Punjab APO 2026: Syllabus, Previous Year Papers & Bare Acts

Exam pattern and stages

1. Written examination (MCQ, OMR): 120 multiple-choice questions of 1 mark each in 2 hours; the merit list is made on marks in this examination.

   Paper	Questions	Marks	Duration
   Part A: General subjects General Knowledge and Current Affairs 10; Punjab History and Culture 5; Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability 10; Punjabi 5; English 5; ICT 5	40	40	2 hours (whole examination)
   Part B: Subject (law)	80	80

2. Counselling: Candidates are called in merit order for verification of documents; not a scored stage.

Syllabus

Paper by paper, as the official syllabus lists it.

Part A: General Knowledge and Current Affairs (10 marks)

• Polity issues
• Environment issues
• Current Affairs
• Science and Technology
• Economic issues
• History of India with special reference to the freedom struggle
• Sports
• Cinema and Literature
• Geography

Part A: Punjab History and Culture (5 marks)

• Physical features of Punjab and its ancient history
• Social, religious and economic life in Punjab
• Language, literature and arts in Punjab
• Punjab under Afghan and Mughal rule
• Bhakti Movement and Sufism
• Teachings and history of Sikh Gurus and saints
• Adi Granth, Sikh rulers, freedom movements of Punjab

Part A: Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability (10 marks)

• Logical reasoning, analytical and mental ability (5 marks)
• Basic numerical skills, percentage, numerical relations (3 marks)
• Data analysis, charts, tables, spreadsheets (2 marks)

Part A: English (5 marks)

• Basic grammar, subject and verb, adjectives and adverbs
• Synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution
• Fill in the blanks, correction of sentences, idioms, spell checks
• Articles, prepositions, direct and indirect speech, active and passive voice

Part A: ICT (5 marks)

• Basics of computers, network and internet
• Office productivity tools: Word, Excel, spreadsheet and PowerPoint

Part B Part-1: Subject (80 questions, 80 marks)

• Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) · Read the act
• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) · Read the act
• Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA) · Read the act
• Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Read the act
• Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Read the act
• Indian Evidence Act, 1872 · Read the act
• Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 · Read the act
• Punjab Excise Act, 1914
• Constitutional Law
• Information Technology Act, 2000, along with Cyber Law · Read the act
• Prevention of Damage to Public and Private Property Act, 2014
• Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 · Read the act

Part B Part-2

• Legal Glossary (Punjabi) including revenue terms in Punjabi

Bare Acts for this exam

12 acts tagged for Punjab APO. Each opens section by section, free to read.

Central acts

• 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
• Indian Evidence Act, 1872
• Indian Penal Code, 1860
• Information Technology Act, 2000
• Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988

Punjab acts

• Punjab Excise Act, 1914(Bare Act ) (coming soon)
• Punjab Prevention of Damage to Public and Private Property Act, 2014 (coming soon)

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

Previous year papers

2 prelims papers, 2022 to 2026. All Punjab APO papers by year

2026

• Punjab APO Prelims 2026 118 questions · attempt online

2022

• Punjab APO Prelims 2022 120 questions · attempt online

Eligibility

Bachelor of Law (professional degree) of a recognised university or institution, or Barrister of England or Ireland or member of the Faculty of Advocates of Scotland, eligible for enrolment as an advocate under the Advocates Act, 1961, with two years' experience of practice at the Bar; qualification must be complete by the last date for applications. 18 to 37 years as on for the general category; upper limit 42 for SC and BC residents of Punjab, 45 for State and Central Government employees, 47 for Divyang residents of Punjab (10-year relaxation), ex-servicemen as per Punjab rules (per the 2026 advertisement). Matriculation or equivalent with Punjabi is mandatory (Rule 17 of the Punjab Civil Services (General and Common Conditions of Service) Rules, 1994) Reservation benefit only for residents of Punjab; domicile certificate not older than 5 years

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

Punjab APO: frequently asked questions

What is the pattern of the Punjab APO exam?

Punjab Assistant District Attorney (Group B) Examination has 2 stages. Written examination (MCQ, OMR): 120 multiple-choice questions of 1 mark each in 2 hours; the merit list is made on marks in this examination. Papers: Part A: General subjects: 40 questions, 40 marks, 2 hours (whole examination); Part B: Subject (law): 80 questions, 80 marks. Counselling: Candidates are called in merit order for verification of documents; not a scored stage.

Is there negative marking in Punjab APO?

One-fourth (0.25) mark is deducted for each wrong answer; unattempted questions carry no credit or discredit.

Who is eligible for Punjab APO?

Bachelor of Law (professional degree) of a recognised university or institution, or Barrister of England or Ireland or member of the Faculty of Advocates of Scotland, eligible for enrolment as an advocate under the Advocates Act, 1961, with two years' experience of practice at the Bar; qualification must be complete by the last date for applications. 18 to 37 years as on for the general category; upper limit 42 for SC and BC residents of Punjab, 45 for State and Central Government employees, 47 for Divyang residents of Punjab (10-year relaxation), ex-servicemen as per Punjab rules (per the 2026 advertisement). Matriculation or equivalent with Punjabi is mandatory (Rule 17 of the Punjab Civil Services (General and Common Conditions of Service) Rules, 1994) Reservation benefit only for residents of Punjab; domicile certificate not older than 5 years The notification for each cycle has the full conditions and relaxations.

Where is the Punjab APO notification published?

Subordinate Services Selection Board, Punjab publishes the notification, dates and results on its official website, ppsc.gov.in. Check it for the current cycle.

Which bare acts are in the Punjab APO syllabus?

12 acts are tagged for Punjab APO 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, Indian Evidence Act, 1872, Indian Penal Code, 1860 and more. Each can be read section by section.

Which Punjab APO previous year papers are available?

2 papers from 2022 to 2026: 2 prelims papers to attempt online with answers.