This article is written by Advocate Navya Prathipati and edited by Vanshika Kapoor (Senior Managing Editor, Blog iPleaders). This article will cover all the details regarding qualifications, eligibility criteria, application form process, vacancies, syllabus, stage-wise preparation, tips and tricks, books to refer to, and a ton of FAQs that every judiciary aspirant must know and have in mind while preparing for the Tripura Judicial Service examination. 

It has been published by Rachit Garg.

Introduction

Want to be a judicial officer and become part of the prestigious Judicial Service? If the answer is yes, firstly, congratulations on making such a major decision in the early years of your career. Nonetheless, are you concerned about what, how, and when of such a highly competitive exam and have apprehensions about the preparation process? Do not worry! You are in the right place. This article will clear all your doubts and necessary inquiries regarding the examination. All the aspirants of the Tripura Judicial Service exam can take complete advantage of the article to prepare for the exam.

Becoming a Judicial Officer or Judge is one of the conventional career options in the law field. It is an esteemed position that comes with equal amounts of power and responsibility. Reaching such positions requires a lot of dedication and determination. Owing to the fewer vacancies in the posts in contrast to the high competition involved, cracking Judicial Service exams can be considered challenging. However, with the right guidance and preparation strategy, there is nothing that cannot be achieved. With this motivation, let us begin. Come on! Let us deep dive into the Tripura Judicial Service exam and the preparation strategies with tips & tricks to successfully crack the exam.

A brief about the judicial posts recruitment 

‘Smart work is the mantra of the modern era’, but only a few knew about the real meaning of smart work. It is nothing but doing things in the right way. Hence, every judiciary aspirant needs to understand the nitty-gritty of judicial structure along with the selection procedure of the judicial posts to which they aspire. This helps the candidate in approaching the exam in the best possible way and aids in the preparation process.

The judicial hierarchy is categorised under two broad heads: the higher and subordinate judiciary. As per legal theory, the High Courts of states and the Supreme Court are superior in India, and all other courts are considered subordinate. However, for the selection procedure, the equivalence of the terms slightly varies. The judges of the High Court and Supreme Court are appointed through the collegium system and hence excluded from the competitive exams zone. Within the remaining posts, judiciary recruitment is categorised as the higher judiciary and magistrate/junior civil judge exams for different levels of posts.  The magistrate exams are conducted for the posts of civil judge (junior division) cum magistrate and higher judicial exams for the posts of district or additional district judges and equivalent posts such as registrars of High Court etc. Separate exams are conducted for each level with different eligibility criteria and qualifications. 

Selections and recruitment are made in two modes: direct recruitment through merit and by transfer. In direct recruitment, the candidates are selected on a merit basis held through exams, whereas, by transfer, the judicial staff personnel or senior judicial officers (in case of higher judiciary recruitment) already working in the system are promoted to higher posts. Any fresh law graduate or a practising advocate before the prescribed age limit in the notifications (which is below 35-38 years of age for the majority of states, depending on the candidate’s category) can apply for a lower judiciary or magistrate examination. Few states require a minimum of three years of experience to appear for the magistrate exams. For higher judiciary examinations, a candidate should be above the age of 35 years with a minimum seven years of practice in addition to merit in the exam. These are the recruitments at different levels of the judiciary. In this article, the focus is only on the junior civil judge cum magistrate exams of Tripura State. 

Now, some basic information on procedural aspects. The judiciary is independent and one of the significant pillars of the Indian governmental system. It is expected that the selection procedure be conducted transparently and purely on merit. Unlike exams like UPSC, which are held on an all-India basis, the law field being regional, especially at trial court levels, the selection for the judicial posts is held by each state independently. The respective High Courts of the state or state public service commissions are responsible for conducting the state judicial examinations. Though every state conducts its judicial exams, it does not restrict a candidate from applying to two or more states. The exam pattern is similar among all states, with variations in eligibility criteria, reservations, language paper, and difficulty levels. Candidates who want to appear for judicial exams in one or more states have to be accustomed to the local language of the state in addition to the fulfilment of eligibility criteria.  

Overview of the Tripura judiciary exam

The Judicial Service in the state of Tripura are categorised under three grades of services namely Grade I, Grade II, and Grade III, based on the hierarchy. The examination held for the recruitment of junior civil judges (JCJ)  is an entry-level exam, which is Grade III of the Tripura Judicial Service (TJS) or PCS(J). The examination can be conducted by the High Court of Tripura, the Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSC) or jointly by the High Court and the TPSC. Usually, the High Court of Tripura conducts the examinations. The official notification has to be checked to know the concerned authority responsible for conducting the exam for that particular year. The examination is conducted in three stages – prelims, mains and the interview. The notification contains all the necessary information regarding the examination. Hence, candidates need to go through the recruitment notification in detail. We will mention some of the essential aspects of the Tripura Grade-III recruitment notification that Tripura judiciary aspirants should be mindful of.

The eligibility criteria and basis or proportion of selection for all the grade officers vary from each other. The categorization of posts is presented below in tabular form for better understanding. 

S.No	Service Grades	Category of the Posts
	Grade  I	Secretaries, Additional Secretaries & Principal Secretaries (Law), Legal Remembrancer (LR), Principal LR & Additional LRs, Additional Legislative Counsel, Registrar General and Registrars of High Court of Tripura, District & Sessions Judge , Additional District & Sessions Judge, Judge and Additional Judges of Family Court and deputation or leave reserve posts As per the recently amended rules of the Tripura Judicial Service, there are 35 posts under the Grade I cadre. 25% of the posts are filled on the basis of merit by direct recruitment and the remaining 65% + 10%  by promotion from the Grade II cadre and through limited departmental competitive exams.
	Grade  II	Deputy Secretaries & D.L.C (Law), Deputy Registrar of the High Court of Tripura,Senior Civil Judges & Additional Civil Judges, Senior Sessions judges, Chief Judicial Magistrate & Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate ( Senior Division), Principal Counsellor of Family Court and deputation posts As per the recently amended rules of the Tripura Judicial Service, there are 36 posts under the Grade II cadre. All the posts are filled by promotion from the officers of Grade -III as selected by the High Court
	Grade  III	Junior Civil Judges, Judicial Magistrate, Sub- Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Registrar of District & Sessions Judge, Assistant Legislative Counsel & under secretary law and deputation posts. As per, the recent amended rules of Tripura Judicial Service, there are 49 posts under the Grade III cadre. All the posts are filled on the basis of the results of the competitive examination to be conducted by the commission or High Court (JCJ exams) and limited departmental competition

(Table 1: Category of Posts in Grade-I, II, III Tripura Judicial Service  )

Governor in consultation with the High Court determines the strength of posts for each grade of judicial officers. Amendments are made to the Tripura Judicial Service Rules, 2003 to notify the  changes in the number of posts assigned to each cadre. The appointing authority for all the grade officers is the Governor in consultation or recommendation with the High Court depending on the category of post. 

Qualification and eligibility criteria to appear for the Tripura judiciary exam 

A candidate needs to fulfil the following qualifications and eligibility criteria to appear for the Tripura Judicial Service examination. 

Qualifications to appear for the Tripura Judicial Service exam 

• A candidate or applicant should be a citizen of India in accordance with Articles 5 and 6 of the Constitution. 
• Every applicant should hold a degree in law from a recognised university or any institution affiliated with any university recognised by the state or central government established by Law in India. No other special qualification or professional experience is required except a law degree.
• A candidate should be an advocate as per the Advocates Act, 1961 and enrolled with any Bar Council of a state or Union Territory as of the date of notification. 
• A candidate should possess good moral character to be eligible for appointment as a judicial officer. 
• A candidate should be medically fit as certified by the state health department to discharge the duties of the post for which he is appointed.

Age criteria to be eligible for the Tripura judiciary exam 

The Age limit prescribed for Tripura Grade-III posts recruitment is as follows:

• For general candidates (Unreserved category), the candidate should not be above the age of  35 years as of the date of release of the notification. 
• For Scheduled Tribes and Schedule Castes (SCs and STs), the age relaxation of 3 years is granted as per provisions of the Tripura Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act, 1992. Hence, a candidate under this category should not be above the age of 38 years as of the notification’s release date. 

Age is a crucial eligibility criterion for which the verification process can be stringent. For proof of age, a birth certificate, 10th certificate or any other equivalent exam is generally shown or accepted. In some cases, government identity cards will be verified to determine eligibility. 

Disqualifications for the Tripura judiciary exam 

• A candidate should not be dismissed from service by government, the High Court or any statutory authority and permanently barred or disqualified by the High Court or any State Public Service commission from appearing before any exam conducted by it. 
• A candidate is disqualified or ineligible to appear for the examination if he is convicted of any offence involving moral turpitude or if he, in any manner, directly or indirectly influences the recruiting authority for his candidature. 
• If a candidate is married, he should not have more than one spouse 

Vacancies and pay scale of the Tripura judiciary exam 

The vacancies are classified into different categories as per the reservations under the state enactments. Below is the tabular presentation of the comparison of TJS exam vacancies: 

Vacancies and categories under the Tripura judiciary exam 

Notifications are released inviting applications from eligible candidates based on the yearly available vacancies. The number of posts varies each year depending on the vacancies. The vacancies are categorized under different quotas as UR (Unreserved), Schedule Caste (SC) & Schedule Tribes (STs), and disability to promote equal participation and encourage diversity. Reservations are made available for the SC and ST candidates under the provisions of Tripura Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Vacancies in Service and Posts) Act, 1991 and rules 1992. Please find below the vacancies from previous years’ examinations. 

S.No.	Year	Unreserved (UR)	Schedule Caste (SC)	Schedule Tribe (ST)	Total Vacancies
1.	2022	1	4	6	11
2.	2021	5	4	4	13
3.	2020	3	2	2	7
4.	2019	4	2	2	8

(Table 2: Vacancies in Grade III Tripura Judicial Service from years 2022,21,20&19) 

In addition to the above categories, sometimes posts are reserved for PWD (Locomotor) horizontally or similar disabilities having the prescribed percentage as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. In this way, the seats are distributed among different categories of individuals within the available vacancies. 

Under what category can a candidate from another state apply for the Tripura Judicial Service examination? 

As mentioned above, the reservations available for persons belonging to SC and STs apply only to the individuals belonging to the state of Tripura i.e. a candidate from a different state cannot claim the reservation. The SC and ST candidates belonging to other states fall under the general category and could not claim any reservation in the application form.

A candidate should be informed about the vacancies under different categories while filling out the application form for the examination. In addition to it, it also helps in understanding the competitiveness of the examination and formulation of preparation strategies. To know more about the information on vacancies and reservations, click here. 

Payscale of the Tripura judiciary exam 

The latest unrevised payscale of the judicial officers of Tripura ranges between Rupees 27,700 – 44770/- per month plus allowances. However, it is to be noted that PayScale is subject to the amendments made to the pay scale provisions of the Tripura Judicial Service Rules, 2003. The allowances, pension, leave and other conditions of service are regulated corresponding to that of state civil servants.

Number of Attempts for the Tripura judiciary exam 

The notification and Judicial Service rules of the state of Tripura did not prescribe the number of maximum attempts that an applicant has for the exam. The limitation is only concerning the age i.e. 35 and 38 years respectively. Hence, an aspirant can write/give an attempt to the exam any number of times before the age limit. 

Exam pattern and syllabus for the Tripura judiciary exam 

There are three stages in total to qualify for the exam. The stages and syllabus for each stage are as follows: 

Preliminary Written examination (100 marks)

The first and foremost stage of the Tripura Grade-III Judicial Service exam is the preliminary exam, also known as the screening test. It is equivalent to the Prelims examination conducted in every other state. The paper is for a total of 100 marks containing multiple choice questions (objective type). Every question carries one mark. The examination duration is for two hours. There is no negative marking. The instructions to answer the paper will be given on the first page of the question booklet.

Syllabus 

The topics that cover the prelims exam paper are as follows:

1. General Knowledge (G.K), Aptitude, English (40 marks) 
2. Constitution of India
3. Code of Civil Procedure, Code of Criminal Procedure
4. Transfer of Property Act
5. Indian Contract Act
6. Indian Penal Code, Indian Evidence Act
7. Law of Torts and local laws of Tripura

G.K., aptitude, and English account for 40 marks, and the remaining law topics for 60 marks. No specific syllabus is mentioned in the notification. However, previous years’ question papers help to understand the question pattern for that particular segment. To know more about the preliminary examination syllabus, click here. 

Qualifying marks for Tripura Judicial Service Preliminary examination 

The preliminary stage is qualifying in nature, as the marks obtained in this stage will not be counted in the determination of the final merit list. The candidates of the general category need to obtain 60% or more, whereas the reserved category to obtain 50% or more to qualify for the preliminary examination to be eligible for the final written examination.

With strong basics, candidates can qualify for the exam. The Tripura judicial aspirants are at relief as there is no negative marking in the prelims examination conducted by the High Court of Tripura. In case exams are conducted by Tripura State Public Service Commission, the candidates need to recheck the marking criteria and examination scheme because there might be changes.

Final written examination

All candidates that score minimum qualifying marks as prescribed above in the prelims are eligible to write the final written examination (equivalent to mains). In the written examination, there are 4 papers containing 2 law papers, 2 papers for G.K and English along with 1 language paper (Bengali). It contains both objective and descriptive type subjects. Except for the English and Language paper which are completely descriptive, the other papers contain both objective-based questions (for 20 marks) and descriptive questions (60 marks). The time allotted for each paper is three hours. 

Syllabus and subjects

S.No.	Subject Papers	Syllabus
	General Knowledge (100 marks)	Objective Type and Aptitude Test (descriptive)
	English (100 marks)	Essay writing, Precise writing, Grammar, etc.
	Law Paper -I (100 marks)	Constitution of IndiaCode of Civil ProcedureTransfer of Property ActIndian Contract Act
	Law Paper- II (100 marks)	Indian Penal Code Criminal Procedure Code Indian Evidence Act Law of Torts
	Bengali (100 marks)	Translation of an English Passage into Bengali and Bengali into EnglishTranslation of a Bengali Passage into English Essay writing Report writing to the newspaper on social/specific problems to publish and draw the attention of the authority

(Table 3: Subjects papers of TJS grade-III mains exams and syllabus of each paper)

Qualifying marks for Tripura Judicial Service Written examination 

The candidates of the general category need to obtain 60% or more, whereas the reserved category to obtain 50% or more to enter into the final stage (Viva voice which is equivalent to an interview). This is the crucial stage as the final list and ranks majorly depend on the marks of the written examination. So, in this stage, each mark counts.

Viva voce (100 marks) 

Viva Voce is equivalent to the interview stage conducted for 100 marks. There is no specific syllabus prescribed for viva voce in the official notification. The main purpose of the interview is to test the personality of a candidate in addition to legal knowledge. Legal knowledge will already be covered when a candidate successfully cracks prelims and mains examinations. Candidates should focus on developing personality which is expected from a judicial officer. The communication skills and thinking ability of a candidate will also be tested by the interviewer. Newspaper reading and awareness of legal issues are essential for the interview stage. Hence, aspirants must be prepared from all perspectives as the questions are unpredictable. 

Qualifying Marks for Viva Voce and Final Merit List for Tripura Judicial Service exam 

The Viva Voce, which is equivalent to an interview, is the final stage of the exam. The candidates of the general category need to obtain 60% or more, whereas the reserved category to obtain 50% or more in the final written examination to be eligible for Viva Voce. No separate or special syllabus is prescribed for the viva voce. The qualifying mark for the interview is a minimum of 30% to be eligible for the appointment as a Grade-III officer. The qualifying marks for the interview are subject to amends to the Tripura Judicial Service Rules, 2003. 

In this way, A candidate needs to qualify with minimum marks as prescribed, to succeed through each stage. Based on the cumulative marks obtained in the Final Written Examination and Viva Voce; the final list of candidates is prepared. The selection against vacancies is usually in the ratio of 1:10.  More about each stage is explained further in the article.

How to apply for the Tripura judiciary exam 

The application for the TJS exam should be made online through Online Application Portal Only. No hard copy applications are entertained. The reading instructions are provided on the Online Application Portal titled ‘How to Apply’. Applicants need to follow the instructions properly before applying. Some of the key steps that applicants should follow are given below: 

Step 1: Open the Official website of the High Court of Tripura https://thc.nic.in where the Online Application portal for application is available. 

Step 2: On the Home page, go to the recruitment tab option to apply. 

Step 3: Fill in all the details in the application form for the TJS exam with the help of the reading instructions manual. 

Step 4: Each application form is assigned a unique registration number and a fee must be paid against the form. After fee payment, click on the ‘submit’ button. Print a copy of the application form for your future reference. 

Please Note: Avoid submitting multiple applications which might lead to unnecessary headaches. Complete the form with utmost dedication and appropriate knowledge about the application procedure. Be mindful of deadlines and extended deadlines, if any. Never neglect the dates, try to submit the form as soon as possible. 

To clear some doubts about the application procedure, click here. 

Application fees 

The Application fee details are as follows: 

1. Unreserved category: Rs. 500/- 
2. Reserved categories (SC/ST/PWD): Rs.250/- 

There is no refund option for the application fee and no adjustments can be made for any future events. The payment can be made through any online form such as Credit/Debit Cards, net banking, wallets, cash cards and UPI only with respective bank payments. No other payment methods are accepted except online. 

Is there any application procedure for prelims qualified candidates 

There is no special online application in addition to the initial form. All the candidates who qualify for the preliminary examination will be asked to produce the original certificates or mark sheets submitted with the application form. Scrutiny of the documents will be made to determine the candidate’s eligibility to appear for the final written examination. If all the criteria are satisfied, then the applicant is allowed to appear for the final written (mains) examination. 

The government service employers appearing for the TJS exam need to produce or attach a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from their employer. 

Preparation for the Tripura judiciary exam 

Preparation is the crucial phase for any competitive exam, including the Judicial Service exam. Once an aspirant gets hold of the details and an overview of the exam, the preparation needs to begin. Serious and dedicated preparation for at least a period of 1 to 1.5 years would generally be sufficient to crack the exam successfully. However, it depends on the preparation strategy and practice adopted by the candidate. Though the preparation technique is common for all judicial exams, adopting a state-specific approach to prepare for the exam gives a candidate a competitive edge. Hence, having an in-depth knowledge of one’s state exam trends and analysis is advantageous.

When and how to start the preparation? 

The straight answer to the question is the sooner, the better. As every aspirant’s journey timeline is unique, there cannot be an accurate best time to start preparation for the exam. If you are a law student and have an aim for the judiciary, the preparation can begin in the fourth year of study (in a 5-year course) or in the 2^nd or final year (in a 3-year course). Law graduates and practising lawyers, once they decide to appear for the judicial exams, should immediately start the preparation. Do not wait until the last date or the exam notification to be surfaced, as competition is cut-throat. The earlier you begin, the sooner you reach your destination. Every candidate needs to be determined and dedicated throughout the preparation journey.

Concerning the state of Tripura, usually, recruitment takes place once every two years, or whenever there is a vacancy and a notice gets notified in the first half of the year. The target has to be set ahead, say, before a year and a half, to start preparing for the exam. Usually, the prelims take place within two months from the date of notification i.e. in September. Again, within two months, around November, the written examination takes place. Followed by an interview and final selections. Hence, the entire exam cycle spans around a year. By the time notification gets notified on the website, candidates should aim for at least one full-pledged preparation. The months before each stage have to be dedicated to revision and practice. As exams take place in mid half of the year, there is ample chance for law students to give an immediate attempt after graduation. Law students who aspire to become civil judges can start from the 4th year of study, focusing on current affairs, general knowledge, and basic concepts to save time and effort. For law graduates or practising advocates, in case you missed an application deadline for any year, do not wait until the next notification to start preparing for the exam. Begin the preparation and attempt for the forthcoming attempt. 

Next comes the crucial question, how to start the preparation. Some common effective practices which candidates can adopt irrespective of their timelines of preparation are- 

First, newspaper reading with a focus on legal issues. General knowledge, English, and legal updates can also be covered. One local language newspaper should also be added to the reading list to excel in the language proficiency test. Newspaper reading contributes to the preparation process in many ways. Hence,  judiciary aspirants cannot give a miss to the newspaper reading. Inculcating the habit of newspaper paper every day during the preparation cycle in the long term helps for the interview stage as it contributes to personality development along with knowledge.

Second, making notes. Notes-making is useful for gathering all-important content and points related to a topic or concept and acts as a last-minute revision guide for the examination, especially for mains. Legal concepts, along with landmark judgments and the latest amendments or updates of law should be taken note of. A minimum of 8 to 9 hours of preparation every day is necessary. For practising advocates, a focused 3 to 4 hours is a must. These are two important tasks to begin with for the examination.

How to make notes 

The significance of note-making cannot be emphasized more. In addition to the notes, making the notes in the right way is also crucial. Because at the end of the day, all the time and effort made in preparation should result in productivity.  These days, due to the influence of digital platforms, every fresh aspirant is always excited to start preparing notes without actually knowing their real purpose and use. Few aspirants waste lots of time preparing notes. A few points on the notes made below:

Revision notes

Notes are prepared for various purposes. One such purpose is to make reading easy as we get closer to the exam dates or on the day of the exam. These can be called revision notes. Revision notes have to be as succinct as possible yet exhaustive. Do not start preparing notes on day one of preparation itself. Read the entire syllabus at least one time, go through the previous years’ questions, and model answers. After doing this, you will be able to ascertain the important content that can boost scores. By following the above, make simple, concept-based notes with important points, principles, and landmark case laws for each topic. 

Value addition material notes

Another category of notes which we would like to suggest for the candidates is the notes for value additional material. In competitive exams like the judiciary, it is always necessary to outshine the others. Hence, to make your answers unique, collect content like analogies, case scenarios, law reports, and other material which can add value to the answer analytically and critically. The value addition notes along with revision notes should be enough for you on the day of the exam. Prepare your notes in such a way that you should be confident about the outcomes of your answer papers. 

Stage-wise preparation strategies for the Tripura judiciary exam

Exam strategy for Preliminary examination

This is one of the simple yet essential stages of the examination. The questions in the preliminary examination are simple and straight. The two mantras that help to crack the prelims stage are bare Acts and the mock tests. The exam pattern is objective-based question papers. The basics of legal principles and conceptual clarity of legal topics are crucial. Hence, candidates should start reading the bare Acts of each subject mentioned under the syllabus. Do not forget to prepare for the local laws of Tripura. To get hold of the provisions and understand the concepts, reference must be made to the standard books or notes. When we say books, one must be careful when choosing and picking up the books. Reading different books on the same topic or subject might be a benefit for some and at the same time, it leads to confusion along with a waste of time. Hence, initially refer to one standard book for each subject. The standard book can be of any author, for example the one you read during your college days, which you already had some grip over, or which is convenient and easy to understand/read for you. But make sure the book covers all essential concepts comprehensively. 

The G.K, Aptitude and English section can be tricky as no precise syllabus is mentioned for the topics. Yet, these are important as they constitute 40 marks. Previous year question papers are good sources for this section’s questions. Analyse the question patterns and topics covered. Newspapers are another good source for current affairs and G.K. For English, refer to a standard English dictionary and a good grammar book. For legal aptitude questions, continuous practice of mock questions is essential. 

You can access newspaper analysis and Current affairs (from standard papers such as The Hindu and Indian Express) from Lawsikho’s Judiciary Prep Official YouTube channel at free of cost. Subscribe to the channel for new videos! 

Exam strategy for Final Written examination (Mains)

Generally, the preparation for prelims and written examinations go hand-in-hand. The syllabus for both the preliminary and final written examinations is almost similar. However, the nature and depth of questions vary in each stage. The preparation for both stages has to go simultaneously with differences in approach. This stage is crucial and also tough to clear. Mains determine the listing of your name in final selections. A different strategy has to be adopted for each paper.

General Knowledge Paper 

The paper is divided into two groups. Group-A contains objective questions, one-liner, and three-liner questions for 50 marks. The questions in these sections are completely current affairs based. Group B contains legal aptitude-based questions. Current affairs related to law, policy, sports, international relations, etc. are important sources for this paper. The group- B questions can be covered along with the law papers. Newspaper reading and regular revision of current affairs should be the main strategy for this paper.

English Paper

This paper is completely descriptive and one of the lengthiest papers among other papers. It contains essay writing, passage reading, precise writing, and grammar questions related to English grammar. The approach for this paper should be reading the basics of grammar with regular practice. Do not neglect the essay writing which is for 20 marks. Keep writing the essays once in two weeks. English can be seen as the easiest yet one small mistake in question scraps the entire marks of the question. Hence, we suggest regular grammar practice every day for at least 1 to 2 hours.

Law Paper-I

This paper contained the Constitution and the major civil enactments. It contains 4 subjects in total. Each subject shares 25 marks in the entire paper. Hence, equal importance has to be given to all the subjects. The subjects in this paper are foundations for civil and constitutional law in India. Group A contains objective-based questions and Group B contains 5-mark questions. The questions in both groups are simple and direct. Group C contains 8-mark questions which are analytical. Candidates can gain a competitive edge in these questions. 

The use of the candidate’s analytical and critical skills comes into play. In addition to the provisions of law and judgments, these answers should contain perspectives that require critical analysis. Hence, focus on these types of questions for additional scores.

Law Paper II

This paper contained criminal laws and torts. Similar to Law Paper I, there are 4 subjects. Each subject contains 25 marks. The question format is similar to that of Law Paper-I with objective questions, 5-mark questions, and 8-mark questions. The strategy for this paper should be similar to that of Law Paper-I. The differences have to be made in the reading style for example the civil law provisions involve questions of interpretation, whereas in criminal law the ingredients of the offence and their proof are essential. In this way, the reading tips can be adopted to increase efficiency. Similarly, practising analytical questions is also important for this paper.

Bengali Paper

This is the language paper for the state of Tripura. Usually, there is a tendency among the aspirants that they tend to ignore the language considering that they are simple. The translations, essay writing, and social context questions in the paper require answers in grammatically correct local language. Along with local language newspaper reading, and grammar learning, candidates can also try giving 2 to 3 mocks of the Bengali language paper to test their comfort with the language. Candidates of different states appearing for Tripura Judicial Service need to focus on the language paper as well.

In this way, candidates can prepare for the written examination. As mentioned above, note making is a requirement for the main written examination. 

Importance of Answer Writing for Final Written examination 

As the title of the stage itself says ‘Written examination’, the papers are descriptive in nature, unlike in prelims. Answer writing practice is key for this stage. No matter how many hours you study and collect materials, without proper answer writing practice, all the efforts go in vain.  

Because the main stage not only examines your knowledge but also your ability to convey things to the point in a short time i.e. meeting the demands of a question. Without appropriate practice, a candidate can not complete the paper completely in accordance with the demands of the question. Hence, answer-writing practice is a must.

When to start Answering Writing practice 

Mastering the art of answer writing takes tons of dedication and hard work. Start answer writing practice as soon as the first read of the entire syllabus is complete. Topic-wise answer writing can also be practised. It helps to get a good grasp of the particular topic. Once topic-wise answer writing practice is complete, paper-wise answer writing should be started. The type of questions must be categorised as essay questions,  factual-based questions, straight one or two-liner questions, 5 markers and 10 markers respectively. Especially for 10-mark questions, the more you practice the better answers a candidate can write in the final exam. The value addition material notes are useful for the 8-mark questions. Essay writing practice with proper vocabulary and grammar should be practised regularly. 

During the answer writing practice, the three things that a candidate should be mindful of are time management, structure of the answer, and content. Quality content that fulfils the demands of the question bags good scores.  Having said that, we would like to emphasize the importance of implementation. Despite the planning, the lack of proper implementation makes the entire process futile. Consistency is necessary throughout the process along with a strategic study plan. Keep writing until you attain the ability to write good-quality answers. 

Before the mains examination, do not forget to give the full pledged mock tests in an exam-setting scenario for better practice. In order to navigate through your answer writing practice journey, we at Lawsikho designed a course for Tripura judiciary mains answer writing. The course guides on structuring the answers in accordance with the demand of the question. Both topic-wise and full-length mock tests are also available. 

Exam strategy for viva voce

The final and most awaited stage for any candidate. By the time the interview stage is reached, few candidates lose their energy and interest. Hence, foremost candidates need to be engaged till the final level. There is no prescribed syllabus mentioned for an interview in the Tripura Judicial Service exam. Though some might feel happy about this fact, others might fear the unpredictability. To avoid the problem, the interview has to be taken from the right approach.

The main purpose of Viva Voce/Interviews is to test the personality and suitability of a candidate for a judicial position. Hence, imbibing and showcasing confidence, commitment, and ability is foremost. All these traits cannot be gained in one month or a day before the exam. Personality development should begin from the day of the beginning of preparation. Candidates can seek help or take guidance from experienced persons on performing before the interview board. Concerning the theoretical questions, the existing material used for other stages can be revised. Staying updated on current affairs and legal issues is very important.

Books list and materials for the Tripura judiciary exam 

Materials and books are crucial for any competitive exam as they form a source of information. Hence, it is natural that aspirants have doubts about the books/ materials to refer to for the exams. Though the judiciary examination is held by states independently, the syllabus is mostly common among all states except language papers. States such as West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh etc have lengthy syllabus and optional papers. The subjects such as IPC and CrPC remain the same for all state judiciary exams; only the pattern of questions changes. 

We suggest the aspirants read from the standard books. Among the different standard books available in the market, it is advisable to refer to the standard book which you have studied during your law course. As you have already read the book at least once, it helps to understand quickly and in revisions. The materials or notes which you have read during your law course would also be helpful. Having said that, some of the standard books which we would like to suggest for aspirants for law subjects are as follows: 

Subjects	Standard books
Constitution of India	Indian Constitutional Law by M.P. Jain Constitution of India by A.K Jain (for quick revision)
Code of Civil Procedure	Mulla’s Code of Civil ProcedureCivil Procedure Code by C.K. Takwani
Code of Criminal Procedure	Sarkar’s Code of Criminal Procedure Criminal Procedure Code by Rantanlal & Dhirajlal
Transfer of Property Act	Mulla’s Transfer of Property Act
Indian Contract Act	Contract & specific relief act by Avtar Singh
The Indian Penal Code	Indian Penal Code by K.D Gaur
The Indian Evidence Act	Indian Evidence Act by Avtar Singh Indian Evidence Act by KD Gaur
Law of Torts	Law of Torts by R.K. Bangia

(Table 4: Subjects of TJS grade-III exams and list of standard books for each subject)

Please Note: The above list is only a suggested list, aspirants can customise the books list based on their preference. 

State-specific judiciary books can be referred to for the purpose of prelims examination. Similarly, Bengali language books for judiciary exams can be referred to for Bengali papers. However, if you are a native speaker of Bengali, no books are necessary for language paper. The preparation strategy mentioned in the above sections can be followed. Once again, we would like to repeat that the books list is customizable based on candidates’ experiences. Do not blindly follow any toppers or institutions’ book list or materials. 

Preparation tips and tricks for all three stages 

Preparation of a timetable 

A proper timetable must be prepared as per your schedule. The preparation time for each stage has to be allocated depending on the nature and toughness of the examination. As prelims are qualifying in nature with no negative marking (for Tripura state) once the bare Acts reading is done, only the last two or three months must be utilized to revise and practice for the prelims. The remaining months (8 to 9 months) have to be dedicated completely to the final written examination which ultimately determines your selection and ranks. Remember to prepare a realistic and practical timetable that aligns with your daily lifestyle for better efficiency. More time has to be allocated for law papers and the English language. Having said that, the candidate must divide time depending on his strengths and weaknesses to utilize the time effectively. 

Setting daily, weekly and monthly targets 

Subjects such as law are lengthy and subjective and do not have an end. Hence, setting targets for reading increases efficiency and saves time there by focusing only on relevant content. This process especially helps for main written exams. In-depth reading and analysis of legal topics are essential for writing descriptive answers succinctly for good scores. Hence, setting concept/subject-based targets is essential.

Syllabus and previous year’s question papers

Never underestimate the importance of understanding the syllabus and the demands of the examination. Previous year’s question papers help to understand the demand of the exam and the key topics of the syllabus. A thorough analysis of exam patterns and question patterns is necessary to get a fair understanding of the demands of the questions. Every day at least in the initial few months of your preparation allocate some time to analyzing the previous year’s question papers in conjunction with the syllabus. In addition to the question models, it also gives an idea to the candidates on the important topics. 

Practice, practice, and practice

Answer Writing practice is as crucial as completing the syllabus to successfully crack the judiciary exam. All the descriptive questions in the written (mains) examination require crisp answers within the given time. Answering writing style should also vary for each type of question. For example, essay writing has a completely different structure unlike illustration or short note questions. Through practice, the structure for different types of questions should be learned. Hence, only through practice, the best answers can be written in the examination. After one reading or revision of the entire syllabus, candidates should start practising for the written examination. Try to give mock tests whenever possible. Evaluate the mistakes committed during mocks and try to overcome the same in the final exam. 

Patience and determination

In addition to the preparation strategy and thorough reading, a candidate must possess patience. A candidate should be determined and stick to the study plan. Throughout the long journey of preparation, the candidate should be motivated and maintain patience. Discussions with seniors, friends, professors, or any learned person can be helpful for motivation and stay on the preparation track. 

Final tips for ‘The Day’

Exams like Judiciary Service test the patience and determination of the candidates. Your performance in examinations which lasts for a few hours will determine the entire years of hard work.Hence, getting prepared for ‘THE DAY’ is equally important. Some small yet significant tips for ‘THE DAY’ are as follows: 

• Relax, Revise, and Concentrate  – Do not overthink. No matter what you think, whatever happens will happen. Hence, revise the topics with a calm mind. Relax while giving the exams and concentrate on the questions. 
• Completing the question paper – Notwithstanding the quantity and quality of the answers, completing the question paper on time is crucial in mains. You should attempt all the mandatory questions by hook or crook. Do not leave the examination hall without completing the question paper (of course, without choice) 

The interview is a personality test rather than a test of knowledge. Your presence of mind and thought process will be examined. So, do not memorise things and be you (as naturally as possible). Showcase the personality of the judicial officer in your and prove you are the right candidate. 

Is coaching necessary

Last, but not least. The question which ponders the majority of the aspirants is regarding the requirement of coaching. Well, the answer would majorly depend on each candidate and more of a personal choice. Coaching provides you with guidance and content through videos or notes and feedback. It benefits the aspirant in terms of extra support and guidance. Having said that, relying completely on coaching institutes also does not guarantee the results. Ultimately, determination and perseverance have to come within you to crack the examination successfully. In fact, an aspirant should know how to utilise the coaching effectively for example: in terms of guidance, mock tests, and lecture classes, coaching benefits the aspirants. 

However, we would leave this decision to the individual choice, which must be taken based on your circumstances. But we suggest aspirants at least to take guidance or mentorship before or during the start of their preparation for effective results and hassle-free preparation. 

Life of a Judicial officer : perks and conditions  

Cracking the Judicial Service exam is itself a milestone for a successful candidate. However, the responsibility begins only after the selection. The officers are paid a salary in the pay scale as prescribed in the notification. In addition to it, the residuary provision, leave and pension are applicable as per the State Public Service Commission rules. It is a responsible position that requires determination to serve society for a real purpose. 

Training and Service Conditions of the Tripura Judicial Service Grade-III Judicial Officer

1. The officers selected for Grade -III Service need to undergo training in the judicial academy before posing. Salary will be paid during the training period in addition to the rent and food accommodations provided free of expense at the academy. Even after the posting, the officers are trained through refresher courses. 
2. After training at the judicial academy, the candidate shall report to duty on the date specified in the appointment order. A candidate who fails to join the Service without reporting any sufficient reasons ceases to be eligible for the post, and the name is removed from the selected candidate’s list. 
3. After posting, there will be probation for two years. Officers who have satisfactorily performed during the probation are confirmed in the Service. Increments can be withdrawn after completion of the probation. 
4. As per Tripura Judicial Service  rules, the selected candidate for the Grade -III exams under direct recruitment has to execute a bond with the state government to render services for 5 years. Any candidate who wants to voluntarily quit the Service within 5 years has to repay the entire expenses incurred (including salary) on the candidate’s training in the state judicial academy. 
5. Once the candidate’s service is confirmed, as years pass based on seniority officers are promoted to further posts on the hierarchy. 
6. During the service, the High Court of Tripura arranges a refresher course for judicial officers of all grades including Grade III for training and improvement in imparting duty. 

Conclusion 

To conclude, this is the information that a Judicial aspirant has to know about the Tripura Judicial Service exam. The Tripura Judicial Service exam aspirants can follow all the preparation tips and strategies for maximum efficiency. Always remember that power comes with responsibility. Hope the article is helpful. All the Best for your upcoming Judicial Service exam. In case of any doubts or queries, please feel free to reach out to us. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where to find the notifications for the Judicial Service exam?

The best way is to download the notifications directly from the official website of the respective authorities. You can find the notifications from the official website of the High Court of Tripura, Agartala, at https://thc.nic.in/ and/or the official website of the Tripura Public Service Commission if the exam is conducted by the Tripura PSC. During the recruitment period i.e. first half of a year from Jan to August in the state of Tripura, candidates should regularly keep checking the official websites for notifications.

How to apply and what essential things are to be looked into in the notification?

First, you should be knowing the local language of the state for which you seek to apply as there is a mandatory language paper. Next, check the eligibility and qualifications required. If the eligibility is satisfied then look into the vacancies, the deadline for submission of the application, the fee, etc. The exam dates of each stage should be taken note. Make sure the application form is submitted within the deadline with all prescribed formalities as mentioned in the notification. The notification itself contains the information regarding the application process (these days it’s usually online), so carefully read and apply for the same without any delay. In case of any doubts or queries, you can reach out to the concerned person mentioned in the notifications, or seniors/mentors or friends who have previous experience.

How can we know about the vacancies? Is there a way to know about the approximate vacancies that might be released in the upcoming examination? 

As per the Supreme Court orders in the case of Malik Mazhar Sultan and another v. Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission and others (Civil Appeal No.1867 of 2006), the High Court of Tripura every year notifies the vacancies in all the grades, including Grade III. Aspirants can approximately guess the vacancies which might appear for the forthcoming examinations. To go through the recent excerpt, click here. 

What happens if reserved vacancies for certain categories of individuals are not filled? 

If suitable candidates are not found for such reserved vacancies, then those vacancies will be filled by candidates not belonging to such category. The same rule applies to both unreserved and disability vacancies. 

What happens if I submit more than one application form? 

When multiple applications are submitted, the latest one would be considered by the authority. Any fee paid against one registration number will not be adjusted towards another registration number. The latest form with the required fee will be considered final. 

How and where do Tripura Judicial Service exams are conducted? 

Prelims and Mains examination will be conducted in an offline method within the state. The examination centres will be located within the State of Tripura. For interviews, candidates will be called to authorities’ offices such as the High Court of Tripura or the Tripura Public Service Commission building. 

What is the syllabus of English, G.K and Aptitude in the Tripura Judicial Service Preliminary examination? 

The questions under this category are basic and straight. Candidates should be strong on basic knowledge of these subjects. The syllabus for G.K, English and Aptitude is as follows: 

1. General Knowledge: G.K related to topics such as history, geography, economics, political science, Indian culture, science and national & international current affairs related to the said topics. 
2. English:  Grammar rules relating to nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, propositions, infinite, gerunds, phrases & idioms, spelling mistake detection, Mood & Voice, antonyms & synonyms degree, tenses and other related grammatical topics. 
3. Aptitude:  It contains numerical/ quantitative aptitude questions on topics such as time and distance, average, profit and loss, percentages, simple & compound interest etc and reasoning questions related to coding, decoding, relationships, similarities, differences, arithmetical reasoning, problem-solving and others. All basic-level questions related to aptitude and reasoning should be practised. 

What should be the structure of the answer for mains/ written examination questions? 

The standard structure followed for the final written (mains) examination is Introduction, Main body and Conclusion. 

• Introduction: The intro can be started by explaining about the provisions, factual data or through landmark judgment. 
• Main body: This is a significant part of the answer. Hence, it should reflect all the necessary details of the answer that meets the demands of the question. It should include concepts, relevant amendments and illustrations if necessary for conceptual clarity. 
• Conclusion: Gist of the answer with an effective conclusion adds value to the answer. The conclusion should reflect the creative thinking of the candidate in terms of suggestions etc. 

Does the examination pattern and syllabus change every year?

From the beginning of Judicial Service all over the country, the exam pattern involved the same three stages. The examination pattern is not expected to change until and unless a major policy decision is taken. Similarly, the syllabus for law papers and language papers has been constant. Hence, do not predict the change of pattern and syllabus. For papers like General Knowledge, English, and Aptitude which are dynamic, candidates need to update every year. Having said that, always keep an eye on the judicial events and trends of your respective states. 

What are the cut-off marks for the Tripura Judicial Service exam at each level and how merit lists are prepared? 

There are no cut-off marks for the TJS exam, the candidates need to obtain minimum qualifying marks to reach the next level of examination. Subject to the minimum qualifying marks, for the mains examination around three times that of the available vacancies will be selected. For the final stage of viva voce, the candidates are selected in a 1:10 ratio. Last, based on the marks obtained by candidates in both final written examinations (mains) and interviews. The highest scorers will be listed subsequently. Hence, there are no cut-off marks for the Tripura Judicial Service exam.

Where can I get the previous year’s question papers of Tripura Judicial Service?

Look into the official website of the High Court of Tripura for the latest previous question papers. For previous question papers more than a year, go through the law libraries of respective states. These days it can also be found online through education platform websites or books/scanners that cover the previous year’s questions of the respective states.

How is the final list of candidates prepared and selected?

Based on the cumulative scores obtained by candidates in the final written examination and viva voce, a final list of candidates is prepared against the available vacancies. In addition to the final list, the High Court can prepare an additional list of candidates based on merits. Both lists are notified and cease to end within a year. The candidates from the additional list are appointed against any kind of vacancy that arises.

What is the duration of the Grade-III Tripura Judicial Service examination?

Grade-III Tripura Judicial Service examination duration is around a year in total. For example: If the notification gets released in the month of July, Prelims will be held within a month say in the month of September, and mains will be held within 2-3 months around November. Interviews within 3 months from Mains i.e.in March. The final merit list will be released immediately after the interview or maximum within a month or two. 

How many numbers of attempts can a candidate appear for the exam and when is the right time to give up?

As there is no restriction on the number of attempts, a candidate can give any number. attempts. The vacancies are announced once every two years. If a candidate could not succeed in one attempt, he/she needs to wait for two more years. There is no requirement for giving up till the age limit prescribed. However, after 2 to 3 serious attempts, the candidate can plan for a backup and keep writing for the judicial exams.

What is the importance of mentorship or guidance? 

For competitive exams like Judicial Service exam, guidance plays a crucial role. Though we do not say that self-preparation can give results, there are high chances that mistakes do occur often. Guidance or mentorship from experienced persons helps to navigate through the exams smoothly. It also motivates the candidate till the end of the examination preparation. 

How to identify and prepare for important topics? 

If you successfully want to crack the exam, never rely too completely on the important topics. All the materials that you get in the market are mere predictions. No one can exactly know the question papers of the forthcoming examination. For last-minute revision, topics from previous years’ question papers can be referred to. 

What is the use of mock tests and how are they useful? 

Yes, mock tests are very much necessary and useful. They set the candidate in exam mode along with time management. They also help to identify the mistakes made by the candidates which can be prevented from committing at the final examination. However, one should know the right way and method of giving mock tests. Mock tests should be given in an exam-like setting and only after the completion of at least one revision. Giving mock tests with incomplete studies is useless. While giving mock tests, choose quality over quantity. Quality mock tests are important. 

Should the candidates selected for appointment in the Tripura Judicial Service exam furnish any documents/certificates? 

Yes, the selected candidates for appointment need to furnish two certificates or references from respectable persons, either from the university or anyone who knew the candidate previously testifying the candidate’s character. The candidate will also be required to submit any certificate from the educational institution last attended by him. 

Will all the selected candidates be appointed to the Service? 

No, mere selection would not entitle a candidate for selection to the post. The selected candidates will be run through all the appointment eligibility conditions before the appointment/posting. 

References 

1. https://thc.nic.in/notification/THC_16855_13072022.pdf. 

2.https://thc.nic.in/Tripura%20State%20Lagislation%20Rules/The%20Tripura%20Judicial%20Service%20Rules,%202003.pdf 

3. Previous Year Question Papers of the Tripura Judicial Service exams. 

4. https://developindiagroup.co.in/Judicial-Service-exam/tripura-judicial-service-exam.html 

5. https://www.toprankers.com/how-to-write-answers-for-judiciary-mains-exam. 

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