Supreme Court Judicial Clerkship Exam: Complete guide on eligibility, exam pattern, Part II preparation & career benefits. Learn how to crack this prestigious exam. This article is written by Urvi Shah, Senior Associate at LawSikho.

Most law graduates spend years dreaming of practicing in the Supreme Court.

What if I tell you that your first job after law school meant working alongside Supreme Court judges?

That’s exactly what 90 fresh graduates achieve every year through the Supreme Court Judicial Clerkship, a one-year position paying ₹80,000 monthly that transforms recent law graduates into highly sought-after legal professionals.

The Supreme Court Judicial Clerkship offers something no law firm or practice area can match: a front row seat to constitutional law being shaped in real time. 

Former clerks move on to top tier litigation practices, prestigious judicial positions, and global LLM programs with unmatched credentials.

Yet thousands of qualified candidates fail the selection exam every year.

The reason isn’t a lack of legal knowledge. It’s a fundamental misunderstanding of what the exam actually tests.

Most candidates treat this like any other competitive exam: memorizing provisions, cramming case laws, racing through MCQs. 

That’s exactly the opposite of what the exam demands.

The clerkship isn’t looking for students who’ve memorized the most case laws. 

It’s looking for graduates who can think, analyze, and write like judicial officers. 

The 90 who succeed every year understand something their competitors don’t: cracking this exam isn’t about how much law you know. It’s about demonstrating you can apply it the way a judge would.

This guide shows you exactly how to prepare strategically, from eligibility requirements and exam structure to the analytical writing approach that actually determines selection.

Are you ready? Let us begin.

Supreme Court Judicial Clerkship: Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification Requirements

You must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from any institution recognized by the Bar Council of India for enrolment as an Advocate. 

This includes both the traditional three year LLB program and the five-year integrated law course, such as BA LLB, BBA LLB, or B.Com LLB from National Law Universities and other recognized institutions.

Final year students are also eligible to apply. If you’re currently in the fifth year of a five-year integrated course or the third year of a three-year LLB program, you can submit your application. However, you must furnish proof of degree completion before the July joining date.

Age Limit and Citizenship Requirements

You must be at least 20 years old and not more than 32 years as on the date of application. There’s no restriction on the number of attempts, meaning you can reapply in subsequent recruitment cycles until you reach the maximum age limit.

Only Indian citizens can apply. Practicing advocates and candidates engaged elsewhere on an honorarium or payment basis are ineligible. Additionally, candidates involved in any criminal case, whether convicted or with a pending trial, are disqualified.

Supreme Court Judicial Clerkship Exam Syllabus

Part I – Multiple Choice Questions (100 Marks)

Part I consists of 100 objective questions conducted online over 2.5 hours. Each incorrect answer carries a negative marking of 0.25 marks. Candidates must secure a minimum of 40% or the specified cut-off to qualify; those failing to meet this threshold have their Part II papers automatically rejected. The syllabus includes the following:

Reading Comprehension and English Language

This section presents passages followed by objective questions testing your ability to understand, interpret, and analyze written content. Questions assess vocabulary, grammar, synonyms, antonyms, sentence correction, and comprehension of legal and general passages. Strong reading comprehension skills are essential as law clerks spend considerable time reading lengthy judgments and pleadings.

Constitution of India

Constitutional law forms the backbone of Supreme Court practice. Focus on the Preamble, Fundamental Rights under Part III (especially Article 21 jurisprudence), Directive Principles under Part IV, Parliamentary procedures, Judiciary provisions (Articles 124-147), constitutional amendment processes under Article 368, and the basic structure doctrine from Kesavananda Bharati. Study federal structure provisions, center-state relations, and emergency provisions under Part XVIII.

You should refer to the official notification on www.sci.gov.in for any updates to the syllabus.

Criminal Law (IPC/BNS and CrPC/BNSS)

The syllabus now includes both old and new criminal codes, effective from 2024. Cover general exceptions, offenses against the human body (murder, culpable homicide, hurt, kidnapping), property offenses (theft, extortion, robbery, cheating), and offenses against public tranquility. For procedure, study arrest provisions, bail procedures, stages of criminal trial, and appellate provisions. Understanding the hierarchy of criminal courts and their powers is essential.

Civil Law (CPC, Contract Act, Evidence)

Contract Act topics include essentials of valid contracts (offer, acceptance, consideration, capacity, free consent), void and voidable agreements, performance and discharge, breach and remedies. CPC covers jurisdiction (territorial, pecuniary, subject-matter), institution of suits, interim orders, decree execution, and appeals. The Evidence Act focuses on the relevancy of facts, documentary and oral evidence, the burden of proof, and the examination of witnesses.

Recent Developments in Law

This segment covers significant judgments, legislative changes, and legal developments from the preceding year. Follow legal news portals like LiveLaw, Bar and Bench, and the Supreme Court website for recent Constitutional Bench decisions and landmark rulings. Focus on understanding legal principles established rather than just memorizing case names.

Here is a list of judgments available on the Supreme Court website.

Based on recent patterns, the question distribution includes approximately 18 questions from Constitutional Law, 21 from Criminal Law (IPC and CrPC combined), 32 from Civil Law (CPC, Contract, and Evidence), 15 from English Comprehension, and 15 from Recent Developments in Law.

Part II – Subjective Written Examination (300 Marks)

Part II carries 300 marks (three times Part I’s weightage), making it the most crucial component. Despite this, most candidates underprepare for this section, focusing disproportionately on MCQs. 

The examination lasts 3.5 hours, including 30 minutes of reading time, and questions appear on screen while answers are written on paper.

This section comprises three components:

Brief Preparation (150 marks)

Candidates receive a case file and must prepare a 750-word synopsis covering parties, material facts, procedural history, legal issues, lower court reasoning, and grounds of appeal.

Draft Research Memo (75 marks)

A factual dispute with relevant statutes and precedents is provided, requiring a 500-750 word reasoned memo. Evaluation focuses on the effective use of legal sources, precise language, and logical reasoning connecting law to facts.

Analytical Question (75 marks)

Candidates write one 350-500-word analytical essay from typically five topic choices on contemporary legal issues, constitutional questions, or policy debates.

Candidates need 50% minimum marks in Part II to qualify for interviews. Combined scores from both parts determine interview eligibility.

Part III – Interview Stage

Qualified candidates (typically three times the vacancies) are called for interviews assessing overall aptitude, legal knowledge, communication skills, and role suitability. 

Interviews cover academic background, internship experiences, fundamental constitutional principles, recent landmark judgments, and hypothetical legal scenarios.

Preparation Strategy for Part I MCQ

Constitutional Law Preparation

With approximately 18 questions, Constitutional Law demands intensive focus. Master Fundamental Rights interpretation through landmark judgments like Kesavananda Bharati, Maneka Gandhi, and Puttaswamy. 

Thoroughly understand Articles 14 (Equality), 19 (Freedoms), 21 (Life and Liberty), and 32 (Constitutional Remedies), including their judicial interpretations.

Cover Parliamentary procedures (Articles 79-122), Judiciary provisions (Articles 124-147), Emergency provisions (Articles 352-360), and Amendment procedure (Article 368). Create tables linking Articles with key judicial interpretations for quick recall during examinations.

Criminal Law Strategy

For IPC, master distinctions between murder (Section 300) and culpable homicide (Section 299), general exceptions (Sections 76-106), and property offenses including theft, extortion, robbery, and dacoity. IPC questions typically present fact situations requiring the identification of applicable offenses.

CrPC preparation should cover arrest procedures (Sections 41-60), bail provisions (Sections 436-450), trial stages, and appellate provisions. Understand differences between bailable and non-bailable offenses, anticipatory bail procedures, and the complete process from FIR to judgment.

Civil Law Focus Areas

CPC preparation includes jurisdiction, suits and pleadings, interim orders (Order 39), execution of decrees, and appeals. For Contract Law, focus on essentials of valid contracts (section 10), void and voidable contracts, breach and remedies, and specific performance.

Evidence Law requires understanding relevance (sections 5-55), admissions and confessions, examination of witnesses, and burden of proof principles.

Recent Developments Coverage

This section covers significant judgments and legal updates from the past 12-18 months. Follow legal news and the Supreme Court website for recent Constitutional Bench decisions and landmark rulings. Maintain categorized notes by subject area for efficient revision.

Here is a list of judgments that is available on the Supreme Court website.

Preparation Strategy for Part II Subjective Paper

Since Part II constitutes 75% of written examination marks, excellence here dramatically improves overall scores.

Mastering Brief Preparation (150 Marks)

You’ll receive a case file (typically a Special Leave Petition, Civil Appeal, or Writ Petition) and must prepare a structured synopsis covering parties and positions, material facts in chronological order, procedural history, legal issues, lower court reasoning, and grounds of challenge.

Develop a consistent format with clear headings for each component. Begin with a header identifying the case, followed by sections for Facts, Issues, Lower Court Decision, and Grounds of Appeal. Practice by downloading sample papers from the Supreme Court website and preparing briefs within the 750-word limit under timed conditions.

Maintain strict word economy; each sentence should convey essential information. State facts objectively without advocacy. Avoid unnecessary background information, don’t copy verbatim from case files, and strictly adhere to the 750-word limit.

Research Memo Mastery (75 Marks)

A research memo requires objective legal analysis examining how relevant statutes and precedents apply to a given dispute. Unlike advocacy documents, memos present balanced analysis identifying strengths and weaknesses of different positions. Structure your memo with a clear issue statement, brief facts, applicable law, systematic analysis, and conclusions.

Reference specific statutory sections rather than general statements—write “Section 10 of the Indian Contract Act requires…” rather than “Contract law provides…” When citing precedents, briefly state the holding and explain its relevance to your facts. 

Distinguish unfavorable precedents by identifying factual or legal differences. The evaluation rewards precise language, logical reasoning, and effective connection of law to facts.

Analytical Question Writing (75 Marks)

Choose topics allowing you to demonstrate depth of legal knowledge, cite relevant provisions, and present balanced arguments. Structure essays with clear thesis statements, body paragraphs presenting different perspectives with supporting legal reasoning, and conclusions synthesizing your analysis.

Present multiple perspectives fairly before stating your position. Acknowledge counterarguments and explain why certain positions prove more persuasive. Support conclusions with legal reasoning rather than personal opinions or emotional appeals.

You can read an article on the preparation guide, which will help you plan an effective study schedule.

Interview Preparation Strategy

Prepare thoroughly on Fundamental Rights interpretation, federalism, separation of powers, and judicial review. Understand recent Constitutional Bench decisions and their implications. Be ready to discuss Article 21 jurisprudence, privacy rights after Puttaswamy, free speech boundaries, and affirmative action principles.

Focus on significant judgments from the past 12-18 months across constitutional, criminal, and civil law areas. Understand not just holdings but reasoning: why did the Court decide as it did?

Stay updated on major legal developments: new legislation, pending bills, law reform proposals, and significant High Court decisions. Be prepared to discuss your internships in detail, explaining what work you did, what you learned, and how it prepared you for clerkship responsibilities.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court Judicial Clerkship Exam offers an unparalleled gateway to India’s most prestigious legal opportunity. With strategic preparation covering both the qualifying MCQ section and the decisive subjective examination, combined with thorough interview preparation, you can significantly improve your selection chances.

Remember that Part II, though often overlooked, carries 75% of your written examination weightage and truly determines success. Master brief preparation, research memo drafting, and analytical essay writing alongside your MCQ preparation. Begin your preparation today, and take the first step toward working alongside India’s highest judicial minds.

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