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TUSHAR GARGAdvocate-on-Record, Supreme Court of India
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STAGE II MERIT MAKER • DESCRIPTIVE BLUEPRINT

Mains Syllabus & Answer Writing

In-Depth Subjective Papers, Problem Solving, Judgment Writing & Charge Framing

Complete guide to the Judicial Services Mains Examination syllabus, answer structuring techniques, civil and criminal judgment writing formats, issue settlement, and language translation papers.

KEY EXAMINATION METRICS
Exam FormatDescriptive PapersSubjective handwritten
Merit Weightage80% - 85%Decisive selection marks
Paper Duration3 Hours / Paper5 to 6 papers across 3 days
Crucial SectionJudgment Writing50 - 100 Marks per exam

Executive Overview & Institutional Role

Statutory Framework & Judicial Mandate

The Mains Written Examination is the decisive battleground that determines an aspirant's judicial destiny. Unlike the screening Prelims, marks scored in the Mains subjective papers constitute 80% to 85% of the total selection weightage.

Conducted over 3 to 4 days in intensive 3-hour sessions, Mains evaluates an aspirant's analytical depth, clarity of expression, statutory interpretation, and judicial problem-solving capability.

Success in Mains requires more than memorizing law; it demands mastering the art of judicial drafting, appreciating evidentiary contradictions, structuring logical arguments, and rendering reasoned legal verdicts.

Constitutional Standing

Subordinate judicial officers operate under the direct superintendence of the High Court pursuant to Articles 233, 234 & 235 of the Constitution.

Substantive Adjudication

Adjudicating criminal offenses under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and civil disputes under Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) with statutory independence.

Elevation Trajectory

Meritorious service in the subordinate magistracy serves as the foundational pipeline for promotion to Higher Judicial Services and High Court Judge benches.

Three-Stage Examination Roadmap

How candidates are filtered and evaluated across consecutive rounds

Paper I

Civil Law - I

Covers core civil and commercial substantive laws, contract disputes, specific reliefs, and state-specific rent statutes.

Duration: 3 Hours200 Marks
Paper II

Civil Law - II

Focuses on personal laws, property transactions, testamentary succession, tortious liabilities, and limitation.

Duration: 3 Hours200 Marks
Paper III

Criminal Law & Procedure

In-depth substantive and procedural criminal justice papers, including evidentiary admissibility and special statutes.

Duration: 3 Hours200 Marks
Paper IV & V

Judgment Writing & Language / Translation

Drafting judicial orders, framing issues/charges, English essay, precis writing, and vernacular translation.

Duration: 3 Hours Each150 – 250 Marks
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