Haryana Judicial Service Civil Judge Junior Division Exam Syllabus & Overview
The Haryana Judicial Service Civil Judge Junior Division Exam is a competitive exam for recruitment to the position of Civil Judge Junior Division in the Haryana Judicial Service. The syllabus and examination process are structured to test the candidates on various subjects, including law, general knowledge, and aptitude. Below is a detailed explanation of the exam syllabus and some of the landmark legal cases that are significant for understanding the practical application of law.
Haryana Judicial Service Civil Judge Junior Division Exam Syllabus
The exam consists of two stages:
Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
Main Examination (Descriptive Type)
Written Exam
Viva-Voce (Interview)
1. Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Exam is designed to test the general knowledge and law knowledge of candidates. It consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) based on the following subjects:
General Knowledge and Awareness: This section includes questions related to current affairs, general knowledge, Indian history, geography, polity, economics, and science.
Law-related Knowledge: This includes questions on Indian Constitution, Civil Procedure Code (CPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), Indian Penal Code (IPC), Evidence Act, Contract Act, Family Law, and other related statutes.
2. Main Examination
The Main Exam is more comprehensive and consists of two parts:
a. Written Exam (Descriptive Type)
This includes 5 papers:
Paper 1: Civil Law-I (Substantive Law)
Topics covered: Indian Contract Act, Law of Torts, Indian Evidence Act, and Principles of Hindu and Muslim Law.
Paper 2: Civil Law-II (Procedural Law)
Topics covered: Civil Procedure Code (CPC), Limitation Act, Arbitration & Conciliation Act, Specific Relief Act.
Paper 3: Criminal Law
Topics covered: Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), Indian Evidence Act, Juvenile Justice Act, and other criminal laws.
Paper 4: English Language and General Knowledge
This paper tests the candidate’s proficiency in English and general knowledge. This includes essays, comprehension, and précis writing.
Paper 5: Hindi Language
This paper tests proficiency in Hindi language, including essay writing, grammar, and translation.
b. Viva-Voce (Interview)
Candidates who qualify the written exam are called for an interview. The viva-voce assesses a candidate's personality, communication skills, knowledge of law, and overall suitability for the position of Civil Judge Junior Division.
Landmark Legal Cases in Indian Law
Understanding landmark legal cases is critical for a Judicial Officer, as these cases often shape the legal landscape of the country. Below are some of the key cases that candidates for the Haryana Judicial Service exam should study in detail:
1. Keshavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)
This is one of the most important constitutional cases in Indian legal history. The Supreme Court in this case laid down the Basic Structure Doctrine, which asserts that the Parliament cannot amend the Constitution in such a way that it alters or destroys its "basic structure." This case is vital in understanding constitutional amendments and the scope of judicial review.
Key Takeaways:
The concept of the "Basic Structure" was introduced.
The judgment marked a significant moment in the relationship between the judiciary and legislature in India.
It emphasizes the limits of Parliament's power to amend the Constitution.
2. Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978)
In this case, the Supreme Court expanded the scope of Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) of the Indian Constitution. The case dealt with the interpretation of "freedom of speech" and "due process of law" under Article 21.
Key Takeaways:
The Court ruled that the procedure established by law for depriving a person of their personal liberty must be just, fair, and reasonable.
It broadened the interpretation of "right to life" to include various freedoms beyond mere physical existence, like the right to livelihood, privacy, and free movement.
3. Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan (1997)
This case is significant for women's rights in India. It led to the formulation of guidelines for preventing sexual harassment at the workplace. The judgment came about after a social worker, Bhanwari Devi, was sexually assaulted while trying to prevent a child marriage.
Key Takeaways:
The Supreme Court recognized sexual harassment as a violation of fundamental rights under Articles 14 (equality before the law), 15 (prohibition of discrimination), and 21 (right to life).
The Court laid down the Vishaka Guidelines, which mandated the creation of internal complaints committees in workplaces to address sexual harassment.
4. R.K. Garg v. Union of India (1981)
In this case, the Supreme Court dealt with the constitutionality of the Contributory Provident Fund Scheme under the Income Tax Act. The case focused on whether the contributions made by the employer to a provident fund were subject to income tax.
Key Takeaways:
The Court upheld the imposition of taxes on the employer’s contribution to the provident fund, highlighting the scope of taxable income.
This case is important for understanding tax law, the powers of the Income Tax authorities, and the interpretation of "income" under Indian law.
5. Gita Hariharan v. Reserve Bank of India (1999)
This case is a landmark judgment in the area of family law. It involved the rights of a mother to be the "natural guardian" of her minor children under the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956, and the Indian Majority Act, 1875.
Key Takeaways:
The Supreme Court ruled that both the mother and father are equal natural guardians of their minor children.
The case emphasized the equality of parents in their capacity to act as guardians, challenging the traditional patriarchal view that fathers alone could be natural guardians.
6. Sarojini Ramaswamy v. State of Tamil Nadu (2000)
This case involved issues of judicial ethics and the role of the judiciary in addressing corruption and human rights violations.
Key Takeaways:
The Court dealt with the issue of judicial accountability and transparency, noting the importance of judicial integrity in maintaining public trust in the legal system.
It explored the role of the judiciary in ensuring accountability at all levels of government, including in law enforcement.
7. Delhi Transport Corporation v. D.T.C. Mazdoor Congress (1991)
This case involves industrial and labor law. The case dealt with the rights of workers, particularly in relation to strikes and collective bargaining.
Key Takeaways:
The Supreme Court addressed the issue of illegal strikes in public service.
It discussed the restrictions placed on the right to strike, particularly in services that affect public interest.
Conclusion
Studying these cases gives insight into how laws have evolved in India and how they are applied to real-life situations. They form the backbone of the legal understanding required for a Civil Judge Junior Division. In addition to these, candidates must be well-versed with statutory law, procedural law, and family law as these are central to the work of a Civil Judge.
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