A Comprehensive Guide to the Kerala Judicial Service Examination 2025

I. Introduction

The Kerala Judicial Service Examination (KJSE) is a key selection process for appointing Civil Judges (Junior Division) in Kerala’s judiciary. This article outlines the eligibility criteria, examination structure, syllabus, application process, and key dates for aspirants. It serves as a direct guide for law graduates preparing for the examination, ensuring they have all the necessary information for a successful application and strategic preparation.

II. About the Post: Civil Judge (Junior Division)

The post of Civil Judge (Junior Division) in the Kerala Judicial Service, historically referred to as Munsiff-Magistrate, is a crucial judicial role within the state judiciary. The Kerala Judicial Service Examination (KJSE), conducted by the Kerala High Court, is the gateway to this esteemed position. This examination aims to recruit candidates who are not only academically proficient but also possess the integrity and character befitting a judicial officer. The pay scale for Munsiff-Magistrates selected through the KJSE has seen significant revisions over the years, reflecting the importance and responsibility of the role within the Kerala judiciary. For instance, the pay scale for 2024 was noted to be between Rs. 77,840 – Rs. 1,36,520, marking a substantial increase from previous years. This adjustment in the pay scale underscores the state’s recognition of the critical function that the judiciary serves and its commitment to attracting and retaining high-calibre legal talent.

III. Application Mode

Applications for the Kerala Judicial Service Examination can only be submitted online via the High Court Recruitment Portal, accessible at https://hckrecruitment.keralacourts.in/. The process begins with a mandatory One Time Registration (OTR) on the portal, after which candidates can proceed to apply for the examination. This is the sole method for application submission, as no other forms of application will be accepted.

Application Fee

Category of Applicant	Amount of Fee
SC/ST/Unemployed Persons with Disability	Nil
All Others	₹1250/-

IV. Eligibility Criteria

For the Kerala Judicial Service Examination (KJSE) 2025, the eligibility criteria are defined to ensure that candidates meet the necessary educational, age, and professional standards required for the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division). Here’s a concise overview:

Citizenship: Candidates must be citizens of India.
Educational Qualification: Applicants need to hold a degree in Law recognized by the Bar Council of India, qualifying them for enrolment as an Advocate.
Age Limit: As of the first day of January 2025, candidates should not have completed 35 years of age. There are age relaxations applicable for certain categories:
- The upper age limit is raised by five years for candidates belonging to any of the Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST) and by three years for those belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC), as per the Kerala State and Subordinate Services Rules, 1958.
- Persons with benchmark disabilities are eligible for an age relaxation of ten years over and above the existing upper age limit.
Character and Health: Candidates must be of good character and sound health, with no bodily infirmities that render them unfit for appointment.

V. Examination Structure

Stage	Description	Format	Duration	Marks
Preliminary Exam	Screening test to shortlist candidates for the Main Exam.	Objective (MCQs)	2.5 hours	200
Main Exam	Detailed assessment of legal knowledge and analytical skills.	Descriptive	3 hours per paper	400 (100 per paper)
Viva-Voce (Interview)	Assessment of personality, aptitude, and oral skills.	Oral Interview	–	50

Preliminary Exam

Feature	Details
Type of Questions	100 multiple-choice questions
Marks per Question	Each question carries two marks
Incorrect Answer	Deduction of one mark for each incorrect answer
Purpose	Shortlisting candidates for the next stage
Contribution to Merit	Marks obtained are not counted towards the final order of merit

Main Exam: Consists of four papers, each carrying 100 marks. This stage tests the candidates’ in-depth knowledge of law and their ability to analyze legal issues with clarity.

Viva-Voce: Candidates shortlisted from the Main Exam are called for an interview, which assesses their suitability for the role of a Civil Judge. It is typically structured so that the number of candidates called for this oral assessment does not exceed three times the number of notified vacancies.

Maximum Marks: The Viva-Voce carries a total of 50 marks.
Eligibility for Viva-Voce: Only those candidates who are shortlisted based on the Main (written) examination will be called for the Viva-Voce.
Cut-off Marks: The minimum qualifying marks in the Viva-Voce are 40% for General and OBC candidates and 35% for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Marking Scheme: Any fraction of marks at or above half is rounded up to the nearest whole number. Fractions below half are not considered.
Aggregate Score: The marks obtained in the Viva-Voce are added to the marks secured in the Main (written) examination to calculate the final score of the candidate.

This procedure is designed to assess not just the candidates’ legal knowledge but also their communication skills, personality, and suitability for the judicial role.

Note: The ratio of notified vacancies to the number of candidates successful in the preliminary examination is 1:10, ensuring a comprehensive selection process for proceeding to the Main Exam.

VI. Syllabus Detail

Syllabus for Preliminary Examination

100 MCQs, Correct Answer (+2 ) & Incorrect Answer (-1)

The syllabus for the Preliminary Examination of the Kerala Judicial Service Examination is divided into three parts, covering a comprehensive range of topics:

Part A:

Code of Civil Procedure
Indian Contract Act
Negotiable Instruments Act
Transfer of Property Act
Specific Relief Act
Kerala Building (Lease and Rent Control) Act

Part B:

Code of Criminal Procedure
Indian Penal Code
Indian Evidence Act

Part C:

Constitution of India
Legal General Knowledge
Reasoning & Mental ability

Syllabus for Mains (Written) Examination

Consists of four papers, each carrying 100 marks

Paper-I:

English Grammar
General Essays (two topics)
Translation of Malayalam Depositions/Documents to English and vice-versa
Precis writing

Paper-II:

Part-A:
- Indian Contract Act
- Transfer of Property Act
- Limitation Act
- Specific Relief Act
- Easements Act
- Kerala Building (Lease and Rent Control) Act
- Hindu Succession Act
- Indian Succession Act (Parts V, VI & X)
- Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act
Part-B:
- Kerala Court Fees and Suits Valuation Act
- Kerala Stamp Act
- Kerala State Legal Services Authorities Act
- The Kerala Panchayath Raj Act (Chapters X, XI, XXIA & XXIII)
- Kerala Municipality Act (Chapters IX, X, XXIV & XXV)
- Negotiable Instruments Act (excluding Chapter XVII)
- Registration Act

Paper-III:

Part-A:
- Indian Penal Code
- Indian Evidence Act
- Abkari Act
- Negotiable Instruments Act (Chapter XVII)
- The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act
Part-B:
- Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act
- Kerala Police Act
- Probation of Offenders Act
- Forest Act
- N.D.P.S. Act (provisions relating to bail and trial by Magistrates)

Paper-IV:

Part-A:
- Code of Civil Procedure
- Civil Rules of Practice
- Kerala Civil Courts Act
- Order in Interlocutory Application/ Framing of issues/Judgment writing (Civil)
Part-B:
- Code of Criminal Procedure
- Criminal Rules of Practice
- Framing of charges/Order in Criminal Miscellaneous Petitions/Judgment writing (Criminal)

VII. Important Dates

Particulars	Tentative Dates
Call for Application	Last week of Jan or Feb
Commencement of Application filling/Fee Payment	Feb-Mar
Preliminary Examination	May
Main Examination	July
Viva Voce	Nov-Dec

VIII. Best Coaching For Kerala Judicial Service Examination 2025 -Writs Judiciary Coaching

Embarking on a pivotal journey, WRITS proudly introduces its Judiciary Coaching for the Kerala Judicial Service Examination, a testament to our dedication to legal excellence. This initiative, driven by our mission to enrich legal education, heralds a new chapter under the esteemed guidance of Prof. R.K. Biju. His commitment to lead this venture underscores WRITS’s values of integrity, excellence, and the genuine belief in the transformative power of education.

Prof. Biju, celebrated for his profound expertise and dedication to cultivating the judiciary’s future, brings to WRITS a promise of unparalleled mentorship and educational richness. His vision aligns seamlessly with ours, setting a distinguished standard for legal education and nurturing a new generation of legal professionals poised to contribute significantly to the judiciary.

This initiative, more than a coaching program, is a commitment to empowerment and ethical growth, preparing students for both the challenges of judicial exams and a future in legal service. With Prof. Biju at the helm, we are more than just a coaching center; we are a crucible for judicial excellence, ready to support and guide the next generation of judges on their journey from aspiration to achievement.

Overview of the Course

Registration and Fees:

Start Date: Registration opens in the first week of May.
Pre Registration is open. Can Pre Register at www.writs.in
Course Fee: ₹15,000/- for the Preliminary Exam preparation.
Payment Options:
- Full Payment: Due upon registration.
- Installment Plan:
  - First Instalment: ₹5,000 in May 2024.
  - Second Instalment: ₹5,000 between September 1-10, 2024.
  - Third Instalment: ₹5,000 between December 1-10, 2024.

Course Schedule:

Duration: 10 months, starting the first week of June and concluding in the last week of March of the following year.
Class Schedule: 4 days a week, on alternate days, from 6 AM to 8 AM.(Morning Session)
Session Length: Each class session is 2 hours.
It is crucial to understand that our coaching extends well beyond the Preliminary examination, with a profound and detailed focus on preparing students for the Mains examination as well. The instruction provided in the Preliminary stage encompasses subjects in an extensive manner, laying a strong foundation for the Main Examination preparation.
Participants who qualify in the Preliminary exam will be presented with the option to continue their coaching journey with us for the Mains Examination. For the Mains, coaching will concentrate on those subjects not covered during the Preliminary coaching, along with a crash course of additional procedural subjects pertinent to the roles of Munsiff-Magistrates.
The course fee for the Mains Examination and interview stage will be communicated in due course.