Punjab · Civil Judge / Subordinate Judge, Punjab Civil Service (Judicial Branch)

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

Punjab Civil Services (Judicial Branch) Competitive Examination (Civil Judge)

3
Stages
5
Past papers
23
Acts in syllabus
425
Mains questions
Yes
Negative marking

The Punjab Public Service Commission holds a competitive examination for the Judicial Branch of the Punjab Civil Service, with a representative of the Punjab and Haryana High Court associated in the selection. The syllabus compilation describes an objective preliminary examination followed by a written main examination of five papers; the Recruitment Rules also provide a viva-voce test. The examination is meant to test practical ability, such as framing issues, writing a judgment and discussing admissibility of evidence.

Conducted by
Punjab Public Service Commission
Official website
highcourtchd.gov.in
Language
Viva voce is conducted in English; Paper V is Punjabi in Gurmukhi script. Language of question papers is not otherwise stated.
Negative marking
1.5 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer in the preliminary examination (each question carries 4 marks).
Final selection
Merit is determined by the Punjab Public Service Commission on the aggregate of written-paper marks and viva-voce marks; equal marks are resolved in favour of the older candidate (Recruitment Rules).

Official website and notifications

Exam pattern and stages

  1. Preliminary examination: Objective test of 125 multiple-choice questions at 4 marks each (500 marks) with negative marking of 1.5 marks per wrong answer; it covers general knowledge, current affairs, Indian and constitutional history and governance, plus the main-examination Papers I to IV syllabus.
    PaperQuestionsMarksDuration
    Preliminary objective paper 4 marks per question; 1.5 marks deducted for each incorrect answer. Total marks derived from 125 x 4; duration not stated125500
  2. Main (written) examination: Five papers, each of three hours (per the Recruitment Rules); at least 33% is required in each paper and 50% in aggregate (45% for SC, ST, Backward Classes and persons with disabilities) to be called for viva-voce.
    PaperQuestionsMarksDuration
    Paper I: Civil Law-I2003 hours
    Paper II: Civil Law-II2003 hours
    Paper III: Criminal Law2003 hours
    Paper IV: English Per the Rules: 100 marks essay writing, 50 marks general language and grammar1503 hours
    Paper V: Language (Punjabi in Gurmukhi script) Breakdown of 100 marks: translation of English passage into Punjabi 20, explanation of Punjabi prose/poetry passage 30, composition (essay, idioms, corrections) 50; minimum 33%; standard of Matriculation of the Punjab School Education Board150 (Rules, Part C note) / 100 (language-paper breakdown)3 hours
  3. Viva voce: 100 marks per the Recruitment Rules; tests alertness, intelligence, general outlook and bearing, conducted in English.

Syllabus

Paper by paper, as the official syllabus lists it.

Preliminary examination

  • General knowledge, prevailing legal issues, current affairs
  • Indian and constitutional history and governance
  • Same syllabus as Main Papers I to IV

Main Paper I: Civil Law-I

  • Code of Civil Procedure · Read the act
  • Punjab Courts Act
  • Indian Contract Act
  • Indian Evidence Act
  • East Punjab Urban Rent Restriction Act
  • Indian Partnership Act · Read the act
  • Sale of Goods Act · Read the act
  • Specific Relief Act · Read the act
  • Transfer of Property Act

Main Paper II: Civil Law-II

  • Limitation and Registration law
  • Hindu Law
  • Muslim Law
  • Customary law

Main Paper III: Criminal Law

  • Indian Penal Code
  • Indian Evidence Act
  • Code of Criminal Procedure · Read the act

Main Paper IV: English

  • Essay writing (1000 to 1100 words)
  • Precis writing
  • Making sentences with given words and phrases
  • Comprehension
  • Sentence corrections

Main Paper V: Language

  • Punjabi in Gurmukhi script

Bare Acts for this exam

23 acts tagged for Punjab Civil Judge. Each opens section by section, free to read.

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

Previous year papers

5 prelims papers, 2013 to 2023. All Punjab Civil Judge papers by year

2023

2019

2017

2015

2013

Mains questions

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

Eligibility

Bachelor of Laws degree from a university incorporated by law in India (Recruitment Rules, 1951). 21 to 35 years on the last date for applications, or such age as the Government fixes for government service; upper limit 40 years (or as fixed by Government) for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes; ex-servicemen as per the Punjab Recruitment of Ex-servicemen Rules, 1982 (per the Recruitment Rules, not a current advertisement). Citizen of India (or other categories listed in Rule 1 with a certificate of eligibility)

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

Punjab Civil Judge: frequently asked questions

What is the pattern of the Punjab Civil Judge exam?
Punjab Civil Services (Judicial Branch) Competitive Examination (Civil Judge) has 3 stages. Preliminary examination: Objective test of 125 multiple-choice questions at 4 marks each (500 marks) with negative marking of 1.5 marks per wrong answer; it covers general knowledge, current affairs, Indian and constitutional history and governance, plus the main-examination Papers I to IV syllabus. Papers: Preliminary objective paper: 125 questions, 500 marks. Main (written) examination: Five papers, each of three hours (per the Recruitment Rules); at least 33% is required in each paper and 50% in aggregate (45% for SC, ST, Backward Classes and persons with disabilities) to be called for viva-voce. 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: Language (Punjabi in Gurmukhi script): 150 (Rules, Part C note) / 100 (language-paper breakdown) marks, 3 hours. Viva voce: 100 marks per the Recruitment Rules; tests alertness, intelligence, general outlook and bearing, conducted in English.
Is there negative marking in Punjab Civil Judge?
1.5 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer in the preliminary examination (each question carries 4 marks).
In which language is the Punjab Civil Judge exam held?
Viva voce is conducted in English; Paper V is Punjabi in Gurmukhi script. Language of question papers is not otherwise stated.
Who is eligible for Punjab Civil Judge?
Bachelor of Laws degree from a university incorporated by law in India (Recruitment Rules, 1951). 21 to 35 years on the last date for applications, or such age as the Government fixes for government service; upper limit 40 years (or as fixed by Government) for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes; ex-servicemen as per the Punjab Recruitment of Ex-servicemen Rules, 1982 (per the Recruitment Rules, not a current advertisement). Citizen of India (or other categories listed in Rule 1 with a certificate of eligibility) The notification for each cycle has the full conditions and relaxations.
Where is the Punjab Civil Judge notification published?
Punjab Public Service Commission publishes the notification, dates and results on its official website, highcourtchd.gov.in. Check it for the current cycle.
Which bare acts are in the Punjab Civil Judge syllabus?
23 acts are tagged for Punjab 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, Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939, Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956 and more. Each can be read section by section.

Facts on this page are read from PCS (JB) Syllabus, Punjab Recruitment Rules, 1951 and may change with each notification. Dates, vacancies and cut-offs for the coming cycle are not stated here; the official website has them.