Gujarat Judiciary
(Civil Judge Exam)
Live Notification
Eligibility Criteria for Gujarat Judicial Service Examination
Educational Requirements: Possession of a Degree in Law from a University recognized by law in India. and
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Candidates should pass the vernacular (Gujarati) language proficiency test, unless they have cleared their secondary and higher secondary examinations with Gujarati as a subject at a higher level.
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Candidates must be practicing advocates in Courts of Civil and/or Criminal jurisdiction on the last date fixed for submission of online applications or working in the Courts or other Allied Departments.
[For candidates graduating in Law from the academic year 2009-2010 onwards, passing the All India Bar Examination is necessary to be considered as a practicing advocate.]
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Must be working in the Courts or other Allied Departments on the last date fixed for receipt of applications and must have either 5 year or 3 year law Degree,.
Computer Knowledge Requirement: Possession of certificates certifying basic knowledge of computer application/operation issued by a Government Institute or other recognised Institute is mandatory.
Disqualification for Appointment:
No person shall be eligible for appointment to the service –
(i) unless he/she is a citizen of India.
(ii) if he/she is dismissed from service by Central Government or any State Government or U.Ts. or any High Court or Statutory or Local Authority.
(iii) if he/she has been convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude or who is or has been permanently debarred or disqualified by the High Court or the Union/State Public Service Commission or by any Recruiting or Examination Conducting Authority from appearing in examinations or selections.
(iv) if he/she directly or indirectly influences the Recruiting Authority by any means for his/her candidature.
(v) if he is a man, has more than one wife living, and if a woman, has married a man, already having another wife.
Age Limit:
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General Category: Candidates belonging to the General Category must not exceed 35 years of age as of the last date for submitting the Online Application.
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Reserved Categories: Candidates from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Socially & Educationally Backward Classes (as declared by the Government of Gujarat), Disabled Persons (PH),and Ex-Servicemen must not have completed 38 years of age by the aforementioned date.
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Age Relaxation for Employees:
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Employees working in Courts or other Allied Departments are eligible for age relaxation.
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They can avail a maximum relaxation of 5 years or the equivalent of the years of service they have rendered, whichever is less, in their upper age limit.
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However, irrespective of category, their upper age limit shall not exceed 40 years as of the last date for submitting the Online Application.
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Scheme of Examination for Gujarat Judicial Service
It Consist of three phase: -
1. Prelims Examination(Objective)
2. Mains Examination(Subjective)
3. Vivavoce (Oral Interview)
Preliminary Examination (Elimination Test)
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Exam Details:
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The Preliminary Examination (Elimination Test) carries 100 marks and lasts for 2 hours. It consists of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with each question carrying 1 mark.
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There's negative marking of 0.33 mark for each wrong/multiple answer.
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Evaluation:
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The Preliminary Examination is evaluated by computer scanning OMR sheets.
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No queries for rechecking OMR sheets are entertained.
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Vernacular Language Proficiency Test:
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Candidates not passing Secondary and Higher Secondary Examinations with Gujarati (Higher Level) must pass the Gujarati language proficiency test.
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Paper-II tests Gujarati language proficiency and is of 50 marks, lasting 1.5 hours.
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Eligibility for Main Written Examination:
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Candidates must secure 50% or more marks in the Preliminary Examination.
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They should also pass their Secondary and Higher Secondary Examinations with Gujarati (Higher Level).
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Alternatively, candidates must secure 50% or more marks in the Preliminary Examination and 40% or more marks in the Test of Gujarati Language if they haven't passed their Secondary and Higher Secondary Examinations with Gujarati (Higher Level).
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Final Merit Calculation: Marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination and the Test of Gujarati Language aren't considered for the final merit calculation.
Mains Examination Structure
The Main Written Examination shall consist of Two Papers :
Vivavoce (Oral Interview) Test :
(i) Vivavoce Test shall be of 50 Marks.
(ii) The object of the Vivavoce Test is to assess the suitability of the Candidate for the cadre by judging the mental alertness, knowledge of law, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, skills, attitude, ethics, power of assimilation, power of communication, character and intellectual depth and the like, of the Candidate.
(iii) For being eligible to be included in the Select List, the Candidate must have obtained a minimum of 40% Marks in the Vivavoce Test.
Syllabus For Pre and Mains
Preparation Strategy for Gujarat Judicial Service Exam
Early Preparation and Motivation
Starting early and staying motivated is crucial for success in the judiciary exam. The candidate began preparation during their first and second years of law school, which allowed ample time to build a strong foundation in legal concepts.
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Consistent Study Routine: Develop a regular study schedule. Consistency is key to retaining information and maintaining progress. Aim to study daily, even if it's for shorter periods, to ensure continuous engagement with the material.
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Support System: Lean on family and friends for emotional and moral support. Having a support system helps in staying motivated and focused, especially during challenging times.
Preliminary Examination Strategy
The Preliminary stage consists of objective-type questions. Here’s how to prepare effectively:
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Comprehensive Understanding of Bare Acts: Focus on reading and understanding the bare acts of important subjects like the Indian Constitution, IPC, CPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act. This forms the basis for answering multiple-choice questions accurately.
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Standard Books and Commentaries: Use reputed commentaries and textbooks to gain deeper insights. This includes books like J.N. Pandey for Constitutional Law, Takwani for CPC, and K.D. Gaur for IPC.
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Regular Revision and Practice: Make concise notes and revise them regularly. Practise previous years' question papers and take mock tests to get familiar with the exam pattern and improve time management.
Mains Examination Strategy
The Mains exam requires descriptive answers and a good grasp of legal language. Effective preparation involves:
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Answer Writing Practice: Regularly practise writing answers to previous years' questions. Focus on structuring answers with clear headings and subheadings, and include relevant case laws to support your answers.
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Translation Skills: Practise translating legal texts from Gujarati to English and vice versa. This is particularly important for the Gujarat Judicial Service Exam.
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Detailed Study of Small Acts: Gujarat hs several small acts that candidates need to cover. Use standard textbooks and commentaries for these acts and make detailed notes.
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Current Affairs and Legal Developments: Stay updated with current legal developments by reading newspapers, legal journals, and following online legal news portals.
Language Proficiency
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Gujarati Language Skills: For candidates not fluent in Gujarati, it’s important to take language classes or use online resources to improve proficiency. Being able to read, write, and speak Gujarati is essential for the exam.
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Reading and Understanding: Regularly read Gujarati newspapers and legal texts to improve comprehension and vocabulary.
Interview Preparation
The interview stage assesses the candidate’s personality, legal knowledge, and general awareness. Preparation tips include:
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Mock Interviews: Participate in mock interviews to build confidence and improve articulation. Practice answering questions clearly and confidently.
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Personality Development: Work on overall personality development. Be honest and genuine in your responses, as interviewers appreciate authenticity.
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Current Affairs and General Knowledge: Stay updated with current events and general knowledge, especially related to legal matters.
Time Management and Consistency
Balancing study time effectively is crucial. The candidate emphasised setting daily or weekly targets and ensuring consistency in preparation.
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Daily Study Routine: Create a study timetable that includes all subjects and stick to it. Adjust study hours based on personal preference, whether it's early morning or late at night.
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Breaks and Leisure: Include short breaks in your study schedule to avoid burnout. Engage in activities that relax and rejuvenate you.