The Himachal Pradesh Judiciary Exam is a highly competitive state-level exam conducted by the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) to recruit Civil Judges (Junior Division). For aspiring judicial officers, the Himachal Judiciary Exam is a gateway to securing a prestigious position in the state judiciary.
This is your comprehensive guide covering all aspects of the exam, including eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, important dates, preparation strategies, and more.
Whether you’re starting your preparation or seeking the latest updates, this article is your one-stop resource for success in the Himachal Pradesh Judiciary Exam 2025.
Himachal Pradesh Judiciary Exam: Highlights
The table below provides a quick overview of the Himachal Pradesh Judiciary Exam 2025 to help candidates understand key details at a glance:
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Conducting Body | Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) |
| Post Name | Civil Judge (Junior Division) |
| Total Vacancies | 21 |
| Stages of Exam | 1. Preliminary Exam (Objective) 2. Main Exam (Descriptive) 3. Viva-Voce (Interview) |
| Exam Frequency | Once a Year |
| Mode of Application | Online through HPPSC Official Website |
| Mode of Exam | Offline |
| Prelims Exam Date | March 2, 2025 |
| Mains Exam Date | Last Week of March 2025 (Tentative) |
| Viva-Voce | To Be Announced |
| Job Location | Himachal Pradesh |
| Eligibility Criteria | LLB Degree from a recognized university |
| Age Limit | 22-35 years (Relaxation for reserved categories) |
| Official Website | HPPSC Official Website |
Himachal Pradesh Judiciary Exam Dates 2025
Below are the important dates for the Himachal Pradesh Judiciary Exam 2025. Candidates are advised to keep track of these dates to ensure they don’t miss any deadlines.
| Event | Date |
| Himachal Pradesh Judiciary Notification | 15th December 2024 |
| Start Date of Online Applications | 15th December 2024 |
| Last Date to Submit Applications | 5th January 2024 |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 2nd March 2025 |
| Main Exam Date | Last Week of March 2025 (Tentative) |
| Admit Card Release Date | To Be Announced |
| Viva-Voce (Interview) Date | To Be Announced |
| Result Declaration | To Be Announced |
Himachal Pradesh Judiciary Eligibility Criteria 2025
The Himachal Pradesh Judiciary Application Form requires candidates to fulfill specific eligibility criteria regarding age, education, and nationality. Below is the detailed breakdown:
1. Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from a recognized university or institution approved by the Bar Council of India.
2. Age Limit
The age criteria are as follows:
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age | Age Relaxation |
| General (Unreserved) | 22 years | 35 years | No relaxation |
| SC of Himachal Pradesh | 22 years | 38 years | 3 years |
| ST of Himachal Pradesh | 22 years | 38 years | 3 years |
| OBC of Himachal Pradesh | 22 years | 38 years | 3 years |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | 22 years | 35 years | – |
| Ex-Servicemen of Himachal Pradesh | 22 years | 35 years | – |
Note:
- The age will be calculated as of the application closing date (January 5, 2025).
- Candidates claiming age relaxation must provide valid category certificates during the application process.
3. Nationality
The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
4. Domicile Preference
Preference is given to candidates who are bonafide residents of Himachal Pradesh. Reserved category benefits are applicable only to Himachal Pradesh residents.
5. Maximum Attempts
There is no specific limit on the number of attempts as long as the candidate meets the age and other eligibility criteria.
Himachal Pradesh Judiciary Exam Pattern 2025
The Himachal Pradesh Judiciary Exam is conducted in three stages:
1. Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Exam is objective-type and serves as a screening test. It consists of three papers with multiple-choice questions.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration | Number of Questions |
| Paper-I | Civil Law-I | 100 | 1 Hour | 50 Questions |
| Paper-II | Civil Law-II | 100 | 1 Hour | 50 Questions |
| Paper-III | Criminal Law | 100 | 1 Hour | 50 Questions |
Key Points for Prelims:
- Each question carries 2 marks.
- No negative marking for incorrect answers.
- All three papers are conducted on the same day.
- The syllabus for Prelims is the same as Papers I to III of the Main Exam.
- Candidates equal to 20 times the number of vacancies will qualify for the Main Examination based on merit.
2. Main Examination
The Main Exam is descriptive and evaluates the candidates’ knowledge of substantive and procedural laws along with language skills.
It consists of five papers:
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
| Paper-I | Civil Law-I | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Paper-II | Civil Law-II | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Paper-III | Criminal Law | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Paper-IV | English Composition | 150 | 3 Hours |
| Paper-V | Hindi Language | 100 | 3 Hours |
3. Viva-Voce (Interview)
The Viva-Voce is the final stage of the selection process and carries 150 marks. It tests the candidate’s legal knowledge, personality, and suitability for the judicial role.
Himachal Pradesh Judiciary Exam Syllabus
Below is the subject-wise breakdown of the Himachal Pradesh judiciary syllabus with marks distribution for each paper:
| Paper | Subject and Topics | Marks |
| Paper-I | Civil Law-I | 200 |
| – Code of Civil Procedure | ||
| – Indian Evidence Act | ||
| – Indian Stamp Act | ||
| – Himachal Pradesh Courts Act, 1976 | ||
| – Specific Relief Act | ||
| Paper-II | Civil Law-II | 200 |
| – Indian Contract Act | ||
| – Hindu Law | ||
| – Indian Limitation Act | ||
| – Transfer of Property Act | ||
| – H.P. Urban Rent Control Act | ||
| Paper-III | Criminal Law | 200 |
| – Indian Penal Code | ||
| – Criminal Procedure Code | ||
| – Negotiable Instruments Act (Chapter-XVII: Sections 138 to 143) | ||
| – H.P. Excise Act-2011 | ||
| – Wild Life Protection Act | ||
| – Indian Forest Act | ||
| – Judicial Sensitivity to Sexual Offences (Judicial Perspective): Covers topics including gender stereotyping, judicial decision-making, cybercrimes, child sexual abuse, sentencing in sexual offences, and important gender justice laws like POCSO Act, Juvenile Justice Act, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, and others. | ||
| Paper-IV | English Composition | 150 |
| – Essay (choice of three topics) – 100 Marks | ||
| – Translation of Hindi passage into English – 50 Marks | ||
| Paper-V | Language (Hindi): | 100 |
| – Translation of English passage into Hindi – 30 Marks | ||
| – Essay in Hindi on any topic (choice of three topics) – 50 Marks | ||
| – Composition (Idioms, corrections, etc.) – 20 Marks |
Key Points to Note:
- The syllabus for Paper-I to III (Civil Law-I, Civil Law-II, Criminal Law) is the same for both the Prelims and Mains Exam.
- Essay writing tests your ability to present thoughts in a structured manner.
- Hindi language paper focuses on proficiency in the Devnagari script, including translation, essay, and composition.
- Topics in Judicial Sensitivity to Sexual Offences are critical and require familiarity with recent Supreme Court guidelines, case laws, and gender justice laws.
Himachal Judiciary Exam: Cut-Off Marks
The Himachal Pradesh Judiciary Cut-Off Marks are the minimum marks candidates need to secure to qualify for each stage of the exam: Preliminary, Main Exam, and Viva-Voce.
The cut-off depends on several factors, including the number of vacancies, difficulty level of the paper, and candidate performance.
1. Himachal Pradesh Judiciary Cut-Off for Prelims
The Preliminary Exam is qualifying in nature. Candidates equal to 20 times the number of vacancies are selected for the Main Exam based on merit. Below is the category-wise expected cut-off for Prelims:
| Category | Expected Cut-Off Marks |
| General (Unreserved) | 200-220 |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 170-180 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 160-170 |
| OBC (Other Backward Class) | 180-190 |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 180-190 |
2. Himachal Pradesh Judiciary Cut-Off for Mains
Minimum Qualifying Marks for Mains
- 40% marks in each paper (except Hindi).
- 33% marks in the Hindi Language Paper.
- 45% aggregate marks overall.
| Category | Expected Cut-Off Marks (Aggregate) |
| General (Unreserved) | 500-520 |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 400-420 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 380-400 |
| OBC (Other Backward Class) | 420-450 |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 450-480 |
3. Himachal Pradesh Judiciary Cut-Off for Viva-Voce
The Viva-Voce (Interview) carries 150 marks, and candidates must secure a minimum of 45% marks (67.5 marks) to qualify for final selection.
The final merit list is prepared based on:
- Marks obtained in the Main Exam (850 marks).
- Marks obtained in the Viva-Voce (150 marks).
Final Cut-Off Marks
| Category | Expected Final Cut-Off Marks |
| General (Unreserved) | 600-650 |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 500-550 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 480-520 |
| OBC (Other Backward Class) | 520-580 |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 550-600 |
Himachal Pradesh Civil Judge Salary
A career as a Civil Judge in Himachal Pradesh offers both prestige and a rewarding compensation package. Below is an overview of the salary structure and job profile for this esteemed position.
As per the 7th Pay Commission, the Himachal Pradesh Civil Judge enjoys a pay scale ranging from ₹77,840 to ₹1,36,520 per month. In addition to the basic pay, judges receive various allowances and benefits, enhancing the overall remuneration package.
Allowances and Benefits:
- Dearness Allowance (DA): A percentage of the basic pay to offset inflation.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): Provided if official accommodation is not allotted.
- Travel Allowance (TA): Covers official travel expenses.
- Medical Benefits: Access to healthcare facilities for judges and their dependents.
Career in Himachal Pradesh Judiciary
A Civil Judge in Himachal Pradesh holds significant responsibilities aimed at upholding justice and maintaining the rule of law.
The key duties include:
- Adjudication of Cases: Presiding over civil and criminal matters, analyzing evidence, and delivering judgments in accordance with legal principles.
- Court Administration: Overseeing court proceedings, managing case schedules, and ensuring the efficient functioning of the court.
- Legal Documentation: Maintaining accurate records of proceedings, orders, and judgments.
- Ensuring Fair Trials: Upholding the rights of all parties, ensuring impartiality, and adhering to due process.
- Public Interaction: Engaging with litigants, lawyers, and the public to facilitate the justice delivery process.
The role demands a deep understanding of legal statutes, analytical thinking, and a commitment to ethical standards.
Career Progression:
Civil Judges have opportunities for career advancement through promotions to higher judicial positions, such as:
- Senior Civil Judge
- District Judge
- High Court Judge
FAQs on Himachal Pradesh Judiciary Exam
The Himachal Pradesh Judiciary Exam is a state-level exam conducted by HPPSC to recruit candidates for the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division) in the Himachal Pradesh Judicial Services.
The Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) conducts the exam.
The Preliminary Exam will be held on 2nd March 2025.
The Mains Exam is tentatively scheduled for the last week of March 2025.
The HPPSC has announced 21 vacancies for the post of Civil Judge.
Candidates equal to three times the number of vacancies will be called for the Viva-Voce based on Mains Exam performance.
The salary ranges from ₹77,840 to ₹1,36,520 per month as per the 7th Pay Commission.
Yes, candidates from other states can apply, but they will not be eligible for reservation benefits.
Yes, candidates need to study Himachal Pradesh-specific laws like: Himachal Pradesh Courts Act, and Himachal Pradesh Urban Rent Control Act.