Judicial exams in India, conducted by various Public Service Commissions and the High Courts, aim to gauge candidates on the basis of legal knowledge, skills and aptitude required to serve as a Judge. Likewise, Haryana Judicial Service Examination, aims to recruit candidates for the position of Civil Judge Junior Division and Judicial Magistrate within the Haryana Civil Service (Judicial Branch) through the Haryana Public Service Commission (PSC).
For approaching this examination, right planning and strategy is essential for which, besides the syllabus and the marking scheme of the Haryana Judiciary Prelims and Mains, this article probes into the plan of action and the right approach while recognizing our strengths and weaknesses.
The question paper for Preliminary Examination shall be of two hours duration. It shall consist of 125 questions and each question shall carry 04 marks and for every wrong answer 0.8 mark i.e. 20% or say l/5th mark shall be deducted.
The objective type questions with multiple-choice answers for the Preliminary Examination shall be from the syllabus for the Main Examination. The candidate shall be expected to have a general and basic over view of the main subjects and also the ability to answer questions on current events of national and international importance, Indian legal and constitutional history and governance. The candidate shall also be tested for his analytical skills, reasoning and aptitude. The standard of the questions shall be of Law Graduate level.
The syllabus includes questions related to current events, Indian legal history, constitutional evolution, and statutes outlined in Civil Law-I, Civil Law-II, and Criminal Law, as specified for the Mains Examination, viz.-
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Civil Law I |
Code of Civil Procedure, Punjab Courts Act, Indian Contract Act, Indian Partnership Act, Sale of Goods Act, Specific Relief Act, Indian Evidence Act, and Haryana Urban (Control of Rent and Eviction) Act. |
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Civil Law II |
Hindu Law, Mohammadan Law and Customary Law, Law of Registration and Limitation. |
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Criminal Law |
Indian Penal Code (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023), Code of Criminal Procedure (Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023) and Indian Evidence Act (Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023). |
One must construct a strategy according to his/her strength and weakness. A strategy can be altered every month, week or day, considering the completion of tasks or requirements. For specifically Haryana Judiciary Prelims, one can adhere to the following points in order to strategize their preparation-
PREVIOUS YEARS' QUESTIONS
For better understanding of the pattern of the exam, one should identify the subjects, topics, and their weightage by analyzing Previous years' questions as it would give an understanding of the type of questions often asked, marking scheme, and the overall structure of the exam (prelims, mains, and interview).
BARE ACTS
One must consider the Bare Acts as the Bible, for they are the foundation of law and understanding them is crucial for success in the Judiciary exam. Besides, for the provisions, one must make it a habit to read bare acts daily to improve the understanding of legal concepts and also, for the better execution and linking of the concepts.
STANDARD TEXTBOOKS AND COMPREHENSIVE STUDY MATERIAL
Refer to standard textbooks for a deeper understanding of legal concepts. Also, Having access to right extensive study materials and resources, covering all relevant topics and concepts necessary for the Judicial Services Examinations is a cardinal component for efficient preparation.
St Peter’s Law Academy, the Top Coaching for Judiciary exam provides thorough study material in the form of topic-wise notes, digest–practice questions, which are constantly updated in light of the constant evolution of law by way of amendments and judgments.
SUITABLE TIME-TABLE
Create a timetable that allocates sufficient time for each subject, based on its weightage and your learning pace. Break down the syllabus into smaller, manageable chunks and set daily and weekly targets to cover specific portions. Schedule regular revision sessions to reinforce your understanding of the concepts.
MCQ SOLVING PRACTICE
Practice solving previous year papers and MCQs based on evolving patterns to understand the exam requirement, question types, and difficulty level. One should simulate the exam environment by attempting mock tests regularly to assess his/her preparation level and identify areas for improvement. Speed check plays an important role for Haryana Prelims, as the questions usually are lengthy and practical based.
LEGAL AWARENESS
Since legal and general knowledge is an essential part of Haryana Prelims, one must stay updated with the latest legal developments and current affairs. Stay informed about important court decisions, legislation, and other legal developments. Keeping oneself legally aware would also help with better answer writing.
POSITIVE ATTITUDE
As Winston Churchill said ''Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference'', maintaining a positive attitude, staying consistent with your preparation, having faith in your abilities and working towards achieving your goal can contribute immensely in qualifying the exam.
A mentor by offering personal guidance, sharing expertise and providing contemporary strategies to help aspirants excel, plays a vital role throughout the process of examination. Mentorship is essential for judiciary preparation for several reasons.
The Judiciary prelims examination is a crucial screening stage for aspiring judicial officers, focusing on general knowledge, English, and basic laws, with success leading to the main exam. It's a challenging test requiring comprehensive preparation and a strong understanding of the legal framework.
The Judiciary Mains examination is crucial because it's a subjective assessment, requiring candidates to demonstrate in-depth legal knowledge and strong writing skills to present their arguments clearly and logically, ultimately determining their suitability for a Judicial role.
In Haryana, the Mains exam consists of written papers featuring descriptive or narrative essay-type questions, with each paper having a duration of 3 hours. The Mains syllabus includes the following subjects-
Paper I: Civil Law - I (200 Marks)
Code of Civil Procedure, Punjab Courts Act, Indian Contract Act, Indian Partnership Act, Sale of Goods Act, Specific Relief Act, Indian Evidence Act, and Haryana Urban (Control of Rent and Eviction) Act.
Paper II: Civil Law - II (200 Marks)
Hindu Law, Mohammedan Law, Customary Law, Law of Registration, and Law of Limitation.
Paper III: Criminal Law (200 Marks)
Indian Penal Code (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023), Code of Criminal Procedure (Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023), and Indian Evidence Act (Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023).
Paper IV: English (200 Marks)
Candidates will write an essay (1000 - 1100 words), complete a précis, and engage in comprehension and corrections.
Paper V: Language (100 Marks)
Translation of an English passage into Hindi, explanation of Hindi passages, and composition, including essays and idioms.
To succeed in the Mains examination, one should focus on thorough syllabus understanding, structured note-making, consistent practice with previous years' papers, and sharpening the answer-writing skills with a focus on clarity, legal terminology, and case law integration.
The following points can be taken note of for a sound mains preparation-
IN-DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW
The mains exam requires an in-depth understanding of core legal principles and their practical applications. Read and understand the nuances of different laws, judgments, and interpretations. It’s about mastering every detail.
St. Peter’s Law Academy is recognized across India for its outstanding judiciary coaching, offering in-depth lectures, interactive case studies, and personalized coaching sessions
EFFECTIVE NOTE-MAKING
Considering the sharp competition, organizing notes in a logical manner, using headings, subheadings, and bullet points gets important. You can include relevant case laws and examples to illustrate the concepts. Keep notes updated with the latest developments in law and jurisprudence.
PRACTICE ANSWER WRITING AND IMPROVE WRITING SKILLS
Analyze the questions and answer patterns to understand the examiner's expectations. One should get feedback on his/her answers to identify areas for improvement. Write clear, concise, and well-structured answers. Refer to relevant case laws to support your arguments. One should follow legal news and developments in the field of law and expand his/her knowledge of legal concepts and principles.
ANALYTICAL AND CRITICAL THINKING
The Analytical and critical thinking are muscles. Develop a habit of critically evaluating legal issues and Judgments. Also, work on analyzing legal problems and formulating arguments from different perspectives.Make sure think Like a Judge, Not Just a Student.
TIME MANAGEMENT
Since in Mains examination it is important to keep a good track of speed and time, one should plan time effectively in order to complete all the papers within the allotted time. Allocate time for each question and stick to the time limit.
REVISION AND PRACTICE
One should review his/her notes regularly to reinforce the understanding of the concepts and take mock tests and previous year questions to assess the preparation level and identify areas for improvement. Staying positive and motivated throughout your preparation is vital.
The Mains examination goes beyond basic knowledge, testing a candidate's ability to apply legal principles, analyze complex situations, and formulate well-reasoned arguments. It is to be noted that the mains exam helps evaluate a candidate's legal acumen, analytical abilities, and writing skills, which are crucial for a judicial officer's role. Since the score in the Mains exam is a significant factor in determining eligibility for the interview round, and ultimately, for selection as a judicial officer, the candidates need to prepare thoroughly for the mains exam, focusing on in-depth knowledge of law, case laws, and legal principles, as well as practicing answer-writing skills.
The viva voce (interview) stage of the judiciary exam is crucial for assessing a candidate's suitability for a judicial role, evaluating legal knowledge, personality, communication skills, and ethical outlook, alongside the written exams.
Interview of Haryana Judicial Service aims to judge the personal qualities of the candidates. The viva-voce shall relate to the matters of general interest and is intended to test the candidates' alertness, intelligence and general outlook. It shall be of 200 marks.
Mock interviews allow candidates to practice, build confidence and receive feedback to improve their performance and communication skills. Mock interviews also replicate the real interview environment which helps candidates to have a fair experience before the interview day. Making it easier for a candidate, we have a detailed analysis as follows-
PERSONALTY PLAYS AND IMPORTANT ROLE
We have often heard that Viva voce is not a test of one's knowledge but of one's personality. Personality is a prime factor for Judiciary interviews and to excel, one should showcase a positive and adaptable personality, highlighting traits like honesty and integrity.
NATURE OF QUESTIONS ASKED
In Judiciary, when a candidate reaches an interview stage, s/he may be asked questions related to Major laws, Minor laws, Local laws, General Knowledge or domain based questions. The interview panel is mainly interested in knowing whether a candidate is well versed with certain legal aspects and how well s/he manages to appear composed. The candidates are often asked questions about their practice/litigation, areas of interest in law, research areas, publications (if any), etc., thereby, making it difficult to think of a limit to the nature of questions. A candidate ought to be thoroughly prepared.
ONE MUST BE WELL VERSED WITH EVENTS IN SOCIO-LEGAL SPHERE
Since the trend is evolving, we see that the more questions been asked from landmark as well as ongoing legal developments, so it becomes important for a candidate to be updated and on point. Mock interviews can help candidates test their knowledge of legal concepts, constitutional provisions, landmark judgments, and current legal issues. They can also help candidates stay updated on recent developments and amendments in the law. By practicing with mock interview questions, candidates can ensure they are well-prepared for the interview's legal content.
IDENTIFYING AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
Mock interviews offer an opportunity to receive constructive feedback from experienced individuals, such as legal experts or mentors. This feedback helps candidates identify areas where they need to improve, such as their legal knowledge, communication skills, or overall approach to the interview. By addressing these areas, candidates can significantly enhance their chances of success in the actual interview.
UNDERSTANDING THE SELECTION PROCESS
Mock interviews provide insights into the selection committee's expectations and assessment criteria. They help candidates understand what the panel is looking for in a potential judge, such as demeanor, legal acumen, and ethical values. This knowledge allows candidates to tailor their preparation and approach to the interview accordingly.
To conclude, as we all know the Judiciary exam is known for its high level of competition, with many candidates vying for a limited number of positions, is considered to be one of the most difficult exams of the country. That being said, it often gets challenging for candidates to keep up with the preparations and not to lose the enthusiasm, for which there is a sweet and short quote by Napoleon Hill, which says ''Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.'' Though the quote is short, it gives immense strength to endure the challenges throughout the preparation.
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