What is the selection process for Odisha Judicial Service (OJS)?

The selection process for OJS includes three stages: Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Interview.

What is the syllabus for the OJS Preliminary Exam?

The OJS Preliminary Exam syllabus consists of subjects like Constitution of India, Code of Civil Procedure, Code of Criminal Procedure, Indian Penal Code, Evidence Act, and other related laws.

Is there any negative marking in the OJS exams?

Yes, there is a provision for negative marking in the OJS exams. One-fourth of the marks will be deducted for each incorrect answer.

Are there any interview rounds in the OJS selection process?

Yes, the OJS selection process includes an interview round where candidates are assessed for their personality, communication skills, legal knowledge, and suitability for the judicial service.

Odisha Judicial Service Syllabus 2024, Check Exam Pattern

Table of Contents

The official notification for Odisha Judicial Service recruitment has been published on the official website. Candidates preparing for the OPSC OJS Exam must familiarise themselves with the syllabus and exam pattern provided below. Understanding the OPSC OJS Syllabus 2024 and Exam Pattern is important for Odisha judiciary exam preparation. Additionally, the Odisha Judiciary Service Exam Date has been announced for the Mains examination.

OPSC OJS Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2024

The Odisha Judicial Service, conducted by the Odisha Public Service Commission, is a prestigious examination aimed at recruiting candidates for the role of Civil Judges in the state judiciary. This highly competitive exam provides aspiring law professionals with the chance to contribute to Odisha’s judicial system.

Comprising three stages – the Preliminary Written Exam, Mains Exam, and the Viva Voce – the Odisha Judiciary selection process assesses candidates’ understanding of legal subjects, procedural laws, and their aptitude for interpreting and applying the law. Those who qualify are appointed as Civil Judges in the Odisha Judicial Service.

Odisha Judicial Service Overview
Post Name	Odisha Judicial Service
Commission Name	Odisha Public Service Commission
Official Website	opsc.gov.in
Exam Date
Result Date	To be notified

Odisha Judiciary Exam Pattern 2024

Candidates appearing for the Odisha Judiciary Exam have to clear three stages of the selection process: Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Interview Round. Candidates need to understand the exam pattern of all the papers to know the weightage assigned to each topic. The exam pattern for the written exam is detailed below.

Prelims Exam Pattern

The Preliminary Exam consists of 100 questions, totaling 100 marks.
Each correct answer is awarded 1 mark, while 1/4th mark is deducted for each incorrect answer.
The duration of the exam is 1 hour and 30 minutes.
To qualify for the next round of the selection process, candidates must score a minimum of 35% if they belong to the SC/ST category and 40% if they belong to other categories.

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

Mains Exam Pattern

The Odisha Judicial Services Exam consists of two compulsory papers and three optional papers. The exam patterns for both types of papers are provided below:

Compulsory Papers: Paper-1 and Paper-2 of the compulsory exam are each conducted for 150 marks. The duration of each exam is 2 hours and 30 minutes. In the translation section, sentences must be translated between English and Odia.

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 Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 Indian Evidence Act	150 marks	2 hours 30 minutes
Total		300	–

Exam Pattern for Optional Paper: Candidates can choose any three subjects from the table below. Each subject is worth 150 marks and must be completed within three hours. To qualify for the next round, which is the interview, candidates must achieve an aggregate of 45% and a minimum of 33% in each 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 hour

Odisha Judiciary Syllabus 2024

The Odisha Judiciary Exam is conducted by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) to select candidates for the post of Civil Judge in the Odisha Judicial Service. The syllabus for the exam is divided into three stages: Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Interview.

The Preliminary Exam covers subjects such as the Constitution of India, the Code of Civil Procedure, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and others. The Main Exam includes subjects like Civil Law, Criminal Law, English, and Odia Language. The Interview stage evaluates candidates’ personality, communication skills, and legal knowledge. It is important for candidates to thoroughly study the syllabus for each stage to succeed in the exam.

OJS Syllabus for Prelims Exam

The syllabus for the Odisha Judicial Service (OJS) Preliminary Exam consists of various subjects and topics. Here is an overview of the OJS Prelims syllabus:

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, Panchayati raj: Introduction, PRI: Zila Panchayat, Elected officials and their roles, CEO Zila Panchayat: 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 released 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 the 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	The 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 proceedings (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 (sections 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 TrespassOffences 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 an unborn person Rule against perpetuity Vested and contingent interests Conditional transfers Ulterior transfer Doctrine of election The rule relating to apportionment The doctrine of holding out Feeding the grant by estoppel Doctrine of priority Transfer lis pendens The doctrine of part performance Meaning, essentials and kinds of mortgage Right to redeem Right to foreclosure or sale doctrine of priority The 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 Syllabus for Mains Exam

The Odisha Judicial Service (OJS) Mains Exam syllabus covers various subjects to assess the candidates’ legal knowledge and understanding. The OJS Mains syllabus included five papers: 2 Compulsory Subjects and 3 Optional Subjects. Here is a brief overview of the OJS Mains syllabus:

Compulsory Subjects: In compulsory subjects, there will be 2 papers- General English and Procedural Laws. check the following table for detailed subjects.

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 Subjects: In compulsory subjects, there will be 3 papers- you have to choose three subjects from the following list in the table.

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

Odisha Judicial Service Interview

The Odisha Judicial Service (OJS) Interview is the final stage of the selection process. It evaluates candidates’ personality, communication skills, and suitability for the role of judicial officer. Conducted by experienced judges and legal experts, the interview covers topics such as current legal issues, constitutional law, procedural laws, case studies, and general awareness. Candidates should demonstrate confidence, clear thinking, legal knowledge, and a thorough understanding of the law. The interview is worth 100 marks.