What is the pattern of the Bihar Higher Judiciary exam?

Bihar Higher Judicial Service (District Judge, Entry Level) Examination has 3 stages. Preliminary examination (screening test, objective type): Objective screening test of 100 questions carrying 3 marks each (300 marks) in law, English language, general knowledge and computer knowledge, with 1 negative mark per wrong answer. Papers: Screening test: 100 questions, 300 marks. Main examination (written): Theory papers on the listed law subjects; the number of papers and marks per paper are decided by the High Court. Candidate must secure at least 45% in each theory paper to be called for viva voce. Interview (viva-voce): Weighted 20% against 80% for the theory papers; minimum 30% in the interview and 50% aggregate (45% for reserved categories) to qualify for appointment.

Is there negative marking in Bihar Higher Judiciary?

One mark is deducted for each wrong answer in the preliminary (screening) test, in which each question carries 3 marks.

Who is eligible for Bihar Higher Judiciary?

A degree in law from a recognised university; the notification has the full conditions. The notification for each cycle has the full conditions and relaxations.

Where is the Bihar Higher Judiciary notification published?

Patna High Court publishes the notification, dates and results on its official website, patnahighcourt.gov.in. Check it for the current cycle.

Which bare acts are in the Bihar Higher Judiciary syllabus?

31 acts are tagged for Bihar Higher Judiciary here, including the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, Constitution of India, Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939 and more. Each can be read section by section.

Bihar · District Judge (Entry Level), direct recruitment from the Bar

Bihar Higher Judiciary 2026: Syllabus, Previous Year Papers & Bare Acts

Bihar Higher Judicial Service (District Judge, Entry Level) Examination

3
Stages: 31
Acts in syllabus: 425
Mains questions: Yes
Negative marking

The Patna High Court recruits District Judges (Entry Level) by direct recruitment from the Bar in Bihar. The scheme has an objective preliminary (screening) test of 300 marks, a written main examination in law subjects, and an interview. Theory papers and viva-voce are weighted 80% and 20%.

Conducted by: Patna High Court
Official website: patnahighcourt.gov.in
Negative marking: One mark is deducted for each wrong answer in the preliminary (screening) test, in which each question carries 3 marks.
Final selection: Theory papers (main written examination) and viva-voce are weighted 80% and 20%. Candidate is called for viva voce on at least 45% in each theory paper; to qualify for appointment: 45% in each theory paper, 30% in viva-voce and 50% aggregate of theory papers and viva-voce together. Reserved category candidates (including women and orthopaedically disabled) get 5% relaxation in each theory paper and in the preliminary test, with 45% aggregate; no relaxation for EWS.

Official website and notifications

Exam pattern and stages

Preliminary examination (screening test, objective type): Objective screening test of 100 questions carrying 3 marks each (300 marks) in law, English language, general knowledge and computer knowledge, with 1 negative mark per wrong answer.
Paper Questions Marks Duration
Screening test 3 marks per question; 1 mark deducted per wrong answer; minimum qualifying marks relaxed by 5% for reserved category candidates including women 100 300
Main examination (written): Theory papers on the listed law subjects; the number of papers and marks per paper are decided by the High Court. Candidate must secure at least 45% in each theory paper to be called for viva voce.
Interview (viva-voce): Weighted 20% against 80% for the theory papers; minimum 30% in the interview and 50% aggregate (45% for reserved categories) to qualify for appointment.

Paper	Questions	Marks	Duration
Screening test 3 marks per question; 1 mark deducted per wrong answer; minimum qualifying marks relaxed by 5% for reserved category candidates including women	100	300

Syllabus

Paper by paper, as the official syllabus lists it.

Preliminary examination: law subjects (also English language, general knowledge and computer knowledge)

Constitution of India · Read the act
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 · Read the act
Limitation Act, 1963 · Read the act
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) · Read the act
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA) · Read the act
Transfer of Property Act, 1882 · Read the act
Indian Contract Act, 1872 · Read the act
Specific Relief Act, 1963 · Read the act
Sale of Goods Act, 1930 · Read the act
Indian Partnership Act, 1932 · Read the act
Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 · Read the act
Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 · Read the act
Personal Laws (Hindu, Muslim and Christian)
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) · Read the act

Main examination (written): subjects

Constitution of India · Read the act
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 · Read the act
Limitation Act, 1963 · Read the act
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) · Read the act
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA) · Read the act
Indian Contract Act, 1872 · Read the act
Sale of Goods Act, 1930 · Read the act
Indian Partnership Act, 1932 · Read the act
Specific Relief Act, 1963 · Read the act
Transfer of Property Act, 1882 · Read the act
Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 · Read the act
Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 · Read the act
Personal Laws (Hindu, Muslim and Christian)
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 · Read the act
Family Courts Act, 1984 · Read the act
Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 · Read the act
Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 · Read the act
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) · Read the act

Bare Acts for this exam

31 acts tagged for Bihar Higher Judiciary. Each opens section by section, free to read.

Old law → new law tables: IPC → BNS · CrPC → BNSS · Evidence Act → BSA

Previous year papers

No papers for this exam yet. See every exam's papers.

Mains questions

425 mains questions with model answers for Bihar and all-India judiciary mains. Open the mains question bank

Eligibility

A degree in law from a recognised university; the notification has the full conditions.

Relaxations, attempts and category rules are in each cycle's notification.

Bihar Higher Judiciary: frequently asked questions

What is the pattern of the Bihar Higher Judiciary exam?: Bihar Higher Judicial Service (District Judge, Entry Level) Examination has 3 stages. Preliminary examination (screening test, objective type): Objective screening test of 100 questions carrying 3 marks each (300 marks) in law, English language, general knowledge and computer knowledge, with 1 negative mark per wrong answer. Papers: Screening test: 100 questions, 300 marks. Main examination (written): Theory papers on the listed law subjects; the number of papers and marks per paper are decided by the High Court. Candidate must secure at least 45% in each theory paper to be called for viva voce. Interview (viva-voce): Weighted 20% against 80% for the theory papers; minimum 30% in the interview and 50% aggregate (45% for reserved categories) to qualify for appointment.
Is there negative marking in Bihar Higher Judiciary?: One mark is deducted for each wrong answer in the preliminary (screening) test, in which each question carries 3 marks.
Who is eligible for Bihar Higher Judiciary?: A degree in law from a recognised university; the notification has the full conditions. The notification for each cycle has the full conditions and relaxations.
Where is the Bihar Higher Judiciary notification published?: Patna High Court publishes the notification, dates and results on its official website, patnahighcourt.gov.in. Check it for the current cycle.
Which bare acts are in the Bihar Higher Judiciary syllabus?: 31 acts are tagged for Bihar Higher Judiciary here, including the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, Constitution of India, Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939 and more. Each can be read section by section.

Facts on this page are read from BJS ADJ Syllabus and may change with each notification. Dates, vacancies and cut-offs for the coming cycle are not stated here; the official website has them.