UP Judiciary exam pattern differs for the Preliminary and Mains examinations. According to the official pattern, the prelims consist of two papers: General Knowledge (150 marks) and Law (300 marks). The question format is MCQ, and the test duration is 2 hours for each paper.
The UP Judiciary Mains pattern follows a conventional question format, requiring descriptive answers. The Mains has 6 papers, each worth 200 marks, except for the Hindi Language and English Language papers, which are allotted 100 marks each
While there is no negative marking in the Mains examination, the UP Judiciary Prelim paper carries a penalty of ⅓ for each incorrect answer. Read further to know about the latest UP Civil Judge exam pattern 2026.
A comparative overview of the UP Judiciary exam paper pattern for prelims and mains is mentioned below.
| Particular | UP Judiciary Prelims Exam | UP Judiciary Mains Exam |
| Number of Subjects | 2 Sections:
|
6 Papers:
|
| Marks Per Subject |
|
|
| Total Marks | 450 Marks | 1,000 Marks |
| Marks Per Question | 1 Mark for each correct answer | Marks vary according to the question and paper; answers are evaluated descriptively. |
| Negative Marks | ⅓ of the total marks per question | Not Applicable |
| Question Format | Objective-type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | Descriptive/Subjective written examination requiring detailed answers, essays, translations, and legal analysis. |
UP Judiciary Prelim and Mains patterns differ because of their distinct formats. Prelim is an MCQ-based test, while Mains requires descriptive answers in each paper. Check the pattern below.
Paper I covers General Knowledge questions based on the History of India, Geography, Polity, Economy, etc. The UP Civil Judge exam pattern for the preliminary examination is as follows.
| Particular | Details |
| Mode of Exam | Offline |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Total Questions | 450 |
| Maximum Marks | 450 |
| Duration | 2 hours for each |
| Subjects |
|
| Negative Marking | 1/3 of the marks for each incorrect answer |
The total number of questions asked in General Knowledge and Law is 150 and 300, respectively. There is negative marking; therefore, students should attempt questions carefully to avoid deductions.
| Particular | Details |
| Total Marks | 450 marks |
| Total Number of Questions | 450 questions |
| Marks Per Section |
|
| Marks Per Question | 1 mark for each |
| Negative Marks | ⅓ marks for each incorrect answer |
The UP Judiciary Mains examination is a descriptive written exam comprising six papers, totalling 1,000 marks. The UP Judiciary exam paper pattern for the Mains is presented in the table below.
| Paper | Subject | Maximum Marks |
| Paper I | General Knowledge | 200 |
| Paper II | English Language | 100
|
| Paper III | Hindi Language | 100
|
| Paper IV | Law-I (Substantive Law) | 200 |
| Paper V | Law-II (Procedure and Evidence) | 200 |
| Paper VI | Law-III (Penal, Revenue & Local Laws) | 200 |
The total marks in the UP Judiciary Mains exam are 1,000. There are 6 papers, each worth 200 marks, except English Language and Hindi Language, which carry 100 marks each. Since the question papers are descriptive in nature, there are no negative marking criteria.
The interview is conducted for students who qualify the prelims and mains examination cutoff marks. The UP Judiciary interview pattern is listed below:
Check out UP Judiciary 2026
The Preliminary examination tests candidates on General Knowledge and Law, while the Mains examination includes General Knowledge, English, Hindi, and three law papers covering substantive law, procedural law, evidence, and Uttar Pradesh-specific local laws.
| Subject | Topics Covered |
| General Knowledge |
|
| Law |
|
| Subject | Topics Covered |
| General Knowledge | Similar to the General Knowledge of Prelims Paper I |
| English Language |
|
| Hindi Language |
|
| Law – I (Substantive Law) |
|
| Law-II (Procedure and Evidence Law) |
|
| Law-III (Penal, Revenue and Local Laws) |
|
UP Judiciary syllabus covers both Bare Acts and conceptual understanding. Since the Mains examination requires more analytical and descriptive answers, candidates should prioritise standard legal commentaries and the Bare Acts rather than relying solely on an objective guide book.
| Topic/Subject | Author/Publication/Recommended Acts |
| General Knowledge |
|
| Bare Acts – The Foundation |
|
| Criminal Law | K.D. Gaur or Ratanlal & Dhirajlal |
| Civil Procedure | C.K. Takwani |
| Evidence Law | Batuk Lal or Vepa P. Sarathi |
| Constitutional Law | M.P. Jain or J.N. Pandey |
| Contract Law | Avtar Singh |
| Torts | R.K. Bangia |
| Jurisprudence | V.D. Mahajan |
| Interpretation of Statutes | V.P. Sarathi |
Explore Other Judiciary Exams:
| Bihar Judiciary Exam | Gujarat Judiciary Exam |
| Himachal Judiciary Exam | MP Judiciary Exam |
| Rajasthan Judiciary Exam |
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| Current Affairs | Monthly Current Affairs Quiz |
| Today’s Current Affairs | Daily Current Affairs Quiz |
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