The West Bengal Judicial Service Examination, 2023, conducted by the West Bengal Public Service Commission, invites eligible candidates to apply for the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division). This examination offers law graduates the opportunity to serve in the state judiciary, a prestigious position requiring legal knowledge, analytical ability, and a strong sense of justice. The selection process is rigorous, consisting of three stages: Preliminary Examination (MCQ), Final Written Examination (Conventional Type), and a Personality Test. Candidates must strictly meet eligibility criteria regarding age, education, professional qualification, and language proficiency. The examination follows strict rules on reservation, PwBD provisions, and application procedures, and it offers a rewarding career with a competitive salary and government benefits.
Important Dates
- Start of Online Application: 22nd August 2025
- Last Date to Submit Application: 21st September 2025 (up to 3 PM)
- Last Date to Pay Fee Online: 21st September 2025 (up to 3 PM)
- Edit Window for Application Corrections: 24th September 2025 to 30th September 2025 (up to 3 PM)
Vacancy Details
- Total Vacancies: 54
- Breakup of Reservation:
- Unreserved: 23
- Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): 5
- Scheduled Caste (SC): 12
- Scheduled Tribe (ST): 3
- Other Backward Classes (OBC) Category A: 6
- Other Backward Classes (OBC) Category B: 3
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 2 (1 Blind/Low Vision, 1 Specific Learning Disability/Multiple Disabilities)
- Appointment Type: Temporary initially
Application Fees
- General Candidates & OBC: 210 INR (online payment only)
- Exemptions: SC/ST candidates of West Bengal and PwBD candidates with ≥40% disability
- Note: No exemption for candidates from other states; fees are non-refundable
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality:
- Must be an Indian citizen, or a person declared eligible by the Government of India.
- Certificate of eligibility required for non-Indian nationals.
Educational Qualification:
- Must hold a law degree from a recognized university or institution.
Professional Qualification:
- Must be enrolled as an advocate on the roll of the Bar Council of any state or Union Territory.
Language Requirement:
- Must read, write, and speak Bengali. Candidates whose mother tongue is Nepali are exempt.
- Language skills are tested during the interview.
Age Limit:
- Minimum: 23 years
- Maximum: 35 years
- Relaxation:
- SC/ST candidates: +5 years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): +3 years
- PwBD candidates: up to 45 years
- Government employees with ≥2 years service: +2 years
Chance Limit:
- General candidates: maximum 3 attempts
- SC/ST/OBC candidates of West Bengal: maximum 5 attempts
Selection Procedure
- Stage 1: Preliminary Examination
- MCQ-based screening test
- Held in Kolkata and Darjeeling (only for specific districts)
- Marks not counted for final merit
- Stage 2: Final Written Examination
- Conventional type written examination
- Held in Kolkata
- Determines final merit along with Personality Test
- Stage 3: Personality Test
- Evaluates overall suitability for judicial service
- Marks combined with Final Written Examination for merit
- Tie-breaking Order:
- Higher marks in Personality Test
- Higher marks in compulsory aggregate
- Higher aggregate in best three compulsory papers
- Higher aggregate in best two compulsory papers
- Higher marks in best compulsory paper
- Age preference
Salary and Benefits
- Pre-revised Pay Scale: 27,700-770-33,090-920-40,450-1080-44,770 INR
- Additional Benefits: As per West Bengal government rules
Reservation and PwBD Provisions
- State-specific Reservation: Only applicable to West Bengal SC/ST/OBC/EWS candidates
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD):
- May use scribe if they have physical limitations in writing or speed
- Compensatory time: 20 minutes per hour
- Autism, Intellectual Disability, and Mental Illness excluded from reservation
Documents Required
- Caste/Category Certificate: SC/ST/OBC/EWS
- PwBD Certificate and certificate confirming physical limitation (if using scribe)
- Age Proof (Madhyamik or equivalent)
- Educational Qualification Proof
- Professional Qualification Proof (Bar Council enrollment)
- Note: Certificates must be valid, issued by competent authorities, and uploaded in PDF format
Examination Guidelines
- Preliminary Exam: Screening only; marks not counted for final merit
- Negative Marking: Applied for wrong answers in MCQs
- Written Examination: Answers can be in English or Bengali (same language throughout each paper)
- Behavior: Candidates must follow invigilator instructions; violation may result in expulsion or disqualification
- Medical Examination: Fitness certificate required; PwBD candidates must have ≥40% disability
- Antecedent Verification: Required before appointment
Qualifying Marks
- Unreserved (UR): 40%
- EWS: 40%
- OBC (A & B): 38%
- SC: 35%
- ST: 30%
- PwBD: 30%
- Marks may be relaxed if reserved posts remain unfilled
Key Instructions and Cautions
- Application once submitted is final; edits allowed only once during the edit window
- Any false information on age, qualifications, or category will lead to cancellation of candidature
- Mobile phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices prohibited in exam hall
- Frisking will be conducted at exam venues
- Candidates must appear only at the venue mentioned in their admit card
