Judiciary Exams Eligibility 2025: Civil Jude Eligibility Criteria

Overview: What qualifications are required to become a Judge in India? How to know the judiciary exam eligibility of your target state? If you've ever dreamt of becoming a civil judge but felt intimidated by the eligibility criteria, this blog is for you! 

We have compiled an easy-to-understand and comprehensive guide to the state-wise civil judge eligibility criteria for 2025. From age requirements to education levels, the judiciary exam eligibility criteria have something for everyone. 

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Everything you need to know about the 3-year Mandatory Practice for 2025 Judiciary Exams:

1. Mandatory 3-Year Practice Debate: A discussion on whether judicial aspirants should be required to complete 3 years of legal practice before qualifying for exams.
2. Historical Context: The requirement was first introduced in 1993, withdrawn in 2003, and is now being revisited due to recent legal discussions.
3. Supporters' Viewpoint: Experience in the courtroom helps aspirants understand real-world legal complexities and prepares them for judicial duties.
4. Critics' Viewpoint: Some believe the 3-year requirement is outdated and alternatives like training programs could be more effective.
5. Legal Experts' Insights: Practice is essential for grasping courtroom operations and handling real-life legal challenges. Training programs could replace the need for mandatory practice.
6. Impact on Aspirants: Many may be excluded from eligibility due to insufficient practice. Candidates may face career delays or roadblocks in their judicial journey.
7. What If the Rule is Reinstated?: Recruitment processes will change, and clear guidelines are needed for when the 3-year practice period begins.
8. Proposed Solutions: Clarity on when practice time starts (bar enrollment or certification). Introduce judicial training programs to provide practical exposure. Timely and clear recruitment notifications to avoid confusion.

Know the standard existing eligibility criteria for the upcoming judiciary exams below:

• An LLB degree from a recognized University in India is a mandatory criterion.
• You must be enrolled as an Advocate under the Advocates Act 1961 and be a member of the state Bar Council. (mandatory for some states)
• Your minimum age should be 21, and the maximum age limit for the judge exam is 35. (This can change concerning reservation criteria)
• You must be a citizen of India. 

UP Civil Judge Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025

Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission prescribes the eligibility criteria for the UP Judiciary Exam in the official notification.

Know complete eligibility in detail: Click UP Judiciary eligibility 

Criteria	Requirements
Nationality	Applicants must be citizens of India.
Civil Judge Age Limit	Candidates must be at least 22 years old to apply; the upper age limit is 35 years.
Educational Qualification	A Bachelor of Law degree from a University established by Law in UP or a recognized University in India is required.
Other Criteria	Applicants should be enrolled Advocates under the Advocate Act 1961, Barristers of England or Northern Ireland, or Members of the Faculty of Advocates in Scotland, eligible to practice in the Court.
Knowledge of Language	Proficiency in Hindi in Devnagri Script is essential for UP Judicial Services Recruitment.

Read Now: Note-making tips suggested by the judiciary exam toppers

Also Download FREE POCSO Notes for Judiciary Preparation by Judiciary Gold

UP PCS J Exam 2025 Eligibility - Age Relaxation

Check out the table below to learn the upper age limit for your category.

Category	Age Relaxation
SC/ST	5 Years
OBC	5 Years
Sports Person	5 Years
State Govt. Employees	5 Years
Physical Handicapped	15 Years
Ex. Servicemen	5 Years

Read More: When to begin Judiciary Exam Preparation

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Madhya Pradesh Judiciary Exam Eligibility 2025

Here are the updated rules of eligibility for MP Civil Judge:

• Now, a minimum of 3 years of continuous practice as an Advocate is mandatory on the last date of application submission OR
• General and OBC candidates must pass all exams on their first attempt with a remarkable aggregate score of at least 70%.
• SC and ST candidates need a minimum aggregate score of 50% in the 3 to 5 years of their law degree. 

Check out the detailed MP judiciary exam eligibility criteria

Criteria	Requirements
Nationality	Applicants must be citizens of India or eligible as declared by the Government of India.
Civil Judge Age Limit	Candidates must be at least 21 years old to apply for the Civil Judge post, with a maximum age limit of 35 years.
PCS J Age Relaxation	Age relaxation of five years for SC and ST category of MP, three years for Temporary/Permanent Workers of MP, and ten years for Women (SC/ST/OBC/Unreserved).
Educational Qualification	A valid LLB degree from a university recognized by the Bar Council of India is required.

Check out the table below for your category's upper age limit for the MP Judiciary Exam:

Category	Age Relaxation	Upper Age
Natives of Madhya Pradesh	3 years	38 Years
SC	3 years	38 Years
ST	3 years	38 Years
OBC	3 years	38 Years
PwD	3 years	38 Years
Permanent/Temporary Employees of MP	3 years	38 Years

Know more: How to prepare for Judiciary in 2025?

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Bihar Judicial Services Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025

Check out the Bihar judiciary exam eligibility explained in detail:

Criteria	Requirements
Nationality	You must be a citizen of India.
Civil Judge Age Limit	The age range for candidates is 22 to 35 years.
Qualification for Judge Exam	A valid LLB or equivalent degree from a Bar Council of India-recognized institute is mandatory.
Qualifying Marks	The minimum qualifying marks for the preliminary examination are 45% for general candidates and 40% for reserved candidates.
Other Criteria	A valid character certificate from the LLB institute is required.

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Rajasthan Judiciary Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025

The Rajasthan High Court will soon release the official notification of the Rajasthan Judicial Services to fill in civil judge posts.

Check out the RJS exam eligibility below to know your nationality, minimum age, and RJS qualification:

Criteria	Requirements
Nationality	Applicants must be citizens of India to be eligible to apply for the exam.
Civil Judge Age Limit	The minimum age requirement for the RJS exam is 21, while the upper age limit is 40.
Educational Qualification	Candidates must possess an LLB degree or an equivalent graduation from a university recognized under the Advocates Act 1961.
Qualifying Marks	To be eligible for the main exam, candidates from the general category must secure a minimum of 45% marks in the preliminary examination. Meanwhile, SC/ST category candidates must score at least 40% marks.

Understand Now: Judiciary Exam Pattern 

Check out the table below for your category's upper RJS age limit:

Category	Age Relaxation
Woman	5 years
Scheduled Caste (SC)	5 years
Scheduled Tribe (ST)	5 years
Other Backward Classes (OBC)	5 years

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Haryana Civil Judge Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025

Haryana Public Service Commission has set specific criteria for applying for the Haryana PCS J Exam. It would be best if you fulfilled the Haryana judiciary exam eligibility criteria regarding nationality, age limit, and educational qualification below:

Criteria	Requirements
Nationality	Applicants must be citizens of India to be eligible for the exam.
Civil Judge Age Limit	The minimum age requirement for the exam is 21 years, and the maximum age limit is 42 years.
Educational Qualification	Candidates should have completed a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree from a University approved by the Government and the Bar Council of India.
Other Criteria	Applicants must be enrolled Advocates under the Advocate Act, 1961 provisions and entitled to practice in the High Court.

Know About: Best Books for Judiciary Exams 

Let us look at the table below to understand age relaxation metrics for different categories:

Category	Age Relaxation in Upper Age Limit	Highest Age allowed
Backward Class A and B of Haryana only	Five years	47 years
SC/ST Category	Five years	47 years
Unmarried Females (including divorced and separated females)	Three years	45 years
PH and PwD of Haryana	Ten years	50 years
PH and PwD (belonging to SC/ST)	15 years	55 years

Read More: How to Read Bare Acts for Judiciary Exams?

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Delhi Civil Judge Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025

If you wish to apply for the Delhi Judiciary Exam, you must know the eligibility criteria prescribed by the exam conducting authority.

Check out the Delhi judiciary exam eligibility criteria mentioned below table:

Criteria	Requirements
Nationality	Applicants must be citizens of India to be eligible for the exam.
Civil Judge Age Limit	The upper age limit for applicants is 32 years, with no specific minimum age requirement mentioned.
Educational Qualification	Candidates should possess a degree in Law from any recognized University or Institute.
Other Criteria	Applicants must either be practising advocates in India or meet the qualifications to become an advocate under the provisions of the Advocates Act, 1961.

Look at the table below for the DJS upper age limit for different categories:

Category	Age Relaxation in Upper Age Limit	Highest Age Allowed
SC	5 Years	37 Years
ST	5 Years	37 Years
PwD	10 Years	42 Years
General with Disability	10 Years	42 Years
SC/ST with Disability	15 Years	47 Years
Ex-Servicemen	5 Years	37 Years
Short Service Commission Officers	5 Years	37 Years

Read About: Important Topics for Judiciary Exams

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West Bengal Civil Judge Exam Eligibility 2025

Go through the below-mentioned West Bengal Judiciary Exam eligibility criteria and apply for the Civil Judge post before the last date:

Criteria	Requirements
Nationality	Applicants must be citizens of India or meet eligibility requirements as declared by the government.
Civil Judge Age Limit	Candidates must be at least 23 years old to apply for the Civil Judge post, with a maximum age limit of 35.
Age Relaxation	Age relaxation of five years for SC and ST categories, three years for the BC (Non-Creamy Layer) category, up to 45 years for persons with disabilities having physical disabilities of 40% and above, and two years for those who have served in Government for at least two years.
Educational Qualification	A Law degree from any University or Institution affiliated with a University recognized by the State or Central Government; Enrolment as an advocate in the Bar Council of any State or Union Territory in India; Ability to read, write, and speak in Bengali (not required if Nepali is your mother tongue).

Refer to the table for the category-wise age relaxation:

Category	Age Relaxation (in years)
SC of West Bengal	5 years
ST of West Bengal	5 years
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) of West Bengal	3 years
Persons with Disabilities	Upto 45 years of age
Government Service Employee	2 years

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Chhattisgarh Civil Judge Exam Eligibility 2025

Check out the nationality, age limit, and educational qualification for the Chhattisgarh Judiciary Exam here:

Criteria	Requirements
Nationality	Applicants must be citizens of India or eligible as declared by the Government of India.
Civil Judge Age Limit	Candidates must be at least 21 to apply for the Civil Judge post, with a maximum age limit of 35 years.
PCS J Age Relaxation	Age relaxation is five years for SC and ST category of Chattisgarh, three years for Temporary/Permanent Workers of Chattisgarh, and ten years for Women (SC/ST/OBC/Unreserved).
Educational Qualification	A valid LLB degree from a university recognized by the Bar Council of India is required.

The table below shows the age relaxation of the Chhattisgarh civil judge examination 2025:

Category	Age Relaxation
Woman	10 years
Schedule Caste (SC)	5 years
Schedule Tribe (ST)	5 years
Other Backward Classes (OBC)	5 years
Physically Handicapped	10 years
State Government Employees of Chhattisgarh	3 years

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Punjab Judiciary Eligibility Criteria 2025

The Punjab Judiciary recruitment for 2025 is open to candidates who meet the eligibility requirements set out in the PPSC Judicial Services notification. Candidates who do not meet the eligibility criteria during the recruitment process will have their application disqualified, and strict action may be taken.

Below is the detailed eligibility criteria for the Punjab Judiciary Exam 2025:

Eligibility Criteria	Details
Educational Qualifications	- A valid Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from any State or National University in India.
	- Degrees from Punjab University (undivided), Dacca University, Nepal University, Sind University, or Rangoon/Mandalay University are also accepted.
	- A Barrister from England or Ireland, or a member of the Faculty of Advocates of Scotland is eligible.
	- The LLB degree can be either a 3-year or 5-year integrated course.
Punjabi Language Qualification	- Candidates must have qualified in Punjabi language up to the Matriculation level or its equivalent.
	- Exemption from the language test is provided for dependents of war heroes.
Nationality	- The candidate must be a citizen of India, Nepal, or Bhutan.
	- Candidates from Nepal and Bhutan who are permanently settled in India are eligible.
	- Persons of Indian Origin who have migrated from countries like Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, etc., and intend to settle permanently in India are eligible.
	- Tibetan Refugees who entered India before 1st January 1962 are eligible to apply.
	- Other nationals need to provide an eligibility certificate issued by the Indian Government for appointment.
Age Limit	- Minimum age: 21 years.
	- Maximum age: 37 years (as of the last date for submitting the online application).
Age Relaxation	- Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes (All States) and Backward Classes (Punjab only): Upper age limit relaxed up to 42 years.
	- Punjab Government Employees (including Corporations, Boards, Commissions, Authorities): Upper age limit relaxed up to 45 years.
	- Central/State Government Employees: Upper age limit relaxed up to 45 years.
	- Ex-Servicemen of Punjab Domicile: Age calculated after deducting the period of service in the Armed Forces, with a maximum of 3 years’ extension.
	- Widow/Divorced Candidates and similar categories: Age relaxation up to 42 years.
	- Physically Handicapped Candidates (Punjab Domicile): Age relaxation up to 47 years.

Karnataka Civil Judge Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025:

Go through the pointers for Karnataka judiciary exam eligibility criteria and apply before the last date:

A) Direct Recruitment

Criteria	Requirements
Nationality	The age limit is 38 years for SC or ST categories, while it's 35 years for other categories.
Judiciary Exam Qualification	Applicants must hold a law degree to be eligible for the exam.
Other Criteria	Applicants must be enrolled Advocates under the Advocate Act 1961, Barristers of England or Northern Ireland, or Members of the Faculty of Advocates in Scotland, eligible to practice in the Court.
Age Relaxation	A relaxation of 3 years is provided for the veteran's category.

Read more: Judiciary Exam Syllabus.

B) Recruitment of In-Service Category

Criteria	Requirements
Nationality	SC or ST category applicants should not exceed 43 years, while other categories must not be older than 40 years.
Educational Qualification	Eligible candidates include those with experience in the High Court and District Judiciary, along with those working in the Department of Prosecutions and government litigation as assistant public prosecutors cum additional government pleaders.

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Telangana Civil Judge for Judiciary Exam 2025:

Only candidates with the qualifications prescribed under Telangana State Judicial (Service & Cadre) Rules 2017 shall be eligible to apply.

Go through the Telangana judiciary exam eligibility criteria from the points below:

A) Direct Recruitment

Criteria	Requirements
Age Limit	You must be between 23 and 35 (40 years for SC, ST, OBC) as of 01/02/23.
Educational Qualification	A Degree in Law from a University in India recognized by the University Grants Commission and enrollment in the Bar Council of Telangana or any other State.
Age Relaxation	Age relaxation of five years (up to 40 years) for SC, ST, and Backward classes. Ten years of relaxation (up to 45 years) for the Physically Handicapped category.
Experience	Minimum three years' practice as an Advocate or Pleader in any Court as of 01/02/23.

B) Recruitment by Transfer

A person to be appointed to the category of Civil Judge under this category:

Criteria	Requirements
Educational Qualification	Possess a Law Degree from a University established by Law in India, incorporated by a Central or State Act, or recognized by the University Grants Commission, valid for enrollment as an Advocate as per the Bar Council of India's Rules.
Civil Judge Age Limit	The maximum age limit for the post's selection is forty-eight years as of July 1st of the notification year.
Other Criteria	Maintain good character and conduct throughout the service period.

Download FREE Notes for DJS General Knowledge

Himachal Pradesh Judiciary Exam Eligibility 2025:

Look at the detailed judiciary exam eligibility criteria for Himachal Pradesh state below:

Criteria	Requirements
Nationality	Applicants must be citizens of India.
Civil Judge Age Limit	The minimum age limit is 22 years, with a maximum of 35 years as of 01/01/2023.
Age Relaxation	The upper age limit is relaxable by 03 years for the SC & OBC category of Himachal Pradesh.
Judiciary Exam Qualification	A degree in Law, as recognized by the Bar Council of India, is mandatory to apply for the judiciary exam.

The following table displays the age relaxation for the Himachal Pradesh Judicial Service Exam 2025:

Category	Age Relaxation
General	0 years
Woman	5 years
Schedule Caste (SC)	3 years
Schedule Tribe (ST)	3 years
Other Backward Classes (OBC)	3 years
Physically Handicapped	5 years

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Uttarakhand Judiciary Exam Eligibility 2025:

Check out the brief about Uttarakhand Judiciary exam eligibility criteria from here:

Criteria	Requirements
Nationality	Applicants must be Indian citizens to be eligible for the exam.
Judiciary Exam Age Limit	The minimum age limit is 22 years, and the maximum is 35 years.
Educational Qualification	Graduation in law from a university established by law in Uttarakhand or recognized by the Governor for this purpose.
Other Eligibility Criteria	Thorough knowledge of Hindi in the Devanagari script and a basic understanding of computer operation is required.

Odisha Judiciary Exam Eligibility 2025:

Go through the below-mentioned pointers for Odisha judiciary exam eligibility criteria and apply for Civil Judge before the last date:

A) Educational Qualifications & Experience

Criteria	Requirements
Educational Qualification	Graduation in Law from a recognized University or Institution as acknowledged by the Government.
Eligibility for Officer Roles	Superintendents, Ministerial Officers in the High Court, personnel in Civil or Criminal Courts subordinate to the High Court, and Assistant Law Officers or Translators in the Government's Law Department are eligible.
Eligibility for Government Servants	Temporary and permanent government servants can apply if they meet age criteria and provide a "No Objection Certificate" from the appointing authority.
Experience Requirement	For law graduates from a state government-recognized university, a minimum of seven years of approved service in the High Court, Civil or Criminal Court sub-ordinate to the High Court, or the Law department is required.

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B) Age Limit for OPSC Recruitment for Civil Judge

Certainly, here's the information presented in a table format with left alignment:

Criteria	Requirements
Age Limit	1] Age should not be below 23 years or above 35 years as of August 1, 2022. | 2] Birth should be between August 2, 1987, and August 1, 1999.
Departmental Candidates	The maximum age limit is 39 years for those with seven years of service experience as of August 1, 2022.
Age Relaxation	Five years relaxation for Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste, women, SEBC, Ex-servicemen, and SSC officers of the defence service category.
Benchmark Disabilities	The upper age limit is relaxed by ten years for persons with benchmark disabilities.

Note - The birth date in the high school or equivalent certificate will be accepted.

C) Other Necessary Qualifications

Criteria	Requirements
Nationality	Applicants must be Indian citizens.
Language Proficiency	The ability to read, speak, and write Odia fluently is essential.
Character and Health	Good character and absence of organic defects and physical infirmity are required.
Odia Language Exam	Completing an Odia language examination equivalent to Middle English school standard on the application form submission date.
Debarment	Applicants not debarred by the Odisha Public Service Commission from previous exams/viva voce tests.
Eligibility Criteria	The required qualifications, prescribed age limit, and other eligibility conditions must be met by the closing date for the online application.
Name Change	If you've changed your name after passing the H.S.C. exam, provide publication in a local newspaper and Gazette notification.
Medical Examination	Selection for appointment by the Medical Board; failure to meet medical requirements may lead to non-appointment.

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Tamil Nadu Judiciary Exam Eligibility 2025:

The common eligibility criteria are as follow for Telangana Judiciary are as follows:

Criteria	Requirements
Nationality	Applicants must be citizens of India.
Language Proficiency	Proficiency in Tamil in reading, writing, and speaking is required.

A) For Practicing Advocates/ Pleaders & Assistant Public Prosecutors:

Criteria	Requirements
Age Limit	The minimum age for the general category is 25, and the maximum is 35. The minimum age for the other categories is 25, and the maximum is 40.
Educational Qualification	Possession of a Law Degree from a University in India established or incorporated under the Central/State Act or a recognized Institution by the University Grants Commission. Enrolled in the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu or any other State.

B) For Fresh Law Graduates(For all Categories):

Criteria	Requirements
PCS J Age Limit	The minimum age is 22 years, and the maximum is 27 years.
Educational Qualification	Must be a fresh Law Graduate with a degree from a recognized University.

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Gujarat Judiciary Exam Eligibility 2025:

Look at the Gujarat Judiciary exam eligibility criteria and apply for a civil Judge post before the last date below:

Criteria	Requirements
Nationality	Applicants must be Indian citizens. For reservation benefits, it's preferable to have a permanent domicile in Gujarat.
PCS J Age Limit	The maximum age limit to apply is 35; for any category, the upper age limit shall not exceed 40.
Age Relaxation	Three years of relaxation for the reserved category and five years for court employees.
Experience	Must be practising as an Advocate in Courts of Civil and Criminal Jurisdiction on the last date of Online Application submission.
Educational Qualification	Completion of a bachelor-level law degree from a recognized institute.
Other Criteria	Basic knowledge of Computer Applications from a government or recognized institute. Passage of the vocabulary (Gujarati) language proficiency test required.

Read About: Download Previous Year Judiciary Exam Question Papers

Andhra Pradesh Judiciary Exam Eligibility 2025:

The judicial eligibility criteria for Andhra Pradesh state are explained below. Go through the following details and apply accordingly:

Criteria	Requirements
Nationality	Applicants must be citizens of India to be eligible for the exam.
Age Limit	The maximum age limit to apply for the exam is 35 years.
Judiciary Exam Age Relaxation	Five years of relaxation for scheduled castes, tribes, and other backward classes. Ten years for the physically handicapped category.
Educational Qualification	Possess a law degree from a recognized university or institution; be a confirmed member or approved probationer in section officers, Grade II officers, etc.
Experience	For direct recruitment, the completion of three years as a practising advocate is required.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the eligibility criteria for judiciary exams is crucial for aspiring candidates. By delving into the eligibility requirements, we have shed light on this important aspect of the journey towards a career in the judiciary. Here are the key takeaways:

• Thoroughly research and understand the eligibility criteria for each state's judiciary exams.
• Educational qualifications, age limits, and other requirements vary across states.
• Stay updated with the latest notifications and announcements from the exam authorities.
• Plan your preparation strategy accordingly, keeping in mind the specific eligibility criteria.
• Utilize reliable sources, such as official websites, to gather accurate and up-to-date information.
• Don't let the daunting task of finding eligibility information discourage you—simplify your journey with a comprehensive guide.

We understand the struggle and confusion of gathering information on the eligibility criteria for different state Judicial Services Exams. That's why we've decided to make your life easier by compiling all the necessary details in this blog post. Now, you can focus your energy on preparing for the exams, knowing that you have a reliable source of eligibility information.