Divine Institute for Judicial services

Odisha Judicial Services Eligibility Criteria

Age Maximum: 35 Years Minimum: 23 years
Educational Qualification The candidates must be a Law graduate from any institute or university that is recognised by the government
Nationality Must be a citizen of India
Number of Attempts Until Crossing the Maximum Eligible Age
Experience No prior experience required.

Age Limit

The minimum age limit to apply for the post of Odisha Judicial Services is 23 years, and the maximum age limit is 35 years, which varies for different categories.
The relaxation provided by the commission to various categories is described below:

Category Relaxation in Odisha Judicial Services Age Limit
SC/ST/SEBC/Women candidates 5 years
Departmental Candidates 4 years

Educational Qualification

Each of the candidates must fulfill certain educational qualifications to be eligible for the post of Odisha Judicial Services, that are described as below: 

  • The candidates must be a law graduate from any institute/university that is recognised by the government.
  • A Translator or civil subordinate or criminal subordinate or Superintendent or assistant law officer from the department of law are also eligible to apply for the examination.

Nationality

The following candidates can apply for the Odisha Judicial Services post: 

  • Must be a Citizen of India.
  • Candidates from all over the country are eligible to apply for the Odisha Judicial Services post, however, they must fulfill other mandatory requirements. 

Number of Attempts

The Odisha Judicial Services eligibility 2021 allows the candidates to take as many attempts as they want to, after reaching the minimum age limit and till they cross the maximum age limit, that is 35 years for general category and as per the relaxation given for other categories.

Experience

The Odisha Judicial Services eligibility states that candidates with no prior experience are eligible for applying for the post of Odisha Judicial Services.

Important Points

The candidates must keep the following points in mind when they are applying for the Odisha Judicial Services Post.

  • All the candidates must show the SSC marks sheet or any other Educational certificate to verify their age.
  • If there is no Educational Certificate such as mentioned above, then the candidate needs to show their Birth Certificate or Category Certificate as proof of age.
  • Knowledge of Odia will be a plus.
  • Candidates must have passed an examination in the Odia language in middle school.
  • Any candidates with more than one spouse will not be allowed to appear for this examination.
  • Government servants with any kind of temporary and permanent prohibition will not be allowed to write the examination.
  • Candidates who are debarred from OPSC or UPSC examination will not be allowed to attend the OPSC Judicial Services recruitment.

Odisha Judicial Services Exam Pattern 2023

The candidates appearing for the Odisha Judicial Services Exam are required to go through the three stages of the selection process. The selection process is as follows: Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Interview Round. The candidates must understand the exam pattern of all the papers to know the weightage given to each topic. The exam pattern for the written exam is given below.

Preliminary Exam

  • There are a total of 100 questions in the Preliminary Exam
  • The exam is conducted for a total of 100 marks
  • For each correct answer the candidate is awarded 1 mark.
  • For every wrong answer 1/4th marks are deducted.
  • The duration of the exam is 1 hour 30 minutes.
  • The candidates belonging to SC/ST category must score a minimum of 35% marks and candidates from other categories must score 40% marks to qualify for the next round of the selection process.
Subject No. of Questions Total Marks Duration
Constitution of India 100 questions 100 marks 1 hour 30 minutes
Code of Civil Procedure
Code of Criminal Procedure
Evidence Act
Indian Penal Code
Limitation Act
Transfer of Property Act
Contract Act
Law of Succession
(Indian Succession Act and
Hindu Succession Act)
Specific Relief Act

Main Examination

The Odisha Judicial Services Exam has 2 compulsory papers and three optional papers. The exam patterns for both the papers are given below:

The Compulsory Examination

  • Paper-1 and Paper-2 of the Compulsory paper are conducted for 150 marks each.
  • The duration of each exam is 2 hours 30 minutes.
  • In the translation section, the sentences must be translated from English to Odia and vice versa.
Paper Subject Marks Duration
Paper -1 General English
  • Translation and retranslation of ten lines
  • A short essay Precis writing with 300 words
  • Passage with questions
150 marks 2 hours 30 minutes
Paper-2 Procedural Laws
  • The code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
  • The code of Civil Procedure, 1908
  • The Indian Evidence Act
150 marks 2 hours 30 minutes
Total 300 Marks 5 Hours

The Optional Paper

  • The candidates can pick any 3 subjects from the subjects given in the table below.
  • Each subject carries 150 marks and must be attempted within a duration of 3 hours.
  • The candidates having 45% aggregate marks and minimum 33% marks in each paper will be qualified for the next round, i.e. interview.
Subject Total Marks Duration
Law of criminal & Law of torts 150 marks 3 hours
Persona Law
  • Hindu Law
  • Mohammedan Law
150 marks 3 hours
Law of Property
  • Transfer of Property, 1982
  • Specific Relief Act, 1963
  • Indian Limitation Act. 1963
150 marks 3 hours
Law of Contract
  • Indian Contract Act, 1872
  • Sales of goods Act, 1930
  • Partnership Act, 1932
  • Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881
150 marks 3 hours
Jurisprudence and Constitution of India 150 marks 3 hours

Interview

The candidates must qualify both the Preliminary Exam and the Mains Exam to qualify for the Interview Round. This round is conducted for 100 marks. In this round, questions regarding the National and International Issues are covered. Questions from the field of Arts and Science will also be asked. Candidates who score a minimum of 40% of marks in the Interview round will be included in the merit list. 

Odisha Judicial Services Syllabus 2023

The Odisha Judicial Services Examination is divided into 3 parts: the Preliminary Exam, The Main Exam, and the Interview round. The table given below gives the complete details of OPSC Judicial Services Syllabus.

Preliminary Exam

Subject Syllabus
Constitution of India
  • Constitution’ meaning of the term, Indian Constitution: Sources and constitutional history, Features: Citizenship, Preamble, Fundamental Rights and Duties, Directive Principles of State Policy
  • Union Government and its Administration: Structure of the Indian Union: Federalism, Centre- State relationship, President: Role, power and position, PM and Council of ministers, Cabinet and Central Secretariat, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha
  • State Government and its Administration: Governor: Role and Position, CM and Council of ministers, State Secretariat: Organisation, Structure and Functions
  • Local Administration: District’s Administration head: Role and Importance, Municipalities: Introduction, Mayor and role of Elected Representative, CEO of Municipal Corporation, Pachayati raj: Introduction, PRI: Zila Panchayat, Elected officials and their roles, CEO Zila Pachayat: Position and role, Block level: Organizational Hierarchy (Different departments), Village level: Role of Elected and Appointed officials, Importance of grass root democracy.
  • Election Commission: Election Commission: Role and Functioning, Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, State Election Commission: Role and Functioning, Institute and Bodies for the welfare of SC/ST/OBC and women
Code of Civil Procedure Suits in General:
  • Definition – Decree, decree holder, judgment, judgment debtor, legal representative, mesne profit, order and pleader, Cause of action.
  • Jurisdiction of the Courts (Subject matter, territorial and pecuniary)
  • Res subjudice
  • Res judicata
  • Foreign Judgment
Suits:
  • Parties to Suits.
  • Framing of Suits.
  • Pleadings generally (Order VI).
  • Plaint – Order VII.
  • Written Statement- Order VIII (Set-off & Counter-claim).
  • Appearances – Exparte Decree, dismiss for default.
  • Costs and Interest
  • Filing a Caveat
Trial of suits and Execution of Decrees:
  • Summons-Issue and Service of Summons.
  • Summoning and Attendance of witnesses.
  • Withdrawal and adjustment of Suits.
  • Examination of parties by the court.
  • Temporary & permanent injunction and Interlocutory Orders.
  • Arrest and Attachment before Judgment.
  • Execution of Decrees – Executing Court, Modes of Execution etc.
Appeals, Reference, Review and Revision:
  • General provisions relating to appeals
  • First Appeal
  • Second Appeal
  • Appeals to the Supreme Court
  • Appealable Orders
  • Reference
  • Review
  • Revision
  • Inherent Powers of Court
  • Special suits:
  • Suits by/against minors and persons of unsound mind.
  • Suits by/ and against indigent people.
  • Suit by/and against the Government.
  • The Limitation Act, 1963:
  • General Provisions as to the Bar of Limitation and Extension of the prescribed time (Sections 1-5)
  • Legal Disability, exclusion of time etc. (Sections 6-24)
  • Acquisition and Extinguishment of Proprietary rights by the virtue of limitation (Sections 25-27)
Code of Criminal Procedure Arrest:
  • Meaning and purpose of arrest
  • Arrest with a warrant
  • Arrest without a warrant
  • Arrest by a private Person
  • Arrest of a woman
  • Arrest how made
Search and Seizure:
  • Search with a warrant
  • Search without warrant
  • General provisions relating to searches
  • Illegalities in a search and its consequences
Investigation:
  • Meaning and purpose of Investigation
  • Who can investigate?
  • When police can investigate?
  • Information to the police
  • F.I.R. and procedure after the recording of the F.I.R
  • Evidentiary value of statements made to the police
  • Investigation in the case of unnatural deaths and suicides, in police custody
Bail:
  • Bail: concept, purpose: constitutional overtones
  • When release on bail is mandatory?
  • When release on bail is Discretion?
  • Anticipatory bail
Charge:
  • Framing of charge
  • Form and content of charge
  • Separate charges for distinct offence
  • Discharge – pre-charge evidence
Trials:
  • Trial before a court of session
  • Trial of warrant cases
  • Procedure for trial in a summons case
  • Summary trials
Appeal, Reference, Revision and Transfer:
  • Appeal
  • Reference to High Court
  • Revision
  • Transfer of cases
Maintenance of wives, children and Parents:
  • Essential conditions for granting maintenance
  • Jurisdiction of Magistrates
  • Alteration of allowance
  • Cancellation of the order of the maintenance
Evidence Act
  • Doctrine of res gestae
  • Conspiracy
  • Plea of alibi
  • Other relevant fact (Section 7, 8,9,12, 13, 14, 15, 16,34, 42,43 and 44)
  • Admission
  • Confessions 28-31
  • Dying Declaration
  • Relevancy of certain evidence for proving the truth of facts in subsequent proceeding (section 33)
  • Expert Testimony
  • Opinion of third person
  • Character when relevant
  • Oral, documentary, primary and secondary evidence (Section 59- 65)
  • Public and private documents
  • Presumption (Section 79, 80, 85, 85A, 85B, 85C, 88A, 90 And 90A)
  • Exclusion of oral by documentary evidence
  • Ambiguous documents
  • Burden of Proof
  • Estoppel
  • Witnesses
  • Privileged Communications
  • Accomplice
  • Examination of witnesses (section 136-140, 143-153 and 155)
  • Leading questions (Section 141,142)
  • Hostile witness (Section 155)
  • Refreshing Memory (Section 159)
Indian Penal Code
  • Essential Elements of Crime – Actus Reus & Mens Rea and Stages of Crime
  • General Explanations
  • Punishments
  • General Exceptions
  • Abetment
  • Hurt & Grievous Hurt
  • Wrongful Restraint & Confinement
  • Theft, Extortion, Robbery, Dacoity
  • Criminal Misappropriation of Property & Criminal Breach of Trust
  • Receiving Stolen Property & Cheating
  • Mischief & Criminal Trespass
  • Offences relating to Documents
  • Offences relating to Marriage – Bigamy, Adultery Cruelty
  • Crime against Women
  • Criminal Intimidation
  • Insulting Modesty of Woman
  • Defamation
  • Attempt to Commit Offences
Limitation Act
  • Definition – Decree, decree holder, judgment, judgment debtor, legal representative, mesne profit, order and pleader, Cause of action.
  • Jurisdiction of the Courts (Subject matter, territorial and pecuniary)
  • Res subjudice
  • Res judicata
  • Foreign Judgment
  • Parties to Suits.
  • Framing of Suits.
  • Pleadings generally (Order VI).
  • Plaint – Order VII.
  • Written Statement- Order VIII (Set-off & Counter-claim).
  • Appearances – Exparte Decree, dismiss for default.
  • Costs and Interest
  • Filing a Caveat
  • Summons-Issue and Service of Summons.
  • Summoning and Attendance of witnesses.
  • Withdrawal and adjustment of Suits.
  • Examination of parties by the court.
  • Temporary & permanent injunction and Interlocutory Orders.
  • Arrest and Attachment before Judgment.
  • Execution of Decrees – Executing Court, Modes of Execution etc.
  • General provisions relating to appeals
  • First Appeal
  • Second Appeal
  • Appeals to the Supreme Court
  • Appealable Orders
  • Reference
  • Review
  • Revision
  • Inherent Powers of Court
  • Suits by/against minors and persons of unsound mind.
  • Suits by/ and against indigent people.
  • Suit by/and against the Government.
  • General Provisions as to the Bar of Limitation and Extension of the prescribed time (Sections 1-5)
  • Legal Disability, exclusion of time etc. (Sections 6-24)
  • Acquisition and Extinguishment of Proprietary rights by the virtue of limitation (Sections 25-27)
Transfer of Property Act
  • Movable & Immovable Property
  • Instrument
  • Attestation
  • Registration
  • Attached to earth
  • Actionable claim
  • Notice
  • Movable and Immovable property
  • Transfer of property- meaning and elements
  • What kinds of property can be transferred
  • Restrictions on alienation of property
  • Restrictions on enjoyment of property
  • Transfer to unborn person
  • Rule against perpetuity
  • Vested and contingent interests
  • Conditional transfers
  • Ulterior transfer
  • Doctrine of election
  • Rule relating to apportionment
  • Doctrine of holding out
  • Feeding the grant by estoppel
  • Doctrine of priority
  • Transfer lis pendens
  • Doctrine of part performance
  • Meaning, essentials and kinds of mortgage
  • Right to redeem
  • Right to foreclosure or sale
  • doctrine of priority
  • Doctrine of marshalling and contribution
  • Doctrine of subrogation
  • Charges
Contract Act
  • Contract: Meaning, Nature and Types
  • Historical Background of Indian Contract Laws
  • Indian Contract Act, 1872
  • Major Definitions under Indian Contract Act, 1872
  • Formation of an Agreement
  • Intention to Create Legal Relationship
  • Proposal and Acceptance- Their various forms, Essential Elements
  • Communication
  • Revocation- Mode of Revocation of Offer
  • What agreements are Contracts
  • Legal Disability to Enter into Contract
  • Minors, Persons of Unsound Mind
  • Effects of Minors Agreement
  • Persons disqualified by Law
  • Liability for Necessaries Supplied to the Minor
  • Indian Contract Act, 1872, (Ss. 10 – 12, 64, 65, 68); Specific Relief Act, 1963, (S.33); Indian Majority Act, 1875.
  • Consent – Definition
  • Free Consent and Vitiating Elements
  • Coercion
  • Undue Influence
  • Misrepresentation
  • Mistake
  • Effect on Contracts influenced by any factor Vitiating Free Consent
  • Meaning and Nature of Consideration – NudumPactum
  • Doctrine of Privity of Contract and of Consideration- Its Exceptions
  • Exceptions of consideration
  • Adequacy of Consideration: Present, Past and Adequate Consideration
  • Unlawful Consideration and its Effect.
  • Indian Contract Act, 1872: Sections 2(d), 2(f), 23 and 25
  • Legality of Object
  • Void and Voidable Agreements
  • Agreements against Public Policy
  • Agreements with Unlawful Consideration
  • Agreements without Consideration
  • Agreements in Restraint of Marriage
  • Agreements in Restraint of Trade
  • Agreements in Restraint of Legal Proceedings
  • Ambiguous and Uncertain Agreements
  • Wagering Agreements – Its exceptions
  • Contingent Contracts
  • By Performance
  • Performance by Joint Promisors
  • Discharge by Novation – Remission
  • Accord and Satisfaction
  • Appropriation of Payments
  • Discharge by Impossibility of Performance – Doctrine of Frustration
  • Discharge by Breach – Anticipatory Breach – Actual breach
  • Recovering possession of property (Sec.- 5 to 8)
  • Specific Performance: Ss. 9 – 24 of Specific Relief Act, 1965
  • Injunctions: Ss. 36 – 41 of Specific Relief Act, 1965
  • Declaratory Decrees (Sec.- 34 to 35)
  • Preventive Relief (Sec.- 36 to 43)
Law of Succession (Indian Succession Act and Hindu Succession Act)
Specific Relief Act

Main Exam

The exam has 2 compulsory papers and 3 optional papers. The Odisha Judicial Services syllabus for both the papers is given in the tables below.

Compulsory Paper

Paper Syllabus
Paper-1 General English
  • Translation and Retranslation of ten lines each
  • A short essay of about 150 words
  • Precis Writing consisting of 300 words
  • One passage of about 500 words with 5 questions
Paper-2 Procedural Laws
  • The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
  • The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
  • The Indian Evidence Act, 1872

Optional Paper

Name of the Paper Syllabus
Paper-1 (Law of Crime and Law of Torts) Law of Crime and Law of Torts
Paper-2 (Personal Law)
  • Hindu Law
  • Mohammedan Law
Paper-3 (Law of Property)
  • Transfer of Property Act, 1882
  • Specific Relief Act, 1963
  • Indian Limitation Act, 1963
Paper-4 (Law of Contract)
  • Indian Contract Act, 1972
  • Sales of Goods Act, 1930
  • Partnership Act, 1932
  • Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881
Paper-5 (Jurisprudence and Constitution of India) Jurisprudence and Constitution of India

Interview

The candidates who get through the mains exam successfully will be called for the interview round. They will be asked questions related to topics given in the mains exam.