UP PCS-J (Uttar Pradesh Provincial Civil Services — Judiciary) is conducted by the Allahabad High Court to recruit Civil Judges (Junior Division) — the entry-level position in UP’s subordinate judiciary. With thousands of vacancies across UP’s 75 districts and a structured exam pattern, UP PCS-J is one of the most sought-after state judicial service examinations in India.
UP PCS-J 2027 Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | Allahabad High Court |
| Minimum Age | 22 years |
| Maximum Age (General) | 35 years |
| Age Relaxation (SC/ST/OBC-UP) | 5 years additional |
| Educational Qualification | LLB Degree from a recognised university |
| Enrolment | Must be enrolled as an advocate (or eligible for enrolment) |
| Domicile | UP domicile required for reserved categories |
UP PCS-J Exam Pattern
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Knowledge (objective) | 150 | 2 hours |
| Paper II | Law (objective) | 150 | 2 hours |
Both papers are objective (MCQ) type. The cut-off is merit-based; there is no sectional cut-off.
Stage 2: Mains Examination
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Knowledge | 150 | 3 hours |
| Paper II | Language (Hindi + English) | 150 | 3 hours |
| Paper III | Law I (Constitutional Law, IPC, CrPC/BNSS, Evidence Act/BSA) | 200 | 3 hours |
| Paper IV | Law II (Civil Procedure, Specific Relief, Transfer of Property, Contract) | 200 | 3 hours |
| Paper V | Law III (Revenue Laws, Local Laws, Limitation, Registration) | 150 | 3 hours |
| Paper VI | Law IV (Family Law, Law of Evidence practical questions) | 150 | 3 hours |
Stage 3: Interview / Personality Test
The interview carries 75 marks and tests judicial temperament, communication skills, legal reasoning, and personality traits expected of a civil judge.
UP PCS-J Syllabus — Key Areas
Constitutional Law (High Weightage)
- Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35) — with landmark judgments
- Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties
- Union and State Executive / Legislature
- Judicial Review and PIL
- Emergency Provisions (Articles 352, 356, 360)
- Amendment of Constitution (Article 368)
Criminal Law (BNSS + BNS)
- BNSS 2023 (replaces CrPC) — Full procedural law
- BNS 2023 (replaces IPC) — Substantive criminal law
- BSA 2023 (replaces Evidence Act) — Law of Evidence
- Key offences: Murder, culpable homicide, theft, cheating, sedition (now Section 152 BNS)
Civil Procedure Code (CPC)
- Structure of civil courts — Section 9 jurisdiction
- Order VII (Plaint), Order VIII (Written Statement)
- Temporary injunctions (Order XXXIX)
- Execution of decrees (Sections 36–74)
- Appeals, Reference, Review, Revision
Local Laws (Crucial for UP PCS-J)
- UP Revenue Code, 2006
- UP Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973
- UP Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950
- UP Consolidation of Holdings Act, 1953
- Registration Act, 1908
- Limitation Act, 2008
Preparation Strategy for UP PCS-J 2027
Phase 1 (Months 1–4): Foundation Building
- Read all bare acts in full — never skip — annotate with section numbers
- Start with Constitutional Law (most conceptual) + CPC (most procedural)
- Read: MP Jain for Constitution; Mulla for CPC; Ratanlal & Dhirajlal for Criminal Law
Phase 2 (Months 5–8): Subject Mastery
- Complete all Mains law papers subject-by-subject
- Solve Allahabad HC PYQs (minimum 10 years)
- Write daily answer practice — 2 long answers per day
- Current legal developments: HC and SC judgments from 2024–2026
Phase 3 (Months 9–12): Mock Tests + Revision
- Full-length prelims mock tests: 3 per week
- Mains answer writing: full paper simulation monthly
- Interview preparation: judicial temperament practice, moot court
Practice MCQs — UP PCS-J Pattern
Practice Quiz — 10 Judiciary Exam-Style Questions
Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.
Last updated: April 2026 | Judiciary Gurukul — Expert Coaching for UP PCS-J, Delhi Judicial Services and All State Judicial Exams