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Gujarat Judiciary Syllabus 2026 PDF Download Here [Prelims, Mains & Interview Topics]
October 24, 2026
The Gujarat Judiciary Syllabus 2026 has three parts: a 100-mark objective Preliminary Examination, a Main Written Examination with one Criminal Law paper and one Civil Law paper, and a 50-mark Interview (viva-voce).
- The Prelims tests 15 criminal statutes, 13 civil subjects and a general section on GK, English, reasoning, numerical ability and basic computers.
- Candidates who did not study Gujarati in Class 10 or 12 also gives a separate Gujarati language test.
Gujarat Judiciary Syllabus 2026 Highlights
The High Court of Gujarat issued a short notification (RC/0719/2026) on 24 April 2026 announcing about 237 regular Gujarat Judiciary Civil Judge vacancies.
The detailed advertisement, which normally carries the syllabus, has not been released yet.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Conducting Body | High Court of Gujarat, Sola, Ahmedabad |
| Exam Name | Direct Recruitment to the Cadre of Civil Judges (Gujarat Judiciary Exam) |
| Application Mode | Online, through the HC-OJAS portal (see how to fill the Gujarat Judiciary application form) |
| Vacancies | About 237 (2026 notice); 212 in the 2024-25 cycle |
| Eligibility | LLB from a recognised university; practising advocate (AIBE pass if LLB from 2009-10 onwards) or employee of a court/allied department; basic computer certificate; Gujarati proficiency; age up to 35 (General), 38 (reserved) as per the 2024-25 advertisement; full details in the Gujarat Judiciary eligibility criteria. |
| Selection Process | Preliminary Examination (Elimination Test) + Gujarati Language Test (if applicable), Main Written Examination, Viva-voce |
| Prelims Syllabus |
Part A: Criminal laws, Part B: Civil laws, Part C: GK, English, Reasoning, Numerical & Mental Ability, Basics of Computer Applications |
| Mains Syllabus |
Paper I: Criminal Law (100 marks): Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, Gujarat Prohibition Act, 1949, Probation of Offenders Act, 1958, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, Gujarat Prevention of Gambling Act, 1887, Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, Pre-conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994, Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, Information Technology Act, 2000, Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 Paper II: Civil Law (100 marks): Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, Limitation Act, 1963, Indian Contract Act, 1872, Constitution of India, Indian Partnership Act, 1932, Specific Relief Act, 1963, Gujarat Court Fees Act, 2004, Sale of Goods Act, 1930, Transfer of Property Act, 1882, Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, Commercial Courts Act, 2015, Succession Laws and Personal Laws (Hindu, Muslim and Christian), Legal Maxims |
| Job Location | Gujarat |
| Official Website | gujarathighcourt.nic.in and hc-ojas.gujarat.gov.in |
Gujarat Judiciary Syllabus 2026 PDF Download Link
The Gujarat Judiciary Syllabus 2026 is set by the High Court of Gujarat for the Civil Judge exam and covers Prelims, Mains and the Interview (viva-voce). Candidates can download the syllabus from the link below.
Gujarat Judiciary Syllabus 2026 for Prelims
The Gujarat Judiciary Prelims is one 100-mark objective paper (2 hours, English only, 0.33 negative marking), plus a 50-mark Gujarati Language Test only for candidates who did not pass SSC or HSC with Gujarati.
- 100 objective questions for 100 marks in 2 hours, set in English only, with 0.33 negative marking.
- IPC and BNS, CrPC and BNSS, Evidence Act and BSA, Gujarat Prohibition Act, Gujarat Prevention of Gambling Act, NI Act, POCSO Act, JJ Act, DV Act, IT Act, Probation of Offenders Act and other minor criminal Acts.
- CPC, Limitation Act, Contract Act, Constitution of India, Specific Relief Act, Transfer of Property Act, Sale of Goods Act, Partnership Act, Gujarat Court Fees Act, Arbitration Act, Commercial Courts Act, personal and succession laws, and legal maxims.
- General Knowledge, English, reasoning, numerical and mental ability, and basic computer applications.
- Qualifying marks are 50% for unreserved candidates and 45% for reserved categories.
Gujarati Language Test (qualifying)
- A descriptive paper of 50 marks in 1½ hours, with a 40% pass mark.
- Candidates who studied Gujarati as a subject in Class 10 or Class 12 are exempt.
- It covers essay, comprehension, synonyms and antonyms, letter writing, translation, short notes and grammar.
| Paper | Subject |
|---|---|
| Paper I: Preliminary Examination (Elimination Test) | Part A: Criminal Laws; Part B: Civil Laws; Part C: GK, English, Reasoning, Numerical & Mental Ability, Basics of Computer Applications |
| Paper II: Test of Gujarati Language | Gujarati essay, comprehension, synonyms, antonyms, letter writing, translation, short note, grammar |
| Total | Counted for qualifying only, not for the final merit |
The advertisement does not divide the 100 marks across Parts A, B and C.
Two of the three parts are core law subjects, so candidates can plan most of their Prelims hours around Parts A and B, and check the Gujarat Judiciary exam analysis to see how many questions Part C usually gets.
Prelims Subject-Wise Syllabus
Parts A and B (Law Subjects)
| Part | Subjects | Topics Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Part A: Criminal | Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 | General exceptions, abetment, conspiracy, offences against the body, property, women and the State, new offences under BNS |
| Part A: Criminal | Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 | Arrest, bail, FIR and investigation, charge, trial procedures, judgment, appeals, revision, maintenance |
| Part A: Criminal | Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 | Relevancy, admissions, confessions, dying declarations, electronic evidence, burden of proof, presumptions, witnesses |
| Part A: Criminal | Gujarat Prohibition Act, 1949 | Definitions, permits, offences and penalties, search and seizure |
| Part A: Criminal | Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 | Release on admonition or probation, conditions, supervision |
| Part A: Criminal | Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 | Child in conflict with law, Juvenile Justice Boards, heinous offences, adoption |
| Part A: Criminal | Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 | Definition of domestic violence, protection, residence and monetary orders |
| Part A: Criminal | Gujarat Prevention of Gambling Act, 1887 | Common gaming house, offences, presumptions |
| Part A: Criminal | Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 | Brothel-keeping, living on earnings, rescue and protective homes |
| Part A: Criminal | PC & PNDT Act, 1994 | Regulation of diagnostic techniques, ban on sex selection, offences |
| Part A: Criminal | Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 | Promissory notes, bills, cheques, holder in due course, Section 138 dishonour of cheque |
| Part A: Criminal | Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 | Registration duties, delayed registration, penalties |
| Part A: Criminal | POCSO Act, 2012 | Offences, child-friendly procedure, Special Courts, presumptions |
| Part A: Criminal | Information Technology Act, 2000 | Electronic records, digital signatures, cyber offences, intermediary liability |
| Part A: Criminal | Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 | Prohibited publications and advertisements, penalties |
| Part B: Civil | Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 | Jurisdiction, res judicata, pleadings, plaint and written statement, injunctions, execution, appeals, review |
| Part B: Civil | Limitation Act, 1963 | Computation of limitation, condonation of delay, acknowledgment, adverse possession periods |
| Part B: Civil | Indian Contract Act, 1872 | Offer, acceptance, consideration, free consent, void agreements, breach, indemnity, guarantee, bailment, agency |
| Part B: Civil | Constitution of India | Fundamental Rights, DPSP, writs, Union and State judiciary, subordinate courts, emergency, amendments |
| Part B: Civil | Indian Partnership Act, 1932 | Nature of partnership, rights of partners, registration, dissolution |
| Part B: Civil | Specific Relief Act, 1963 | Recovery of possession, specific performance, rectification, cancellation, declaratory decrees, injunctions |
| Part B: Civil | Gujarat Court Fees Act, 2004 | Valuation of suits, ad valorem and fixed fees, refunds |
| Part B: Civil | Sale of Goods Act, 1930 | Conditions and warranties, transfer of property and title, unpaid seller |
| Part B: Civil | Transfer of Property Act, 1882 | General principles, lis pendens, part performance, sale, mortgage, lease, gift, actionable claims |
| Part B: Civil | Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 | Arbitration agreement, appointment, interim measures, award, setting aside, enforcement |
| Part B: Civil | Commercial Courts Act, 2015 | Commercial disputes, specified value, pre-institution mediation, amended CPC provisions |
| Part B: Civil | Succession and Personal Laws (Hindu, Muslim, Christian) | Hindu Succession, Marriage, Adoption and Minority Acts; Muslim marriage, dower, wills, gifts; Indian Succession Act |
| Part B: Civil | Legal Maxims | Commonly used Latin maxims and their meaning in civil and criminal law |
Part C (General Knowledge and Aptitude)
| Part | Subjects | Topics Covered |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies | General Knowledge | Current affairs (national, Gujarat, legal news), Indian history and national movement, geography, Indian polity, economy |
| General Studies | English Language | Grammar, error spotting, vocabulary, synonyms/antonyms, idioms, reading comprehension |
| General Studies | Test of Reasoning | Series, coding-decoding, blood relations, directions, syllogism, statement-conclusion |
| General Studies | Numerical & Mental Ability | Percentages, ratio, averages, profit and loss, time and work, simple data interpretation |
| General Studies | Basics of Computer Applications | Hardware and software basics, MS Office, internet and e-mail, file handling, keyboard shortcuts, e-courts basics |
Gujarati language
Candidates need to have basic proficieny in Gujarati language for the Gujarat judiciary exam 2026. Here is the syllabus breakdown for the language paper.
| Paper | Subject | Duration | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-II | Gujarati Language | 1½ Hours | Compulsory only for non-Gujarati medium candidates |
|
(૧) ગગુજરરાતતી નનિબબંધ લલેખનિ (૨) ફકરરા ઉપરથતી પ્રશશ્નોનિરા જવરાબ (૩) સમરાનિરાથર્થી શબ્દશ્નો (૪) નવરૂદરાથર્થી શબ્દશ્નો (૫) પત્રલલેખનિ (૬) ભરાષરાબંતર - અનિગુવરાદ (ગગુજરરાતતી - અબંગલેજી અનિલે અબંગલેજી - ગગુજરરાતતી) (૭) ટબંટકનિનોંધ (કશ્નોઈપણ નવષય પર) (૮) ગગુજરરાતતી વ્યરાકરણ |
Gujarat Judiciary Syllabus 2026 for Mains
Candidates who score at least 50% in Prelims (45% for SC, ST, SEBC, EWS and PwBD) and clear the Gujarati test, where required, can appear for the Mains exam.
- Paper I (Criminal Law) and Paper II (Civil Law) are descriptive papers of 100 marks each, 3 hours each. You can answer in English or Gujarati.
- Each paper covers the same criminal and civil Acts listed under Prelims, tested through written answers.
- Candidates need 50% in aggregate (45% if reserved), and at least 40% in each paper.
| Category | Subject |
|---|---|
| Compulsory | Paper I: Criminal Law (BNS/IPC, BNSS/CrPC, BSA/Evidence Act and 12 special Acts) |
| Compulsory | Paper II: Civil Law (CPC, Limitation, Contract, Constitution, TPA, Specific Relief, personal laws and 6 other subjects) |
| Optional | None prescribed |
| Total | |
Each paper runs for 3 hours. Questions are set in English, and you may answer in English or Gujarati. To reach the interview, candidates need 50% overall (45% for reserved categories) and at least 40% in each paper. Category-wise marks from past cycles are in the Gujarat Judiciary cut-off analysis.
Syllabus for Compulsory Subjects: Paper I (Criminal Law)
Paper I carries 100 marks and covers the same 15 criminal statutes as Prelims Part A, but Mains asks you to explain, compare and apply them in writing.
| Subject | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (with IPC, 1860) | Changes from IPC to BNS, including new offences such as organised crime and terrorist acts; general exceptions and private defence; culpable homicide vs murder, hurt, kidnapping; theft, extortion, robbery, cheating, criminal breach of trust |
| Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (with CrPC, 1973) | FIR, zero FIR, investigation and police powers; arrest, bail and anticipatory bail; framing of charge, summons and warrant trials; plea bargaining, judgment, appeals and maintenance |
| Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (with Evidence Act, 1872) | Facts in issue and relevancy; admissions, confessions and dying declarations; electronic records and their admissibility; burden of proof, presumptions, examination of witnesses |
| Gujarat Prohibition Act, 1949 | Prohibited acts and permits; offences, penalties and powers of search |
| Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 | Admonition and release on probation of good conduct; role of probation officers |
| Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 | Preliminary assessment for heinous offences; powers of the Juvenile Justice Board |
| Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 | Shared household and aggrieved person; protection, residence and compensation orders |
| Gujarat Prevention of Gambling Act, 1887 | Gaming house offences and presumptions |
| Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 | Offences and rescue provisions |
| PC & PNDT Act, 1994 | Prohibition of sex selection and penalties |
| Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 | Section 138 complaints, statutory notice, limitation, presumptions under Sections 118 and 139 |
| Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 | Duty to register and penalties |
| POCSO Act, 2012 | Offences, mandatory reporting, Special Court procedure |
| Information Technology Act, 2000 | Cyber offences and links with electronic evidence under BSA |
| Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 | Prohibited content and penalties |
Syllabus for Compulsory Subjects: Paper II (Civil Law)
Gujarat has no optional subjects, so there is no "choose 3 out of 5" step. Paper II is the second compulsory paper, worth 100 marks, and covers the 13 civil subjects from Prelims Part B.
| Subject | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 | Jurisdiction and Section 9; res judicata and res sub judice; pleadings, plaint and written statement; temporary injunctions (Order 39); commissions, execution of decrees; appeals, reference, review and revision |
| Limitation Act, 1963 | Bar of limitation (Section 3); sufficient cause and condonation of delay (Section 5); legal disability, acknowledgment and part payment; key articles of the Schedule |
| Indian Contract Act, 1872 | Formation of contract; capacity and free consent; void and voidable agreements; quasi-contracts; damages for breach; indemnity, guarantee, bailment, pledge and agency |
| Constitution of India | Preamble and basic structure; Fundamental Rights and writ remedies; Directive Principles; High Courts and subordinate courts (Articles 233–237); Centre-State relations; amendment of the Constitution |
| Indian Partnership Act, 1932 | Definition and test of partnership; rights and liabilities of partners; effect of non-registration (Section 69); dissolution |
| Specific Relief Act, 1963 | Recovery of possession; specific performance after the 2018 amendment; rectification and cancellation of instruments; declaratory decrees; perpetual and mandatory injunctions |
| Gujarat Court Fees Act, 2004 | Valuation of different types of suits; computation of fees; refund of court fees |
| Sale of Goods Act, 1930 | Contract of sale; conditions and warranties; nemo dat rule and its exceptions; rights of the unpaid seller |
| Transfer of Property Act, 1882 | Rule against perpetuity; lis pendens (Section 52); part performance (Section 53A); sale, mortgage, lease, exchange, gift and actionable claims |
| Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 | Arbitration agreement; Section 9 interim relief; appointment and challenge of arbitrators; setting aside an award (Section 34); enforcement |
| Commercial Courts Act, 2015 | Meaning of commercial dispute and specified value; pre-institution mediation (Section 12A); CPC as amended for commercial suits |
| Succession and Personal Laws (Hindu, Muslim, Christian) | Hindu Marriage Act, Hindu Succession Act (including the 2005 amendment), Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act; Muslim marriage, dower, divorce, wills and gifts; Indian Succession Act for Christians |
| Legal Maxims | Maxims such as audi alteram partem, res ipsa loquitur, ubi jus ibi remedium, actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea, and their use in judgments |
Gujarat Judiciary Syllabus 2026 for Interview
The Interview (viva-voce) is the final stage and carries 50 marks; you need at least 40% (20 marks) to enter the select list. The High Court says it judges mental alertness, knowledge of law, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, ethics, communication, character and intellectual depth. For likely questions and mock-interview tips, read the Gujarat Judiciary interview preparation guide.
- The interview carries 50 marks, with a 40% qualifying mark for all categories.
- The board assesses mental alertness, legal knowledge, communication skills, ethics, judgment and overall suitability.
| Assessment Area | Focus Points |
|---|---|
| Legal Knowledge & Awareness |
|
| Personal Profile & General Awareness |
|
| Communication & Analytical Skills |
|
The final merit list adds your Mains marks (out of 200) and viva-voce marks (out of 50). Prelims and the Gujarati test only decide who moves forward.
Gujarat Judiciary Exam Pattern 2026
The Gujarat Judiciary exam pattern has three stages, and only the Mains and viva-voce marks count towards the final merit.
| Exam Stage | Exam Type | No. of Papers | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Examination (Elimination Test) | Objective (MCQ), English only, 0.33 negative marking | 1 | 2 hours |
| Test of Gujarati Language (only if Gujarati not studied in SSC/HSC) | Written | 1 | 1.5 hours |
| Main Written Examination | Descriptive; answers in English or Gujarati | 2 | 3 hours per paper |
| Viva-voce (Oral Interview) | Personal interview | Not applicable | Not specified |
Gujarat Judiciary Syllabus 2026 Marks Distribution
The Gujarat Judiciary exam's final merit is out of 250 marks: 200 from Mains and 50 from the viva-voce.
| Exam Stage | Subject/Section | Marks | Exam Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | Part A (Criminal Laws), Part B (Civil Laws), Part C (GK, English, Reasoning, Numerical Ability, Computers) | 100 (part-wise split not published) | MCQ |
| Prelims (if applicable) | Test of Gujarati Language | 50 (qualifying) | Written (essay, translation, grammar) |
| Mains (compulsory) | Paper I: Criminal Law | 100 | Descriptive |
| Mains (compulsory) | Paper II: Civil Law | 100 | Descriptive |
| Mains (optional) | None in Gujarat | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Interview | Viva-voce | 50 | Viva-voce |
| Final merit | Mains + Interview (Viva-voce) | 250 |
How to Prepare for the Gujarat Judiciary Exam 2026?
Candidates can refer to a structured Gujarat Judiciary plan that covers the law once in depth, then revises it in exam format for each stage. For a stage-wise study plan, see these Gujarat Judiciary preparation tips.
- Understand the exam pattern: Prelims has 0.33 negative marking, so blind guessing rarely pays, and only Mains (200) and viva-voce (50) decide your rank. Check early whether you need the Gujarati test, and if you do, start practising translation now.
- Divide the syllabus: Split it into three blocks: major criminal laws (BNS, BNSS, BSA), major civil laws (CPC, Contract, TPA, Constitution, personal laws) and the minor Acts. Study each law once for both stages, making MCQ and Mains notes together, and keep Part C (GK, English, reasoning, computers) as a daily 45-minute slot.
- Make a study plan: Give the major Acts about two-thirds of your time, since most minor Acts can be covered from the bare Act in a day or two. Set weekly targets, such as a set number of BNSS chapters, and keep the last six to eight weeks before Prelims purely for revision and mocks.
- Keep notes handy: Make a two-column table for each new criminal law with the old section beside the new one, and keep a separate sheet of landmark judgments with one line on each holding. Read the bare Act alongside your notes, since examiners often lift wording straight from the sections.
- Practise previous year papers: Solve the last three to four Gujarat Judiciary previous year question papers under timed conditions and move the Acts that keep coming back up your revision list. Compare past Mains questions with your notes to see what depth is expected.
- Time management and answer writing: Once Prelims is over, write at least two full Mains answers a day using a simple structure: issue, relevant section, case law, application, conclusion. Practise finishing a full paper in under 3 hours so you have time to review.
- Revision strategy: Revise each major Act at least three times before the exam, using short notes and the bare Act rather than the full textbook. Take a weekly judiciary mock test and spend as long reviewing your mistakes as you did writing it.
Best Books for Gujarat Judiciary Exam 2026
Candidates can pair one standard textbook per major subject with the bare Act; for the 12 minor criminal Acts, the bare Act is usually enough.
| Book Name | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|
| The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS edition) | Ratanlal & Dhirajlal / LexisNexis |
| Criminal Procedure (latest edition covering BNSS) | R.V. Kelkar, revised by K.N. Chandrasekharan Pillai / Eastern Book Company |
| The Law of Evidence (latest edition covering BSA) | Batuk Lal / Central Law Agency |
| Civil Procedure with Limitation Act, 1963 | C.K. Takwani / Eastern Book Company |
| Contract and Specific Relief | Avtar Singh / Eastern Book Company |
| Indian Constitutional Law | M.P. Jain / LexisNexis |
| The Transfer of Property Act | R.K. Sinha / Central Law Agency |
| Modern Hindu Law | Paras Diwan / Allahabad Law Agency |
| Mohammedan Law | Aqil Ahmad / Central Law Agency |
| Law of Sale of Goods and Partnership | Avtar Singh / Eastern Book Company |
| Negotiable Instruments | Avtar Singh / Eastern Book Company |
| Law of Arbitration and Conciliation | Avtar Singh / Eastern Book Company |
| Broom's Legal Maxims | Herbert Broom / Universal (LexisNexis) |
| Bare Acts (all 28 statutes in the syllabus) | Universal / LexisNexis or any current edition |
| High School English Grammar and Composition | Wren & Martin / S. Chand |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal / S. Chand |
| Lucent's General Knowledge | Lucent Publications |
| Gujarati Vyakaran (for the Gujarati test) | Any standard GSSSB/GPSC-level grammar book |
The Gujarat Judiciary Syllabus 2026 tests the same 28 laws in Prelims and Mains, so mastering the major Acts early covers two stages at once. Your final rank depends only on Mains and the viva-voce, so clear Prelims with accuracy and focus on answer writing after that. Until the detailed 2026 advertisement is out, keep revising with previous year papers and regular mock tests.
If you want a structured guidance, take a free demo online class or talk to a Judiciary Gold counsellor about the course.
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Nancy Mahavir Sharma
Legal Writer
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