Dreaming of courtroom drama, with you in the lead role? The Jharkhand Assistant Prosecution Officer (APO) exam is your stage, and the syllabus is your script.
From decoding the IPC and CrPC to nailing essay writing, regional language papers, and that final interview showdown, this exam is a full-blown legal adventure.
But don’t sweat it, we’ve broken down the entire Jharkhand APO syllabus, paper by paper, so you can prep smart, stay focused, and walk in like you already own the badge.
Ready to rise, counselor? Let’s begin.
Jharkhand APO Syllabus: Exam Pattern
The selection process for the Jharkhand Assistant Public Prosecutor post involves the following key stages:
- Prelims Examination
- Mains Examination
- Interview
Prelims Paper Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration | Level |
| I | General Studies | 100 | 2 hours | General |
| II | Law | 200 | 2 hours | Law Graduate |
Note:
Based on performance in the Jharkhand APO prelims exam, candidates will be shortlisted for the mains exam in a 1:13 ratio (i.e., 13 times the number of vacancies).
Read about Jharkhand APO Exam 2025 details.
Mains Paper Pattern
Regional Language Paper (Qualifying Only)
| Santali Language and Literature | Mundari Language and Literature | Kharia Language and Literature |
| Ho Language and Literature | Kudukh Language and Literature | Nagpuri Language and Literature |
| Kurmali Language and Literature | Khortha Language and Literature | Panchpargania Language and Literature |
Written Examination Structure
| Sl. No. | Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration | Level |
| 1 | First Paper | General Hindi | 100 | 3 Hours | Basic (Preface) |
| 2 | Second Paper | English | 100 | 3 Hours | Basic (Preface) |
| 3 | Third Paper | Essay | 100 | 3 Hours | Basic (Preface) |
| 4 | Fourth Paper | General Studies | 100 | 3 Hours | General |
| 5 | Fifth Paper | Evidence & Criminal Procedure | 200 | 3 Hours | Law Graduate |
| 6 | Sixth Paper | Indian Penal Code | 200 | 3 Hours | Law Graduate |
| 7 | Seventh Paper | Indian Constitutional Law | 200 | 3 Hours | Law Graduate |
| 8 | Eighth Paper | Criminal Minor Acts | 200 | 3 Hours | Law Graduate |
Interview
- Candidates who clear the written exam will be called for an interview round, carrying 50 marks.
- This stage evaluates your legal knowledge, communication skills, and overall suitability for the Assistant Prosecution Officer role.
Stay updated for the Jharkhand APO Exam Date 2025 release.
Jharkhand APO Syllabus 2025 (Prelims)
Check out the detailed Jharkhand APO prelims syllabus below:
Paper 1: General Studies
| National and International current affairs | Indian History and Geography |
| Indian Economy | Indian Polity and Governance |
| General Science | Jharkhand’s modern historical facts, geography, economy, and culture |
Paper 2: Law
| Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) | Indian Penal Code (IPC) |
| Indian Constitution | Indian Evidence Act |
Jharkhand APO Syllabus 2025 (Mains)
Below is the detailed Jharkhand APO mains syllabus:
| Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), 1973 | |
| Sections 1–5 (Preliminary) | Sections 6–25A (Constitution of Criminal Courts) |
| Sections 26–35 (Powers of Courts) | Sections 36–40 (Police Powers and Magistrate Assistance) |
| Sections 41–60A (Arrest of Persons) | Sections 61–105 (Processes to Compel Appearance and Production) |
| Sections 106–124 (Security for Good Behaviour) | Sections 125–128 (Maintenance of Wife, Children, and Parents) |
| Sections 129–148 (Public Tranquility) | Sections 149–153 (Preventive Action) |
| Sections 154–176 (FIR and Investigation) | Sections 177–203 (Jurisdiction, Complaints to Magistrate) |
| Sections 204–210 (Commencement of Proceedings) | Sections 211–224 (Framing of Charge) |
| Sections 225–265L (Trial Procedures) | Sections 272–327 (Evidence and General Provisions) |
| Sections 353–450 (Judgment, Appeals, Transfer, Bail, Sentences) | Sections 467–473 (Limitation) |
| Section 482 (Miscellaneous) |
| Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860 | |
| Sections 1–4, 6–75 (Intro, General Explanations, Punishments) | Sections 76–106 (General Exceptions) |
| Sections 107–120 (Abetment) | Sections 120A–120B (Criminal Conspiracy) |
| Sections 141–160 (Public Tranquility) | Sections 172–190 (Contempt of Lawful Authority) |
| Sections 191–195A, 201, 212, 216–229A (False Evidence, Public Justice) | Sections 268–294A (Public Health, Safety, Morality) |
| Sections 299–377 (Offences against Human Body) | Sections 378–462 (Offences against Property) |
| Sections 498A (Cruelty by Husband/Relatives) | Sections 503–510 (Criminal Intimidation) |
| Sections 511 (Attempts) | Sections 499–502 (Defamation) |
| Sections 121, 124A (State Offences) |
| Indian Evidence Act, 1872 | |
| Sections 1–4 (Preliminary) | Sections 5–55 (Relevancy of Facts, excluding 12,13,19,20,23) |
| Sections 59–60 (Oral Evidence) | Sections 61–75, 85A–90A (Documentary Evidence) |
| Sections 101–114A (Burden of Proof) | Sections 118–134 (Witnesses) |
| Sections 135–166 (Examination of Witnesses) | Section 167 (Improper Admission/Rejection) |
| Minor Acts (Criminal Minor Acts) | |
| Group A (80 Marks) | |
| Forest Act, 1927 | Arms Act, 1959 & Explosives Act, 1908 |
| Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1908 & Unlawful Activities | Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 |
| Prevention of Witch (Dain) Practices Act, 1999 | Explosive Substance Act,1908 |
| UAPA, 1967 | |
| Group B (60 Marks) | |
| Electricity Act, 2003 | Information Technology Act, 2000 |
| Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 | Bihar/Jharkhand Prevention of Corruption Act |
| Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 | |
| Group C (60 Marks) | |
| Essential Commodities Act, 1955 | Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 |
| SC/ST Atrocities Act, 1989 | Juvenile Justice Act, 2000 |
| Child Protection Act, 2000 |
| Essay Two parts: | Part A: Legal topic essay (50 marks) Part B: General topic essay (50 marks) |
| General Studies | |
| Current Affairs (India & International) – 10 Marks | Modern History of India – 10 Marks |
| Geography – 10 Marks | Indian Economy – 10 Marks |
| General Science – 10 Marks | Indian Polity – 10 Marks |
| Legal Terminology (Vocabulary) – 25 Marks | Jharkhand-specific History, Geography, Economy – 15 Marks |
| Language Papers | |
| Hindi (100 Marks) | |
| Essay writing (20 marks) | Letter/Official drafting (25 marks) |
| Grammar (20 marks) | Sentence formation & comprehension (15 marks) |
| Translation & explanation-based questions (20 marks) | |
| English (100 Marks) | |
| Essay writing (20 marks) | Letter/report writing (25 marks) |
| Grammar & vocabulary (20 marks) | Sentence correction & comprehension (15 marks) |
| Translation & understanding (20 marks) |
| Regional Language Paper (Qualifying Nature) | |
| संताली | मुंडारी |
| खड़िया | हो |
| कुड़ुख | नागपुरी |
| कुरुख | खोरठा |
| पंचपरगनिया |
Note:
Candidates must take a 100-mark qualifying paper in one of the nine regional languages. While the marks won’t count in the final merit list, clearing this paper is mandatory to be eligible for the mains exam.
Jharkhand APO Syllabus 2025 (Interview)
This is the final stage of the selection process, conducted after the written examination. The Jharkhand APO interview carries 50 marks and significantly impacts the final merit.
This round assesses:
- Legal knowledge and current legal developments
- Analytical thinking and decision-making
- Communication skills and confidence
- Professional ethics and moral integrity
There’s no fixed syllabus, but candidates should be familiar with:
- IPC, CrPC, Evidence Act, and landmark judgments
- Jharkhand-specific laws and recent legal updates
- Key amendments in criminal and constitutional law
Stay updated on Jharkhand APO Vacancy 2025 selection process.
How to Prepare for Jharkhand APO Syllabus?
Cracking the exam requires a smart strategy and focused preparation. Here’s how you can approach the Jharkhand APO exam syllabus effectively:
1. Understand the Exam Pattern:
Before diving into books, familiarize yourself with the structure, subjects, and weightage of the prelims and mains papers.
2. Stick to the Syllabus:
Base your prep strictly on the official Jharkhand APO syllabus 2025. Avoid irrelevant topics and focus on core subjects like Law, General Studies, and language papers.
3. Make a Study Plan:
Break down the syllabus into daily or weekly targets. Balance your time between law subjects, current affairs, and language papers.
4. Revise Bare Acts Thoroughly:
For mains law papers (IPC, CrPC, Evidence Act, etc.), focus on bare acts, landmark judgments, and recent legal updates.
5. Stay Updated:
Follow recent Supreme Court judgments, amendments in criminal law, and Jharkhand-specific legal developments for the personality test.
6. Practice Mock Tests:
Attempt regular mock tests and previous-year papers to improve your speed, accuracy, and exam temperament.
7. Language Paper Matters:
Don’t ignore the regional language qualifying paper. Practice writing to ensure you clear the minimum marks.
8. Join a Test Series or Coaching (Optional):
If needed, take help from expert guidance or test series tailored for Jharkhand APO preparation.
FAQs About Jharkhand APO Syllabus
– Paper 1 (General Studies): Current affairs, Indian history, polity, economy, geography, general science, and Jharkhand-specific GK
– Paper 2 (Law): IPC, CrPC, Constitution of India, and Evidence Act
The official notification does not mention negative marking. However, candidates should check the detailed advertisement once released.
The mains exam includes:
– 8 descriptive papers (Hindi, English, Essay, General Studies, and 4 Law papers)
– A qualifying regional language paper (100 marks)
– An interview round (50 marks)
Candidates can choose from 9 approved languages, including Santali, Mundari, Kharia, Ho, Kudukh, Nagpuri, Kurmali, Khortha, and Panchpargania.
Yes, the regional language paper is compulsory and qualifying. While its marks are not counted in the final merit, failing it leads to disqualification.
The interview or personality test carries 50 marks and plays a key role in final selection.
The mains law syllabus includes:
– IPC
– CrPC
– Indian Evidence Act
– Indian Constitutional Law
– Criminal Minor Acts (like Arms Act, Forest Act, SC/ST Act, etc.)
– Essay: One legal topic + one general topic (50 marks each)
– Hindi/English: Essay, official drafting, grammar, comprehension, and translation-based questions