Complete guide to Supreme Court Law Clerkship Exam: eligibility, exam pattern, subject-wise strategies & study plan to crack this prestigious position. This article is written by Urvi Shah, Senior Associate at LawSikho.

Imagine spending a year working directly with Supreme Court judges, contributing to judgments that shape India’s legal landscape. That’s the reality for the 90 Law Clerk cum Research Associates selected annually through one of the country’s toughest legal exams.

While most law graduates are just starting out at firms or district courts, these 90 individuals get a career advantage that’s hard to beat, learning from India’s finest legal minds and building credentials that instantly set them apart.

The challenge? Thousands compete for that spot each year.

Cracking this exam isn’t just about knowing the law. It demands strategic preparation, sharp legal writing, and a clear understanding of what the selection committee is looking for.

This guide gives you exactly that, a complete roadmap to help you prepare effectively and maximize your chances of becoming a Supreme Court Law Clerk.

Eligibility Criteria for Supreme Court Law Clerkship Exam 

Educational Qualification Requirements

You must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from any institution recognised by the Bar Council of India for enrolment as an Advocate. This includes both 3 year LLB programs and 5 year integrated courses like BA LLB, BBA LLB, or B.Com LLB offered by National Law Universities and other recognised law schools across India.

Final year students can also apply for the position. If you’re in the fifth year of a 5 year integrated course or third year of a 3 year LLB program, you’re eligible to apply provided you can furnish proof of acquiring the law qualification before taking up the assignment. This provision allows you to begin preparation well before graduation.

The qualification requirements for the Supreme Court Law Clerk position are straightforward and must be carefully verified before applying. 

Age Limit and Other Requirements

Candidates must be at least 20 years old and not more than 32 years as on the final date for registration. There’s no restriction on the number of attempts, meaning you can reapply in subsequent recruitment cycles until reaching the maximum age limit. Only Indian citizens can apply, with no domicile restrictions within India.

You should possess research and analytical skills, writing abilities, and knowledge of computers including proficiency in retrieving information from legal databases such as e-SCR, Manupatra, SCC Online, LexisNexis, and Westlaw. 

An important disqualification to note is that candidates involved in any criminal case, whether convicted or with criminal trial pending, are not eligible for this position.

Understanding the Exam Pattern and Selection Process

Part I: Multiple Choice Questions (100 Marks)

The first part consists of 100 MCQs to be completed within 2.5 hours, covering reading comprehension, analytical and legal aptitude and recent developments in law. 

Each correct answer earns you 1 mark, but there’s a deduction of 0.25 marks for every incorrect response. This negative marking system means random guessing can hurt your score significantly, so you need a strategy that balances attempting maximum questions while avoiding wild guesses.

To qualify for Part II evaluation, you must secure at least 40% marks (40 out of 100). Candidates who fail to meet this threshold are automatically rejected, and their Part II answer sheets are not assessed. This makes Part I preparation crucial as it serves as the gateway to having your subjective answers evaluated at all.

Part II: Subjective Written Examination (300 Marks)

Part II must be completed within 3.5 hours (including 30 minutes of reading time) and consists of three question types: 

1. The Brief Preparation question (150 marks) requires you to prepare a 750-word concise summary of a provided case file. 
2. The Research Memo (75 marks) presents a brief factual dispute with relevant statutes and precedents, requiring a 500-750 word reasoned analysis. 
3. The Analytical Question (75 marks) tests your ability to write a 350-500 word response on contemporary legal topics.

To qualify in Part II, you need minimum 50% marks (150 out of 300). This higher threshold reflects the importance of strong writing and analytical skills for the law clerk role. 

The final results are calculated based on combined marks from Part I and Part II, with your total score out of 400 marks determining your position in the merit ranking.

Here’s a sample guide of questions and answers for Supreme Court Law Clerkship Exam.

You can refer to an article on Supreme Court Law Clerkship: Syllabus and Eligibility, for better understanding of the syllabus and eligibility criteria.  

Creating an Effective Study Schedule for Supreme Court Law Clerkship Exam

Month Wise Preparation Breakdown

For candidates with 2-3 months of preparation time, strategic allocation is essential. 

January (Weeks 1-4) should focus on syllabus completion: Week 1 for Constitutional Law and Contract Act, Week 2 for Criminal Law, Week 3 for Civil Law, and Week 4 for English comprehension and General Studies. Focus on understanding concepts rather than memorization.

February (Weeks 5-8) should emphasize application and practice. Weeks 5-6 are for solving at least 3-4 complete previous year papers and analyzing performance. Weeks 7-8 should focus on Part II writing practice with at least 2-3 case synopsis, research memos, and analytical questions each. 

Early March (Weeks 9-10) is for consolidation through 2-3 full-length mock tests and focused revision on high-weightage topics.

Balancing Part I and Part II Preparation

In early weeks, allocate 70% of time to Part I subjects and 30% to Part II skills. As the exam approaches, shift to 50-50 or even 40-60 favoring Part II since writing skills need more practice time to develop. Don’t ignore Part II until finishing Part I preparation, as these skills develop gradually and cannot be rushed in the final week.

Daily study hours should be 4-5 hours during initial phases for working professionals or final-year students, increasing to 6-8 hours in the final month. Use morning hours for subjects requiring intense concentration and afternoon or evening for practice and lighter reading. Ensure adequate sleep, especially in final weeks, as it consolidates learning and improves exam performance.

Subject-Wise Preparation Strategy for Part I

Constitutional Law and Criminal Law Focus Areas

Constitutional Law consistently remains a high weightage subject with 15-20 questions per examination. Focus your preparation on Fundamental Rights under Articles 14, 19, 21, and 32, Directive Principles, Supreme Court jurisdiction, Parliamentary procedures, and Emergency provisions. Landmark judgments like Kesavananda Bharati [SC 1973], Maneka Gandhi [SC 1978]  and K.S. Puttaswamy [SC 2017] are essential reading for this section.

Criminal Law (IPC and CrPC combined) typically accounts for 20-30 questions. Under IPC, emphasize General Exceptions, offenses against human body and property, and the distinction between murder and culpable homicide. For CrPC, understand classification of offenses, arrest provisions, bail provisions distinguishing between bailable and non-bailable offenses, and trial procedures including the difference between summons cases and warrant cases. 

Civil Law, Evidence Act, and Contract Act Preparation

Civil Law contributes approximately 20 questions covering CPC and Evidence Act. For CPC, focus on jurisdiction provisions, suit structure, Orders VII, VIII, XIV, and XXXIX, and appeals under Sections 96, 100, and 115. For Evidence Act, concentrate on relevancy provisions (Sections 5-55), burden of proof, presumptions, and examination of witnesses.

Contract Act was introduced in 2023 with approximately 10-12 questions. Focus on essentials of a valid contract under Sections 10-30, free consent and its vitiating factors, offer and acceptance rules, consideration and its exceptions, and breach of contract remedies. The Sales of Goods Act provisions on transfer of property and conditions versus warranties are also helpful for this section.

Mastering Part II: Writing Strategies That Work

Case Synopsis: Structure and Common Mistakes

A comprehensive case synopsis must cover five essential elements within the 750-word limit. Start with a brief introduction (50-75 words) identifying the nature of the case, parties involved, and the court from which the appeal arises. 

The key facts section (200-250 words) should present material facts chronologically, focusing only on facts relevant to legal issues. Legal issues (100-150 words), ratio decidendi (150-200 words), and grounds for appeal (100-150 words) complete the structure.

The most common mistake is including every fact from the case file rather than selecting material facts relevant to legal issues. Candidates often confuse the ratio decidendi with obiter dicta, including passing observations rather than binding principles. Using legal jargon incorrectly, exceeding word limits, and presenting unstructured walls of text are also penalized heavily by evaluators.

Research Memo and Analytical Question Techniques

The research memo follows a structured format beginning with a Question Presented section (50-75 words), Brief Answer (50-75 words), Analysis (300-450 words), and Conclusion (50-75 words). 

When analyzing statutes and precedents, focus on cases factually similar to your dispute rather than cases merely discussing the same legal principle in different contexts. Use the IRAC (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion) framework to structure each analytical point.

For the analytical question, state your thesis directly in the opening paragraph rather than beginning with vague generalities. Each body paragraph should develop one main argument supporting your thesis with specific examples from Indian legal developments, comparative constitutional law, or current events. 

Practice writing one answer per week on potential topics under timed conditions to develop writing skills under pressure.

Key Resources and Books for Preparation

Recommended Textbooks for Each Subject

For Constitutional Law, V.N. Shukla’s Constitution of India provides comprehensive coverage suitable for this examination, while D.D. Basu’s Introduction to the Constitution of India is another excellent choice. For Criminal Law, Ratanlal and Dhirajlal’s Indian Penal Code and The Code of Criminal Procedure are standard texts. C.K. Takwani’s Civil Procedure Code and Batuk Lal’s Law of Evidence cover civil law requirements effectively.

For Contract Law, Avtar Singh’s Law of Contract is accessible for examination purposes. For General Studies and General Knowledge, Lucent’s General Knowledge and Arihant’s General Studies are helpful. Examination-specific guides like Singhal’s Guide to Supreme Court Law Clerk Examination with solved papers help understand question patterns.

Online Resources and Daily Reading Habits

Legal databases are essential for accessing judgments. SCC Online and Manupatra offer comprehensive judgment search functionality, while the Supreme Court’s e-SCR is available free on the official website. 

For legal news, follow Bar and Bench, Live Law, and Legally India daily for Supreme Court updates and legislative developments.

Make it a habit to spend at least 30 minutes daily on legal news reading, increasing this as the exam approaches. 

Create a running document summarizing important judgments in 3-4 lines each, noting case name, key legal issue, and ratio decidendi. 

Subscribe to case law digests from SCC Online or Manupatra to receive weekly summaries of important judgments relevant for the Latest Developments section.

For preparation resources, LawSikho’s Supreme Court Law Clerk Booster Course offers comprehensive recorded lectures, MCQ banks, and interview preparation support. 

You can even watch YouTube videos which can supplement your learning with video explanations of complex topics

Conclusion

Preparing for the Supreme Court Law Clerkship examination requires a strategic, disciplined approach balancing knowledge acquisition with skill development. Focus on building genuine legal understanding rather than superficial memorization, as the examination tests your ability to apply law to facts and articulate legal reasoning clearly. 

The skills you develop during preparation will serve you throughout your legal career regardless of which path you choose after the clerkship. For getting more clarity and tips you can read this article. With the right preparation and mindset, you can secure your position among the approximately 90 candidates selected annually for this prestigious role. Stay focused, practice consistently, and regularly check the official Supreme Court website at sci.gov.in for the latest notification details and updates.

Serato DJ Crack 2025Serato DJ PRO Crack