Last Updated: April 2026
The Madhya Pradesh Civil Judge examination is one of the most sought-after judicial service exams in Central India, conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) on behalf of the MP High Court. With approximately 150–200 vacancies advertised each cycle and thousands of law graduates competing, the MPCJ exam demands rigorous preparation across substantive law, procedural law, and language skills. This guide covers the 2026 exam cycle in full detail.
MPCJ 2026 — Key Notification Details
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | MP High Court / MPPSC |
| Post Name | Civil Judge Class II / Judicial Magistrate First Class |
| Vacancies (approx.) | 150–200 (varies each cycle) |
| Eligibility | LLB degree; enrolled as Advocate OR eligible for enrolment |
| Age Limit | 21–35 years (relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/Women as per MP rules) |
| Application Mode | Online (mponline.gov.in / mphc.gov.in) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Selection Stages | Preliminary Exam → Main Exam → Interview/Viva Voce |
MPCJ Exam Pattern — Preliminary Examination
The preliminary exam is objective (MCQ) type and serves as a screening test. Only marks in the Main Examination count toward the final merit list.
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Law (Substantive + Procedural) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
| Paper II | General Knowledge + Hindi Language | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
| Total | 200 | 400 | 4 hours |
Negative Marking: 1/4th mark deducted for each wrong answer.
MPCJ Exam Pattern — Main Examination
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Law I — Substantive Law | 200 | 3 hours | Descriptive |
| Paper II | Law II — Procedural Law & Evidence | 200 | 3 hours | Descriptive |
| Paper III | Hindi (Essay + Precis + Translation) | 150 | 3 hours | Descriptive |
| Paper IV | English (Essay + Comprehension) | 100 | 2 hours | Descriptive |
| Total | 650 |
MPCJ Detailed Syllabus
Law I — Substantive Law (Main Paper I)
- Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC): General Exceptions, Offences against the State, Human Body, Property, Marriage, Defamation
- Transfer of Property Act, 1882: Definitions, Sale, Mortgage, Charge, Lease, Gift, Actionable Claims
- Hindu Law: Sources, Schools, Marriage (Hindu Marriage Act), Divorce, Maintenance, Succession (Hindu Succession Act)
- Muslim Law: Marriage, Dower, Divorce, Maintenance, Inheritance, Gifts (Hiba)
- Contract Law: Indian Contract Act 1872 — Offer, Acceptance, Consideration, Void Agreements, Breach, Remedies; Specific Relief Act
- Limitation Act, 1963: Computation of periods, suits by/against government, acknowledgement
Law II — Procedural Law and Evidence (Main Paper II)
- Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (CPC): Jurisdiction, Res Judicata, Place of Suing, Suits by/against Government, Temporary Injunctions, Execution, Appeals, Revision
- Code of Criminal Procedure, 2023 (BNSS / formerly CrPC 1973): Powers of Magistrates, Investigation, Trial procedures, Bail, Appeals, Revision
- Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023): Relevancy, Admissions, Confessions, Dying Declaration, Documentary Evidence, Burden of Proof, Estoppel, Examination of Witnesses
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS): Understanding key changes from IPC — especially on offences classification and punishment
General Knowledge (Preliminary Paper II)
- Indian Constitution — Fundamental Rights, DPSPs, Parliamentary System, Emergency Provisions
- MP State GK — History, Geography, Rivers, Culture, Economy
- Current Affairs (last 12 months)
- Science and Technology basics
Hindi Language (Main Paper III)
- Essay writing on legal/social/current topics in Hindi
- Precis writing from a given Hindi passage
- Translation: English to Hindi (legal text)
- Hindi Grammar — Sandhi, Samas, correct usage
MPCJ Cutoff Trends
| Year | Prelim Cutoff (General) | Main Cutoff (General) | Final Merit (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 cycle | ~130/400 | ~340/650 | ~410/750 (Main+Viva) |
| 2021 cycle | ~125/400 | ~330/650 | ~400/750 |
| 2019 cycle | ~120/400 | ~315/650 | ~385/750 |
| SC/ST (2023) | ~100/400 | ~280/650 | ~340/750 |
Note: Cutoffs are based on reported candidate data and may vary. Always verify against official MPHC/MPPSC notifications.
Interview / Viva Voce
Candidates who qualify the Main Examination are called for a viva voce (oral interview) carrying 100 marks. The interview panel typically consists of High Court judges and senior advocates. Questions focus on:
- Legal knowledge — especially procedural law and evidence
- Current developments in law (new criminal laws — BNS, BNSS, BSA)
- Reasoning and analytical ability in hypothetical legal scenarios
- Knowledge of MP High Court judgments and landmark Supreme Court decisions
- Communication skills and judicial temperament
Preparation Strategy for MPCJ 2026
Phase 1: Foundation (3 months)
Start with bare acts. Read IPC, CPC, CrPC/BNSS, Evidence Act, and Transfer of Property Act once each. Do not use guide books at this stage — direct reading of bare acts builds the precise legal language needed for descriptive answers.
Phase 2: Deep Study (3 months)
Move to standard commentaries: Ratanlal & Dhirajlal for IPC, Mulla for CPC/TPA, Sarkar for Evidence. Make short notes chapter by chapter. Practice previous year MPCJ Prelim MCQs — they have distinct patterns.
Phase 3: Answer Writing (2 months)
Start writing full-length answers to Main exam questions. Practice structuring answers with: Issue → Applicable Law → Analysis → Conclusion. Get answers reviewed if possible. Practice Hindi essay writing — this section is neglected by most candidates but is a score differentiator.
Phase 4: Mock Tests and Revision (2 months)
Attempt 2–3 full Prelim mocks per week. Write at least 2 full Main exam simulations. Focus on accuracy in MCQs to avoid negative marking casualties. Revise all bare acts one final time.
Key Resources
- Bare Acts: Universal, EBC, or Lexis Nexis editions
- IPC: Ratanlal & Dhirajlal
- CPC: Mulla on CPC
- Evidence: Sarkar on Evidence
- Hindu Law: Paras Diwan
- MP-specific GK: MPPSC guide books (Prabhat Prakashan/Unique Publishers)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the eligibility to apply for MPCJ 2026?
Candidates must hold an LLB degree (3-year or 5-year integrated) from a recognised university. They must be enrolled as an Advocate with the Bar Council or be eligible for enrollment. The age limit is 21 to 35 years for General category, with age relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST/OBC (MP domicile) and 10 years for PwD candidates. Candidates must be Indian citizens and domiciled in Madhya Pradesh.
How many attempts are allowed for MPCJ exam?
Madhya Pradesh does not impose a strict limit on the number of attempts for MPCJ — you can appear as long as you are within the age limit. However, since the exam is conducted infrequently (roughly every 2–3 years), most candidates effectively get 3–5 realistic attempts within the age window. It is critical to make each attempt count with thorough preparation.
Has the new criminal law (BNS/BNSS/BSA) been included in MPCJ 2026 syllabus?
Yes. The three new criminal laws — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (replacing IPC), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 (replacing CrPC), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 (replacing Evidence Act) — became effective from July 1, 2024. MPCJ 2026 will test candidates on these new laws. While the substantive content is largely similar to the old laws, candidates must familiarise themselves with new section numbers and key changes.
What is the salary of a Civil Judge in Madhya Pradesh?
A Civil Judge Class II / Judicial Magistrate First Class in Madhya Pradesh receives a pay scale of ₹27,700 – ₹44,770 per month under the Revised Pay Scale, plus judicial allowances including House Rent Allowance, Travel Allowance, and other perquisites. The total gross emoluments including all allowances typically amount to ₹60,000–₹80,000 per month. Additionally, judges receive subsidised accommodation, vehicle facilities, and other judicial perks.
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