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Karnataka Judiciary Syllabus 2026 (Prelims & Mains): Exam Pattern, Passing Marks
The Karnataka judiciary syllabus 2026 covers civil law, criminal law, constitutional law, general knowledge, reasoning, mental ability, translation and judgment writing. The Karnataka civil judge exam 2026 is conducted in three stages: preliminary examination, mains exam and viva-voce (interview). A separate computer test is also conducted but is qualifying in nature, and its marks are not added to the written examination and viva scores.
This Story also Contains
- Karnataka Judiciary Prelims Syllabus: Subject-Wise Weightage
- Karnataka Judiciary Mains Syllabus: Paper 1, 2, 3 & Translation
- Karnataka Judiciary Viva-Voce 2026 (100 Marks)
- Karnataka Judiciary Computer Test Syllabus & Qualifying Marks
- Best Books for Karnataka Judiciary 2026
Karnataka Judiciary Prelims Syllabus: Subject-Wise Weightage
The Karnataka civil judge prelims exam is divided into three parts. Part A covers civil law subjects, while Part B includes both the earlier criminal laws and the new criminal laws. Part C tests general knowledge, reasoning and mental ability.
Part A: Civil Law Subjects
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
Transfer of Property Act, 1882
Indian Contract Act, 1872
Specific Relief Act, 1963
Constitution of India
Karnataka Rent Act, 1999
Part B: Criminal Law and New Acts
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023
Part C: General Aptitude
General Knowledge
Test of Reasoning
Mental Ability
Karnataka Judiciary Mains Syllabus: Paper 1, 2, 3 & Translation
Paper | Subject | Syllabus | Marks | Duration |
Paper I | Translation | Translation of passages from English to Kannada and Kannada to English, based on depositions, judgments and documents | 100 | 3 hours |
Paper II | Law Paper I | Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973; Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; Indian Evidence Act, 1872; Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023; Principles of Pleading; Constitution of India | 100 | 3 hours |
Paper III | Law Paper II - Civil | Framing of issues and writing of judgments in civil cases | 100 | 3 hours |
Paper IV | Law Paper III - Criminal | Framing of charges and writing of judgments in criminal cases | 100 | 3 hours |
Total | 400 | 12 hours |
Candidates are permitted to write the Karnataka civil judge mains examination in English or Kannada.
Karnataka Judiciary Viva-Voce 2026 (100 Marks)
Candidates who qualify the mains exam are called for the interview stage in a 3:1 ratio. The board evaluates:
• General Knowledge
• Grasp of Principles of Law
• Overall suitability for appointment as a Civil Judge
Karnataka Judiciary Computer Test Syllabus & Qualifying Marks
The Karnataka civil judge computer test carries 25 marks. It assesses candidates' computer knowledge and suitability. The computer exam is qualifying in nature, and the marks obtained are not added to the written examination and viva scores.
Karnataka Judiciary Exam Pattern and Passing Marks 2026
Exam stage | Test type | Maximum marks | Minimum passing marks (SC/ST/PwBD) | Minimum passing marks required (General/OBC/Others) |
Preliminary exam | Objective (MCQs) | 100 marks | 50 marks | 60 marks |
Main examination | Descriptive (4 papers) | 400 marks | 40 marks (in each paper) | 50 marks (in each paper) |
Viva-voce (interview round) | Interview | 100 marks | 20% (20 marks) | 25% (25 marks) |
Computer test | Practical | 25 marks | Qualifying in nature | Qualifying in nature |
Candidates qualifying the prelims are shortlisted for Mains up to 10 times the number of vacancies, category-wise. Similarly, up to three times the number of vacancies are called for the Karnataka judiciary exam interview based on Mains merit.
Best Books for Karnataka Judiciary 2026
Candidates can refer to the following Karnataka civil judge books for subject-wise preparation and practice:
Civil Procedure: Civil Procedure by C.K. Takwani
Constitutional Law: Indian Constitutional Law by M.P. Jain or J.N. Pandey
Contract Law: Law of Contract and Specific Relief by Avtar Singh
Property Law: The Transfer of Property Act by R.K. Sinha or Mulla
New Criminal Laws: BNS, BNSS and BSA bare acts or comparative editions
Judgment Writing: Standard books on civil and criminal judgment writing
Reasoning and Mental Ability: A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
Woxsen University, Hyderabad
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Institute of Law, Nirma University, Ahmedabad
Grade 'A+' Accredited by NAAC | Ranked 33rd in India by NIRF
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the subjects in the Karnataka Judiciary Prelims?
A:
The Prelims covers civil law, criminal law and new criminal laws, along with general knowledge, reasoning and mental ability.
Q: How many papers are there in Karnataka Judiciary Mains?
A:
The Mains has four papers of 100 marks each, covering translation, Law Paper I, civil law and criminal law. The total is 400 marks.
Q: Can candidates write the Karnataka Judiciary Mains in Kannada?
A:
Yes. Candidates can write the Karnataka Civil Judge Mains examination in English or Kannada.
Q: What are the qualifying marks for the Karnataka Judiciary exam?
A:
For the Prelims, SC/ST/PwBD candidates need 50 marks, while other candidates need 60 marks. In Mains, candidates need 40 marks in each paper for SC/ST/PwBD and 50 marks for other categories.
Q: What is the Karnataka Judiciary Computer Test?
A:
The Computer Test carries 25 marks and assesses candidates' computer knowledge and suitability. Its marks are not added to the Written Examination and Viva-Voce scores.
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