Syllabus: Sikkim Judicial Service Exam (Civil Judge)
Sikkim Judicial Service Exam (Civil Judge)
1. General Overview
The Sikkim Judicial Service Exam (Civil Judge) aims to recruit competent judicial officers for the Junior Division. The exam generally consists of Preliminary (Objective type), Mains (Written), and Interview/Viva-Voce stages.
The syllabus broadly covers:
Code of Civil Procedure (CPC)
Indian Penal Code (IPC)
Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)
Indian Evidence Act
Constitution of India
Specific State Laws applicable to Sikkim
Other General Legal Knowledge and Law of Contracts
2. Detailed Syllabus
A. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
Jurisdiction of Civil Courts (Section 9, 11)
Res Judicata (Section 11)
Parties to suit (Order 1)
Pleadings (Order 6)
Summons, Appearance and Ex-parte (Order 5, 9)
Written statement and Defences
Framing of issues (Order 14)
Discovery, inspection and production of documents (Order 11-13)
Hearing and trial procedures
Execution of decrees (Order 21)
Arrest and Attachment before Judgment (Order 37)
Appeals, Review and Revision
Injunctions and Interlocutory orders (Sections 36-41)
Restitution and Set-off
Case Law Example:
Salem Advocate Bar Association v. Union of India (2003) – importance of speedy disposal.
Nair Service Society v. K.C. Alexander (1968) – res judicata and constructive res judicata principles.
B. Indian Penal Code, 1860
General Principles (Sections 1-52A)
Offences against the State (Sections 121-130)
Offences against public tranquility (Sections 141-160)
Offences affecting human body (Sections 299-377)
Offences against property (Sections 378-462)
Criminal Conspiracy (Section 120A-B)
Attempt to commit offences (Section 511)
Case Law Example:
K.M. Nanavati v. State of Maharashtra (1962) – principles related to murder and culpable homicide.
Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab (1980) – death penalty guidelines.
C. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
Arrest and Bail (Sections 41, 437, 439)
Investigation and Inquiry
Charge and Trial procedures
Evidence in criminal trials
Trial of warrant and summons cases
Judgment and Sentencing
Appeals, Revision, and Review
Preventive orders and public nuisance
Juvenile Justice provisions
Case Law Example:
D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal (1997) – guidelines on arrest and detention.
Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978) – right to personal liberty.
D. Indian Evidence Act, 1872
Relevancy of facts (Sections 5-55)
Admissions and Confessions
Statements by persons who cannot be called as witnesses
Expert opinion and examination of witnesses
Burden of proof and presumption
Documentary and circumstantial evidence
Dying Declaration (Section 32)
Case Law Example:
Queen-Empress v. Durgadoo (1897) – relevance of dying declaration.
K.M. Nanavati Case – evidentiary value of confessions.
E. Constitution of India
Fundamental Rights (Articles 12-35)
Directive Principles of State Policy
Union and State Executive and Legislature
Judiciary and its powers (including Writ Jurisdiction)
Centre-State Relations
Amendment of the Constitution (Article 368)
Emergency Provisions (Articles 352-360)
Case Law Example:
Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973) – basic structure doctrine.
Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978) – expansive interpretation of Article 21.
F. Contract Law and Specific Relief Act
Formation of contracts and essentials
Void and voidable contracts
Performance and breach
Quasi-contracts and restitution
Remedies for breach of contract
Specific performance and injunctions
Case Law Example:
Hadley v. Baxendale – remoteness of damages.
Satyabrata Ghose v. Mugneeram Bangur & Co. (1954) – nature of specific performance.
G. Special Laws and Local Laws Applicable to Sikkim
Sikkim Rent Control Act
Sikkim Money Lenders Act
Sikkim Transfer of Property Act (if applicable)
Other relevant state statutes and rules.
H. General Knowledge and Current Affairs
Indian Polity
Important judgments from Supreme Court and High Courts
Recent legal reforms and amendments
Basic knowledge of international law and treaties
3. Exam Pattern
Preliminary Exam
Objective type questions covering all above subjects
Test of legal aptitude and general awareness
Mains Exam (Written)
Paper 1: Civil Law including CPC, Contract Act, Evidence Act
Paper 2: Criminal Law including IPC, CrPC, Evidence Act
Paper 3: Constitution of India and General Knowledge
Interview/Viva-Voce
Testing personality, legal reasoning, and suitability for judicial service
4. Important Tips
Focus on landmark Supreme Court judgments that have shaped the legal principles.
Understand procedural nuances and case laws especially in CPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act.
Regularly update yourself on amendments and latest judgments.
Practice drafting and problem-solving based on case scenarios.
5. Conclusion
The Sikkim Judicial Service Exam syllabus covers substantive and procedural law in depth, aiming to test the candidate’s legal knowledge, analytical skills, and judicial temperament. A thorough understanding of Indian laws, local laws, and key judgments is essential for success.
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