Judiciary Preparation After LLB: Where to Start if You Feel Lost

Finishing your LLB is a proud moment, but for many aspiring judges, it's immediately followed by a whirlwind of confusion. With a vast syllabus, multiple state options, and no fixed preparation roadmap, it’s easy to feel lost. If you’re struggling with questions like “Where do I even begin?” or “What should be my daily routine?”, this guide will give you clarity, direction, and confidence to move forward.

Let’s break the process down step-by-step so you can start your judiciary preparation with focus and purpose.

Understanding the Judiciary Exam Structure

Before jumping into books and coaching, understand the three-stage structure of judiciary exams across most states:

1. Preliminary Exam (Objective)

This is a screening stage involving multiple-choice questions from subjects like:

• Indian Penal Code (IPC)

• Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC)

• Civil Procedure Code (CPC)

• Constitution of India

• Evidence Act

• Local/State laws

• Current Affairs & GK

  
  

2. Mains Exam (Subjective)

This stage tests your conceptual clarity, writing ability, and legal reasoning. The mains papers usually include:

• Civil Law

• Criminal Law

• Essay or Language Papers (Hindi/English)

• Local Laws (varies by state)

  
  

3. Interview / Viva Voce

This final stage evaluates your confidence, communication, legal knowledge, and presence of mind.

Each stage requires a different preparation strategy, so understanding the flow helps prevent information overload.

Step 1: Choose Your Target State

Each state has its own syllabus, laws, and exam style. So your first step must be to pick a state where:

• You’re eligible (check domicile/language requirements)

• You’re comfortable with the language of the exam

• You can access resources (books, coaching, papers)

States like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar are popular, but your choice should match your comfort and clarity.

Step 2: Collect the Right Resources

Once you’ve picked your state, gather:

• Official syllabus from the state’s High Court or Public Service Commission website

• Previous year question papers (at least 5–10 years)

• Bare Acts (most important resource)

• Standard reference books (Ratanlal, M.P. Jain, Avtar Singh, etc.)

Make a list of core subjects and keep the materials organized subject-wise.

Step 3: Begin with Bare Acts and Basics

The judiciary exam tests your understanding of Bare Acts more than anything else. Instead of jumping into guidebooks:

• Start reading Bare Acts line by line

• Highlight important sections

• Understand illustrations and exceptions

• Note down frequently asked sections (from PYQs)

Begin with CPC, CrPC, IPC, and Constitution—these are the backbone of every judiciary exam.

Step 4: Build a Study Timetable

Once you have your books, you need a smart study routine. A good starting routine looks like this:

Daily Plan Example:

• 3 hours for reading Bare Acts

• 2 hours for writing practice or language paper

• 1 hour for legal current affairs

• 30 minutes for revision

Over time, modify this according to your strengths. The goal is to create consistency, not overwhelm yourself.

Step 5: Practice Answer Writing from Day One

This is where most aspirants struggle. Mains exams are all about presenting your legal knowledge in writing.

How to start:

• Pick 1–2 previous year mains questions daily

• Write answers in exam format

• Focus on clarity, structure, and legal reasoning

• Mention relevant sections, judgments, and examples

Even if your answers aren’t perfect, building this habit early pays off massively later.

Step 6: Revise Weekly and Monthly

You won’t retain everything if you don’t revise regularly. Use a simple revision cycle:

• Every Sunday: Revise what you studied that week

• Every Month-End: Do a quick subject-wise revision

• Create one-pager summary notes or mind maps

This prevents burnout before the exam and keeps your memory sharp.

Step 7: Stay Updated with Legal Current Affairs

Even if current affairs feel secondary, they play a key role in interviews and sometimes in prelims.

What to follow:

• Supreme Court judgments (recent and landmark)

• Legal developments in Parliament or state assemblies

• Law Commission reports

• Legal columns in The Hindu, LiveLaw, Bar & Bench

Spend 15–30 minutes daily reading and making notes of relevant developments.

Step 8: Evaluate Your Progress with Mock Tests

Mock tests aren’t just for practice—they’re essential for:

• Managing time under pressure

• Identifying weak topics

• Improving accuracy in prelims

• Testing answer-writing for mains

Take one full-length mock test every 2 weeks, and increase frequency as exams approach.

Step 9: Seek Guidance and Mentorship

Self-study is powerful, but many aspirants feel stuck or confused midway. In such cases, enrolling in a reliable coaching program helps with structured learning, peer support, and mentorship.

Midway through preparation, many students explore online judiciary coaching, which is a great solution for those balancing college or work while preparing. These platforms often offer pre-recorded lectures, live doubt-clearing sessions, test series, and mentor support—all from the comfort of your home.

Step 10: Choose Coaching That Matches Your Needs

Whether you prefer physical classrooms or digital classes, choose a center that:

• Follows the latest syllabus

• Offers mock tests & writing evaluations

• Helps with answer structuring

• Covers local laws and language papers

For instance, if you're in Rajasthan, you can explore reputed options for judiciary coaching in Jodhpur, where many experienced faculties and former judges guide aspirants. The local coaching ecosystem often also provides focused preparation for Rajasthan-specific laws like the Rajasthan Rent Control Act or Panchayati Raj Act.

Additional Tips If You Feel Lost

Here are some bonus tips if you still feel stuck or overwhelmed:

1. Start Small

Don’t wait to finish the whole syllabus in your head. Pick one subject and begin.

2. Track Your Progress

Use a simple tracker or Excel sheet to log what you study each day/week.

3. Join Aspirant Communities

Online forums, Telegram groups, and YouTube live sessions can help you feel connected and motivated.

4. Talk to Someone Who Cleared It

Find a recent successful candidate and ask them how they started. Their insights will make you feel less alone.

5. Take Care of Your Health

The prep journey can be long. Stay mentally and physically fit with short breaks, light exercise, and hobbies.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for the judiciary exam after LLB can seem overwhelming—but only in the beginning. Once you gain clarity on your state, syllabus, and schedule, the rest is all about consistency and smart work. Focus on building strong legal foundations through Bare Acts, regular writing practice, and strategic revision.

With a structured approach, the right guidance, and belief in your abilities, you can absolutely crack the judiciary exam—even if you're starting late or feeling lost.

Keep going, one section at a time. The black robe is waiting for you.