If you're prepping for the Bihar Judicial Service exam, you've probably already heard the news that made half the WhatsApp groups go quiet for a day: the 33rd Bihar Judiciary prelims got postponed. Not delayed by BPSC on its own call, but stopped by a Supreme Court order. That's rattled a lot of aspirants who had their revision schedule locked in for June.
Postponement doesn't mean the exam is cancelled or that your prep should stop. 173 posts of Civil Judge (Junior Division) are still up for grabs, and once the court clears the matter, BPSC will drop a new date with very little notice. This guide covers everything confirmed so far, what's pending, and how to use this waiting period well.
Quick Answer
The 33rd Bihar Judicial Service exam notification came out on February 23, 2026 for 173 Civil Judge (Junior Division) posts, with applications closing on April 30, 2026 after an extension. The Preliminary exam, originally set for June 3, 2026, has been postponed indefinitely following a Supreme Court interim order in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1110/2025. No new prelims date has been announced yet as of early August 2026 — keep checking bpsc.bihar.gov.in for the fresh schedule.
Latest notification and important dates
The table below has every date that BPSC has officially confirmed, plus what's still pending.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Advertisement number | 12/2026 | Confirmed |
| Notification released | February 23, 2026 | Confirmed |
| Application start | February 25, 2026 | Confirmed |
| Original application deadline | March 18, 2026 | Extended |
| Extended application deadline | April 30, 2026 | Confirmed (final) |
| Original prelims date | June 3, 2026 | Postponed |
| Current prelims date | To be announced | Pending Supreme Court matter |
| Mains exam | Expected late 2026 | Tentative |
| Interview | Expected early 2027 | Tentative |
The reason: a pending Supreme Court writ petition touches on judicial recruitment eligibility norms across states, and BPSC has paused the prelims until the court's final word. This isn't unique to Bihar either, several other state judiciary exams have faced similar shifts this year. Track other opportunities via Pareeksha's exam guides.
What the job actually is
A Civil Judge (Junior Division) in Bihar handles trial-level civil and criminal cases at the district and sub-division level. Day to day, you record evidence, hear arguments from both sides, pass orders on bail and injunctions, write judgments, and manage a packed cause list. Early postings are usually in smaller towns and rural courts, with government housing or an allowance for it. It's demanding, with long hours during trial season, but it comes with real independence and respect.
Promotion isn't automatic. You move up on service years and performance: first Civil Judge (Senior Division), then Additional District Judge, then District Judge.
Vacancy details / post breakdown
There are 173 total posts this cycle, spread across categories like this:
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (General) | 69 |
| EBC | 36 |
| SC | 28 |
| BC | 21 |
| EWS | 17 |
| ST | 2 |
| Total | 173 |
On top of this, 35% of posts across all categories are reserved horizontally for women, roughly 60 seats. Women candidates should factor this into how they read final cut-off numbers.
Eligibility
You need an LLB from a Bar Council of India recognized university, and this cycle BPSC has also asked for a minimum of 3 years of active bar practice, counted up to February 23, 2026. This bar-practice rule is new and reflects the Supreme Court's 2023 ruling in the All India Judges Association case, which pushed states to bring back a practice requirement for judicial entry. Fresh LLB graduates with zero courtroom experience should check this clause before assuming they're eligible.
Age limit and relaxation:
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| General | 22 | 35 |
| BC/OBC | 22 | 38 |
| SC/ST | 22 | 40 |
| Women (all categories) | 22 | 40 |
| PwD | 22 | 40 |
Age is calculated as on August 1 of the exam year. There's no Bihar domicile requirement, candidates from any state can apply if they meet the education and practice conditions.
Application process and fee
You apply online through the BPSC portal (onlinebpsc.bihar.gov.in). Here's the fee breakdown:
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS / Other state | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Female (Bihar domicile) | ₹150 |
| Biometric charge (if applicable) | ₹200 extra |
Steps to apply: register with your mobile number and email, fill in personal, educational and bar enrollment details, upload scanned photo, signature and certificates in the specified format, pay the fee online, then review and submit, keeping a printed confirmation.
This cycle's window is shut, but the process stays the same for future cycles, so bookmark this if you're aiming for the 34th exam instead.
Exam pattern
The selection has three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
Preliminary Exam (objective, qualifying in nature, 250 marks total)
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Knowledge & Elementary General Science | 100 |
| Paper II | Law | 150 |
Main Examination (descriptive, merit-deciding)
| Paper Type | Subjects | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory (5 papers) | General Hindi, General English, General Knowledge, Elementary General Science, Law of Evidence & Procedure | Hindi & English are qualifying (need 30%); rest count toward merit |
| Optional (choose 3 of 5) | Constitutional & Administrative Law, Law of Contracts & Torts, Hindu Law, Muhammadan Law, Commercial Law | Counted toward merit |
Interview: 100 marks, minimum 35% required to clear.
Prelims marks don't count toward the final merit list. It's purely a screening round, so treat it as a speed test, not a scoring exercise.
Detailed syllabus
Prelims Paper I — General Knowledge & Science: Current affairs (national and Bihar-specific), Indian history, geography, polity, general science basics, and static GK. This is broad but shallow, so a daily current affairs habit beats deep textbook study. Use Pareeksha's current affairs section to stay updated instead of cramming a month before.
Prelims Paper II — Law: Evidence Act/BSA, CPC 1908, CrPC/BNSS, Constitutional Law, Hindu Law, Muhammadan Law, Transfer of Property Act, Contract Act, Torts, Specific Relief Act, and Commercial Law basics.
Mains — Law of Evidence and Procedure: Deep dive into Evidence Act/BSA, CPC, CrPC/BNSS, Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996, and the Provincial Small Cause Courts Act. Expect problem-based questions where you apply sections to a fact, not just definitions.
Mains optional papers cover: Constitutional and Administrative Law (fundamental rights, writs, judicial review), Contracts and Torts (breach, remedies, negligence, defamation), Hindu Law (marriage, succession, adoption), Muhammadan Law (marriage, divorce, inheritance, wakf), and Commercial Law (Sale of Goods, Partnership, Negotiable Instruments, company law basics).
One big shift this cycle: examiners are expected to lean heavily on the new criminal codes (BNS, BNSS, BSA) over the old IPC/CrPC/Evidence Act framework. If you learned the old codes years ago, map every section to its new equivalent while revising.
Salary, pay scale and career growth
Civil Judge pay in Bihar follows the state's judicial pay matrix (post Second National Judicial Pay Commission revision), roughly ₹77,840 to ₹1,36,520 basic pay, before DA, HRA and other perks. With allowances added, gross monthly pay typically lands between ₹85,000 and ₹1,00,000, and take-home after deductions is usually ₹75,000 to ₹90,000 depending on posting location. You also get official accommodation or a housing allowance, a vehicle allowance, medical benefits, and a pension.
Career growth is steady if slow. You start as Civil Judge (Junior Division), move to Senior Division after a few years based on seniority, then Additional District Judge, then District Judge. It's one of the few state government careers where the ceiling keeps rising well past your 50s.
Previous year cut-off
BPSC hasn't released cut-offs for the 32nd cycle yet at the time of writing. Here's the 31st Bihar Judiciary prelims cut-off for reference, so you know roughly where the bar sits.
| Category | Prelims Cut-off (out of 250) |
|---|---|
| Unreserved | 164 |
| Unreserved (Female) | 162 |
| BC | 141 |
| Disabled (OH) | 138 |
| EWS | 128 |
| ST | 119 |
| EBC | 119 |
| SC | 115 |
These shift a bit every cycle depending on paper difficulty, but they give you a realistic target. Anything comfortably above 165-170 out of 250 in prelims is a safe zone regardless of category.
Best books and preparation strategy
Stick to bare act text for the Evidence Act/BSA, CPC, CrPC/BNSS, Constitution, and Contract Act rather than only commentary. Universal's bare acts for statutes, Mulla or Sarkar as reference for CPC and Evidence, and M.P. Jain for constitutional law concepts work well.
Rough 6-month plan: months 1-2 for reading all bare acts once, fast. Month 3, MCQs subject by subject via Pareeksha's practice section, with a reasoning guide or general awareness guide for weak spots. Month 4, weekly timed mocks through Pareeksha's mock test series. Month 5, only weak subjects. Month 6, revision plus previous papers.
Mains needs a different gear since it's descriptive. Practice writing answers by hand under time pressure, not just reading. Lawyers with years of drafting will have an edge here.
Common mistakes and honest advice
The biggest mistake is ignoring the new criminal codes and sticking to what you memorized years ago. BNS, BNSS, and BSA aren't optional add-ons, they're the primary framework examiners will test now.
Second, don't underestimate the competition. Only 173 posts against thousands of LLB graduates applying is genuinely tough, so don't go in casual.
Third, don't let the postponement make you lazy. The moment BPSC announces a fresh date, the gap could be as short as 4-6 weeks. Treat this pending period like the clock is already running.
FAQ
Is the 33rd Bihar Judiciary notification out in 2026? Yes, BPSC released it on February 23, 2026 under Advertisement No. 12/2026 for 173 Civil Judge posts.
Why was the 33rd Bihar Judiciary prelims postponed? A Supreme Court interim order in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1110/2025 forced BPSC to postpone the prelims exam scheduled for June 3, 2026.
When is the new prelims date for Bihar Judiciary 33rd exam? No new date has been announced as of early August 2026. Keep checking bpsc.bihar.gov.in regularly.
How many vacancies are there in the 33rd Bihar Judicial Service exam? 173 vacancies for Civil Judge (Junior Division).
What is the age limit for Bihar Judiciary Civil Judge exam? 22 to 35 years for General, up to 38 for BC/OBC, and up to 40 for SC/ST, women, and PwD candidates.
Is bar practice experience mandatory for Bihar Judiciary 2026? Yes, a minimum of 3 years of active bar practice as an advocate, counted up to February 23, 2026.
What is the application fee for BPSC Civil Judge 2026? ₹600 for General, OBC, EWS, and other-state candidates; ₹150 for SC, ST, PwD, and women candidates domiciled in Bihar.
What is the salary of a Civil Judge in Bihar? Basic pay is roughly ₹77,840 to ₹1,36,520, with gross monthly pay typically ₹85,000 to ₹1,00,000 including allowances.
Is Bihar domicile required to apply for Bihar Judicial Service? No, candidates from any state can apply as long as they meet the LLB and bar-practice conditions.
Can I still apply for the 33rd Bihar Judiciary exam now? No, the window closed on April 30, 2026. Watch for the 34th cycle notification if you missed this one.
Related reads on Pareeksha
If you're prepping for multiple Bihar exams, these guides help too: BPSC 72nd CCE, Bihar Police Constable recruitment, and for central options, SSC CGL and RRB NTPC.
For official updates, cross-check with the Bihar Public Service Commission website directly, since third-party sites can lag behind real announcements.
Final word
This cycle has more uncertainty than usual, and that's frustrating if you've been prepping hard. But the fundamentals haven't changed: bare acts, daily current affairs, and consistent mock practice matter just as much whenever the new date lands. Use this pause to fix your weak subjects instead of refreshing the BPSC website every hour. Set a study plan with Pareeksha's study plan tool, stay consistent, and you'll be ready the day BPSC finally rings the bell.
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