State Judicial Service Exams in India: State-Wise List, Eligibility and Pattern

State Judicial Service Exams in India: State-Wise List, Eligibility and Pattern

By Adv. Aaditya Vikram Parmar, LL.M.

There is no all-India judiciary exam. Every state recruits its own Civil Judges (Junior Division), either through the State Public Service Commission or through the High Court. The syllabus overlaps heavily, so a well-prepared candidate can sit several states.

The practice rule: what changed in 2026

• May 2025: the Supreme Court restored the requirement of three years’ practice as an advocate before sitting the Civil Judge (Junior Division) exam.
• 21 August 2026: on review, the Court kept the principle but cut the requirement from three years to one year.
• Transition window: for recruitments notified up to 31 March 2027, fresh law graduates can apply without prior practice.
• New training: selected candidates undergo one year at the State Judicial Academy, then six months’ clerkship under a District Judge and six months under a High Court judge.
• States were asked to amend their service rules. Always read the latest notification of the state you are applying to.

State-wise exams and conducting bodies

The conducting body occasionally changes between cycles. Confirm on the official notification.

The common pattern

• Preliminary exam: objective, qualifying in most states.
• Main exam: descriptive papers on civil law, criminal law, language and, in many states, judgment writing.
• Interview or viva voce.

The common syllabus

• Procedural law: Civil Procedure Code, criminal procedure (CrPC and BNSS), evidence (Evidence Act and BSA).
• Substantive law: Constitution, penal law (IPC and BNS), Contract, Transfer of Property, Specific Relief, Limitation.
• Family laws and local Acts of the state.
• The state’s official language, plus English.
• General knowledge in some states.

How to choose your states

• Start with your home state. Domicile, reservation and language work in your favour.
• Add states that test in a language you can write fluently.
• Compare vacancies and frequency. Some states recruit every year, others irregularly.
• Keep one core preparation and add each state’s local laws in the final two months.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sit the judiciary exam straight after LLB?

For recruitments notified up to 31 March 2027, yes. After that, one year of practice is required under the Supreme Court’s August 2026 ruling, subject to each state’s rules.

Can I apply to more than one state?

Yes, if you meet that state’s eligibility and language requirement.

Is the syllabus the same in every state?

The core is common. Local laws, language papers and the marking scheme differ.

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