1723534562.png){kind=small}
UP Judiciary Syllabus 2026: Prelims & Mains Subject-wise Important Topics & Weightage
September 26, 2026
The UP Judiciary Syllabus 2026 is specified by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) for aspirants preparing for the Civil Judge (Junior Division) recruitment exam. The UP Judiciary exam pattern follows a three-stage selection process — Prelims, Mains, and Interview — and understanding the syllabus for each stage is essential for effective preparation and scoring well in this highly competitive judicial services exam.
UP Judiciary Syllabus 2026: Complete Exam Pattern Overview
The complete breakdown of exam stages is given below:
- UP Judiciary Prelims Syllabus: The Prelims exam is objective (MCQ-based) and consists of 2 papers — General Knowledge Paper and Law Paper— designed to test candidates' foundational legal knowledge and general awareness, and acts as the qualifying stage for Mains.
- UP Judiciary Mains Syllabus: The Mains exam is descriptive in nature and comprises 6 papers, covering Hindi, English, General Knowledge, and three dedicated Law papers focused on Substantive Law, Evidence, and Penal/Revenue/Local Laws — evaluating candidates' in-depth legal understanding and writing skills.
- UP Judiciary Interview: Candidates who clear both Prelims and Mains are called for a Personality Test/Interview, the final stage of selection, which assesses candidates' aptitude, legal reasoning, communication skills, and suitability for judicial service.
UP Judiciary Syllabus 2026: Subject-wise List for Prelims & Mains
Before, we get into the details about paper-wise, important topics, the table below gives you the complete subject-wise UP judiciary syllabus:
Prelims Syllabus
| Category | Subjects |
| General Studies |
Current Affairs (National & International), Indian History & Culture, Geography of India, Indian Polity & Governance, Indian Economy, Science, Technology, Space & Communications |
| Core Law Subjects |
Jurisprudence, International Organizations & Current International Affairs, Indian Constitution, Law of Contract, Transfer of Property Act, IPC/BNS 2023, Indian Evidence Act/BSA 2023, CrPC/BNSS 2023 |
Mains Syllabus
| Category | Subjects |
|
General Studies & Language |
Current Affairs (National & International), Indian History & Culture, Geography of India, Indian Polity & Governance, Indian Economy, Science, Technology, Space & Communications, Social Legislation (Disabilities, Senior Citizens, Women & Child Protection Acts), English (Essay, Précis, Translation), Hindi/सामान्य हिन्दी (Essay, Précis, Translation) |
|
Core Laws |
Indian Constitution, Law of Contract, Transfer of Property Act, IPC/BNS 2023, Indian Evidence Act/BSA 2023, CrPC/BNSS 2023, CPC, Law of Partnership, Law of Easements & Torts, Equity, Trusts & Specific Relief, Hindu Law & Mohammedan Law, Principles of Pleading |
|
UP-Specific Local & Revenue Laws |
UP Revenue Code 2006, UP Urban Buildings (Regulation of Letting, Rent and Eviction) Act 1972, UP Regulation of Urban Premises Tenancy Act 2021, UP Municipalities Act 1916, UP Panchayat Raj Act, UP Consolidation of Holdings Act 1953, UP Urban Planning and Development Act 1973 |
UP Judiciary Exam 2026 Prelims exams pattern
As per the UP Judiciary Exam Pattern, the Prelims stage has 2 objective-type (MCQ-based) papers, carrying a combined weightage of 450 marks:
-
General Knowledge – 150 marks
-
Law – 300 marks
The Law paper carries the double weightage of General Knowledge paper so the candidates are advised to prioritize core legal subjects while preparing for Prelims exam. General Knowledge, covering current affairs, history, polity, and other static topics, should also be prepared thoroughly, as it offers a relatively high scoring markings when approached in a correct and systematic manner. Although the official syllabus for UP judiciary exam 2026 is not out yet, make sure you prepare for both old and the new criminal laws.
UP Judiciary Syllabus for Mains 2026
After the Prelims stage is cleared by the candidate, the next stage is the UP Judiciary Syllabus for Mains exam — a descriptive-type examination that forms the core of the interview process and carries the highest weightage in determining a candidate's overall merit. Unlike the objective format of Prelims, the Mains exam evaluates candidate's analytical thinking, legal drafting ability, and command over language through detailed, written responses.
The Mains stage comprises 6 papers spread across General Knowledge, Language (English and Hindi), and three dedicated Law papers, collectively testing a candidate's depth of legal knowledge across substantive law, procedural law, evidence, and state-specific revenue and local laws. Given the descriptive nature of this exam, candidates are expected not only to know the concepts but also to articulate them clearly, cite relevant case laws and provisions, and structure their answers within the given time frame.
The marks distribution with duration for these papers is given in the table below:
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
| Paper 1 | General Knowledge | 200 | 3 hours |
| Paper 2 | English Language | 100 | — |
| Paper 3 | Hindi Language | 100 | — |
| Paper 4 | Law I - Substantive Law | 200 | 3 hours |
| Paper 5 | Law II - Procedure & Evidence | 200 | 3 hours |
| Paper 6 | Law III - Penal, Revenue & Local Laws | 200 | 3 hours |
UP Judiciary Syllabus for Interview 2026
The Interview process is the final stage of selection for the UP Civil Judge (Junior Division). To qualify for it, you need to clear the minimum qualifying score for the UP PCS J Mains exam. The Interview stage carries 100 marks; however, there's no specific syllabus for it. It involves a face-to-face conversation with a panel of interviewers who will assess your personality and legal aptitude rather than academic knowledge.
The interviewers will evaluate you on the following evaluation process:
- Character
- Personality
- Emotional Intelligence
- Presence of Mind
- Leadership Qualities
- Intellectual Qualities
- Balance of Judgement
- Knowledge of Law
- The ability for social cohesion and moral integrity
The interview marks along with the mains marks contribute to the preparation of the final merit list.
UP Judiciary Exams 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before applying for the exams, candidates must ensure they meet the UP Judiciary exam 2026 eligibility criteria prescribed by UPPSC, covering educational qualification, nationality, age limit, and language proficiency. Meeting these requirements is mandatory, as applications failing to satisfy any criterion are liable to be rejected. Here's a quick look at the key eligibility conditions:
- Educational Qualification: Must hold a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognized university in India.
- Enrollment as Advocate: Must be an Advocate enrolled under the Advocates Act, 1961, a Barrister of England or Northern Ireland, or a Member of the Faculty of Advocates in Scotland, and entitled to practice in Indian courts.
- Language Proficiency: Must possess a thorough knowledge of Hindi in Devanagari script.
- Nationality: Must be a citizen of India.
- Age Limit: Must be between 22 and 35 years for direct recruitment.
Supreme Court's Judiciary Practice Rule 2026
According to the judgment passed by the Supreme Court of India (on August 21, 2026), the 3-year judiciary practice requirement was reduced to 1-year. Here’s what you need to know before appearing for upcoming judiciary exams:
- Fresh law graduates can apply for exams notified until March 31, 2027. They will be considered eligible irrespective of their prior practice experience.
- Candidates who get selected will have to undergo 1 year of Judicial Academy training followed by 1 year of structured clerkship.
- For notifications issued on or after April 01, 2026, candidates must have 1 year of practice experience at bar to be eligible to apply.
Before you apply, make sure you understand the Supreme court's judiciary practice rule well enough.
UP Judiciary Syllabus 2026 Subject-wise Weightage
The UP civil judge exam syllabus is spread across 4 broad subject categories. The table below shows you the subject-wise weightage based on exam pattern and previous question paper trends.
| Subject Area | Marks | % of Total |
| Law (Prelims Paper II + Mains Law I, II & III) | 900 | 58.1% |
| General Knowledge (Prelims Paper I + Mains Paper 1) | 350 | 22.6% |
| Language - English & Hindi combined (Mains) | 200 | 12.9% |
| Interview | 100 | 6.5% |
| Total | 1,550 | 100% |
What this means for your preparation?
- Your focus should be on covering the entire syllabus for Law subjects. They account for more than half of the total marks.
- GK appears in both the prelims and mains exam and has a smaller syllabus. However, you should never ignore it. Prepare well so you don’t lose the marks that could get you closer to the UP judiciary cut off.
- All of the topics under Law subject carry equal weightage. Therefore, make sure you cover all of them with same priority.
Here are the key takeaways:
- The UP judiciary syllabus covers General Knowledge, English, Hindi and Law subjects
- There are 2 papers in the prelims exam and 6 papers in the mains exam.
- Law subjects include topics from Substantive law, Procedure and Evidence, and Penal, Revenue, and Local Laws
- Prioritizing preparation according to subject-wise, weightage and importance will help you cover the syllabus well
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the important topics that need to be prepared under the UP PCS J Prelims Paper 2 syllabus?
What are the important topics that need to be prepared under the UP PCS J Prelims Paper 1 syllabus?
What are the recommended books to cover UP PCS J Syllabus of Paper 1?
Is it difficult to study the entire UP Judiciary Syllabus in 2 months?
List the important topics of Mains paper 6 of UP Judiciary syllabus?
Can I complete the UP Judiciary Pre Syllabus in one month?
Nancy Mahavir Sharma
Legal Writer
SHARE