This article, written by Shoronya Banerjee from Amity University, Kolkata, deals with ways of preparing for and cracking the Assam judicial services.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Judiciary is a branch of government with the task of authoritative adjudication and arbitration on matters of controversies over the application of laws in particular situations. Judges have an eminent and crucial role as they are vested with the responsibility and duty of administering, elucidating, and applying laws for seeing justice is done in whatever issue it may be. Every selected candidate for the judicial services examination gets the opportunity of serving the country. This field is quite a demanding one with innumerable students appearing for it. Therefore, studying for it requires planning and strategizing with reference to self-study and applying for coaching classes. The exam has 3 stages before a candidate can finally be selected as a judge. They are:
Preliminary Examination
It consists of objective type questions and serves as a screening test for the mains examination. The marks scored in the preliminary examination are not considered while preparing the final merit list. The minimum qualifying marks may vary from state to state.
Mains Examination
It is a subjective type of examination. Usually, it consists of three to four papers. The marks scored in the mains examination are considered while preparing the final merit list. The minimum qualifying marks may vary from state to state.
Viva-Voice/ Personal Interview
This is the final stage in which the candidate is evaluated on the basis of general knowledge, personality and other factors. This stage carries 50 marks out of which the candidate needs to secure a minimum of 20 marks to get selected.
Eligibility criteria and age limit
For Assam Judicial Service Examinations, the Gauhati High Court releases notification for the recruitment of judges as per the prevailing vacant posts in different grades. The age limit and the criteria for being selected:
- A candidate must be a citizen of India.
- Must be a holder of a Degree in Law from a recognized University established by law in India. (I.e. LLB degree from a BCI recognized College / University and eligible to practice as an Advocate in India.)
- Category wise Maximum age limits for AJS Grade-Ill, as on the last date of online application are :
General Candidates: 38 years
SC/ST Candidates: 43 years
PWD (Persons with disabilities) 48 years
Steps to crack the exams in the first attempt
Sooner is always better
Judicial Services is a set of services that need to be secured by getting selected after sitting for the examination that is held by several states across the nation. The sheer zeal and will to attend the exam and attempt it with 100% accuracy to achieve success is the most essential requirement of the exam. As per requirement, the Assam judicial services are organized to recruit for several grades that exist out of which the grades I and II are the most common. Along with textual laws, a lot of importance is given to aptitude, general knowledge, and proficiency in the official languages of Assam as well. Therefore, preparation from the 4th year of a 5-year integrated law course will always be better and advantageous.
Devise a preparation strategy that suits you
An individual should make a strategy for preparation as per his or her suitability. Time should be invested in planning out a particular and intelligent schedule to cover all the topics of the syllabus. Keeping a note of recent judgements, reading newspapers and working upon the vocabulary is extremely crucial.
Role of internships
Internships offered by law schools are very advantageous in shaping a judicial service examination aspirant’s career. Internships in courts provide practical experience, confidence, knowledge and a close look at the day to day responsibilities that come with being a judge or a lawyer. A good internship experience is important for one’s personality development as well. It provides a way to apply the concepts and principles learned in the Institution to situations in the real world. In the legal field, where every day is a new challenge, one has to uphold the integrity of rule of law, the importance of internship enhances manifold.
Attempt Mock tests
Yes, self-study cannot be ignored but amidst giving all the importance to that one cannot forget about mock tests. Mock tests make one aware of the question pattern, teaches one time management, instils confidence and therefore, puts one into this format and habit of attempting such papers with utmost accuracy and confidence.
Practice and profess
Since the competitive examinations are state-specific, the individuals must be aware of the different patterns of paper. In this case, giving mock tests as mentioned above can prove to be extremely advantageous as well. Practising previous years’ papers is useful to learn about the standard of the paper along with self-assessing oneself. The mistakes committed in such papers prove to be a learning stage from where one learns to avoid mistakes in turn of the final paper of the examination.
Syllabus
Assam Judicial Service Exam Grade III: main written exam
- General Knowledge, Aptitude, English,
- Constitution of India,
- Code of Civil Procedure,
- Code of Criminal Procedure,
- Transfer of Property Act,
- Indian Contract Act,
- Indian Penal Code,
- Indian Evidence Act,
- Law of Torts,
- Marks allotted for testing the proficiency in the Official Language(s) of the State of Assam (Assamese).
Important dates
For the uncertainty about the date of examinations, one must regularly check their official sites for being updated and notified about the exact date for the beginning examinations and the required steps to be taken. One can refer to:
Books to refer
There are several books to follow for the examination, but one must include choosing proper books within their preparation strategy as well since one must be sure of what type of books they are comfortable with. Some suggestions for books to be referred:
- Guide to Assam Judicial Service Examination- P. K. Pandey
- Solved Papers of competitive law exams (A Practice Book for Judicial/HJS/APO or any Law Competitive Exams)- Mahaveer Publications
- Guide to Assam Judicial Service Examinations- Mahaveer Publications
- Lexis Nexis’s Guide to Judicial Service Examination by Universal – 15th Edition August 2020
- Indian Constitutional Law- M. P Jain
- The Code of Criminal Procedure – Ratanlal & Dhirajlal
- The Indian Penal Code – Ratanlal & Dhirajlal
- Civil Procedure with Limitation Act, 1963- C. K Takwani
- LAW OF TORTS including Compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act and Consumer Protection Laws- Dr. R.K.Bangia
- Principles of the law of evidence- Dr. Avtar Singh
- The Transfer of Property Act- Sir Dinshaw Fardunji Mulla
- Law of CONTRACT & Specific Relief- Dr. Avtar Singh
A career in judicial services
Judicial Services Examination or the PCS (J)-Provincial Civil Service-Judicial Examination which they are commonly referred to, are entry-level exams for law graduates to become members of the subordinate judiciary. Not many take the courage to join the Indian Judiciary which is desperately in requirement of responsible and diligent judges. It is a good option for law students, as the judiciary does require such able and young minds, in turn of which a law student can always be associated with the legal fraternity and work for the well being of the society. They have time-bound promotions and fixed tenure, thereafter the aspect of good work is followed with a great prospect of promotion.
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References
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