J&K Govt Amends Judicial Recruitment Rules; New Syllabus Includes Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita & Other Reformed Laws

In a major overhaul of the judicial recruitment framework, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has amended the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Judicial) Recruitment Rules, 1967—nearly six decades after their enactment.

The amendments have been carried out by the Lieutenant Governor under Article 234 of the Constitution, in consultation with the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and the J&K Public Service Commission, as per a statutory order notified by the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.

Key Highlights of the Amendments:

The syllabus for the Judicial Services (Mains) Examination has undergone significant changes and is now aligned with the recently enacted criminal law codes.

Paper A:

General Knowledge

Indian Constitutional Law

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023

Limitation Act, 1963

Paper B:

General Financial Rules, 2017

J&K Civil Services Regulations, 1956 (Chapters III–XIII, XXII & XXIII)

Rules and Orders for Guidance of Subordinate Courts (Civil & Criminal)

Circulars from the High Court

Code of Civil Procedure, 1908

Transfer of Property Act, 1882

Registration Act, 1908

J&K Residential and Commercial Tenancy Act, 2012

The written examination will now consist of both compulsory and optional papers:

Compulsory Papers:

Paper I: English Essay, Translation (English to Urdu/Hindi and vice versa), and Precis Writing

Paper II: General Knowledge and Constitutional Law

Paper III: BNS, BNSS & BSA (2023 codes)

Paper IV: General Financial Rules, 2017

J&K Civil Services Regulations, 1956 (Chapters III–XIII, XXII & XXIII)

Rules and Orders for Guidance of Subordinate Courts (Civil & Criminal)

Candidates must also select three optional papers from a list to be notified.

Amendments have also been made to medical fitness protocols. While guidelines are provided, discretion remains with the medical board, and a candidate must be mentally and physically fit, free from any disability that could hinder official duties.

Background:

The original rules were notified on January 4, 1968, and have remained largely unchanged since. The latest changes not only update the legal framework but also aim to align the judiciary's recruitment process with contemporary legal reforms, particularly in wake of the 2023 criminal law revamp.

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