Delhi · Delhi Higher Judicial Service (District Judge, Entry Level), direct recruitment from the Bar and from judicial officers with seven years' combined experience

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

Delhi Higher Judicial Service Examination

3
Stages
8
Past papers
47
Acts in syllabus
425
Mains questions
Yes
Negative marking
27
Posts (2026)

The High Court of Delhi recruits members of the Delhi Higher Judicial Service by direct recruitment under the Delhi Higher Judicial Service Rules, 1970. The examination has three stages: an objective preliminary examination with negative marking, a written main examination of four papers, and a viva-voce of 250 marks. The preliminary marks are not counted in the final merit, which is made from the main examination and viva-voce.

Conducted by
High Court of Delhi, New Delhi
Official website
delhihighcourt.nic.in
Language
Online application in English; mains Paper I tests expression in English.
Negative marking
25% negative marking (0.25 mark) for each wrong answer in the preliminary examination.
Final selection
Final merit list is prepared on marks in the mains examination (written) and viva-voce; preliminary marks are not counted. Ties go to the candidate senior by enrolment with the Bar Council, then to the elder in age.
Last advertisement
2026: 27 posts · 24 existing and 3 anticipated vacancies; pay scale (J-5) Rs. 1,44,840-1,94,660; fee Rs. 2,000 (General) and Rs. 500 (SC/ST/PwD of 40% or more); vacancy numbers subject to change (per DHJS 2026 Adtt (27 Posts); the next cycle may differ)

Official website and notifications

Exam pattern and stages

  1. Preliminary examination (objective type): Qualifying screening test of 150 multiple-choice questions, 150 marks, 2 hours, with 25% negative marking; marks are not counted for final merit and up to twenty times the advertised vacancies in each category are admitted to the mains.
    PaperQuestionsMarksDuration
    Preliminary paper Minimum qualifying marks: 50% General, 45% SC/ST and persons with disabilities; 0.25 mark deducted per wrong answer1501502 hours
  2. Mains examination (written): Four papers totalling 750 marks; minimum 45% in each paper and 50% in aggregate for General, 40% in each paper and 45% in aggregate for SC, ST and persons with disabilities; candidates shortlisted for viva-voce do not exceed three times the vacancies in each category.
    PaperQuestionsMarksDuration
    Paper I: General Knowledge and Language Tests current affairs and power of expression in English; credit for substance and expression, deduction for faulty expression and grammar1502 hours
    Paper II: Law I2003 hours
    Paper III: Law II2003 hours
    Paper IV: Law III2003 hours
  3. Viva-voce: Viva-voce of 250 marks; minimum 50% for General and 45% for SC, ST and persons with disabilities to be eligible for recommendation.

Syllabus

Paper by paper, as the official syllabus lists it.

Preliminary examination (150 questions): subjects

  • General Knowledge
  • Current Affairs
  • English Language
  • The Constitution of India · Read the act
  • The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 · Read the act
  • The Limitation Act, 1963 · Read the act
  • The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 · Read the act
  • The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Read the act
  • The Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Read the act
  • The Indian Contract Act, 1872 · Read the act
  • The Indian Partnership Act, 1932 · Read the act
  • The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 · Read the act
  • The Specific Relief Act, 1963 · Read the act
  • The Transfer of Property Act, 1882 · Read the act
  • The Sale of Goods Act, 1930 · Read the act
  • The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 · Read the act
  • The Indian Succession Act, 1925 · Read the act
  • The Hindu Succession Act, 1956 · Read the act
  • The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 · Read the act
  • The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 · Read the act
  • The Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993 · Read the act
  • The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 · Read the act
  • The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 · Read the act
  • The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
  • The Payment of Wages Act, 1936
  • The Employee's Compensation Act, 1923
  • The Minimum Wages Act, 1948
  • The Factories Act, 1948
  • The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972
  • The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 · Read the act
  • The Commercial Courts Act, 2015 · Read the act
  • The Provident Funds Act, 1925 · Read the act
  • The Information Technology Act, 2000 · Read the act
  • The Trade Marks Act, 1999 · Read the act
  • The Copyright Act, 1957 · Read the act
  • The Patents Act, 1970 · Read the act
  • The Designs Act, 2000 · Read the act

Mains: Paper I General Knowledge and Language (150 marks)

  • Current affairs
  • Power of expression in English

Mains: Paper II Law I (200 marks)

Mains: Paper III Law II (200 marks)

  • The Transfer of Property Act, 1882 · Read the act
  • The Indian Contract Act, 1872 · Read the act
  • The Sale of Goods Act, 1930 · Read the act
  • The Indian Partnership Act, 1932 · Read the act
  • The Specific Relief Act, 1963 · Read the act
  • Arbitration Law (The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996)
  • Personal Laws: The Indian Succession Act, 1925; The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955; The Special Marriage Act, 1954; The Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956; The Guardians and Wards Act, 1890; The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019; The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986; The Divorce Act, 1869 · Read the act
  • The Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993 · Read the act
  • The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 · Read the act
  • The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 · Read the act
  • The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
  • The Payment of Wages Act, 1936
  • The Employee's Compensation Act, 1923
  • The Minimum Wages Act, 1948
  • The Factories Act, 1948

Mains: Paper IV Law III (200 marks)

  • The Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Read the act
  • The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Read the act
  • The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 · Read the act
  • The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 · Read the act
  • The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 · Read the act
  • The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 · Read the act
  • The Information Technology Act, 2000 · Read the act
  • The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 · Read the act
  • The Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002 · Read the act
  • The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 · Read the act
  • The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 · Read the act

Bare Acts for this exam

47 acts tagged for Delhi 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

8 prelims papers, 2014 to 2026. All Delhi Higher Judiciary papers by year

2026

2025

2023

2022

2019

2018

2016

2014

Mains questions

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

Eligibility

Citizen of India; an Advocate must have been continuously practising for not less than seven years on the last date for receipt of applications. Judicial officers need seven years at the Bar before recruitment to the subordinate judicial service, or seven years' combined experience as judicial officer and advocate. Pass certificate of the All India Bar Examination is required where applicable. 35 to below 45 years on the last date of receipt of applications (per the 2026 advertisement). Application in English only Reservation for SC, ST and persons with benchmark disabilities of 40% or more

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

Delhi Higher Judiciary: frequently asked questions

What is the pattern of the Delhi Higher Judiciary exam?
Delhi Higher Judicial Service Examination has 3 stages. Preliminary examination (objective type): Qualifying screening test of 150 multiple-choice questions, 150 marks, 2 hours, with 25% negative marking; marks are not counted for final merit and up to twenty times the advertised vacancies in each category are admitted to the mains. Papers: Preliminary paper: 150 questions, 150 marks, 2 hours. Mains examination (written): Four papers totalling 750 marks; minimum 45% in each paper and 50% in aggregate for General, 40% in each paper and 45% in aggregate for SC, ST and persons with disabilities; candidates shortlisted for viva-voce do not exceed three times the vacancies in each category. Papers: Paper I: General Knowledge and Language: 150 marks, 2 hours; Paper II: Law I: 200 marks, 3 hours; Paper III: Law II: 200 marks, 3 hours; Paper IV: Law III: 200 marks, 3 hours. Viva-voce: Viva-voce of 250 marks; minimum 50% for General and 45% for SC, ST and persons with disabilities to be eligible for recommendation.
Is there negative marking in Delhi Higher Judiciary?
25% negative marking (0.25 mark) for each wrong answer in the preliminary examination.
In which language is the Delhi Higher Judiciary exam held?
Online application in English; mains Paper I tests expression in English.
Who is eligible for Delhi Higher Judiciary?
Citizen of India; an Advocate must have been continuously practising for not less than seven years on the last date for receipt of applications. Judicial officers need seven years at the Bar before recruitment to the subordinate judicial service, or seven years' combined experience as judicial officer and advocate. Pass certificate of the All India Bar Examination is required where applicable. 35 to below 45 years on the last date of receipt of applications (per the 2026 advertisement). Application in English only Reservation for SC, ST and persons with benchmark disabilities of 40% or more The notification for each cycle has the full conditions and relaxations.
Where is the Delhi Higher Judiciary notification published?
High Court of Delhi, New Delhi publishes the notification, dates and results on its official website, delhihighcourt.nic.in. Check it for the current cycle.
Which bare acts are in the Delhi Higher Judiciary syllabus?
47 acts are tagged for Delhi 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, Code on Social Security, 2020, Code on Wages, 2019 and more. Each can be read section by section.

Facts on this page are read from Delhi ADJ Syllabus 2024-25, DHJS 2026 Adtt (27 Posts) and may change with each notification. Dates, vacancies and cut-offs for the coming cycle are not stated here; the official website has them.