BPSC Civil Judge Recruitment 2026
33rd Bihar Judicial Services — 173 PCS-J Posts
The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has officially released Advertisement No. 12/2026 for the 33rd Bihar Judicial Services Competitive Examination 2026, inviting applications from eligible Indian law graduates for 173 Civil Judge (Junior Division) posts across courts in Bihar. The last date has been extended to 30 April 2026. Preliminary Exam is scheduled for 30 May 2026.
Exam Name: 33rd Bihar Judicial Services Competitive Examination 2026
Post Name: Civil Judge (Junior Division) / Judicial Magistrate
Total Vacancies: 173 Posts
Job Location: Various courts across Bihar
Official Website: bpsc.bihar.gov.in
31st Bihar Judiciary: 349 posts
30th Bihar Judiciary (2017): 194 posts
| Category | Posts | Horizontal Women Reservation (35%) |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical Reservation (Category-Wise)173 Total | ||
| Unreserved (UR / General) | 69 | ~24 posts (35% of UR) |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 17 | ~6 posts |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 28 | ~10 posts |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | — | As per Bihar rules |
| EBC (Extremely Backward Class) | 36 | ~13 posts |
| BC (Backward Class) | 23 | ~8 posts |
| 35% Horizontal Reservation for Women across all categories — 61 posts reserved for women candidates | ||
| Grand Total | 173 | 61 posts for women (horizontal) |
- 1% horizontal reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) is applicable across categories as per Bihar government norms and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016.
- PwD candidates with minimum 40% disability are eligible for this benefit. Certificate from a designated Medical Board is required at the time of document verification.
Maximum Age — UR Male: 35 years
Maximum Age — BC / EBC / UR Female: 37 years
Maximum Age — SC / ST (Male & Female): 42 years
Maximum Age — EWS: 35 years (as per Bihar rules)
Age is calculated as on 01 August 2026. The retirement age for judicial officers in Bihar is 60 years.
The degree must have been awarded by a government-recognised institution in India. Degrees from foreign universities must have BCI equivalency recognition.
Alternative: Experience as a Law Clerk under any Judicial Magistrate or Judicial Officer also counts towards the 3-year requirement. The number of years of practice is counted from the date of enrollment in the concerned State Bar Council.
Candidates who do not provide Aadhaar must pay an additional biometric fee of ₹200 at the time of application.
- Candidates without a valid LLB degree from a BCI-recognised institution are not eligible.
- Candidates who have not completed 3 years of practice as on 23 February 2026 are not eligible.
- Category-based age relaxation and reservation benefits apply only to candidates who are permanent residents of Bihar.
- Out-of-state candidates can apply but will be treated as Unreserved / General category candidates.
- Applications submitted in offline mode (post/email) will not be accepted under any circumstances.
- Applications with incomplete details, missing documents, or incorrect fee payment will be rejected outright.
General Knowledge & Current Affairs
- Marks: 100
- Questions: ~100 MCQs
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Type: Objective (MCQ)
- Negative Marking: No
- Topics: History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science, Bihar GK, Current Affairs
Law (General)
- Marks: 150
- Questions: ~150 MCQs
- Duration: 2 Hours 30 Minutes
- Type: Objective (MCQ)
- Negative Marking: No
- Topics: Constitutional Law, Evidence Act, CPC, CrPC/BNSS, BNS, BSA, Hindu & Muslim Law, Law of Torts
| Paper | Subject | Type | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Papers5 Papers | |||
| Paper I | General Knowledge & Current Affairs | Descriptive | 150 |
| Paper II | General Hindi | Descriptive (Language) | 150 |
| Paper III | General English | Descriptive (Language) | 150 |
| Paper IV | Elementary General Science | Descriptive | 150 |
| Paper V | Law of Evidence & Procedure (IEA / BSA / CPC / CrPC / BNSS) | Descriptive | 200 |
| Optional Papers (Choose 3 of 5)3 Papers | |||
| Optional A | Constitutional & Administrative Law of India | Descriptive | 200 |
| Optional B | Hindu Law & Muhammadan Law | Descriptive | 200 |
| Optional C | Law of Torts & Commercial Law (Contract, Sale of Goods, Negotiable Instruments) | Descriptive | 200 |
| Optional D | Revenue Law & Local Laws of Bihar | Descriptive | 200 |
| Optional E | Criminal Law — BNS / IPC, BNSS / CrPC | Descriptive | 200 |
| Total Mains Marks | ~1450 | ||
General English: Essay, précis, comprehension, translation, letter writing, grammar — tests ability to write clear and structured English.
- The 33rd Bihar Judiciary 2026 syllabus prominently features the three new criminal laws that replaced the older IPC, CrPC, and Indian Evidence Act.
- BNS 2023 (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) — replaces IPC 1860
- BNSS 2023 (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita) — replaces CrPC 1973
- BSA 2023 (Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam) — replaces Indian Evidence Act 1872
- Candidates must prepare comparative notes between old and new laws — both may be tested in the examination.
Preliminary Examination — 30 May 2026 (Qualifying)
An objective-type screening test comprising two papers: Paper I — General Knowledge (100 marks) and Paper II — Law (150 marks), totalling 250 marks. No negative marking. Marks in Prelims are NOT counted in the final merit. Candidates meeting the minimum cut-off advance to Mains.
Mains Examination — Descriptive (Merit-Counted)
A comprehensive descriptive exam comprising 5 compulsory papers and 3 optional papers (selected from 5 options). Total marks 1450. The Mains tests depth of legal knowledge, analytical ability, language proficiency, and writing quality. Mains marks directly form part of the final merit list.
Personal Interview / Viva-Voce (100 Marks)
Candidates who qualify the Mains appear for a Personality Test (Viva-Voce) carrying 100 marks. Minimum qualifying marks: 35 marks (35%). The panel evaluates judicial temperament, legal reasoning, communication, and general awareness. The interview is conducted at BPSC offices in Patna.
Document Verification
Shortlisted candidates from the merit list are called for document verification at BPSC offices. Original certificates for LLB degree, Bar Council enrollment, practice certificate, category certificates, age proof, and Aadhaar must be produced. Medical examination is conducted at this stage.
Final Merit List & Appointment
The final merit list is prepared based on Mains Examination marks + Interview marks combined. Successful candidates receive appointment orders from the High Court of Judicature at Patna. Newly appointed Civil Judges undergo mandatory training before posting to district courts across Bihar.
Pay Band: ₹77,840 – ₹1,36,920
As per 2nd National Judicial Pay Commission
Judicial Allowance, Medical Reimbursement
Varies by posting location & city
Post-Retirement Medical Benefits
Government accommodation during service
- Official government accommodation (bungalow / quarters) at posting location
- Court vehicle / transport allowance for judicial duties
- Full medical reimbursement for self and family
- Dearness Allowance (DA) revised periodically
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) based on city classification
- Annual increment + promotions through the judicial service hierarchy
- Career progression: Civil Judge → Senior Civil Judge → Additional District Judge → District Judge
Visit the Official BPSC Website
Open bpsc.bihar.gov.in in your browser. On the homepage, find the "BPSC 33rd Bihar Judicial Services 2026 — Apply Online" link under the Current Recruitment / Important Notices section and click on it.
Complete One Time Registration (OTR)
New users must first complete One Time Registration (OTR) on the BPSC portal. Enter your name, date of birth, mobile number, and email ID. Create a login ID and password. Verify via OTP sent to your mobile.
Link DigiLocker Account
BPSC requires candidates to link their DigiLocker account to the application profile. This enables digital document verification. Ensure your academic certificates and identity documents are available on DigiLocker before proceeding.
Fill Application Form — Personal & Educational Details
Login and fill the application form with personal details (name, DOB, category, domicile), educational details (LLB institution, year, percentage), Bar Council enrollment number, years of practice, and Aadhaar or alternative ID details.
Upload Required Documents
Upload scanned copies of: passport-size photograph (white background, clear face), signature (black ink on white paper), LLB degree, Bar Council certificate, category certificate (if applicable), and Aadhaar. All files must meet the portal's size and format requirements (JPG/PDF).
Pay Application Fee — ₹100
Proceed to the fee payment section. Pay ₹100 (all categories) online via Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, or Net Banking. If not providing Aadhaar, pay an additional ₹200 biometric fee. Save the payment receipt.
Review, Lock & Submit Application
Carefully review all entered details. Once the profile is locked, corrections may not be possible. Tick the declaration checkbox and click "Submit". Ensure submission before 30 April 2026. Applications by post or email will not be accepted.
Download & Print Confirmation
After successful submission, download and print the application confirmation page with your Registration ID. Keep this safe — it will be required for downloading the admit card and at the time of document verification.
- Not completing OTR registration before starting the application.
- Entering name differently from LLB certificate — must match exactly.
- Uploading blurred or incorrectly sized photograph or signature.
- Not mentioning the correct Bar Council enrollment date (affects practice year calculation).
- Missing the fee payment step — application is treated as incomplete without fee.
- Waiting until the last day — server load on deadline day causes submission failures.
- All documents must be brought in original + two sets of self-attested photocopies at the time of document verification after the interview.
- DigiLocker-linked documents may also be accepted digitally at verification — keep your DigiLocker updated.
- Hard copy submission to BPSC office during the application stage is NOT required.
Master the Three New Criminal Laws First
The BNS 2023, BNSS 2023, and BSA 2023 are the highest-priority additions to the 2026 syllabus. Prepare comparative charts between the old laws (IPC, CrPC, Evidence Act) and the new codes. This is essential for both Prelims Paper II and Mains Optional E.
Read Bare Acts Directly — Not Just Guides
For procedural laws like CPC, CrPC/BNSS, Specific Relief Act, and Transfer of Property Act — read the actual legislation section by section. Bare act reading builds the clarity needed for descriptive Mains answers. Supplement with standard commentaries for understanding.
Attempt Mock Tests for Prelims from Now
With Prelims on 30 May 2026, there is adequate time to build speed and accuracy. Attempt at least 2–3 full-length mock tests per week covering both GK and Law papers. Analyse errors and work on weak areas systematically.
Start Mains Answer Writing in Parallel
Do not wait for Prelims results to start Mains preparation. Write at least 2 descriptive answers daily on CPC or a core law subject. Use a structured format: issue identification → applicable law/section → analysis → conclusion. Practice presentation, headings, and underlining.
Current Legal Affairs & Landmark Judgments
Read legal newspapers and Supreme Court judgment summaries regularly. Bihar Judiciary interview panels specifically test knowledge of recent constitutional judgments, legal reforms, and developments in criminal justice. Maintain a running notes file for quick revision.
- Constitutional Law: M.P. Jain — Constitutional Law of India
- Contract Law: Avtar Singh — Law of Contract & Specific Relief
- Evidence: Batuk Lal or Avtar Singh — Law of Evidence
- Hindu Law: Paras Diwan — Modern Hindu Law
- Civil Procedure: Mulla — Code of Civil Procedure
- Criminal Law: Ratanlal & Dhirajlal — The Code of Criminal Procedure / BNS commentary
- GK / Current Affairs: Standard monthly magazines + Bihar-specific GK books
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