Evidence Act.

Focus heavily on procedural provisions.

Increase MCQ practice (40–50 daily).

Write 2–3 descriptive answers daily.

Revise Month 1 subjects weekly.

Month 3 – Minor Subjects

Study Contract Act, Transfer of Property Act, Specific Relief Act, Partnership Act, Sale of Goods Act.

Start solving Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs).

Attempt 1 sectional mock per week.

Improve answer structure and speed.

Month 4 – Intensive Revision Phase

Revise all major laws again from Bare Acts.

Attempt 2 sectional Prelims mocks weekly.

Write 1 full Mains paper every week.

Start revising important Supreme Court and Delhi High Court judgments.

Month 5 – Full-Length Mock Practice

Attempt 2–3 full Prelims mocks weekly.

Write 2 full Mains papers weekly.

Focus on presentation, case law usage, and legal reasoning.

Analyze mistakes carefully and revise weak areas.

Month 6 – Final Revision & Interview Basics

Quick revision of all highlighted sections.

Re-solve PYQs.

Focus on high-weightage procedural laws.

Begin light interview preparation (legal awareness + personality development).

Last week: Only revision, no new topics.

Suggested Daily Routine

6–7 hours Law study

1–2 hours MCQs

1–2 hours Answer writing

30–45 minutes current legal updates

3 Month Study Plan

Month 1 – Major Laws Intensive Revision

Focus on high-weightage subjects:

Constitution of India

CPC (Very Important)

CrPC (Very Important)

Evidence Act

IPC/BNS

Strategy:

Read Bare Acts daily (line by line revision).

Practice 40–50 MCQs daily.

Write 2–3 structured Mains answers daily.

Revise landmark judgments.

Solve previous 5–10 years’ DJS Prelims questions.

Month 2 – Minor Laws + Mock Practice

Cover and revise:

Contract Act

Transfer of Property Act

Specific Relief Act

Partnership Act

Sale of Goods Act

Strategy:

Attempt 2 sectional Prelims mocks per week.

Write 1 full Mains paper weekly.

Improve answer presentation (headings, case laws, clarity).

Analyze weak areas and revise immediately.

Month 3 – Full-Length Tests & Final Revision

Prelims Focus:

Attempt 3 full-length mocks weekly.

Revise frequently asked sections.

Improve speed and accuracy.

Mains Focus:

Write 2 full-length papers weekly.

Practice problem-based questions.

Strengthen legal reasoning and structure.

Last 7–10 Days:

Quick revision of Bare Act highlights.

Re-solve important PYQs.

Avoid new topics.

Light current legal updates revision.

Suggested Daily Routine

5–6 hours Bare Act revision

1–2 hours MCQs

1–2 hours Answer writing

30 minutes legal current affairs

1 Month Study Plan

Week 1 – Major Laws Revision

Revise the most important subjects:

Constitution of India

CPC (Top Priority)

CrPC (Top Priority)

Evidence Act

IPC/BNS

Target:

Daily Bare Act revision (5–6 hours).

Practice 50 MCQs daily.

Write 2 structured Mains answers daily.

Revise important case laws.

Week 2 – Minor Laws + Sectional Tests

Revise:

Contract Act

Transfer of Property Act

Specific Relief Act

Partnership & Sale of Goods

Target:

Attempt 2–3 sectional Prelims mocks.

Write 2–3 Mains answers daily.

Focus on presentation (headings, relevant sections, case references).

Week 3 – Full-Length Mock Practice

Prelims:

Attempt 3 full-length mock tests under exam conditions.

Analyze mistakes immediately.

Mains:

Write at least 2 full-length practice papers.

Improve speed, clarity, and legal reasoning.

Week 4 – Final Revision & Polishing

Quick revision of highlighted Bare Act sections.

Re-solve important Previous Year Questions (PYQs).

Focus on frequently tested procedural provisions.

Last 2–3 days: Light revision only, no new topics.

Daily Study Routine (Final Month)

6–7 hours Bare Act revision

1–2 hours MCQs

1–2 hours Answer writing

30 minutes legal current affairs

OVERVIEW

The Delhi Civil Judge (Junior Division) Examination, also known as the Delhi Judicial Service (DJS) Exam, is a prestigious state-level examination conducted by the Delhi High Court to recruit Civil Judges. The selection process has three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, Interview. Through this exam, law graduates are appointed as judges in the lower courts of Delhi. In recent recruitment cycles, 3 years of legal practice experience may also be required as part of the eligibility criteria.

SELECTION PROCESS

The Delhi Judicial Service (DJS) Examination is conducted by the Delhi High Court for the recruitment of Civil Judges (Junior Division). The selection process consists of three main stages:

Stage I – Preliminary Examination

Objective-type (Multiple Choice Questions).

Tests knowledge of major laws such as CPC, CrPC, IPC/BNS, Evidence Act, and Constitution of India.

This stage is qualifying in nature and shortlists candidates for the Mains examination.

Stage II – Main Examination

Descriptive (written) examination.

Includes multiple papers covering substantive and procedural laws.

Tests answer-writing skills, legal reasoning, and clarity of concepts.

Marks obtained in Mains are counted for final merit.

Stage III – Viva-Voce (Interview)

Personal interview conducted by the High Court.

Assesses legal knowledge, personality, communication skills, and overall suitability for judicial service.

Final selection is based on combined marks of Mains and Interview.

Final Selection

The final selection for the Delhi Judicial Service (DJS) is conducted by the Delhi High Court based on the combined marks of the Main Examination and Interview.

The Preliminary Exam is only qualifying in nature (marks not counted in final merit).

Mains marks are included in the final merit list.

Interview marks are also added for final ranking.

Candidates must secure minimum qualifying marks in both stages.

Final appointment is made according to merit and available vacancies, subject to document verification and medical fitness.