Delhi Judicial Services Exam Pattern: Marks, Stages and Qualifying Rules

The Delhi Judicial Services exam pattern has three stages: an objective preliminary test, a written mains examination and a viva-voce. Only the mains and the viva-voce marks decide your final rank, which changes how you should spend your preparation time.

This page explains each stage as set out in the Delhi Judicial Service Rules, 1970, and shows how the pattern played out in the 2023 cycle, the last one advertised by the High Court of Delhi. It also explains negative marking, qualifying percentages and the merit calculation, with worked examples you can reuse in your own mock analysis.

Table of Contents

• Delhi Judicial Services exam pattern

• Prelims pattern

• Negative marking and score calculation

• Mains pattern

• Viva-voce

• Final merit calculation

• How the 2023 cycle moved through the stages

• DJS and DHJS patterns are different

• What the pattern means for you

• Time management and exam-day strategy

• Older pages and official sources

Delhi Judicial Services exam pattern

The final merit list is prepared out of 1,000 marks, which is the mains total plus the viva-voce.

Prelims pattern

The preliminary examination is a screening test. It is meant to reduce a large pool of applicants to a manageable number for the mains, and the marks are not carried forward.

In the 2023 booklet every question carried equal marks, which works out to one mark each. Answers were marked on an OMR sheet with a pen, an answer once darkened could not be changed, and marking two options counted as a wrong answer. Calculators and electronic devices were banned, and the booklet reminded candidates that the testing authority may exclude any question from evaluation.

Qualifying rules for prelims

• Minimum marks: 60% for General candidates and 55% for SC, ST and eligible PwD candidates.

• Shortlist cap: No more than ten times the advertised vacancies in each category go to the mains, together with candidates tied with the last qualifier.

• Not counted in merit: Prelims marks do not count in the final order of merit.

Because of the shortlist cap, the real cut-off can be higher than the minimum percentage.

What changed in the 2023 prelims

After the 17 December 2023 paper, the High Court deleted some questions and revised answer keys following judgments dated 20 March 2024. The maximum marks were reduced from 198 to 195, and the minimum qualifying marks were restated as 117 for General and 107.25 for the reserved categories. These figures are year-specific, but they show that your result depends on the final scale the High Court adopts.

Negative marking and score calculation

The prelims carries 25% negative marking. With one-mark questions, each wrong answer costs 0.25 marks. The Rules and the 2023 booklet do not describe any deduction for unattempted questions.

The example shows that extra attempts help only when your accuracy stays high. Each wrong answer takes away 0.25 marks, so a long run of weak guesses can undo the gain from your correct answers. A guess is worth taking when you can remove at least one option with confidence.

Mains pattern

The mains is a written, descriptive examination. Only candidates shortlisted from the prelims are called, and the paper durations are printed in the admit card and instructions for each cycle. The Rules copy we reviewed does not state a duration, so check the admit card.

The per-paper figures are calculated from the Rules, which require 40% in each paper and 50% in aggregate for General candidates, and 35% in each paper and 45% in aggregate for reserved categories. The aggregate figures assume the percentage applies to the full 850 marks, so confirm this in the notice.

Up to three times the advertised vacancies in each category are called for the viva-voce, along with tied candidates.

Answering approach for each mains paper

• Paper 1: Split time between the legal knowledge section and the language section, and keep the essay structured with an introduction, two or three arguments and a conclusion. Check Hindi translations for script and grammar.

• Papers 2 and 3 (civil): Quote the section, state the rule, apply it to the facts and conclude. Cite a leading case only when you are sure of it.

• Paper 4 (criminal): Identify the offence, list its ingredients, discuss defences and state the procedure and punishment where asked.

Viva-voce

The viva-voce is worth 150 marks. Candidates need at least 50% (75 marks) in the General category and 45% (67.5 marks) in reserved categories to be recommended. The interview tests legal knowledge, judicial temperament and clarity of thought rather than rote answers.

Final merit calculation

Your merit score is your mains total plus your viva-voce marks, out of 1,000. Prelims marks are not added. The Rules do not state a tie-breaking rule in the parts we reviewed, so check the notice for how ties are settled.

This example candidate clears every minimum: each paper is above its 40% floor, the mains total of 470 is above the 425 aggregate, and the viva score is above 75. The numbers are illustrative, not predicted cut-offs.

How the 2023 cycle moved through the stages

The cycle took well over a year from advertisement to final list. Plan for a long process, and use the gaps between stages for steady revision.

DJS and DHJS patterns are different

Many pages mix the Delhi Judicial Service exam with the Delhi Higher Judicial Service exam. They are recruited separately, and their patterns differ.

What the pattern means for you

• Prelims is a gate: Aim for a safe qualifying score with good accuracy, then move your energy to the mains. A high prelims score adds nothing to your rank.

• Every mains paper matters: A paper below the minimum can end your candidature even if your total is high. Keep Paper 1 and the civil papers from becoming a weak spot.

• Language is worth 150 marks: Essay, precis and translation marks are a large block that many law students leave to the end. Practise weekly.

• The viva adds up to 15% of merit: With 150 of 1,000 marks, a strong interview can lift your rank noticeably.

Time management and exam-day strategy

In a 200-question paper with 150 minutes, you get about 45 seconds per question. A workable plan uses three passes:

1. First pass (about 90 minutes): Answer every question you are sure of and skip anything that needs a long think.

2. Second pass (about 40 minutes): Return to skipped questions and attempt those where you can remove at least one option.

3. Final pass (about 20 minutes): Check the OMR sheet against your marked booklet. Do not change darkened answers, because the booklet allows no corrections.

For the mains, spend the first few minutes choosing the order of questions, and leave time to review citations of sections and case names. Present facts, issue, law and conclusion clearly, because examiners reward structure.

To rehearse the prelims format, you can attempt full-length online tests on Testkart and review your section-wise accuracy afterwards. Match them with the official previous year papers to check how close your timing is to the real 150 minutes.

Older pages and official sources

Older pages may still show an 800-mark mains total or an outdated fee. The Rules give four papers worth 250, 200, 200 and 200, which total 850 marks, so follow the official notification.

Official website: https://delhihighcourt.nic.in/

Past papers: https://delhihighcourt.nic.in/web/delhi-judicial-service