To secure a successful preparation for judiciary exams during LLB, aspiring judges must plan a disciplined strategy that helps them understand exam pattern and develop rigorous study routine.
Provincial civil service-Judicial exam (PCS-J) is the judiciary exam that is the gateway to become judge in India. Aspiring law students aiming for PCS-J entrance exam should start early examination preparations.
In this blog, we will cover time table for judiciary preparation, a detailed judiciary exam syllabus, eligibility for judiciary exam and effective exam preparing strategies for judiciary after LLB.
How to Prepare for Judiciary with LLB
Judiciary exam (PCS-J) is yearly entrance examination that makes students eligible for becoming judge in India. . The examination is organized in offline, pen paper mode and assesses learners in law subjects like civil, criminal, constitutional; general knowledge and one language paper.
Early preparation of PCS-J exam offers a strategic advantage to the law aspirants. The examination requires learner’s consistency and determination for gaining outstanding scores in all the sections.
It is essential to start judiciary examination preparation early with LLB as it builds strong foundation for subjects like civil law, constitutional law, criminal law and general knowledge. Candidates gets more time to practice previous year papers and reduces last minute rush and stress. This also helps aspirants to score well in the PCS-J examination.
Mentioned below is the step by step preparation guide on how to prepare for judiciary with LLB:
Step 1: Knowing the judiciary exam syllabus and exam pattern
Candidates must keep an understanding of the judiciary exam syllabus, and pattern, which is available on the official website of PCS-J. It is essential to know about these, so that learners can plan time table for judiciary preparation accordingly:
| Levels | Test description | Duration |
| Preliminary | Objective type (MCQ) test. Subjects include law -civil, criminal and constitutional law, GK general knowledge, and language (English/Hindi or local language). | 2-3 hours |
| Mains | Descriptive written exam. Consists of several papers such as civil law, criminal law, language (English/Hindi/Regional), and sometimes local/state laws. | 3hours |
| Interview | Also called Viva-Voce. Assesses personality, legal acumen, reasoning, and suitability for the judicial post. Marks usually range from 50–150 depending on the state. | Varies |
The judiciary exam syllabus varies slightly across the sates. It covers majorly three levels-Prelims (MCQ and objective based), Mains (Descriptive and subjective questions) and Interview (viva voice)
It is important to know about the judiciary exam syllabus. So that learners can keep their focus on the given topics only. Mentioned below is the syllabus of following three levels of examination:
| Prelims-objective exam syllabus | Mains –descriptive exam syllabus
|
Interview-Viva Voce
|
| Ø General Knowledge & Current Affairs
Ø Constitution of India Ø Indian Penal Code (IPC) Ø Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) Ø Civil Procedure Code (CPC) Ø Evidence Act Ø Contract Law & Tort Law Ø Transfer of Property Act Ø Proficiency in English language and aptitude
|
Ø Essay, Precise writing, Grammar
Ø Legal knowledge and interpretation Ø Case-based questions on Constitution, Property Law, Civil and Criminal Law, Contract Ø Judgment writing Ø Answers on recent legal developments
|
Ø Personality
Ø Law aptitude Ø Analytical skills Ø Latest legal news.
|
Candidates must keep an understanding for judiciary exam syllabus. Knowing about the exam syllabus and pattern helps in creating a time table for judiciary preparation according to the exam syllabus and pattern.
Step 2: Devising a study plan:
Law aspirants need to devise a study plan for PCS-J preparation, which requires atleast 6-8 months of study. It is essential for learners to give equal importance to all three levels of examination. Learners need to divide their time table for judiciary preparation into following study hours:
| Time | Task |
| 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM | Newspaper reading, case law updates |
| 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Study core subjects (IPC, CPC, Constitution) |
| 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM | Prelims practice (MCQs) |
| 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | State-specific law focus |
| 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Mock test, paper analysis |
| 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM | Revision, answer writing practice |
Use the rest of the hours in practicing mocks questions, previous year papers and revision. Aspirants can include following key study routine:
- Weekly review of notes,
- Formulate micro-notes on bare acts,
- Weekly practice of mock tests,
- Daily analysis of recent judgments and
- Legal updates.
Step 3: Select right study material and keep consistency:
Selecting right study material is important as it helps to provide right guidance to students. Following are the resource material best for each topic:
- English: Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis and Hindu editorials
- GK: Lucent’s GK and Pratiyogita Darpan
- Constitution law: D.D. Basu and C,K.Takwani study resource
- Criminal law: Pillai
- Family law: Paras Diwan
To gain mastery in each topic, it is important to practice previous year papers and mock papers on the weekly basis. To keep the consistency, aspirants should, revise continuously and daily reading of bare acts is crucial.
Step 4: Analysis of practice papers:
Learners should practice mock test papers weekly and after each practice paper analyze their performance. It is essential for learners, to analyze the performance section and topic wise. Keep a record for reoccurring mistakes.
This will instill an awareness of the topics which requires more practice and improvement. While practicing mock papers and previous year papers, set a timer. This will improve learners speed and accuracy for the examination.
Step 5: Stay focused and motivated:
PCS-J preparation requires candidates to stay focused on their end goal and keep themselves motivated during preparation time. Scoring low during initial practice papers can be demotivating. So they can set a monthly target like improving mock scores or answering with speed and accuracy.
Learner’s need to visualize their goal of qualifying judiciary exam. This requires them to be determined and consistent with the time table for judiciary preparation. Regular revision and practice sessions will gradually increase learner’s scores in practice papers and prepare them well for the judiciary examination.
Eligibility for Judiciary Exam
Candidates need to check eligibility for judiciary exam, before starting your preparation. It is essential to verify that candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the judiciary exam in the target state.
Mentioned below is the eligibility for judiciary exam:
- Educational Qualification: Candidate must have a LLB /BALLB/BBALLB degree (either 3-year or 5-year integrated course) from any recognized university approved by the Bar Council of India.
- Age Limit: Candidates age ideally should be between 21 and 35 years old. Age relaxation is provided for reserved categories/women/government employees as per the state regulations.
- Nationality: Candidates should be citizens of India
- Other Requirements: In some cases, proficiency in the local language like Punjabi for Punjab Judiciary is also tested.
Final Takeaway
The Judiciary entrance exam (PCS-J) preparation with LLB is both a challenge and a chance to start with early to adhere to time table for judiciary preparation. It is wise to begin the preparation initially during LLB as judiciary exam syllabus is quite lengthy.
The preparation combines legal studies with targeted current affairs, continuous revision of bare acts, and regular practice tests. The regular practice develops speed, accuracy and enables candidates to see monthly progress.
In this blog we have discussed about how to prepare for judiciary with LLB, which will guide the aspirants for smart study plan that will bring them closer to their dream goal!
FAQs
Q1: Is coaching compulsory for judiciary exams?
Ans1: No, disciplined self-study using bare acts, standard textbooks, and online resources can help you succeed. Coaching is only helpful for guidance and access to test series.
Q2: Should I prepare for one state or multiple states?
Ans2: Start by mastering one state’s syllabus and language. Once confident, expand to other states with similar structures.
Q3: What books and resources are recommended?
Ans3: mentioned below are the study resources helpful in succeeding in exam:
- Constitution: D.D. Basu
- CPC: C.K. Takwani
- Criminal Law: Pillai
- Family Law: Paras Diwan
- Newspapers and legal magazines for current affairs
- Bare acts for each subject.