Delhi Judiciary Exam Pattern 2026 (DJS Pre & Mains Pattern)

Delhi Judiciary Exam Pattern: Stages

The Delhi Judiciary exam pattern follows the traditional three-stage structure:

1. Preliminary Examination (Objective)
2. Mains Examination (Descriptive)
3. Viva Voce (Interview)

Stage	Nature of Exam	Purpose	Qualifying Criteria
Prelims	Objective (MCQs)	Screening Test	40% (General)  35% (SC/ST/OBC)
Mains	Descriptive	Evaluation of legal writing & interpretation	50% aggregate required for Mains qualification
Viva Voce	Personal Interview	Assessment of personality & judicial temperament	Final Merit List based on Mains + Interview (1000 Marks Total)

Delhi Judiciary Exam Pattern for Prelims

The preliminary examination is expected to be an objective-type screening test. Its purpose is to shortlist candidates for the mains exam. This stage evaluates fundamentals in law, analytical skills, and language proficiency.

Component	Details
Exam Type	Objective (MCQs)
Total Marks	200
Duration	2.5 hours
Qualifying Marks	60%
Marking Scheme	+1 for correct answer, -0.25 for incorrect
Subjects Covered	12 subjects (Legal Knowledge, GK, Aptitude, Language)

Section-wise Marks Distribution

Subject	Number of Questions
Code of Criminal Procedure	30
Code of Civil Procedure	30
Indian Penal Code	25
Indian Evidence Act	18
Arbitration and Conciliation Act	16
Constitution	12
Limitation Act	10
Commercial Courts Act	10
Indian Contracts Act	8
Specific Relief Act	5
POCSO	5
LLP	3
Legal Maxims	2
Rent Control Act	1
English	15
Legal GK	10

DJS Prelims Preparation Tips

The preliminary exam tests speed, accuracy, and conceptual clarity. To score well in this objective-stage screening test, candidates must adopt a sharp, practice-driven approach.

• Focus on Extensive MCQ Practice: Regularly solve previous years’ questions, mock tests, and topic-wise MCQs. This helps improve accuracy, enhances familiarity with question patterns, and boosts time management skills.
• Strengthen General Knowledge and English: Prelims typically include GK, Current Affairs, and English comprehension. Make it a habit to read newspapers, follow monthly current affairs digests, and revise vocabulary and grammar rules to improve overall performance.
• Revise Bare Acts Consistently: Bare acts form the backbone of Prelims preparation. Memorize important sections, illustrations, provisos, and definitions from core laws like CPC, CrPC, IPC, Evidence Act, and the Constitution. Prioritize short, daily revision sessions.

Explore important resources for Delhi Judiciary preparation here:

Delhi Judiciary Admit Card	Delhi Judiciary Eligibility Criteria
Delhi Judiciary Vacancy Notification	Delhi Judiciary Exam Date
Online Delhi Judiciary Coaching

Delhi Judiciary Exam Pattern for Mains

The mains exam is the most crucial stage of the selection process. It evaluates a candidate’s in-depth legal understanding, analytical thinking, and the ability to present complex ideas coherently.

Paper	Marks	Details
General Knowledge & Language	250	Section I: GK & Legal Awareness (100 marks) Section II: Essay, Precis, Translation (150 marks)
Civil Law – I	200	Substantive Civil Laws
Civil Law – II	200	Procedural Civil Laws
Criminal Law	200	Substantive & Procedural Criminal Laws

Mains Preparation Tips

The mains examination is descriptive and requires clarity of thought, structured writing, and in-depth legal understanding. A disciplined approach to answering writing questions can significantly boost scores.

• Practice Descriptive Answers Regularly: Write answers for previous years’ questions and mock tests to improve speed, structure, and articulation. Focus on presenting logical reasoning and clear legal arguments.
• Use Case Laws Strategically and Smartly: Incorporating landmark judgments strengthens answers, but avoid overloading responses with unnecessary citations. Use concise, relevant case laws that enhance the quality of your explanation.
• Improve Legal Writing Style and Clarity: The mains answers must be crisp, coherent, and legally sound. Work on paragraph structuring, use headings or subheadings where appropriate, and maintain precision in legal terminology.

Delhi Civil Judge Exam Pattern for Interview

The final stage of the selection process is the viva voce or interview. Candidates who clear the mains are called for a 150-mark viva voce. This stage assesses personality, communication skills, ethics, judicial temperament, and overall suitability for the judiciary. 

Component	Details
Total Marks	150
Qualifying Marks	50% (General) 45% (SC/ST/PwD)
Evaluation Criteria	• Confidence • Communication • Ethics & integrity • Judicial temperament • Awareness of current legal issues

Viva Voce Preparation Tips

The viva voce tests personality, legal awareness, and judicial temperament. 

• Build Confidence and Communication Skills: Practice speaking clearly and confidently. Participate in mock interviews, group discussions, or even record yourself to identify areas for improvement.
• Stay Updated With Current Legal Developments: Interviewers often ask questions about recent judgments, amendments, and socially relevant legal issues. Reading legal news portals, blogs, and Supreme Court updates daily is essential.
• Practice Mock Interviews Regularly: Mock sessions help simulate the interview environment. They enhance composure, polish communication skills, and reduce anxiety. Seek feedback from mentors or seniors to refine your responses and body language.

Delhi Judicial Services Exam Pattern: Question Types

Understanding how each stage differs helps in structuring a targeted preparation plan.

Stage	What It Tests	Type of Questions
Prelims	Speed, accuracy, and conceptual clarity	MCQs
Mains	Analytical ability, legal depth, writing skills	Descriptive answers
Viva	Personality, communication, temperament	Oral responses

Syllabus for Delhi Judiciary Exam 2026

Find the overview of Delhi judiciary syllabus:

Prelims Syllabus

Subject Area	Topics Covered
General Knowledge & Aptitude	Current affairs, static GK, logical reasoning, analytical ability
English Language	Grammar, comprehension, vocabulary, and expression
Objective Legal Knowledge	MCQs based on the key laws listed below
Core Legal Subjects	• Constitution of India • Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 • Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 • Indian Penal Code • Indian Contract Act, 1872 • Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 • Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996 • Indian Evidence Act, 1872 • Specific Relief Act, 1963 • Limitation Act, 1963 • Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 • Commercial Courts Act, 2015

Mains Syllabus

Paper 1 – General Legal Knowledge & Language (250 marks)

Section	Details
Section I: General Legal Knowledge	Tests awareness of current legal affairs, important judgments, and general knowledge.
Section II: Language (Essay, Translation & Precis)	Essay writing, precise use of English, translation from English to Hindi (Devnagri) and Hindi to English, and precis writing. Emphasis on clarity, accuracy, and grammar.

Paper 2 – Civil Law–I (200 marks)

Indian Contract Act, 1872	Sale of Goods Act, 1930
Transfer of Property Act, 1882	Specific Relief Act, 1963
Hindu Law	Mohammedan Law
Delhi Rent Control Act, 1958	Law of Torts
New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994	Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957
Commercial Courts Act, 2015	–

Paper 3 – Civil Law–II (200 marks)

Code of Civil Procedure, 1908	Indian Evidence Act, 1872
Limitation Act, 1963	Registration Act, 1908
Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996	Trade Marks Act, 1999
Copyright Act, 1957	–

Paper 4 – Criminal Law (200 marks)

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973	Indian Evidence Act, 1872
Indian Penal Code	Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881	Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013
Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2015	–

How to Prepare As Per Delhi Judiciary Paper Pattern

Find the Delhi judiciary preparation tips:

1. Cover the syllabus well

• Challenge: The syllabus is extensive and covers numerous laws.
• Solution: Break it into smaller sections, create a structured study plan, and focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing.

2. Time Management

• Challenge: Balancing prelims, mains, interview prep, and personal commitments is tough.
• Solution: Prioritize high-weightage topics, schedule your study hours, and keep time for revision.

3. High Competition

• Challenge: Limited vacancies increase the competition.
• Solution: Improve accuracy and speed for Prelims; practice clear, well-structured answers for Mains.

4. Stress and Pressure

• Challenge: Performance pressure often leads to stress.
• Solution: Maintain a healthy routine, sleep well, and practice mindfulness. Stay connected with mentors and supportive peers.

5. Difficulty Understanding Complex Laws

• Challenge: Some legal provisions are hard to grasp.
• Solution: Use diverse study resources and seek guidance from teachers or coaching if needed.

6. Staying Updated with Current Affairs

• Challenge: Constant updates in law and current events require regular tracking.
• Solution: Read newspapers, follow legal blogs, and make brief notes for quick revision.

7. Language Proficiency

• Challenge: Mains tests writing skills in both English and Hindi.
• Solution: Practice essays and long answers, read regularly, and work on improving fluency.

8. Self-Doubt and Low Motivation

• Challenge: Long preparation periods can reduce confidence.
• Solution: Set small goals, celebrate progress, and stay connected with fellow aspirants. Remind yourself of your long-term goal to keep motivated.