How To Prepare For DJS

The Delhi Judicial Services examination is an entry-level examination organized by the High Court of Delhi. The examination has three stages that evaluate a candidate's knowledge of civil and criminal procedures and various Indian laws. 

Highlighting the competitive nature of the examination

The examination is considered as one of the most difficult competitive examinations in India. It is also becoming increasingly competitive due to the limited opportunities and a large pool of candidates appearing for the examination. 

Importance of a structured preparation plan

Having a structured preparation plan increases your selection chances as it provides a roadmap to cover the vast syllabus. The preparation plan should be a structured approach combining theoretical knowledge with practical application. A proper plan facilitates preparation by identifying the strengths and weaknesses so that you can work on your weak areas. 

Understanding the DJS Exam

Overview of the DJS examination pattern

The Delhi Judicial Services examination is conducted in three stages - Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. The preliminary examination contains objective-type questions, and the main examination contains questions in descriptive format. The interview (viva voce) is conducted to evaluate the overall personality of the candidate.

Detailed examination syllabus

Preliminary Examination Syllabus

The Constitution of India, The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973; The Indian Penal Code, The Indian Contract Act of 1872; The Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008; The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996; The Indian Evidence Act of 1872, The Specific Relief Act of 1963, The Limitation Act of 1963, The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, The Commercial Courts Act, 2015.

Mains Examination Syllabus

The main examination is a written test consisting of four papers with a total score of 850 marks. 

Paper I- General Legal Knowledge & Language (250 marks)

This paper is divided into two sections - 

Section 1 - General Knowledge

The questions in this section test your current knowledge of legal affairs.

Section 2-  Language (Essay, Translation, and Precis Writing)

• The Delhi Judiciary Exam Language Paper (English) evaluates your English language proficiency. 
• It tests your ability to understand and express ideas clearly and effectively.
• The Language Paper consists of two passages for translation, one in English and the other in Hindi.
• You must translate the English passage into Hindi using Devnagri Script and the Hindi passage into English.
• Focusing on substance and expression is important to score well in this section.
• Credit will be given for accurate translations and effective expression. However, points may be deducted for grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure errors.
• Overall, the Language Paper is a crucial component of the Delhi Judiciary Examination and requires thorough preparation.

Paper II- Civil Law I (200 marks)

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

Paper III- Civil Law II (200 marks)

Syllabus - The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; The Indian Evidence Act of 1872; The Limitation Act of 1963; The Registration Act of 1908; The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996; The Trade Marks Act, 1999; The Copyright Act of 1957.

Paper IV- Criminal Law (200 marks)

Syllabus - The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973; The Indian Penal Code; The Indian Evidence Act of 1872; The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005; The Negotiable Instruments Act of 1881; The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

Interview

The final stage of the selection process is the interview. The following pointers will be tested in your Judiciary Interview: 

• Knowledge of the legal system 
• Current legal affairs 
• Communication skills
• Reasoning Ability
• Personality traits

Note: If you belong to the general category, you must secure a minimum of 50% marks. If you belong to the reserved category, you must secure at least 45% marks in viva voce to be eligible to be recommended for an appointment with the Delhi Judiciary Service. Marks obtained in the interview and mains are combined, and the final result is declared.

Importance of previous years’ question papers

Previous year's question papers help you understand the examination pattern, the types of questions asked, and the time required to solve each question. 

Setting the Foundation

Early planning and goal-setting

The syllabus of the examination is very vast. Give yourself at least a year to thoroughly prepare before appearing for the examination. To clear the Delhi judicial services examination, it is important to focus on law subjects diligently. 

Assessing your strengths and weaknesses

Study the syllabus analyze the exam pattern thoroughly, and then assess your strengths and weaknesses. The assessment will give you an idea about your current situation, and you can prepare your study schedule accordingly. 

Creating a realistic study schedule

Create a realistic study schedule covering all the subjects. Allocate enough time to every subject. Make achievable goals daily or weekly and be consistent. 

Essential Study Materials

Recommended textbooks and study guides

Constitutional Law of India, JN Pandey

Indian Constitution Law, MP Jain

Principles of Mohammedan Law by Sir Dinshaw Fardunji Mulla

The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, C.K. Takwani

Law of Evidence by Batuklal

The Indian Penal Code, 1860, T. Bhattacharya

The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, Ratanlal & Dhirajlal

Contract and Specific Relief, Avtar Singh

Law of Tort With Consumer Protection Act, R.K. Bangia

Family Law in India, Paras Diwan

The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, N.V. Paranjape

Indian Sales of Goods Act, Avatar Singh

English Grammar, Wren and Martin

Manorama Year Book, Mammen Mathew

Online resources and reference materials

You can refer to websites like Manupatra.com, scconline.com, and Legalservicessociety.com for legal material. 

Importance of staying updated with legal news and developments

Staying up-to-date with legal news and developments is essential for success in Delhi 

judicial services examination. 

Effective Study Techniques

Active reading and note-taking strategies

Create comprehensive and practical notes which will help you while revising. Highlight the important points and make use of charts, tables, and abbreviations to keep your notes concise. 

Memorization techniques for legal concepts

1. Prepare year-wise charts for every Act/Code.
2. Create one-liner word definitions for every Act.
3. Highlight the headings and sections to memorize better. 
4. Create mind maps and diagrams for various concepts. 

Utilizing mnemonics and visual aids

Using visual aids like images and catchy phrases can help you remember the concept behind legal words. Mnemonics helps you associate various concepts in your mind, and this will be very helpful in your revision. 

Mock Tests and Practice Papers 

Importance of mock tests in exam preparation

Mock tests mimic the actual examination, giving a fair idea about the pattern. Attempting mock tests regularly will help you remember things. It will also help you evaluate your preparation, and you can identify areas where you need to work on. 

Creating a mock test schedule

Taking mock tests should be a part of your preparation strategy. Create a mock test schedule and attempt the tests so that you can evaluate your performance regularly. 

Analyzing performance and identifying areas for improvement

Taking mock tests helps analyze your performance and gives you an idea about how much more preparation you need to clear the examination. 

Legal Research Skills

Enhancing legal research abilities

You can enhance your legal research abilities by reading case laws and legal blogs. The internet is full of legal news websites, blogs, and podcasts that can help you stay updated on legal developments. 

Utilizing online legal databases and resources

You can utilize websites like Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Bloomberg Law, which have various case laws, statutes, regulations, and legal articles. 

Also, you can use free resources like Google Scholar and government websites.

Time Management Strategies

Prioritizing topics based on exam weightage

Although it is not recommended to leave the topics with a weightage of just 1-2 marks, more effort should be put into topics which have higher weightage. 

Allocating time for revision and practice

Revisions are important to keep your grip on the syllabus you have covered. Also, it would help if you allocated time to practice answer-writing questions. You should be able to write concise, understandable, and organized answers. 

Balancing preparation with other commitments

Preparing for the DJS examination along with a full-time job is not advisable as it will extend the preparation time, and the candidate would require more than one attempt to clear the examination. However, it would help if you took out an hour or so for your hobbies and entertainment. 

Joining Coaching Institutes

Pros and cons of enrolling in coaching classes

Pros 

1. Coaching institutes provide a focused environment that helps you achieve your objectives. 
2. They provide the latest study material, mock test series, case studies and reference material. 
3. Learning from experienced faculty ensures concept clarity and instant doubt-solving. 
4. Institutes update you with the contemporary exam patterns.

Cons 

1. The fee for coaching classes is hefty; not everyone can afford it. 
2. You do not have the freedom to study at your own pace.
3. Some institutes impose their short-sighted interpretation of the law and restrict creative interpretation. 

Choosing the Right Coaching Institute

With several coaching institutes available at your disposal, selecting the right can be challenging. Here are a few factors you can consider before enrolling - 

1. Experience of faculty members
2. Study material provided
3. Past performance of alumina 
4. Batch size
5. Location and infrastructure 

Supplementing coaching with self-study

Self-study can supplement coaching if you prepare a proper schedule and follow it constantly, solve mock tests, and revise topics regularly. Identify your weak areas and work on them. 

Revision Techniques

Structured revision plans for different subjects.

Revising topics regularly is important to get concept clarity and maintain familiarity. Inculcate a habit of revising everything you learn at the end of the day so that you do not face difficulty solving questions in the examination. 

Making use of flashcards and revision notes

Handmade flashcards are a great revision tool as they contain concise information. You can even add pictures to your flashcards to make them more memorable.

Group study sessions for collaborative learning

Group study sessions facilitate preparation as they provide a diverse point of view on concepts, help clarify doubts, and encourage discussion. A collaborative environment increases the morale of peers and provides a riveting learning experience. 

Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

The importance of physical and mental well-being

Your physical and mental well-being affects the exam preparation. Getting enough sleep daily, exercising, and having a balanced diet will enhance your academic performance. 

Incorporating breaks and relaxation into the study routine

Breaks and relaxation between your study hours are essential for long-term success. Maintain a study routine and take enough breaks to recharge your energy. Do not procrastinate, as it can lead to last-minute stress and burnout. 

Balancing stress with mindfulness and positivity

You can control your stress level by doing mindful activities like meditation, yoga, and reading. Positivity and mindfulness are powerful tools to maintain your physical and mental well-being and help develop creativity, reduce stress, and enhance focus. 

Last-Minute Tips and Exam Day Strategies

Final revision checklist

1. Revise important case laws in every subject.
2. Revise with the help of an index of each statute.
3. Revise important legal developments and landmark judgments.

Strategies for managing stress on the exam day

1. Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep before the examination so that you are energetic.
2. Spend the first fifteen minutes to read the question thoroughly and decide which section you want to begin with.
3. Solve easy questions first to boost your confidence.
4. Focus on the question you are doing at the moment. Only think about the questions you know.

Dos and Don'ts during the examination

Dos 

1. If you do not know about a question, do not answer it, as there is a negative marking. 
2. Try adding one or two cases in every long answer to increase your chances of getting a higher score. 
3. In the main examination, write succinct but comprehensive answers. The answers should be specific and not general.  

Don'ts 

1. Do more than just write an argumentative answer. Support your answer with theory and jurisprudence. 
2. Refrain from solving answers on the question paper and leaving them to be marked afterwards on the OMR sheet, as you may end up marking the wrong answer.

Conclusion

The Delhi Judicial Services examination is a highly competitive examination that checks your understanding of concepts. 

If you want to clear the Delhi Judicial Services examination and are looking for coaching institutes in Delhi, then St. Peters Law Academy has got you covered. 

Choosing the right coaching institute is crucial to succeed in this journey. With the right mentorship, hard work, and dedication, you can clear the examination.  

 

FAQ's

What is the Delhi Judicial Service (DJS) examination, and why is it important?

The Delhi Judicial Service examination is a competitive examination conducted to recruit judicial officers. The examination provides an opportunity for candidates to make a career in the judiciary.

What are the essential study materials recommended for DJS preparation?

Use standard textbooks for legal subjects, read newspapers for current affairs, and practice mock tests and previous years' questions to assess your preparation from time to time.

Are there any online resources or reference materials that can supplement my preparation?

Yes, you can refer to websites like Manupatra.com, scconline.com, livelaw.com and Legalservicessociety.com to find more study material. 

What legal research skills are crucial for success in the DJS examination?

Legal research skills are necessary to find case laws and landmark judgements. Research skills help to understand the depth of law.

How to handle higher weightage in the DJS examination, and how should I prioritize them in my study plan?

1. Focus on major subjects like evidence, CrPC, C.P.C, Constitutional Law etc and try to go through cases decided by the Supreme Court as well as the High Court of Delhi.
2. Other subjects like SRA, Limitations, and Arbitration, etc are also very useful. So, cover them with suitable cases.
3. Prepare a separate list of cases for each subject. Try to understand the issues addressed in it and then try to understand the interpretation and application of laws in that judgment. 
4. Prioritization of the subjects is a dependable variable. It depends on your situation and your interest in a particular subject. When you have a deep analysis of current examination trends then you will be in a better position to understand the demand of the exam and how it can be catered.