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    Karnataka Judiciary Syllabus 2026 (Prelims & Mains): Exam Pattern, Passing Marks
    • Karnataka Judiciary Syllabus 2026 (Prelims & Mains): Exam Pattern, Passing Marks

    Karnataka Judiciary Syllabus 2026 (Prelims & Mains): Exam Pattern, Passing Marks

    Isha GargUpdated on 05 Oct 2026, 05:36 PM IST

    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

    1. Karnataka Judiciary Prelims Syllabus: Subject-Wise Weightage
    2. Karnataka Judiciary Mains Syllabus: Paper 1, 2, 3 & Translation
    3. Karnataka Judiciary Viva-Voce 2026 (100 Marks)
    4. Karnataka Judiciary Computer Test Syllabus & Qualifying Marks
    5. Best Books for Karnataka Judiciary 2026
    Karnataka Judiciary Syllabus 2026 (Prelims & Mains): Exam Pattern, Passing Marks
    Karnataka Judiciary Syllabus 2026 (Prelims & Mains)

    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

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    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:

    1. Civil Procedure: Civil Procedure by C.K. Takwani

    2. Constitutional Law: Indian Constitutional Law by M.P. Jain or J.N. Pandey

    3. Contract Law: Law of Contract and Specific Relief by Avtar Singh

    4. Property Law: The Transfer of Property Act by R.K. Sinha or Mulla

    5. New Criminal Laws: BNS, BNSS and BSA bare acts or comparative editions

    6. Judgment Writing: Standard books on civil and criminal judgment writing

    7. Reasoning and Mental Ability: A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal

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