Haryana Judicial Service Civil Judge Junior Division Exam Syllabus & Overview
Haryana Judicial Service Exam (Civil Judge Junior Division)
Syllabus & Overview (Civil Law)
The Haryana Judicial Service Exam tests a candidate’s knowledge of substantive and procedural laws essential for a Civil Judge in the state. The syllabus broadly includes major branches of Civil Law, Procedural Law, Evidence Law, and other allied subjects.
1. The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (CPC)
Jurisdiction of civil courts, including pecuniary, territorial, and subject-matter jurisdiction
Institution of suits: Plaint, written statement, summons, and pleadings
Framing of issues and discovery and inspection
Trial process: Examination of witnesses, recording of evidence, affidavits
Judgments and decrees
Execution of decrees and orders
Appeals, revisions, and reviews
Temporary injunctions, receivership, and other interim measures
Res judicata and pleadings
Key Case Law:
L. Chandra Kumar v. Union of India (1997) 3 SCC 261 — Judicial review and powers of civil courts under CPC.
S.P. Chengalvaraya Naidu v. Jagannath (1994) 1 SCC 1 — Strict compliance with CPC provisions.
2. The Indian Contract Act, 1872
Essentials of a valid contract: Offer, acceptance, lawful consideration, free consent, capacity
Types of contracts: Contract of sale, partnership, agency, bailment, pledge, guarantee
Discharge of contracts: Performance, breach, and remedies
Quasi-contracts
Key Case Law:
Carlill v. Carbolic Smoke Ball Co. (1893) — Unilateral contract and acceptance.
Mohori Bibee v. Dharmodas Ghose AIR 1903 PC 64 — Capacity to contract.
3. The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
Relevancy of facts
Admissions, confessions, and statements by persons who cannot be called as witnesses
Oral and documentary evidence
Presumptions and burden of proof
Expert evidence
Appreciation of evidence
Key Case Law:
State of Punjab v. Gurmit Singh (1996) 2 SCC 384 — Delay in filing FIR and its effect on prosecution.
K.K. Verma v. Union of India AIR 1965 SC 845 — Burden of proof principles.
4. The Specific Relief Act, 1963
Specific performance of contracts
Injunctions: Temporary and permanent
Declaratory decrees
Rescission and cancellation of contracts
Key Case Law:
Sundaram Finance Ltd. v. NEPC India Ltd. AIR 1999 SC 626 — Principles of specific performance.
Lachhman Dass v. Union of India AIR 1966 SC 1473 — Injunction principles.
5. The Transfer of Property Act, 1882
Sale, mortgage, lease, gift
Rights and liabilities of parties
Doctrine of part performance
Key Case Law:
K.K. Verma v. Union of India AIR 1965 SC 845 — Mortgage and transfer rights.
Sundar Ammal v. S. Natarajan AIR 1955 SC 424 — Possession and transfer.
6. The Limitation Act, 1963
Limitation periods for suits, appeals, and applications
Computation of limitation
Extension and exclusion of time
Doctrine of laches
Key Case Law:
Collector, Land Acquisition v. Mst. Katiji (1987) 2 SCC 93 — Limitation as a condition precedent.
7. Family Laws
Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and Special Marriage Act, 1954: Marriage, divorce, restitution of conjugal rights
Maintenance and custody
Succession and inheritance under Hindu Succession Act
Muslim personal law: Nikah, talaq, maintenance, and inheritance
Christian and Parsi personal laws
Key Case Law:
Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum AIR 1985 SC 945 — Maintenance rights under Muslim personal law.
Lata Singh v. State of U.P. AIR 2006 SC 2522 — Right to marry choice.
8. Principles of Equity and Natural Justice
Doctrine of promissory estoppel
Audi alteram partem (hear the other side)
Nemo judex in causa sua (no one should be a judge in his own cause)
Key Case Law:
Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India AIR 1978 SC 597 — Expanded fair procedure.
K.K. Verma v. Union of India AIR 1965 SC 845 — Equity and fairness.
9. Other Relevant Laws
The Registration Act, 1908
The Indian Succession Act, 1925
The Guardian and Wards Act, 1890
The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
Exam Pattern & Preparation Overview
Preliminary Exam: Objective type questions testing general knowledge, legal aptitude, and basics of substantive and procedural law.
Main Exam: Descriptive type questions focusing on detailed understanding of civil law subjects, drafting of pleadings, case analysis.
Viva/Interview: Assessment of legal knowledge, reasoning ability, and judicial temperament.
Preparation Tips
Focus on bare acts and landmark judgments.
Practice answer writing, especially on procedural matters and application of laws.
Stay updated on amendments and recent judicial pronouncements.
Solve previous years’ question papers to understand exam trends.
Summary Table:
| Subject | Key Areas | Landmark Case Law |
|---|---|---|
| Code of Civil Procedure | Jurisdiction, suits, appeals | L. Chandra Kumar v. Union of India |
| Indian Contract Act | Contract essentials, breach | Carlill v. Carbolic Smoke Ball Co. |
| Indian Evidence Act | Relevancy, burden of proof | State of Punjab v. Gurmit Singh |
| Specific Relief Act | Injunctions, specific performance | Sundaram Finance Ltd. v. NEPC India Ltd. |
| Transfer of Property Act | Sale, mortgage, lease | K.K. Verma v. Union of India |
| Limitation Act | Periods and computation | Collector v. Katiji |
| Family Laws | Marriage, divorce, maintenance | Shah Bano Case |
| Equity & Natural Justice | Fairness and estoppel | Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India |
RELATED Blog
0 comments