HOW TO CRACK UP APO

An Assistant Public Prosecutor is an official appointed to represent the state government in the court of Metropolitan Magistrate during criminal trials and argue the cases. 

Importance and benefits.

The post of an Assistant Public Prosecutor is the most celebrated, agreed that of a judge. It promises a respected and secure career to law graduates who want to go into litigation. The selection process is rigorous, limiting the number of individuals who qualify. 

Understanding the APO Role

Role and responsibilities.

Assistant Public Prosecutors perform the duties assigned to them by Senior Public Prosecutors. They are responsible for maintaining records and registers and preparing any statement returns or reports as directed by the Senior Public Prosecutor.

Significance of APO in the criminal justice system.

Assistant Public Prosecutors work along with the police and other law enforcement agencies to facilitate criminal investigations against the accused people.

Career prospects and growth opportunities.

Once you clear this exam, your career will significantly advance as regular internal promotion-based exams that enable deserving applicants to advance in their ranks.

UPSC APO Examination: Overview

Detailed breakdown of the exam pattern.

The exam is conducted in three stages- 

1. Preliminary Exam

Duration: 120 Minutes

Negative Marking: 0.33 marks will be deducted for each incorrect answer

2. Mains Exam

Duration: 180 Minutes 

3. Interview

Those who qualify for the written exams are called for the interview.

Key subjects and topics to cover for the examination.

General Science

• Indian National Movement
• Current Events of National and International Importance
• History of India
• Indian Polity & Economy
• World Geography and Population

General Hindi

• Substitution
• Passage Completion
• Spotting Errors
• Transformation
• Antonyms
• Joining Sentences
• Para Completion
• Error Correction (Underlined Part)
• Sentence Arrangement
• Idioms and Phrases
• Sentence Improvement
• Active and Passive Voice
• Synonyms
• Fill in the blanks
• Spelling Test
• Prepositions
• Error Correction (Phrase in Bold)
• Sentence Completion

Law

• Criminal Procedure Code
• Indian Penal Code
• U.P. Police Act And Regulations under this Act
• Indian Evidence Act

General Knowledge

• Indian Culture
• Environment
• Botany
• Indian Economy
• Zoology
• Basic G.K.
• Indian Politics
• Basic Computer
• Famous Days & Dates
• Chemistry
• Indian History
• Geography
• Physics
• Inventions in the World
• Famous Books & Authors
• Sports, Indian Parliament

Insights into the marking scheme and selection process.

Prelims Exam

Mains Exam (Descriptive Type) : 

Preparation Strategy

Setting up a study schedule and timeline for preparation.

Advanced Objective General KnowledgeTo prepare the proper study schedule for yourself, you need to analyze previous year's question papers to identify the weightage of various topics and their frequency. Then, evaluate your strengths and weaknesses.

Recommended study materials and resources.

General Knowledge 

1. Advanced Objective General Knowledge by RS Aggarwal
2. General Knowledge by Vinay Karna

General Hindi

1. Samanya Hindi For All Competitive Exams by Kuldeep Mishra
2. General Hindi by Lucent

Criminal Law and Procedure 

1. Criminal Law and Procedure by Daniel E Hall
2. Criminal Law and Procedure: A Courtroom Approach by Stephanie A. Jirard

Law of Evidence

1. The Law Of Evidence by Batuk Lal
2. Principle of Law Evidence by Dr. Avatar Singh 

Indian Penal Code

1. The Indian Penal Code by S N Misra
2. Indian Penal Code (IPC) By C.K Takwani 

Indian Evidence Act

1. The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 Bare Act with Short Notes by Universal
2. The Indian Evidence Act: with an introduction on the Principle of Judicial Evidence by James Fitzjames Stephen 

Criminal Procedure Code

1. Ratanlal & Dhirajlal the Code of Criminal Procedure (Act II of 1974) by Dhirajlal Keshavlal Thakore, Ratanlal Ranchhoddas, and V. R. Manohar
2. The Code of Civil Procedure by Dinshah Fardunji Mulla

UP Police Act and Regulations under this Act

1. Uttar Pradesh Police Regulations & the Police Act,1861 by Tripathi Shatrughan
2. U.P. Police ACT 1861 & Regulations A Complete Text Book by Agrawal ExamCart

Interview

1. Law Fighter Interview For Civil Judge / HJS APO & Other[ Law] Competitive Examinations by A.N Singh
2. Success in Interview by Gupta R
3. Interview Manual by Abul Hashem

Tips for effective time management during preparation.

Track your progress consistently and set regular deadlines for tasks. This will help you stay focused and avoid delays. Avoid distractions during your study hours and reward yourself for achieving your daily goals.

Subject-wise Preparation Tips

Specific strategies for each subject tested in the APO exam (e.g., Law, General Studies, English, etc.).

Law

The exam consists of various law subjects, so focus on precedents and legal developments in those subjects. Law textbooks will help you cover the fundamental static portions subject to amendments, so be updated with recent developments.

General Knowledge

Stay updated with current affairs, especially related to law and constitutional developments.

General Hindi 

Polish your grammar, comprehension, and writing skills.

Importance of mock tests and previous year question papers.

The syllabus is vast, and there are many questions to attempt in the exam, so you require a high speed to solve the questions. This speed can be obtained by constant revision and solving mock tests. 

Conclusion

To pass the UP APO exam, you need to pass three stages: the Preliminary Exam, the Main Exam, and the Interview. 

The UPPSC Assistant Public Prosecutor position is highly respected and sought after in the legal profession. Candidates can prepare for the examination using relevant study material, analyzing past question papers, practicing mock tests, and attending a good coaching class for additional guidance.

The role of an APO is significant in the legal system as it assists prosecutors in various matters. They uphold the justice system and contribute to fair and effective prosecution of cases.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many attempts are allowed for the UPSC APO exam?

The official notification does not mention the number of attempts allowed. Candidates can reappear for the exam as long as they are eligible according to the age limit.

Can candidates from non-legal backgrounds apply for the APO exam?

No, having an LLB degree from a recognized university is essential to appear for the APO exam. 

What are the career prospects after becoming an Assistant Public Prosecutor?

After becoming an Assistant Public Prosecutor, there are excellent opportunities for growth and advancement in the legal profession. Many APOs have become Senior Public Prosecutors, District Public Prosecutors, and even judges.

How competitive is the UPSC APO exam compared to other civil service examinations?

The level of competition is moderate compared to other civil service examinations. As UPPSC APO is targeted only by law students, the pool of candidates is smaller.