Uttar Pradesh Judicial Services

UP Judicial Services, commonly called UP PCS-J, is the exam through which the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) selects Civil Judges (Junior Division) for the state's subordinate judiciary. The recruitment is conducted on the requisition of the Allahabad High Court, and it is one of the most sought-after entry points for law graduates in the state.

This page explains where the 2026 cycle stands, who can apply, how the three stages work, what the syllabus covers and how to plan your preparation. Where a detail is still unconfirmed, we say so clearly. Please treat the official notification as the final word.

UP Judicial Services 2026

Notification Status for the 2026 Cycle

As of 7 October 2026, we could not find a UPPSC advertisement for the Civil Judge (Junior Division) exam on the commission's notification page. Coverage on education sites suggests that the Allahabad High Court has sent its recruitment proposal and that the state cabinet approved an expansion of judicial posts in mid-September 2026. The formal notice, with the exact number of posts and the application window, is still awaited.

Two things are worth noting for aspirants:

• Notification timing is uncertain: Earlier articles expected the notice in mid-2026, and that did not happen. Do not plan around a guessed date.

• Rules may differ from earlier years: The practice requirement and the syllabus references to criminal laws are the two areas most likely to change. Check both when the notice is out.

Important Dates

Tentative dates come from the notification schedule and can change. Track the official notifications page on uppsc.up.nic.in and your registered email once applications open.

Vacancy Details

Different sources currently quote different numbers, which is a sign that none of them is final. Reports mention roughly 218 Civil Judge (Junior Division) posts proposed by the High Court. Other coverage of the September cabinet decision refers to a larger pool of newly created posts across the judicial ladder, in addition to existing vacancies.

These are not official figures. The final number, along with the category-wise split, will appear only in the UPPSC advertisement.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational qualification

Candidates need a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from a university recognised by the Bar Council of India, or must be an advocate under the Advocates Act, 1961. Working knowledge of Hindi in Devanagari script is also required.

Legal practice requirement

Following a Supreme Court ruling in 2025, entry to the Civil Judge (Junior Division) post now requires a minimum period of practice at the Bar, generally stated as three years. Earlier, fresh law graduates could apply directly. Please confirm how the state counts this period (enrolment date, certification by a senior advocate or court) in the official notice, because the method decides who can apply.

Age limit

The commonly reported range is 22 to 35 years, with relaxation for SC, ST, OBC and other reserved categories as per state rules. The exact reference date and relaxation will be given in the advertisement. Four attempts are reported as the limit in some sources; verify this before relying on it.

Who should double-check

• Recent graduates: If you have not yet completed the required practice period, you may not be eligible this cycle.

• Candidates with a break in enrolment: Keep your Bar Council enrolment record and practice proof ready.

• Candidates from other states: Check domicile and language conditions in the notice.

Application Fee and How to Apply

The fee for the last cycle that we could verify through secondary sources is shown below. It is indicative only, and the new notification will confirm the amount.

Applications are made online through the UPPSC portal. The usual steps are:

1. Register: Complete the one-time registration on the UPPSC website with a valid mobile number and email.

2. Fill the form: Enter personal, educational and practice details exactly as they appear in your certificates.

3. Upload documents: Add the photograph, signature and any other documents in the sizes the notice specifies.

4. Pay the fee: Use the online payment mode and keep the receipt.

5. Submit and print: Save the final submitted form for your records.

The most common reasons for rejection are mismatched names across documents, wrong category selection and missed deadlines. Application windows for judicial exams are often short, so keep your documents ready before the notice appears.

Exam Pattern

The selection has three stages. The pattern below follows the structure reported for recent cycles, and the notification will confirm it.

Stage 1: Preliminary exam

The paper is objective, with negative marking of one-third of a mark for each wrong answer. The preliminary exam works as a screening test, and its marks are not added to the final merit.

Stage 2: Main exam

The Mains is descriptive. Reported qualifying marks are 40 per cent for General candidates and 35 per cent for SC and ST candidates, which should be checked in the advertisement.

Stage 3: Interview

The interview carries 100 marks. It tests judicial aptitude, clarity of thought, character and general awareness.

What this means for you

• Law decides your rank: Three Law papers carry 600 of the 1,000 Mains marks, so your legal drafting and reasoning matter most.

• Language papers are scoring: Hindi and English are often under-prepared, yet they offer 200 marks that reward practice.

• Guessing has a cost: In the Prelims, a wrong answer loses one-third of a mark, so attempt only what you can reason out.

Older pages may still show previous patterns, so follow the official notification.

Syllabus Summary

The syllabus combines general awareness with core civil, criminal and local laws. The table lists the main areas.

Since India's new criminal codes (BNS, BNSS and BSA) came into force in July 2024, watch whether the notification still names the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act or moves to the new laws. Until the commission confirms, prepare the transition between the old and new provisions.

Selection Process

1. Preliminary exam: Objective, screening only. Candidates are shortlisted for the Mains in a fixed multiple of the vacancies.

2. Main exam: Six descriptive papers worth 1,000 marks.

3. Interview: 100 marks.

4. Final merit: Mains plus Interview, out of 1,100 marks, followed by document verification and medical examination.

Salary and Career Growth

Secondary sources report a pay scale of Rs. 27,700 to Rs. 44,700 for Civil Judge (Junior Division), along with allowances and pension benefits. This is not an official figure, and the actual pay depends on the current pay structure and the posting. Civil Judges can progress to Civil Judge (Senior Division) and then to Higher Judicial Service, subject to seniority and departmental examinations.

How to Prepare

For the Prelims

Build a strong base in the Constitution, CrPC, CPC, IPC and the Evidence Act. Read bare Acts directly and then move to short commentaries. Add current affairs and legal news for 30 minutes a day and keep monthly notes.

For the Mains

Practise writing. Take one Law paper in a three-hour sitting each week, and write a short judgment or issue-framing exercise regularly. Revise the UP-specific laws, since they carry high marks and are often under-prepared.

Using mock tests

Mock tests show where you lose marks before the real exam does. After every test, note the wrong answers by topic, the questions that took too long and the ones you left despite knowing the concept. Review this log before the next test.

Cut-off Reference

The Prelims cut-off is not fixed in advance because candidates are shortlisted in a multiple of the vacancies. For the Mains, the qualifying marks reported are 40 per cent for General and 35 per cent for SC and ST candidates. Cut-offs change every year with difficulty, vacancies and the number of applicants. Treat last year's figures as a benchmark only, and aim for a clear margin above them rather than a bare pass.

Official Sources to Track

• UPPSC official website for the advertisement, application and admit card.

• Allahabad High Court website for rules and judicial service notices.

You can also explore the UP Judicial Services eligibility and cut-off pages for the next steps in your preparation.