Chhattisgarh Judicial Service (Civil Judge) 2026: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus and Guide

The judicial service is one of the most respected career options for law students. From the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division), a person starts climbing the ladder of the judiciary and, with timely promotions, can reach the position of District Judge and higher. This article is for law graduates who want to take the judicial service examination in Chhattisgarh. It covers the structure of the recruitment, eligibility, the three stages, the legal syllabus, how to recognise the new criminal laws, the style of writing answers and a preparation plan.

Two clarifications first. One, eligibility for this examination, the period of practice required, the age limit, the number of papers and the marks have changed with each advertisement and with the decisions of the Supreme Court. Where we are not certain of a fact, we have not given a number. Two, the way the new laws are included in the syllabus is changing over time. The Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act were replaced from 1 July 2024 by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) respectively. Whether an examination cycle will ask about the old laws, the new ones or both is decided by that cycle's advertisement and syllabus. It is therefore sensible to study a comparison of the two.

Latest Notification and How the Recruitment Cycle Works

The examination for entry-level Civil Judge in Chhattisgarh is conducted by the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC). The demand for vacancies goes to the Commission from the state's Law Department on the recommendation of the Chhattisgarh High Court at Bilaspur. Article 234 of the Constitution says that appointments to the judicial service other than District Judges are made by the Governor under rules framed in consultation with the State Public Service Commission and the High Court. This is what gives both the Commission and the High Court a role in selection.

Stage	What happens
Advertisement	Posts, eligibility, age, reservation and scheme of examination
Online application	On the CGPSC portal
Preliminary examination	Objective, general knowledge and knowledge of law
Main examination	Descriptive, law papers and language
Interview	Before the Commission's board, which may include High Court representation
Final list	On the basis of main examination and interview marks
Training and appointment	Posting after judicial training

The dates of the examination are not tied to a fixed annual calendar, so keep watching the Commission's website. Recent news can also be seen on the news section of pareeksha.in, but apply only through the official portal.

The Post and the Work

A Civil Judge (Junior Division) generally also works as a Judicial Magistrate of the First Class, that is, hears both civil and criminal cases. In simple terms:

Civil work. Suits concerning property, contracts, rent, partition, declaration of title and injunctions. Decisions are made on the basis of the plaint, written statement, issues and evidence.
Criminal work. As a magistrate, framing charges, examining witnesses, bail, remand and disposal of trials.
Administration along with judicial work. Supervising court records, managing staff, inspecting prisons and work connected with the Legal Services Authority.
Judgment writing. Writing reasoned orders and judgments, in which understanding of law and analysis of facts count the most.

The post is responsibility as much as authority. A judge is expected to show impartiality, patience and precision of language. Transfers take place across the entire state, including remote and tribal areas.

Post and Vacancy Structure

The number of vacancies is given in the advertisement along with the reservation categories. The number changes every year, so do not rely on any popular figure. The order of the judicial service is usually as follows: Civil Judge (Junior Division), then Civil Judge (Senior Division), then District Judge, with the possibility of promotion to the High Court later. Promotion depends on seniority, qualifying examinations and the High Court's assessment.

Eligibility

Educational qualification

The candidate must hold a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognised university and must be eligible to be enrolled, or be enrolled, as an advocate as per the rules. For many years some states allowed fresh law graduates to sit directly, but in a May 2025 judgment the Supreme Court spoke of a minimum period of practice for entry-level examinations, and states were to amend their rules accordingly. How this is followed in Chhattisgarh's rules and what the period will be should be read from the current advertisement and the state's recruitment rules. We are saying nothing final here. If you are in your final year now, look at this condition from the start and plan accordingly.

Age limit

The minimum and maximum age, relaxation for reserved categories and the date for calculating age are in the advertisement. The maximum age for the judicial service has differed from state to state.

Domicile and language

Being a native resident of Chhattisgarh can bring an advantage in the form of reservation. Proficiency in both Hindi and English is needed, because proceedings in the lower courts are conducted in Hindi while High Court judgments and law books are in English. The main examination has a separate paper on Hindi, English or both.

Application Process

Register on the CGPSC portal (a one-time registration that also works for other examinations).
In the online application, enter educational, category and advocate enrolment details (where asked).
Upload documents: photograph, signature, LLB marksheet, and caste and domicile certificates.
Pay the fee online and keep the receipt.
Submit the application before the last date and keep the printout safe.

Selection Stages and Exam Pattern

Preliminary examination

This is an objective, screening test. It usually has questions on general knowledge and law. Successful candidates become eligible for the main examination, and preliminary marks are generally not added to the final merit. See the number of questions, marks and negative marking in the advertisement.

Main examination

This is a descriptive examination. It generally includes separate law papers, a language paper (essay, translation and precis in Hindi and English) and, at times, a paper on general knowledge or judgment writing. See the number of papers and their marks in the notification. Answers are long and are expected to carry reasoning, citation of sections and knowledge of judgments.

Interview

The interview is a personality test. It tests questions on legal subjects, understanding of current law and the justice system, and your motivation and decision-making ability. Questions like these can come: what suggestions do you have on the problem of pending cases in the judiciary, or what is your view on a constitutional issue.

Detailed Syllabus and Direction of Preparation

1. Constitution

Preamble, fundamental rights (Articles 12 to 35), Directive Principles of State Policy, fundamental duties
Powers of the Union and the states, the Seventh Schedule (Union, State and Concurrent Lists)
The judiciary: Supreme Court, High Courts and subordinate courts (Articles 233 to 237)
Writ jurisdiction (Articles 32 and 226), emergency, procedure of amendment
The Fifth and Sixth Schedules, especially in the context of the Scheduled Areas of Chhattisgarh
How to study. Instead of memorising articles, understand the purpose of each and one or two leading judgments.

2. Code of Civil Procedure (CPC), 1908

Jurisdiction of courts (Section 9), institution of suits, parties, cause of action
Res judicata (Section 11) and res sub judice (Section 10)
Plaint and written statement, issues, evidence and procedure, interim orders (Order 39), Order 7 Rule 11 (rejection of plaint)
Decree and execution, appeals, revision and review
Suits against the government and notice (Section 80)
How to study. Read the CPC in sequence, from suit to decree and execution. Draw the whole journey on one chart.

3. Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 and Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973

First information report (FIR), investigation, arrest, search and seizure
Bail, anticipatory bail, remand and default bail
Charge, kinds of trial, appeal, revision and inherent powers
Use of technology in the new law, such as electronic FIR, time limits and video recording
How to study. Make a table of sections: old section, new section, subject. A comparison of a few sections follows below.

4. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860

General exceptions, conspiracy, common intention, attempt
Offences against the body: murder, culpable homicide, hurt, grievous hurt
Offences against property: theft, robbery, dacoity, criminal breach of trust, cheating
Offences against women and related special laws
Offences added in the new Sanhita, such as organised crime and terrorist acts. For their sections and definitions, match against the bare Act.

Some section equivalents (those we are certain of):

Subject	IPC	BNS / BNSS
Punishment for murder	302	BNS 103
Theft	379	BNS 303
Cheating	420	BNS 318
First information report (FIR)	CrPC 154	BNSS 173
Anticipatory bail	CrPC 438	BNSS 482
Remand and default bail	CrPC 167	BNSS 187
Inherent power of the High Court	CrPC 482	BNSS 528

Do not write any section outside this table until you have matched it in the bare Act yourself. In an examination, both old and new numbers are sometimes acceptable, but this depends on the advertisement and the instruction on the question paper.

5. Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023 and the Evidence Act, 1872

Fact, relevant fact, proved, disproved
Admission and confession, the position of a confession made to a police officer
Dying declaration, expert opinion, documentary evidence, primary and secondary evidence
Electronic records and the need for a certificate. Section 65B of the old law corresponds to Section 63 in the new one
Burden of proof, presumptions, cross-examination and examination of witnesses
How to study. Write an example with every concept, because an example shows understanding when you write an answer.

6. Indian Contract Act, 1872 and Sale of Goods Act, 1930

Definition of contract, offer, acceptance and consideration (the essentials in Sections 2 and 10)
Competence of parties (a minor's contract, which is void), free consent, unlawful and void agreements
Performance, breach and remedies, compensation and damages (Section 73)
Indemnity and guarantee, bailment, pledge and agency
Conditions and warranties under the Sale of Goods Act

7. Transfer of Property Act, 1882 and Specific Relief Act, 1963

Transfer of property: sale (Section 54), mortgage, lease (Section 105), gift, exchange
Difference between a sale and a contract for sale, the need for registration, movable and immovable property
Specific relief: specific performance, injunction and declaration. After the 2018 amendment, specific performance is a general remedy and no longer a discretionary exception. This amendment is asked about in examinations in particular.

8. Limitation Act, 1963

Computation of limitation, exclusion of time, condonation of delay (Section 5)
Some important periods: generally 12 years for a suit for possession of immovable property, and 3 years under the residuary article (Article 113)

9. Personal laws

The Hindu Marriage Act 1955, the Hindu Succession Act 1956 (with the 2005 amendment), the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, the basic principles of Muslim law, and the Indian Succession Act 1925. Check which of these are in the syllabus from the advertisement.

10. Other important laws

Negotiable Instruments Act 1881 (dishonour of cheque, Section 138)
Registration Act 1908, Stamp Act
Consumer Protection Act 2019, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, POCSO Act 2012, Juvenile Justice Act 2015
Right to Information, Legal Services Authorities Act 1987
State laws. The Chhattisgarh Land Revenue Code 1959 (as adopted in the state) and the relevant state Acts, if written in the advertisement. Do not quote sections of state Acts until confirmed from the bare Act.

11. Language and judgment writing

Essays in Hindi and English, translation (of legal text from one language to the other), precis and correct spelling. For judgment writing, practise this: read the facts of a hypothetical suit, frame the issues, write a finding on each and finally pass the order.

12. General knowledge and current affairs

For the preliminary examination, a general level of history, geography, polity, economy and science, and questions related to Chhattisgarh: state formed on 1 November 2000, the High Court at Bilaspur, rivers and tribes. In current affairs, important judgments and news about the new laws.

How to Write Answers in the Main Examination

Marks in law answers go to presentation as much as to knowledge of the subject. A simple structure follows.

Identify the issue. Write in the first line which concept or section the question is about.
State the rule. Give the relevant section or article and its main conditions.
Apply it to the facts. Link the rule to the facts given in the problem question. This is where most candidates slip: they write the rule but do not apply it to the facts.
Cite judgments. Mention only those leading judgments whose names and principles you remember firmly. Writing a wrong name or year does harm.
Write a conclusion. A clear opinion at the end of the problem: conviction or acquittal, suit decreed or dismissed.

In addition: divide time for each question, keep your handwriting clear, and rather than leave an answer incomplete, write it in precise points.

Salary and Career Growth

The pay of a Civil Judge (Junior Division) is fixed by the scale applicable to judicial officers. It changes from time to time, so see the advertisement or the government notification. We are not stating any amount. Allowances and facilities are given along with pay as per the rules. After selection, training is given at the judicial academy, and its duration and form are written in the rules.

The path of a career runs from Civil Judge (Junior Division) to Senior Division, then to posts of Additional District Judge and District Judge, and the route to appointment as a High Court judge opens for only a few. Departmental examinations of the High Court and seniority play a role from time to time.

Previous-Year Trends

In the preliminary examination the law portion has been large, with repeated questions on core subjects such as the Constitution, CPC, CrPC (now BNSS), IPC (now BNS), evidence and contract.
In the main examination, problem-based questions, which apply law to facts, have carried more marks.
Questions on judgment writing and translation separate those who only read from those who practise by writing.
Cut-offs have differed with category and cycle. We are not giving any score.
The new criminal laws have entered the examination gradually. Until the advertisement is clear, keep the principles of both ready.

Worked Practice Questions

Question 1. The section for punishment for murder was 302 in the IPC. Which section is it in the BNS? Answer: Section 103 of the BNS. Explanation: The definition of murder is in Section 101 of the new Sanhita and the punishment in Section 103.

Question 2. The section for the FIR of a cognizable offence was 154 in the CrPC. Which section is it in the BNSS? Answer: Section 173 of the BNSS. Explanation: The new Sanhita also provides for giving information by electronic means, followed by signature.

Question 3. In which section of the old Evidence Act was the certificate for producing an electronic record as evidence, and in which section of the new law is it? Answer: Old Section 65B, new Section 63 (BSA). Explanation: The format of the certificate has been added to the new law as a Schedule.

Question 4. In which section of the CPC is the provision on res judicata? Answer: Section 11. Explanation: It bars a fresh suit on the same issue between the same parties after an earlier decision. Section 10 deals with res sub judice, that is, a suit already pending.

Question 5. Under which order and rule of the CPC is the rejection of a plaint provided for? Answer: Order 7, Rule 11. Explanation: The grounds include no cause of action being shown, undervaluation, insufficient stamp or the suit being barred by law.

Question 6. What is the general period of limitation for a suit for possession of immovable property based on title under the Limitation Act? Answer: 12 years. Explanation: As per Article 65, the period is counted from the start of adverse possession. The residuary Article 113 gives 3 years.

Question 7. In what category does a contract made by a minor fall? Answer: Void (void ab initio). Explanation: In Mohori Bibee v. Dharmodas Ghose (1903), the Privy Council held that a minor's contract is void from the beginning.

Question 8. Under the Transfer of Property Act, how can a sale of immovable property of the value of 100 rupees or more be made? Answer: By a registered instrument. Explanation: This is the provision of Section 54. A sale of tangible property of value less than 100 rupees can also be made by delivery of possession.

Question 9. Under which section of the Negotiable Instruments Act is dishonour of a cheque an offence? Answer: Section 138. Explanation: Generally a notice must be given within 30 days of receiving information of dishonour, the drawer then has 15 days to pay, and a complaint follows within one month after that.

Question 10. Under which article is the appointment of District Judges in a state made? Answer: Article 233. Explanation: The Governor makes the appointment in consultation with the High Court. Article 234 deals with recruitment to the judicial service other than District Judges.

Question 11. What does "audi alteram partem" mean? Answer: Hear the other side as well. Explanation: It is a basic principle of natural justice connected with a fair hearing.

Question 12. Which article of the Constitution empowers High Courts to issue writs? Answer: Article 226. Explanation: Article 32 gives the Supreme Court the power of writs for the enforcement of fundamental rights. The High Court's power is wider, because it can issue writs for other purposes as well.

Question 13. In which city is the Chhattisgarh High Court located? Answer: Bilaspur. Explanation: It has been here since the formation of the state.

Question 14. Which section of the BNSS corresponds to CrPC Section 167, dealing with remand and default bail? Answer: Section 187 of the BNSS. Explanation: It deals with the procedure when investigation cannot be completed within the fixed period, and default bail flows from it.

Question 15. Which section of the BNS corresponds to IPC Section 379, punishment for theft? Answer: Section 303 of the BNS. Explanation: The definition of theft is in the section before it, and the punishment is in Section 303.

Month-by-Month Preparation Plan (Eight Months)

Months 1 and 2: Constitution and CPC. Read the Constitution once completely and then the CPC in sequence. In the CPC give special time to decree, execution and Orders 7, 39 and 21. Twenty to thirty minutes daily on English and Hindi translation.

Months 3 and 4: Criminal law. Read the BNSS and CrPC, and the BNS and IPC, with comparison tables. First round of the Evidence Act. Write one main-examination answer every week.

Months 5 and 6: Civil and other laws. Contract, transfer of property, specific relief, limitation, personal laws and negotiable instruments. Along with it, one hour daily for general knowledge.

Month 7: Practice. Preliminary mocks and old papers. Answer writing within the time limit for the main examination. Judgment writing practice at least twice a week.

Month 8: Revision and interview preparation. Tables of sections, leading judgments and current legal developments. Oral practice with friends.

Books and Resources

Bare Acts, that is, the government text, because the exact wording of sections is found there. For the new laws, see the official texts of the Government of India.
One standard textbook for the Constitution.
For CPC, contract, transfer of property and evidence, stay with one well-known commentary. Reading many books at once increases confusion.
A list of leading judgments, available from the Supreme Court's website or a reliable compilation.
Previous-year judicial service papers of Chhattisgarh and other states.
One updated book for Chhattisgarh general knowledge.

Common Mistakes

Dropping either the new or the old laws. Prepare as the advertisement says, but reading a comparison of both is sensible.
Reading only notes and skipping the bare Act. Wording matters in a judicial examination.
Not practising answer writing. Reading and writing are two different skills.
Getting judgment names and years wrong. If your memory is partial, write the principle and not the name.
Neglecting general knowledge. The preliminary examination can turn on it.
Not reading the eligibility properly. Check conditions such as period of practice and enrolment first.

Comparison with Related Chhattisgarh Exams

Exam	Difference
Civil Judge	A deep test of law, descriptive main examination and interview
CGPSC State Service	Varied subjects, administrative officer posts
Police Sub-Inspector	Tests both law and physical fitness, field work
Police Constable	Physical and written test, entry level
Assistant Grade 3	Office clerical work

The biggest difference in preparing for the judicial service is that it demands depth of law. If your interest lies in law, reasoning and writing, this path is satisfying. But it is an examination of long preparation, so keeping a backup plan, such as practice at the bar, is also sensible.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who conducts the Civil Judge examination in Chhattisgarh? The Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC), on the recommendation of the High Court and under the state's rules.

2. Can fresh law graduates apply? This has changed with current rules and Supreme Court decisions. Check the condition on the minimum period of practice in the advertisement.

3. How many stages does the examination have? Generally three: preliminary, main and interview.

4. Is it necessary to study the BNS, BNSS and BSA? They have been in force since 1 July 2024 and are entering the syllabus in later cycles. Read the advertisement and keep a comparison of old and new in your preparation.

5. Can I write answers in Hindi? The permitted medium is written in the advertisement. Many examinations allow Hindi or English.

6. Is there negative marking? In the preliminary, as per the advertisement. We have not given any number.

7. What is the salary? As per the judicial pay scale, which changes from time to time. See the advertisement.

8. Is it necessary to practise as an advocate first? It depends on the rules and the advertisement. Read the eligibility condition first.

9. How long does preparation take? If you have already studied law, a plan of eight to twelve months is realistic. It is not the same for everyone.

10. Is it necessary to name judgments in the main examination? Not necessary, but correct names and principles improve the quality of an answer. Avoid wrong names.

Final Word

In the judicial service examination, patience and regular practice are the most dependable route. Make tables of sections, read the bare Act, and write at least one answer every week within a time limit. For preliminary practice you can use the mock tests on pareeksha.in. But remember that every point of law should finally be confirmed from the government text and the current advertisement.

Make this reading part of your preparation