Supreme Court Law Clerk Exam Pattern 2026: Marks, Time and Merit

The Supreme Court Law Clerk exam pattern has three parts. Part I is an online objective test of 100 MCQs. Part II is a 300-mark subjective written test. Part III is an interview of 150 marks. The Supreme Court of India sets this structure in its scheme for engaging Law Clerk-cum-Research Associates (January 2024, as amended), and the 2026 advertisement followed it.

The pattern decides how you should use your time. Part I filters candidates through a high qualifying mark and negative marking. Part II carries three-quarters of the written marks that decide the shortlist. This page breaks down each part, explains marking and merit, works through how the shortlist is decided and gives a practical exam-day plan.

Exam Pattern at a Glance

Part I and Part II are held on the same day in two sessions, with a break in between. In 2026 the written test took place on 7 March across 23 cities.

Key Changes to Know

• Hybrid mode: Part I is online, while Part II answers are handwritten with the question paper displayed on screen.

• Evaluation ratio: If many candidates qualify Part I, Part II is evaluated only for about ten times the tentative vacancies, selected on the basis of Part I marks.

Older pages may still show the earlier pattern, so follow the latest scheme and notification on the Supreme Court website.

Part I Pattern: Objective MCQ Test

The scheme does not fix the number of questions for each subject, and the split has varied between years. Expect fact-based questions that ask you to apply a provision or precedent, not just recall it. The full topic list is on the Supreme Court Law Clerk syllabus page.

Part II Pattern: Subjective Written Test

The scheme gives 300 marks in total and 75 each for Questions 2 and 3. It does not print a separate figure for Question 1, but the balance works out to 150 marks, which makes the case synopsis the single largest item in the written test. The first 30 minutes are reading time, which you should use to study the case file before writing.

How to Structure Part II Answers

Examiners read hundreds of scripts, so a predictable structure helps your answer get credit quickly. The outlines below follow the tasks named in the scheme.

Use headings inside each answer, write case names correctly and keep citations accurate. A short, well-organised answer within the limit usually scores better than a long one that runs over.

Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

• Part I: One mark for each correct answer and a deduction of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty.

• Part II: Marked by examiners on content, structure and writing. There is no negative marking.

• Answer key: A model answer key for Part I is published after the exam. In 2026, objections could be raised online until 11:59 pm on 9 March at Rs. 100 per objection, refundable if the objection was accepted.

Your Part I score is:

$\text{Score} = \text{Correct} - 0.25 \times \text{Wrong}$

For example, 70 correct and 20 wrong answers give 70 minus 5, or 65 marks. That clears the 60-mark minimum, but only just.

What the Pattern Means for You

• Part I is a gate: You need 60 net marks out of 100. With negative marking, that usually means about 65 to 70 correct answers with few wrong guesses.

• Part II decides rank: It is worth 300 of the 400 written marks. A 30-mark gain in Part II is worth as much as 30 extra correct MCQs.

• The case synopsis is the big item: At about 150 marks, Question 1 deserves the most practice time.

• Guess only with reason: A blind guess on a four-option question has a negative expected value once you include the 0.25 penalty and the risk to the 60% gate.

Part III: Interview and Reserve Pool

After the written results, shortlisted candidates submit their preference of Judges. Judges consider candidates by preference and rank. Candidates not placed with a Judge can choose to appear in the Registry interview, which carries 150 marks with a cut-off of at least 50%. Those who qualify enter the Reserve Pool or Wait List, ordered by combined written and interview marks. In August 2026, 201 candidates were placed in this list. Interviews for shortlisted candidates may be held online.

How the Merit List Is Prepared

The interview shortlist is drawn from combined Part I and Part II marks, out of 400, for candidates who clear both minimums. The Court shortlists roughly three times the tentative vacancies.

Take a candidate who scores 68 in Part I and 215 in Part II. The written aggregate is:

$68 + 215 = 283$

That score clears both minimums (60 and 150) and is above the 2026 shortlist cut-off of 279.25 marks. A candidate with 75 in Part I but 190 in Part II would total 265, enough in 2025 but not in 2026.

Answer Key, Objections and Scorecard

After the written test, the process moves through a fixed sequence of notices. The 2026 cycle gives a useful reference for timing.

In 2026 the first shortlist was revised after the Part I answer scripts of 8,229 candidates were re-evaluated, because the agency conducting the test admitted lapses. Keep checking the official notices page even after a result appears, since lists can be updated.

Time Management and Exam-Day Strategy

Part I: 150 minutes for 100 questions

1. First pass, 60 to 70 minutes: Answer every question you are sure of, including recent-development questions you recognise immediately.

2. Comprehension, 20 to 25 minutes: Read the passage once with care and answer its questions together.

3. Second pass, 40 minutes: Return to marked questions and attempt only those you can narrow to two options.

4. Final 10 minutes: Review flagged answers. Do not add random guesses.

Part II: 210 minutes for three tasks

1. Reading time, 30 minutes: Read the case file, mark facts and issues, and pick your analytical question.

2. Case synopsis, about 80 minutes: Write facts, issues, arguments and law under clear headings.

3. Research memo, about 55 minutes: Question presented, short answer, discussion, conclusion.

4. Analytical answer, about 40 minutes: Take a position and support it with two or three authorities.

5. Final 5 minutes: Check headings and word limits.

Between the two sessions

Both parts are held on the same day with a break in between. Do not spend the break checking Part I answers with other candidates. Eat something light, review your synopsis template and go into Part II fresh, since it carries three times the marks of Part I.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Treating Part I as the main exam: Clearing 60% is necessary, but rank is decided mostly by Part II.

• Over-attempting MCQs: Ten blind guesses can cost up to 2.5 marks and push a borderline score below the gate.

• Exceeding word limits: Long answers waste time and suggest poor editing, which is exactly what a clerk is tested on.

• Skipping the reading time: Starting to write before you understand the case file usually leads to a synopsis that misses the real issue.

• Using outdated material: Some guides still show a three-hour Part I or a 40% qualifying mark.

The scheme, notices and previous papers are published on the Supreme Court website. Official notices page: https://www.sci.gov.in/judicial-clerkship/. For dates, stipend and eligibility, see the Supreme Court Law Clerk exam guide.