Himachal Pradesh · Civil Judge (Level J-1, Department of Home, Himachal Pradesh)

HP Civil Judge 2026: Syllabus, Previous Year Papers & Bare Acts

Himachal Pradesh Judicial Service Competitive Examination (Civil Judge)

3
Stages
13
Past papers
28
Acts in syllabus
425
Mains questions
No
Negative marking
21
Posts (2024)

The Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission recruits Civil Judges through a three-stage examination: an objective preliminary examination, a main (narrative) written examination and a viva-voce. The preliminary papers cover civil and criminal law and the preliminary syllabus is the same as that of Main Papers I to III. The main examination adds English and Hindi language papers.

Conducted by
Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission, Shimla
Official website
hppsc.hp.gov.in
Negative marking
No negative marking in the preliminary examination.
Final selection
Preliminary examination is a screening test (candidates equal to twenty times the vacancies are called for the main examination). Final selection is on main written marks plus viva-voce marks; candidates need 40% in each main paper (33% in Hindi), 45% aggregate in the main examination (and 33% in Hindi), and 45% of viva-voce marks.
Last advertisement
2024: 21 posts · Posts: Unreserved 11 (including 9 anticipated), SC 3, ST 3, OBC 4 (including 1 anticipated). Pay scale Level J-1, Rs. 77,840-1,36,520. Fee Rs. 600 (General male and other-State candidates), Rs. 150 (reserved-category male candidates of HP), no fee for female candidates. Examination centres: Shimla, Mandi, Dharamshala. (per Advertisement 2024-25.pdf (Advertisement No. 31/12-2024); the next cycle may differ)

Official website and notifications

Exam pattern and stages

  1. Preliminary examination: Objective multiple-choice screening test of three papers of 100 marks each (300 marks), all held on the same day; no negative marking, and candidates equal to twenty times the number of vacancies are called for the main examination on merit.
    PaperQuestionsMarksDuration
    Paper I: Civil Law-I 2 marks per question501001 hour
    Paper II: Civil Law-II 2 marks per question501001 hour
    Paper III: Criminal Law 2 marks per question501001 hour
  2. Main (narrative) examination: Written examination of five papers (850 marks), each paper of three hours; marks count towards final merit.
    PaperQuestionsMarksDuration
    Paper I: Civil Law-I minimum 40% in each paper2003 hours
    Paper II: Civil Law-II minimum 40% in each paper2003 hours
    Paper III: Criminal Law minimum 40% in each paper2003 hours
    Paper IV: English Essay (choice of three) 100 marks; translation of Hindi passage into English 50 marks; minimum 40%1503 hours
    Paper V: Hindi (Devanagari script) Translation of English passage into Hindi 30; essay in Hindi on one of three topics 50; composition (idioms, corrections etc.) 20; minimum 33% in this paper1003 hours
  3. Viva-voce: 150 marks; for each vacancy three candidates are called in order of merit in the written examination, and viva marks are added to main written marks; at least 45% of viva marks is required.

Syllabus

Paper by paper, as the official syllabus lists it.

Preliminary examination and Main Paper I: Civil Law-I (same syllabus)

  • Code of Civil Procedure · Read the act
  • Indian Evidence Act
  • Indian Stamp Act / Himachal Pradesh Stamp Act (2024-25 advertisement says Indian Stamp Act; the syllabus compilation says Himachal Pradesh Stamp Act)
  • Himachal Pradesh Courts Act, 1976 · Read the act
  • Specific Relief Act · Read the act

Preliminary examination and Main Paper II: Civil Law-II (same syllabus)

  • Indian Contract Act
  • Hindu Law
  • Indian Limitation Act · Read the act
  • Transfer of Property Act
  • H.P. Urban Rent Control Act

Preliminary examination and Main Paper III: Criminal Law (same syllabus)

  • Indian Penal Code
  • Code of Criminal Procedure · Read the act
  • Chapter XVII (Sections 138 to 143) of the Negotiable Instruments Act
  • H.P. Excise Act, 2011
  • Wild Life Protection Act
  • Indian Forest Act · Read the act
  • Module on Judicial Sensitivity to Sexual Offences

Criminal Law: Module on Judicial Sensitivity to Sexual Offences

  • Latest Supreme Court guidelines on bail and conditions under Sections 437, 438, 439 Cr.P.C.
  • Gender stereotyping and its effects
  • How gender stereotyping undermines women's access to justice in sexual offence cases
  • Judicial approach to women-centric cybercrimes (sexually explicit material, blackmail, defamation, morphing, fake profiles)
  • Role of the judge in protecting the victim during judicial process
  • Accountability and standards of conduct in sexual offence cases
  • Gender sensitivity and effects of gender conditioning in judicial decisions
  • Gender perspective in judicial decision making; constitutional and statutory provisions on gender justice
  • Judicial approach to child sexual abuse under the POCSO Act, 2012
  • Credibility of victim's statement in sexual offence cases
  • Sentencing provisions in sexual offence cases

Criminal Law: other Acts and provisions for judicial sensitivity

  • Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 · Read the act
  • Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 · Read the act
  • Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 · Read the act
  • Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 · Read the act
  • Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 · Read the act
  • CCS (Conduct) Rules on prohibition of sexual harassment of women at workplace
  • Discrimination and harassment of women at workplace; Vishaka guidelines of the Supreme Court
  • Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct, 2002
  • Bangkok General Guidelines for Judges on Applying a Gender Perspective in South East Asia

Main Paper IV: English (150 marks)

  • Essay: choice of three essays on general subjects (100 marks)
  • Translation of Hindi passage into English (50 marks)

Main Paper V: Hindi in Devanagari script (100 marks)

  • Translation of English passage into Hindi (30 marks)
  • Essay in Hindi on any one of three topics (50 marks)
  • Composition: idioms, corrections etc. (20 marks)

Bare Acts for this exam

28 acts tagged for HP Civil Judge. Each opens section by section, free to read.

Central acts

Himachal Pradesh acts

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

Previous year papers

8 prelims and 5 mains papers, 2014 to 2025. All HP Civil Judge papers by year

2025

2023

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

Mains questions

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

Eligibility

Degree in law recognised by the Bar Council of India (held on the last date for online applications, per the 2024-25 advertisement). 22 to 35 years on the last date for online applications; upper limit relaxable by 3 years for SC, ST and OBC candidates of Himachal Pradesh (per the 2024-25 advertisement). No age relaxation for other reserved categories. Citizen of India Desirable: knowledge of customs, manners and dialects of Himachal Pradesh and suitability for appointment in the peculiar conditions prevailing in the State Reservation benefit only for bona fide residents of Himachal Pradesh; reserved-category candidates of other States are treated as General In-service candidates need an NOC from the employer to be interviewed

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

HP Civil Judge: frequently asked questions

What is the pattern of the HP Civil Judge exam?
Himachal Pradesh Judicial Service Competitive Examination (Civil Judge) has 3 stages. Preliminary examination: Objective multiple-choice screening test of three papers of 100 marks each (300 marks), all held on the same day; no negative marking, and candidates equal to twenty times the number of vacancies are called for the main examination on merit. Papers: Paper I: Civil Law-I: 50 questions, 100 marks, 1 hour; Paper II: Civil Law-II: 50 questions, 100 marks, 1 hour; Paper III: Criminal Law: 50 questions, 100 marks, 1 hour. Main (narrative) examination: Written examination of five papers (850 marks), each paper of three hours; marks count towards final merit. Papers: Paper I: Civil Law-I: 200 marks, 3 hours; Paper II: Civil Law-II: 200 marks, 3 hours; Paper III: Criminal Law: 200 marks, 3 hours; Paper IV: English: 150 marks, 3 hours; Paper V: Hindi (Devanagari script): 100 marks, 3 hours. Viva-voce: 150 marks; for each vacancy three candidates are called in order of merit in the written examination, and viva marks are added to main written marks; at least 45% of viva marks is required.
Is there negative marking in HP Civil Judge?
No negative marking in the preliminary examination.
Who is eligible for HP Civil Judge?
Degree in law recognised by the Bar Council of India (held on the last date for online applications, per the 2024-25 advertisement). 22 to 35 years on the last date for online applications; upper limit relaxable by 3 years for SC, ST and OBC candidates of Himachal Pradesh (per the 2024-25 advertisement). No age relaxation for other reserved categories. Citizen of India Desirable: knowledge of customs, manners and dialects of Himachal Pradesh and suitability for appointment in the peculiar conditions prevailing in the State Reservation benefit only for bona fide residents of Himachal Pradesh; reserved-category candidates of other States are treated as General In-service candidates need an NOC from the employer to be interviewed The notification for each cycle has the full conditions and relaxations.
Where is the HP Civil Judge notification published?
Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission, Shimla publishes the notification, dates and results on its official website, hppsc.hp.gov.in. Check it for the current cycle.
Which bare acts are in the HP Civil Judge syllabus?
28 acts are tagged for HP Civil Judge here, including the 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, Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956, Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and more. Each can be read section by section.
Which HP Civil Judge previous year papers are available?
13 papers from 2014 to 2025: 8 prelims papers to attempt online with answers and 5 mains papers.

Facts on this page are read from HP PCSJ Syllabus, Advertisement 2024-25 and may change with each notification. Dates, vacancies and cut-offs for the coming cycle are not stated here; the official website has them.