Overview: Achieving success in judicial exams is a long and demanding journey that requires unwavering dedication, a structured study plan, and a deep understanding of the law.

Priyadarshan Goswami’s inspiring journey from a classical music graduate to securing Rank 4 in the Chhattisgarh Judiciary Exam 2023 is a testament to the power of determination, strategic preparation, and a strong support system.

In this blog, we delve into Priyadarshan’s preparation strategy, the challenges he faced, and the valuable lessons he shares for judiciary aspirants.

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From Classical Music to Judiciary: A Unique Pathway

Born and raised in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, Priyadarshan’s academic journey was quite different from conventional law students. He pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Classical Music from Indira Kala Sangeet University, Khairagarh, Chhattisgarh before transitioning to the legal field.

His decision to join the judiciary was influenced by his family’s strong legal background, as his grandfather and uncles were all part of the judicial system.

After completing his LLB from Dr. Hari Singh Gour University, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, he set his sights on becoming a judge, dedicating himself entirely to judiciary preparation.

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Overcoming Setbacks: The Power of Persistence

Priyadarshan’s first attempt at the Chhattisgarh Judiciary Exam in 2022 saw him reach the interview stage, where he secured Rank 27 overall and Rank 7 in the waiting list. Though he came close, he did not make it to the final selection list.

Instead of being discouraged, he analyzed his weaknesses, refined his strategy, and attempted the exam again in 2023, securing an impressive Rank 4 in the final merit list.

His biggest lesson from failure? Judiciary preparation is not just about studying hard but also about:

• Understanding the exam pattern
• Adapting to changing paper trends
• Mastering answer writing and judgment writing
• Staying motivated despite setbacks

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How Early Should You Start Preparing for Judiciary?

One of the most common questions judiciary aspirants have is “When should I start my preparation?”

For Priyadarshan, the decision was clear right from the first year of LLB. He knew he wanted to become a judge, so he aligned his studies accordingly, focusing extensively on:

• Core legal subjects like CPC, CrPC, IPC, and Evidence Act
• Understanding bare acts deeply
• Following a judiciary-centric approach rather than just clearing university exams

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How Many States Should You Target for Judiciary?

Many students are confused about how many state judiciary exams they should target. Priyadarshan’s advice is simple:

• It depends on your preparation level and capacity.
• If you start late, focus on one or two states with similar patterns.
• If you start early and prepare thoroughly, you can target multiple states.
• He focused on Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan because their syllabus had overlapping subjects, making it easier to prepare for all three exams simultaneously.

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The Importance of Knowing the Syllabus & Exam Pattern

A crucial mistake many aspirants make is not studying according to the exact syllabus of their targeted states.

Each state judiciary exam varies in depth and question style. For example:

• Delhi and Haryana have a more detailed and analytical syllabus.
• UP, MP, CG, and Rajasthan focus on specific core subjects with bare act-based and practical application questions.
• Priyadarshan emphasized the importance of knowing the syllabus thoroughly and focusing on what is actually tested in the exam rather than wasting time on unnecessary topics.

Prelims vs. Mains Preparation: How to Balance?

A major dilemma for aspirants is whether to prepare for prelims first or focus on mains from the beginning. Priyadarshan strongly believes that prelims, mains, and interviews are not separate stages but a continuous process.

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His strategy:

Prelims Preparation

• Memorize index sections of all important laws
• Focus on bare acts and important case laws
• Regular revision and mock tests
• Scored 97/100 in his first prelims attempt!
• Mains Answer & Judgment Writing

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Started after clearing prelims

• Used Robinjit Singh’s book on judgment writing for guidance
• Developed a unique writing style with his own case law analysis
• Focused on writing practice rather than just reading

Interview Strategy

• Practiced with mock interviews to gain confidence
• Focused on current legal developments & landmark judgments
• Judiciary Gold’s mock interviews played a key role in boosting his confidence
• The Role of Case Laws in Judiciary Preparation

One of Priyadarshan’s biggest strengths was his focus on case laws.

Instead of relying solely on reference books, he read Supreme Court and High Court judgments directly. He believes case laws provide deeper insights into legal principles, help in judgment writing, and enhance legal reasoning skills.

For example, his understanding of Section 34 IPC was greatly improved by reading the landmark case "Barendra Kumar Ghosh v. Emperor."

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Handling Setbacks & Staying Motivated

Every aspirant faces self-doubt and moments of demotivation. Priyadarshan himself felt extremely demotivated when he secured Rank 27 in his first attempt but didn’t make the final cut. He questioned whether he would ever succeed.

However, he focused on his ultimate goal and reminded himself why he wanted to become a judge in the first place.

His advice to aspirants struggling with motivation:

• Remember why you started – Your goal should drive you.
• Failures are stepping stones – Learn from your mistakes.
• Consistency is key – Even on bad days, keep studying, even if it's just 1-2 hours.
• Have a support system – Discuss law with friends, mentors, and family.
• Believe in yourself – Judiciary is not just about intelligence; it’s about persistence.