State-Wise Judiciary Cut-Off &
PCS-J Prelims-Mains Marks Analysis
Comprehensive cut-off guide for Judicial Services Examinations across Delhi (DJS), Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS-J), Haryana (HCS-JB), Rajasthan (RJS), Madhya Pradesh (MP CJ), and Bihar (BJS).
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Judicial Service Exam Structure
- Stage 1: Preliminary Exam (Screening): Objective MCQs testing core law acts & local laws (Qualifying nature).
- Stage 2: Mains Examination (Written): Subjective essay & answer writing across Civil, Criminal & Language papers.
- Stage 3: Viva-Voce / Interview: Personality, legal temperament, and oral questioning.
- Final Merit Ranking: Calculated exclusively on Mains Written Score + Interview Score.
Key Cut-Off Factors
- Screening Ratio: Usually 1:10 or 1:15 candidates shortlisted for Mains based on Prelims cut-off.
- Minimum Qualifying Benchmark: 40% - 45% minimum aggregate required in Mains written papers.
- State Domicile Reservation: Out-of-state reserved candidates are treated under the General Unreserved category.
- Local Rent & Land Laws: State-specific local acts heavily influence Mains rank differences.
State-Wise PCS-J Prelims Cut-Off Marks Analysis
Historical & expected screening cut-off scores for Unreserved (General) and Reserved categories across key states.
| State Judicial Service Exam | Total Prelims Marks | General Cutoff (Latest) | OBC / EWS Cutoff | SC / ST Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi Judicial Service (DJS) | 200 Marks | 160.75 / 200 Marks | 138 - 145 Marks | 115 - 125 Marks |
| UP PCS-J (Uttar Pradesh) | 450 Marks | 265 - 280 Marks | 240 - 255 Marks | 200 - 220 Marks |
| Haryana Civil Judge (HCS-JB) | 500 Marks | 350 - 365 Marks | 310 - 330 Marks | 270 - 290 Marks |
| Rajasthan Judicial Service (RJS) | 100 Marks | 74 - 78 Marks | 64 - 68 Marks | 54 - 60 Marks |
| MP Civil Judge (MP CJ) | 150 Marks | 115 - 122 Marks | 105 - 112 Marks | 90 - 98 Marks |
| Bihar Judicial Service (BJS) | 250 Marks | 162 - 170 Marks | 145 - 155 Marks | 120 - 132 Marks |
Understanding State Judicial Services Screening vs Final Merit
Judicial Services Exams (PCS-J) across Indian states follow a strict three-tier selection process. A common point of confusion among legal aspirants is the difference between **Prelims screening cut-offs** and **Final selection cut-offs**:
- Preliminary Examination Cut-Off: The Prelims test is purely a screening mechanism. The marks obtained in Prelims are NOT added to the final merit list. The High Court or State Public Service Commission shortlists candidates equal to 10 to 15 times the vacancy count.
- Mains Written Examination Cut-Off: Candidates must clear both paper-wise minimum qualifying thresholds (typically 40% per paper) and aggregate cut-offs (typically 45% to 50%) to receive a Viva-Voce (Interview) call letter.
- Final Merit Selection: The final rank list is compiled by summing the Mains written score and the Interview score.
State-Wise Mains & Final Merit Cut-Off Benchmarks
Historical qualifying score benchmarks for final appointment as Civil Judge (Junior Division).
| Judicial Service Exam | Total Mains Marks | Mains Interview Call Cutoff (Gen) | Final Merit Selection Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi Judicial Service (DJS) | 850 Marks | 450+ Marks (53%+) | 520+ Marks (Mains + Interview) |
| UP PCS-J Mains | 1500 Marks | 760+ Marks (50.6%+) | 840+ Marks Total |
| Haryana Judiciary Mains | 900 Marks | 450+ Marks (50%+) | 530+ Marks Total |
| RJS Mains Written | 300 Marks | 165+ Marks (55%+) | 195+ Marks Total |
| MP Civil Judge Mains | 400 Marks | 230+ Marks (57.5%+) | 265+ Marks Total |
State Domicile & Category Reservation Rules
State judicial exams adhere to state-level reservation mandates. Aspirants must note the following legal guidelines when registering across state boundaries:
- Out-of-State Candidates: Candidates applying for judicial exams outside their home state (e.g. a candidate from Bihar applying for DJS or UP PCS-J) are classified under the **Unreserved / General Category**, regardless of their reserved status in their home state.
- Female Horizontal Quotas: States like UP, Bihar, and Rajasthan enforce 20% to 30% horizontal reservation for female candidates possessing state domicile.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Judiciary Cut-Off
Key queries answered for Civil Judge & Judicial Services aspirants.
Q1. Are Prelims marks added to the final Judiciary merit list?
No, Preliminary examination marks are strictly for screening purposes and are not added to the final selection list.
Q2. What was the General cut-off for Delhi Judicial Service (DJS) Prelims?
The DJS Prelims General category cut-off was 160.75 out of 200 marks in the recent examination cycle.
Q3. Can an out-of-state candidate claim OBC/SC/ST reservation in UP PCS-J or RJS?
No, category reservation benefits are restricted to candidates holding valid domicile certificates of that specific state. Out-of-state applicants compete under the General Unreserved category.
Q4. What is the minimum qualifying mark required in Judiciary Mains?
Most High Courts mandate a minimum of 40% in each individual written paper and an aggregate of 45% to 50% across all Mains papers to qualify for the Interview round.