Tamil Nadu Civil Judge exam: pattern, syllabus and eligibility
TNPSC recruits Civil Judges in three stages. The prelims only gets you to the mains. Your rank comes from four descriptive papers and a 60-mark viva. Here is every stage, mark and rule, taken from the official notification.
Last checked against TNPSC Notification No. 12/2023 (Advertisement No. 661, dated 01.06.2023) on 16 October 2026. Always confirm with the current notification on tnpsc.gov.in.
- Practice requirement. In All India Judges Association v. Union of India (20 May 2025) the Supreme Court required three years' practice. It then modified that in Bhumika Trust v. Union of India (2026 INSC 904, 21 August 2026): for exams notified up to 31 March 2027, fresh law graduates may apply and, if selected, do one year of Judicial Academy training and one year of law clerkship before regular appointment; from 1 April 2027, one year's practice is required. The next TNPSC notification should apply this, so read its eligibility clause carefully.
- New criminal laws. The 2023 syllabus lists the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act. The BNS, BNSS and BSA replaced them from 1 July 2024, so expect the next syllabus to name the new codes. Study both, with the section mapping.
Three stages, and only two count toward your rank
Preliminary exam
100Qualifying only- 100 objective questions, 1 mark each
- 3 hours, OMR, in English and Tamil
- −0.10 for each wrong answer
- Shortlists up to 10× the vacancies for the mains
Main exam
400Counts for rank- Four descriptive papers, 100 marks and 3 hours each
- Translation paper, plus Law Papers I, II and III
- You must sit all four papers or none are evaluated
- Pass mark applies to each paper
Viva-voce
60Counts for rank- Called in a 1:2 or 1:3 ratio to vacancies
- Minimum 18 marks for every category
Final merit = Main exam (400) + Viva-voce (60) = 460 marks. Prelims marks are not counted.
Minimum marks to pass each stage
| Stage | SC, SC(A), ST | BC(OBCM), BC(M), MBC/DC | Others |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary (out of 100) | 30 | 35 | 40 |
| Main exam (each paper) | 30% | 35% | 40% |
| Viva-voce (out of 60) | 18 for all categories | ||
Can you apply? Check this first
Practising advocates and APPs
- Law degree from a recognised Indian university, and enrolled with the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu or any other State.
- Practising as an advocate or pleader on the notification date, with at least 3 years of practice by then, or an Assistant Public Prosecutor with at least 3 years as advocate and/or APP.
- Must keep practising (or serving as APP) until selection and appointment.
- Law graduates from 2009–10 onwards must have passed the All India Bar Examination to count as practising advocates.
Fresh law graduates (2023 rules)
- Law degree from a recognised university and eligible to enrol as an advocate.
- Overall law degree marks: 45% for reserved categories, 50% for others.
- Law degree obtained within three years before the notification date.
- Enrolled advocates with less than 3 years' practice apply in this category.
- For exams notified up to 31 March 2027, fresh graduates remain eligible under the Supreme Court's August 2026 ruling (see above).
Age limits (as on 01.07.2023)
| Category | Minimum age | Maximum age (should not have completed) |
|---|---|---|
| Practising advocates and APPs: SC, SC(A), ST, MBC/DC, BC, BCM, and destitute widows of all castes | 25 | 42 |
| Practising advocates and APPs: others | 25 | 37 |
| Fresh law graduates: all categories | 22 | 29 |
Persons with benchmark disability get up to 10 more years. The Commission's other general age concessions do not apply to this recruitment.
Language
You need adequate knowledge to read, write and speak English and Tamil. Candidates without adequate Tamil may still apply, but must pass the Second Class Language Test in Tamil during probation if selected.
Character and conduct
Three character certificates from people not related to you, issued after the notification date. One must be from a senior advocate or an advocate with at least 10 years at the Bar.
Prelims syllabus, part by part
Part A · Civil laws and the Constitution
- The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
- The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
- The Transfer of Property Act, 1882
- The Indian Contract Act, 1872
- The Specific Relief Act, 1963
- The Constitution of India
- The Tamil Nadu Buildings (Lease and Rent Control) Act, 1960
- The Tamil Nadu Regulation of Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants Act, 2017 Notes on JPT
Part B · Criminal laws
- The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 → now BNSS, 2023
- The Indian Penal Code, 1860 → now BNS, 2023
- The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 → now BSA, 2023
- The Criminal Law (Amendment) Acts
- Criminal minor Acts, including the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the POCSO Act, 2012 (the list is illustrative, not exhaustive)
Part C · General paper
- General Knowledge (degree standard)
- Test of Reasoning and Mental Ability (SSLC standard)
Main exam papers
| Paper | What it covers | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Translation | English to Tamil and Tamil to English. Passages from pleadings, depositions, orders, judgments and documents. | 100 |
| Law Paper I | CPC, CrPC, Evidence Act, principles of pleading, and the Constitution (as amended). | 100 |
| Law Paper II | Framing of issues and writing judgments in civil cases. | 100 |
| Law Paper III | Framing of charges and writing judgments in criminal cases. | 100 |
Law papers are set in English and Tamil. Answer each paper wholly in English or wholly in Tamil; mixed answer sheets are not evaluated. Stating the principle from a case is enough, and a wrong citation can cost you.
What all-India material usually skips
Two rent laws, not one
Part A names both the repealed 1960 Rent Control Act and the 2017 Act that replaced it. Cases pending under the 1960 Act still run under it, so expect questions on both and on how the two connect.
Read the TN Rent Act notesThe translation paper
A full 100-mark paper that counts toward rank. Practise translating real pleadings, depositions and judgments both ways, with legal terms in Tamil.
Judgment writing
Two of the four mains papers are civil and criminal judgment writing: framing issues and charges, weighing evidence, and writing a reasoned order. Write full answers under time limits.
Negative marking is light
At −0.10 per wrong answer, a reasoned guess that removes even one option is usually worth taking. Plan your attempt strategy around this.
2023 recruitment timeline
About 11 weeks from notification to prelims, and about 10 weeks from prelims to mains. Plan your preparation so the mains papers are ready before the prelims.
Fees
| Fee | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| One-time registration (valid 5 years) | ₹150 | Before applying, unless your registration is still valid |
| Preliminary exam | ₹100 | With the online application |
| Main exam | ₹200 | Only if admitted to the mains |
Fee concessions apply to some categories. Aadhaar must be linked to your one-time registration.
Everything for TNCJ, in one place
Quick answers
Is there negative marking in the prelims?
Yes. Each correct answer carries one mark and 0.10 mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
Do prelims marks count in the final merit list?
No. The prelims only shortlists candidates. Your rank comes from the main exam (400) and the viva-voce (60).
Can fresh law graduates apply?
Under the 2023 notification, yes, within the age, marks and three-year-degree conditions above. Under the Supreme Court's August 2026 ruling in Bhumika Trust, fresh graduates stay eligible for exams notified up to 31 March 2027, with two years of training and clerkship after selection; from 1 April 2027 one year's practice is needed.
Can I apply if I don't know Tamil well?
Yes. If selected, you must pass the Second Class Language Test in Tamil during probation. The translation paper in the mains is still compulsory.
Should I study IPC or BNS?
Both, with the section mapping. The 2023 syllabus names the old codes, but the BNS, BNSS and BSA have been in force since 1 July 2024 and the next syllabus is likely to name them.
Can I write the mains in Tamil?
Yes. Law Papers I to III can be answered wholly in English or wholly in Tamil, but not a mix of the two.
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- Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, Notification No. 12/2023, Advertisement No. 661, dated 01.06.2023: Civil Judge, Tamil Nadu State Judicial Service. tnpsc.gov.in
- All India Judges Association v. Union of India, 2025 INSC 735 (Supreme Court of India, 20 May 2025).
- Bhumika Trust v. Union of India, 2026 INSC 904 (Supreme Court of India, 21 August 2026), as reported by LawZone. Check the judgment text before relying on details.
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, in force from 1 July 2024.
JPT is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with TNPSC or the Madras High Court.