If you are preparing for the OPSC Civil Judge (Junior Division) Recruitment 2025, the first thing you need to understand clearly is the exam structure. Many candidates make the mistake of preparing without a proper understanding of what each stage tests, how many marks it carries, and what the qualifying requirements are. This blog covers every detail of the exam pattern and syllabus directly from the official Advertisement No. 02 of 2026-27 issued by the Odisha Public Service Commission.

The selection process has three stages: a Preliminary Written Examination, a Main Written Examination, and an Interview. Each stage has a specific role in the selection, and a candidate must clear each one to move forward.

Overview of the Selection Process

Note: The Preliminary Examination marks are not counted in the final merit list.

Stage 1: Preliminary Written Examination

The Preliminary Written Examination is the first stage of selection. It is an objective type (MCQ) test consisting of one paper.

Exam Pattern

• Total Marks: 100
• Total Questions: 100 questions of 1 mark each
• Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Type: Objective type (Multiple Choice Questions)
• Answer sheets: OMR sheets scrutinized by computer
• Negative Marking: 25% (i.e., 0.25 marks deducted for every wrong answer)

Important Note on Negative Marking:

For every wrong answer, 25 percent of the marks allotted to that particular question will be deducted. This is not one-third deduction as in some other exams. It is specifically 25 percent (one-fourth) as per the notification. Candidates should not attempt questions they are unsure about.

Subjects Covered in the Preliminary Examination

The paper covers the following subjects:

• (a) The Constitution of India
• (b) The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
• (c) The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
• (d) The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
• (e) The Indian Penal Code, 1860 and The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
• (f) The Limitation Act
• (g) The Transfer of Property Act
• (h) The Law of Contract
• (i) The Law of Succession (Indian Succession Act and Hindu Succession Act)
• (j) The Specific Relief Act
• (k) The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, and any other relevant topics in law(s) as the High Court of Orissa may specify from time to time

Note on Updated Criminal Law Codes:

The syllabus includes both the old and new criminal law codes together. For example, candidates must prepare both The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 along with The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Similarly, both The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 along with The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, and both The Indian Penal Code, 1860 along with The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 are included. This is important because questions may be drawn from either the old or new code.

Qualifying Marks for the Preliminary Examination

The Commission will call candidates for the Main Written Examination based on the following minimum qualifying marks in the Preliminary Examination:

• For SC and ST candidates and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities: minimum 35 percent of marks
• For all other candidates: minimum 40 percent of marks 

Stage 2: Main Written Examination

Candidates who qualify the Preliminary Examination are called for the Main Written Examination. This is a descriptive stage and is the most important part of the selection process, as it directly contributes to the final merit list.

The Main Written Examination consists of two compulsory papers and three optional papers. Each paper carries 150 marks.

Compulsory Papers:

Paper 1: General English (150 Marks | Duration: 2 Hours 30 Minutes)

This paper tests the candidate's ability in the English language. It covers the following components:

• (a) Translation and retranslation of ten lines each. There will be two passages: one in English to be translated into Odia, and another in Odia to be retranslated into English.
• (b) A short essay of about 150 words
• (c) Precis writing consisting of 300 words
• (d) One passage of about 500 words with 5 questions

Note: The standard of this paper shall be that of a degree course (not LLB standard).

Paper 2: Procedural Laws (150 Marks | Duration: 2 Hours 30 Minutes)

This paper covers the following procedural law subjects:

• (a) The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
• (b) The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
• (c) The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023

Note: The standard of the compulsory and optional papers shall be that of the LLB course.

Optional Papers:

A candidate must choose any THREE subjects from the following five optional subjects. Each optional paper carries 150 marks with a duration of 3 hours.

Summary of All Papers

* Candidate must choose any THREE of the five optional subjects listed. Once selected, no change is permitted.

Details of Optional Subjects:

(i) Law of Crime and Law of Torts (150 Marks)

This optional covers criminal law and tort law principles.

(ii) Personal Laws (150 Marks)

•        (a) Hindu Law

•        (b) Mohammedan Law

(iii) Law of Property (150 Marks)

•        (a) The Transfer of Property Act, 1882

•        (b) The Specific Relief Act, 1963

•        (c) The Indian Limitation Act, 1963

(iv) Law of Contract (150 Marks)

•        (a) The Indian Contract Act, 1872

•        (b) The Sales of Goods Act, 1930

•        (c) The Partnership Act, 1932

•        (d) The Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881

(v) Jurisprudence and The Constitution of India (150 Marks)

This optional paper covers jurisprudence theory and constitutional law of India.

Important Rules for Optional Subjects:

•        The optional subjects selected by a candidate in the online application form will be treated as final.

•        No request for change of optional subject(s) will be entertained under any circumstances.

•        All papers must be answered in English unless otherwise directed.

Qualifying Marks for the Main Written Examination

To be eligible for the Interview, candidates must secure:

•        General candidates: Minimum 45 percent marks in aggregate AND minimum 33 percent marks in each individual paper

•        Persons with Benchmark Disabilities: Minimum 40 percent marks in aggregate AND minimum 30 percent marks in each individual paper

The Commission will call candidates for the Interview in a ratio of not more than three times the number of advertised vacancies under each category, in order of merit.

Stage 3: Interview (Viva Voce)

Candidates who qualify the Main Written Examination are called for the Interview. Documents and testimonials submitted by candidates are verified before the interview with respect to their correctness and authenticity.

Marks and Qualifying Requirement

•        Total marks for Interview: 100 marks

•        Minimum qualifying marks: 40 percent (i.e., 40 out of 100)

•        Candidates who do not secure 40 percent in the Interview will NOT be included in the merit list even if they scored well in the Main Written Examination.

What is Tested in the Interview

Questions asked in the Interview may not ordinarily go outside the syllabus of the Main Written Examination. In addition, questions covering broad national and international issues and matters of common interest in the field of Arts and Science may also be asked.

How is the Final Merit List Prepared?

The final merit list is prepared on the basis of combined marks secured in the Main Written Examination and the Interview. The marks scored in the Preliminary Examination are not added to the final total.

If two or more candidates secure equal marks in the aggregate, the order of merit is decided as follows:

•        First, by marks secured in the Main Written Examination

•        If still equal, by marks obtained in the LLB examination

•        If still equal, the older candidate is placed above the younger one

The merit list recommended by the Commission remains valid for a period of one year from the date of its approval by the Government.

Important: Cut-off marks, answer keys, and individual marks will only be declared on the OPSC website after the publication of the final result and select list.

Date of Preliminary Examination

The Preliminary Examination is scheduled to be held on 5th July 2026 (Sunday). The detailed schedule and examination centres will be notified by OPSC in due course.

After the Preliminary Written Examination, the provisional answer key will be uploaded on the OPSC website within 10 days. Candidates can raise objections if any. Those who do not challenge the provisional answer key will forfeit their right to agitate the matter later.

Examination Centres

The Preliminary Written Examination will be held at six zonal centres: Balasore, Berhampur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jeypore, and Sambalpur. Candidates must select any two zones of their choice while filling the online application form. Zone allocation will be on a First Come First Served basis. Requests for change of zone will not be entertained.

The Main Written Examination may be held at the above six zones or only at Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, depending on the number of candidates selected.

Conclusion

The OPSC Civil Judge 2025 exam has a well-defined three-stage structure. Understanding the exact syllabus, negative marking rules, qualifying thresholds, and optional subject requirements is critical before you start preparation. The inclusion of both old and new criminal codes (CrPC alongside BNSS, IPC alongside BNS, Indian Evidence Act alongside BSA) in the syllabus is something candidates must not overlook. Visit https://opsc.gov.in for the official notification and stay updated on exam schedules.