Delhi Judiciary Syllabus 2024: Complete Guide for DJS Prelims and Mains

The Delhi Judicial Services Examination (DJS) is one of the most sought-after state judiciary exams in India. Conducted by the Delhi High Court, it recruits eligible candidates for Civil Judge (Junior Division) posts. But unlike college exams, cracking the DJS requires a deep understanding of not just legal concepts but also the exact structure and depth of the syllabus.

Many aspirants make the mistake of diving into preparation without studying the syllabus carefully. The result? Wasted time, scattered focus, and low scores. If you're serious about Delhi Judiciary 2024, your first step should be mastering the syllabus — both for prelims and mains.

Let’s break down the syllabus section by section and understand what exactly you’ll be tested on.

Overview of the Delhi Judiciary Exam 2024

Before we dive into the subjects, let’s look at the structure of the exam. The DJS Exam is conducted in three stages:

1. Preliminary Examination – Objective (MCQ) based

2. Mains Examination – Written, descriptive format

3. Viva Voce – Personal Interview

You need to clear each stage to move to the next. The prelims is qualifying in nature, but the mains and interview scores determine your final rank.

DJS Prelims Syllabus 2024

The Preliminary Examination is a screening test. It consists of objective-type multiple choice questions carrying 25% negative marking for incorrect answers.

Total Marks: 200

Duration: 2 Hours

The syllabus includes questions from:

1. General Legal Knowledge

This section tests your awareness of major legal developments, landmark judgments, and current legal issues. Topics may include:

• Constitution amendments

• Recent judgments by Supreme Court & Delhi High Court

• Legal maxims & doctrines

• Contemporary legal issues (Uniform Civil Code, Data Privacy, etc.)

2. Aptitude Test

Here, you’ll be tested on reasoning, analytical ability, and legal problem-solving. Expect:

• Legal principles-based questions

• Application of facts to laws

• Logical deduction

• Statement-conclusion based MCQs

3. Subjects of Law

A major chunk of the prelims paper will focus on the following laws:

• Indian Constitution

• Civil Procedure Code

• Criminal Procedure Code

• Indian Penal Code

• Indian Contract Act

• Indian Evidence Act

• Limitation Act

• Specific Relief Act

• Transfer of Property Act

While this stage is just qualifying, it sets the tone for the depth of knowledge you’ll need in mains. Speed, accuracy, and strong basics are the key.

DJS Mains Syllabus 2024

The mains examination is descriptive in nature and far more detailed. This is where your conceptual understanding, legal writing, and interpretation skills are truly tested.

Total Papers: 4

Total Marks: 850

Let’s break down each paper.

Paper I – General Knowledge and Language

Marks: 250

Part A – General Knowledge (100 Marks)

This section includes:

• Static GK (History, Geography, Economy)

• Legal Current Affairs

• Major International Legal Events

• Government Policies and Reforms

You’re expected to write in a well-organized and analytical manner.

Part B – Language (English Essay, Precis Writing, Translation – 150 Marks)

• Essay writing on legal/social issues

• Precis writing

• Translation of Hindi to English and vice versa

The goal here is to assess your legal communication skills — clarity, structure, and argumentation.

Paper II – Civil Law I

Marks: 200

This paper includes the most important civil law statutes:

• Indian Contract Act, 1872

• Sale of Goods Act, 1930

• Partnership Act, 1932

• Specific Relief Act, 1963

• Transfer of Property Act, 1882

• Hindu Law (Succession, Marriage, Adoption)

• Mohammedan Law (Wakf, Inheritance, Marriage)

The questions demand not only definitions but also case-based analysis and reasoning.

Paper III – Civil Law II

Marks: 200

It includes:

• Civil Procedure Code, 1908

• Law of Torts

• Limitation Act, 1963

• Indian Registration Act

• Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996

This paper focuses heavily on procedure. Your ability to explain processes, exceptions, and applications matters here.

Paper IV – Criminal Law

Marks: 200

This paper covers:

• Indian Penal Code, 1860

• Criminal Procedure Code, 1973

• Indian Evidence Act, 1872

Expect long-form descriptive questions that require:

• Application of sections

• Framing of charges

• Legal reasoning with illustrative case laws

This paper is often considered scoring — if you’ve practiced case studies and writing formats.

Viva Voce (Interview Round)

Marks: 150

After mains, candidates who qualify are called for a personal interview. The goal is to assess:

• Presence of mind

• Legal awareness

• Personality and confidence

• Ethical reasoning

The panel may ask:

• Your views on a legal issue

• Interpretation of a recent judgment

• Situational problem-solving

It’s less about “knowing everything” and more about clear thinking and articulation.

How to Prepare Based on the Syllabus

Knowing the syllabus helps you strategize better. Here’s how:

1. Create Subject-Wise Plans

Break the syllabus into major and minor subjects. Don’t treat all laws equally. Focus on core acts like CPC, IPC, CrPC, Evidence, and Constitution with deeper revision.

2. Use Bare Acts As Base

Every topper stresses the importance of reading bare acts regularly. Highlight keywords, sections, and exceptions. Then move to commentaries or guides.

3. Answer Writing Practice

Since mains is subjective, answer writing is crucial. Practice 2–3 answers daily based on past questions. Focus on:

• Structure (Intro – Body – Conclusion)

• Section references

• Case laws

4. Mock Tests and PYQs

Previous year questions (PYQs) give clarity about the paper trend. Mock tests improve writing speed and accuracy. Try simulating real-time conditions.

Delhi Judiciary vs Other State Exams

One reason DJS stands out is its difficulty level and competition. Delhi attracts top talent from across the country. The syllabus overlaps with many other judiciary exams, but:

• DJS focuses heavily on legal language

• The paper quality is more conceptual than factual

• Essay and language play a bigger role than in some states

So, you need to treat it with a more serious and strategic approach — especially for mains.

Smart Tip from Toppers: Don’t Just Memorize — Understand

A common trap is rote learning sections. That won’t help you in mains. Instead:

• Understand why a provision exists

• Learn its application through real/imaginary case laws

• Use illustrative examples in answers

This mindset shift makes your answers stand out in mains and helps in interviews too.

Smart Study + Coaching Can Make a Difference

Many aspirants choose to study under guidance, especially for DJS which is known for its complex mains papers and competitive interview process. Cities like Delhi, Jaipur, and Indore have become hubs for judicial coaching because of their growing success rates.

Many aspirants preparing in Rajasthan explore Judiciary Coaching in Jaipur due to the city’s balanced mix of offline institutes and self-study-friendly environments. On the other hand, students from Madhya Pradesh are increasingly leaning toward Judiciary Coaching in Indore, which offers structured guidance with a regional focus that still aligns with DJS-level standards.

However, always remember — coaching helps, but you need to put in the real effort.

Final Thoughts: Start With the Syllabus, End With Confidence

The Delhi Judiciary Syllabus 2024 may look vast at first glance — and it is. But with a clear roadmap, smart preparation, and focused practice, it becomes manageable.

Don’t let the complexity overwhelm you. Start small — one act, one subject at a time. Build consistency over intensity. And most importantly, trust the process.

The DJS isn't just about passing an exam — it’s about building the mindset, knowledge, and confidence to take on the responsibility of delivering justice.