What is the syllabus of OPSC Judicial Service exam?

The specific topics to be covered in the OPSC Judicial Exams are as follows: The Constitution of India, Code of Civil Procedure, Code of Criminal Procedure, Evidence Act, Indian Penal Code, Limitation Act, Transfer of Property Act, Contract Act, Indian Succession Act and the Specific Relief Act.

Who is eligible for judicial service in Odisha?

Odisha Judicial Services Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must be Indian citizens aged between 23 to 35 years, possessing a recognized Law degree. They can attempt the exam until they reach the maximum age limit.

How to prepare for Odisha Judicial Service exam?

Prepare for the Odisha Judicial Service exam by thoroughly studying the syllabus, practicing previous years' question papers, staying updated with current affairs, and practicing time management techniques.

Odisha Judicial Service Syllabus 2024 and OJS Exam Pattern

Table of Contents

The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has released the official OJS Syllabus along with the exam pattern in its notification. Candidates preparing for the Judiciary must have an idea about the Syllabus and exam pattern for preparing for recruitment. This notification presents a significant opportunity for law graduates aspiring to pursue a career in the judicial services of Odisha. Check Out the Odisha Judicial Service Syllabus in this article.

Odisha Judicial Service Syllabus 2024

The Odisha Judicial Service syllabus evaluates candidates on legal concepts including the Indian Constitution, procedural laws, evidence, and criminal codes. The syllabus covers topics such as the Constitution of India, Code of Civil Procedure, Code of Criminal Procedure, Evidence Act, and Indian Penal Code. Additionally, candidates must study general English and procedural laws in-depth. Optional papers include Law of Crime and Law of Torts, Personal Law, Law of Property, Law of Contract, and Jurisprudence and Constitution of India. Regular practice, thorough understanding of concepts, and staying updated with current affairs are crucial for success in this examination.

Category	Details
Organization	Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC)
Name of Exam	Odisha Judicial Service Exam 2024
Name of Post	Civil Judges (Junior Division)
Total Vacancies	34
Job Location	Odisha
Official Website	www.opsc.gov.in

Odisha Judicial Services Exam Pattern 2024

Odisha Judicial Services Exam consists of three stages of selection: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. The candidates must understand the exam pattern of all the papers to know the weightage given to each topic. The exam pattern for the written exam is given below.

OJS Prelims Exam Pattern

Subject	No. of Questions	Total Marks	Duration
Constitution of India	100 questions	100 marks	1 hour 30 minutes
Code of Civil Procedure
Code of Criminal Procedure
Evidence Act
Indian Penal Code
Limitation Act
Transfer of Property Act
Contract Act
Law of Succession (Indian Succession Act and Hindu Succession Act)
Specific Relief Act

There are a total of 100 questions in the Preliminary Exam
The exam is conducted for a total of 100 marks
For each correct answer the candidate is awarded 1 mark.
For every wrong answer 1/4th marks are deducted.
The duration of the exam is 1 hour 30 minutes.
The candidates belonging to SC/ST category must score a minimum of 35% marks and candidates from other categories must score 40% marks to qualify for the next round of the selection process.

OJS Main Exam Pattern

The Odisha Judicial Services Exam has 2 compulsory papers and three optional papers. The exam patterns for both the papers are given below:

Compulsory Examination

Paper	Subject	Marks	Duration
Paper -1	General English Translation and retranslation of ten lines A short essay Precis writing with 300 words Passage with questions	150 marks	2 hours 30 minutes
Paper-2	Procedural Laws The code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 The code of Civil Procedure, 1908 The Indian Evidence Act	150 marks	2 hours 30 minutes
Total		300	–

Paper-1 and Paper-2 of the Compulsory paper are conducted for 150 marks each.
The duration of each exam is 2 hours 30 minutes.
In the translation section, the sentences must be translated from English to Odia and vice versa.

The Optional Paper

S. No	Subject	Total Marks	Duration
1	Law of criminal & Law of torts	150 marks	3 hours
2	Persona Law Hindu Law Mohammedan Law	150 marks	3 hours
3	Law of Property Transfer of Property, 1982 Specific Relief Act, 1963 Indian Limitation Act. 1963	150 marks	3 hours
4	Law of Contract Indian Contract Act, 1872 Sales of goods Act, 1930 Partnership Act, 1932 Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881	150 marks	3 hours
5	Jurisprudence and Constitution of India	150 marks	3 hours

The candidates can pick any 3 subjects from the subjects given in the table below.
Each subject carries 150 marks and must be attempted within a duration of 3 hours.
The candidates having 45% aggregate marks and minimum 33% marks in each paper will be qualified for the next round, i.e. interview.

OJS Prelims Syllabus

The Preliminary Examination serves as the first screening stage and tests candidates on fundamental legal principles and concepts. The syllabus includes:

Subject	Syllabus
Constitution of India	Constitution’ meaning of the term, Indian Constitution: Sources and constitutional history, Features: Citizenship, Preamble, Fundamental Rights and Duties, Directive Principles of State Policy Union Government and its Administration: Structure of the Indian Union: Federalism, Centre- State relationship, President: Role, power and position, PM and Council of ministers, Cabinet and Central Secretariat, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha State Government and its Administration: Governor: Role and Position, CM and Council of ministers, State Secretariat: Organisation, Structure and Functions Local Administration: District’s Administration head: Role and Importance, Municipalities: Introduction, Mayor and role of Elected Representative, CEO of Municipal Corporation, Pachayati raj: Introduction, PRI: Zila Panchayat, Elected officials and their roles, CEO Zila Pachayat: Position and role, Block level: Organizational Hierarchy (Different departments), Village level: Role of Elected and Appointed officials, Importance of grass root democracy. Election Commission: Election Commission: Role and Functioning, Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, State Election Commission: Role and Functioning, Institute and Bodies for the welfare of SC/ST/OBC and women
Code of Civil Procedure	Suits in General: Definition – Decree, decree holder, judgment, judgment debtor, legal representative, mesne profit, order and pleader, Cause of action. Jurisdiction of the Courts (Subject matter, territorial and pecuniary) Res subjudice Res judicata Foreign Judgment Suits: Parties to Suits. Framing of Suits. Pleadings generally (Order VI). Plaint – Order VII. Written Statement- Order VIII (Set-off & Counter-claim). Appearances – Exparte Decree, dismiss for default. Costs and Interest Filing a Caveat Trial of suits and Execution of Decrees: Summons-Issue and Service of Summons. Summoning and Attendance of witnesses. Withdrawal and adjustment of Suits. Examination of parties by the court. Temporary & permanent injunction and Interlocutory Orders. Arrest and Attachment before Judgment. Execution of Decrees – Executing Court, Modes of Execution etc. Appeals, Reference, Review and Revision: General provisions relating to appeals First Appeal Second Appeal Appeals to the Supreme Court Appealable Orders Reference Review Revision Inherent Powers of Court Special suits: Suits by/against minors and persons of unsound mind. Suits by/ and against indigent people. Suit by/and against the Government. The Limitation Act, 1963: General Provisions as to the Bar of Limitation and Extension of the prescribed time (Sections 1-5) Legal Disability, exclusion of time etc. (Sections 6-24) Acquisition and Extinguishment of Proprietary rights by the virtue of limitation (Sections 25-27)
Code of Criminal Procedure	Arrest: Meaning and purpose of arrest Arrest with a warrant Arrest without a warrant Arrest by a private Person Arrest of a woman Arrest how made Search and Seizure: Search with a warrant Search without warrant General provisions relating to searches Illegalities in a search and its consequences Investigation: Meaning and purpose of Investigation Who can investigate? When police can investigate? Information to the police F.I.R. and procedure after the recording of the F.I.R Evidentiary value of statements made to the police Investigation in the case of unnatural deaths and suicides, in police custody Bail: Bail: concept, purpose: constitutional overtones When release on bail is mandatory? When release on bail is Discretion? Anticipatory bail Charge: Framing of charge Form and content of charge Separate charges for distinct offence Discharge – pre-charge evidence Trials: Trial before a court of session Trial of warrant cases Procedure for trial in a summons case Summary trials Appeal, Reference, Revision and Transfer: Appeal Reference to High Court Revision Transfer of cases Maintenance of wives, children and Parents: Essential conditions for granting maintenance Jurisdiction of Magistrates Alteration of allowance Cancellation of the order of the maintenance
Evidence Act	Doctrine of res gestae Conspiracy Plea of alibi Other relevant fact (Section 7, 8,9,12, 13, 14, 15, 16,34, 42,43 and 44) Admission Confessions 28-31 Dying Declaration Relevancy of certain evidence for proving the truth of facts in subsequent proceeding (section 33) Expert Testimony Opinion of third person Character when relevant Oral, documentary, primary and secondary evidence (Section 59- 65) Public and private documents Presumption (Section 79, 80, 85, 85A, 85B, 85C, 88A, 90 And 90A) Exclusion of oral by documentary evidence Ambiguous documents Burden of Proof Estoppel Witnesses Privileged Communications Accomplice Examination of witnesses (section 136-140, 143-153 and 155) Leading questions (Section 141,142) Hostile witness (Section 155) Refreshing Memory (Section 159)
Indian Penal Code	Essential Elements of Crime – Actus Reus & Mens Rea and Stages of Crime General Explanations Punishments General Exceptions Abetment Hurt & Grievous Hurt Wrongful Restraint & Confinement Theft, Extortion, Robbery, Dacoity Criminal Misappropriation of Property & Criminal Breach of Trust Receiving Stolen Property & Cheating Mischief & Criminal Trespass Offences relating to Documents Offences relating to Marriage – Bigamy, Adultery Cruelty Crime against Women Criminal Intimidation Insulting Modesty of Woman Defamation Attempt to Commit Offences
Limitation Act	Definition – Decree, decree holder, judgment, judgment debtor, legal representative, mesne profit, order and pleader, Cause of action. Jurisdiction of the Courts (Subject matter, territorial and pecuniary) Res subjudice Res judicata Foreign Judgment Parties to Suits. Framing of Suits. Pleadings generally (Order VI). Plaint – Order VII. Written Statement- Order VIII (Set-off & Counter-claim). Appearances – Exparte Decree, dismiss for default. Costs and Interest Filing a Caveat Summons-Issue and Service of Summons. Summoning and Attendance of witnesses. Withdrawal and adjustment of Suits. Examination of parties by the court. Temporary & permanent injunction and Interlocutory Orders. Arrest and Attachment before Judgment. Execution of Decrees – Executing Court, Modes of Execution etc. General provisions relating to appeals First Appeal Second Appeal Appeals to the Supreme Court Appealable Orders Reference Review Revision Inherent Powers of Court Suits by/against minors and persons of unsound mind. Suits by/ and against indigent people. Suit by/and against the Government. General Provisions as to the Bar of Limitation and Extension of the prescribed time (Sections 1-5) Legal Disability, exclusion of time etc. (Sections 6-24) Acquisition and Extinguishment of Proprietary rights by the virtue of limitation (Sections 25-27)
Transfer of Property Act	Movable & Immovable Property Instrument Attestation Registration Attached to earth Actionable claim Notice Movable and Immovable property Transfer of property- meaning and elements What kinds of property can be transferred Restrictions on alienation of property Restrictions on enjoyment of property Transfer to unborn person Rule against perpetuity Vested and contingent interests Conditional transfers Ulterior transfer Doctrine of election Rule relating to apportionment Doctrine of holding out Feeding the grant by estoppel Doctrine of priority Transfer lis pendens Doctrine of part performance Meaning, essentials and kinds of mortgage Right to redeem Right to foreclosure or sale doctrine of priority Doctrine of marshalling and contribution Doctrine of subrogation Charges
Contract Act	Contract: Meaning, Nature and Types Historical Background of Indian Contract Laws Indian Contract Act, 1872 Major Definitions under Indian Contract Act, 1872 Formation of an Agreement Intention to Create Legal Relationship Proposal and Acceptance- Their various forms, Essential Elements Communication Revocation- Mode of Revocation of Offer What agreements are Contracts Legal Disability to Enter into Contract Minors, Persons of Unsound Mind Effects of Minors Agreement Persons disqualified by Law Liability for Necessaries Supplied to the Minor Indian Contract Act, 1872, (Ss. 10 – 12, 64, 65, 68); Specific Relief Act, 1963, (S.33); Indian Majority Act, 1875. Consent – Definition Free Consent and Vitiating Elements Coercion Undue Influence Misrepresentation Mistake Effect on Contracts influenced by any factor Vitiating Free Consent Meaning and Nature of Consideration – NudumPactum Doctrine of Privity of Contract and of Consideration- Its Exceptions Exceptions of consideration Adequacy of Consideration: Present, Past and Adequate Consideration Unlawful Consideration and its Effect. Indian Contract Act, 1872: Sections 2(d), 2(f), 23 and 25 Legality of Object Void and Voidable Agreements Agreements against Public Policy Agreements with Unlawful Consideration Agreements without Consideration Agreements in Restraint of Marriage Agreements in Restraint of Trade Agreements in Restraint of Legal Proceedings Ambiguous and Uncertain Agreements Wagering Agreements – Its exceptions Contingent Contracts By Performance Performance by Joint Promisors Discharge by Novation – Remission Accord and Satisfaction Appropriation of Payments Discharge by Impossibility of Performance – Doctrine of Frustration Discharge by Breach – Anticipatory Breach – Actual breach Recovering possession of property (Sec.- 5 to 8) Specific Performance: Ss. 9 – 24 of Specific Relief Act, 1965 Injunctions: Ss. 36 – 41 of Specific Relief Act, 1965 Declaratory Decrees (Sec.- 34 to 35) Preventive Relief (Sec.- 36 to 43)
Law of Succession (Indian Succession Act and Hindu Succession Act)
Specific Relief Act

OJS Mains Syllabus

The Main Examination is a comprehensive assessment of candidates’ in-depth knowledge and understanding of various legal subjects. The syllabus includes:

Compulsory Paper

Paper	Syllabus
Paper-1 General English	Translation and Retranslation of ten lines each A short essay of about 150 words Precis Writing consisting of 300 words One passage of about 500 words with 5 questions
Paper-2 Procedural Laws	The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 The Indian Evidence Act, 1872

Optional Paper

Name of the Paper	Syllabus
Paper-1 (Law of Crime and Law of Torts)	Law of Crime and Law of Torts
Paper-2 (Personal Law)	Hindu Law Mohammedan Law
Paper-3 (Law of Property)	Transfer of Property Act, 1882 Specific Relief Act, 1963 Indian Limitation Act, 1963
Paper-4 (Law of Contract)	Indian Contract Act, 1972 Sales of Goods Act, 1930 Partnership Act, 1932 Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881
Paper-5 (Jurisprudence and Constitution of India)	Jurisprudence and Constitution of India

Interview Round

The Interview Round assesses candidates’ personality, communication skills, and overall suitability for the judicial services. The topics covered include:

Discussion on national and international issues.
Questions related to arts, science, and general knowledge.

Candidates are advised to thoroughly study each topic mentioned in the syllabus and understand the concepts to excel in the Odisha Judiciary Examination. Regular practice, revision, and staying updated with current affairs are essential for success in this competitive examination.