How to Start Judiciary Prep from 2nd or 3rd Year of Law
- himanshilawprep
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Starting early for judiciary exams during law college can be a game-changer. The second and third years of law school are ideal to build your foundation and begin preparing in a structured way. You don’t need to study everything at once or put yourself under pressure. A smart, balanced approach will help you prepare well while also managing your college responsibilities.
Judiciary preparation is not something that has to wait until graduation. In fact, early starters get more time to understand the concepts, revise properly, and become confident. With simple strategies, you can start your journey during your college years and make steady progress without burning out.
Let’s now understand how you can begin your judiciary prep smoothly during your second or third year of law school.
1. Know the Basics of the Judiciary Exam
To start preparing, it is important to first understand what the judiciary exam is all about. Most state-level judicial service exams in India follow a three-stage process:
Preliminary exam (Objective type questions)
Mains exam (Descriptive written papers)
Interview or viva voce
The syllabus includes core law subjects like Constitution, Evidence, IPC, CrPC, CPC, Contract, Torts, and Transfer of Property. Some exams also include local laws, general knowledge, English, translation, and essay writing. The pattern may differ slightly depending on the state, but the basic subjects remain mostly the same.
Once you understand this structure, your preparation becomes more focused. You can plan your college study and judiciary prep together without confusion.
2. Read Current Affairs and General Knowledge Daily
Judiciary exams do not only test law. Most states include current affairs, general knowledge, and general awareness in the prelims stage. Some also ask legal current affairs and essay topics based on recent events.
To prepare for this, start the habit of reading newspapers or current affairs websites daily. Focus on legal news, constitutional debates, national events, government schemes, and major Supreme Court or High Court judgments.
Make a small notebook where you can write down important events every week. This will save time later when you revise for the exam.
You can also follow platforms like Exam Charcha, which post daily and monthly legal and weekly current affairs in simple language.
3. Start Building Strong Concepts in Core Law Subjects
By the second or third year, many core law subjects are already introduced in college. Subjects like the Indian Penal Code, Law of Contract, Constitutional Law, and Criminal Procedure Code are part of both the college and judiciary syllabus.
Instead of studying these only to pass semester exams, start studying them with more seriousness. Use the Bare Act while reading every topic. Try to understand each section's meaning, illustrations, and how the law is applied in real cases.
Reading books by standard authors is good, but try not to depend only on bulky guides. Your aim should be conceptual clarity, not just note-making.
Make it a habit to revise what you learn regularly. You don’t need to learn everything in one go, but whatever you study, make sure you understand it well.
4. Make Bare Acts Your Best Friend
Every judiciary topper will tell you one thing – bare acts are the heart of judiciary preparation. Bare acts are the actual text of the law, and questions in both prelims and mains are often directly based on them.
Start reading bare acts along with your college syllabus. Highlight important terms, definitions, and provisos. Try to remember the section numbers and understand their language.
Even 20-30 minutes of daily bare act reading can give you a big advantage. You’ll get used to the legal language early, which will help you during mains answer writing later.
5. Practice Answer Writing from an Early Stage
Judiciary mains exams require long-form, well-structured, and legally sound answers. Many students struggle with writing skills because they start practicing too late.
You can avoid this by beginning simple writing practice early. Pick small topics from your syllabus, write answers in your own words, and try to explain the concept like you are teaching someone else.
Focus on clarity, logical structure, and proper use of legal terms. Include relevant sections and case laws wherever needed.
Start with one answer a week. Slowly you will get better, and by the time you reach your final year, your writing will be much more polished.
6. Take Help from Good Sources and Coaching (When Needed)
There is no one perfect way to prepare for judiciary. Some students begin with self-study, and others take coaching support early. You can decide based on your comfort level.
Today, there are many online and offline options available. You can find YouTube lectures, free modules, and affordable test series easily. Follow one or two trusted teachers or platforms instead of jumping from one to another.
By the time you reach the fourth or fifth year, you may choose to join a full-time or weekend coaching program. Law Prep Tutorial is one of the best options for Judiciary Coaching in India, offering expert faculty, structured courses, and test practice for multiple states.
Coaching is helpful, especially for judgment writing, local laws, and interview preparation. But always remember – coaching supports your effort. It can’t replace self-study.
7. Choose Your Target State Early (But Flexibly)
Every judiciary exam is conducted by individual states. Each state has its own syllabus pattern and may also include local laws or regional language papers.
By the third year, try to choose one or two states you would like to prepare for based on your background. You can consider your home state, language comfort, and where you wish to work in the future.
This helps you stay focused while preparing, especially for state-specific subjects or local laws.
However, keep your preparation flexible so that you can appear for other states later too. The common subjects remain the same in most exams.
8. Plan Your Time: Balance College, Internships, and Prep
One of the biggest concerns students have is whether they will be able to manage judiciary prep along with college studies, internships, and other commitments.
The answer is yes, you can. But it requires proper planning.
Use your semester breaks and holidays to revise what you have learned. During the semester, try to use 1-2 hours a day for judiciary-related studies. Keep weekends for writing practice, reading editorials, or revising bare acts.
Internships are important too. Choose internships that match your goal. You can intern under advocates who deal with litigation or try research internships with think tanks or law firms. They’ll help you understand how the law is used in practice.
Stay consistent instead of overloading yourself. Even small efforts every day will give results over time.
9. Prepare Mentally for the Long Game
Becoming a judge is a dream that requires patience, discipline, and consistency. Starting from the second or third year of law gives you more time, but it also means staying committed for a longer duration.
Avoid distractions like trying to cover everything at once or comparing yourself with others. Build a small, regular study routine that fits your college schedule. Review your progress every month. Make changes when needed.
Trust your preparation and give yourself time to grow. Judiciary prep is not about finishing 10 books but mastering what matters.
Even two hours of focused study a day can build a strong base if done sincerely.
Also checkout Daily vs Weekly Study Goals for CLAT
10. Stay Confident and Keep Going
Many students delay starting preparation because they feel they’re not ready. But waiting for the “perfect time” only leads to stress later.
The truth is - the earlier you begin, the easier it becomes. You have more time to revise, improve, and understand things deeply.
There will be times when you may feel confused, especially when managing college, exams, and personal time. That’s completely normal. Take one step at a time and don’t quit in between.
Your journey might be slow, but it’s moving in the right direction. And by the time you graduate, you’ll be far ahead of those who are just beginning.
Final Thoughts
Starting judiciary preparation from the second or third year of law is not just possible – it’s actually one of the best decisions you can make. You’re learning law anyway in college, so why not study in a way that prepares you for both your exams and your career?
The key is not to rush, but to be regular. Understand your subjects properly. Read the bare acts. Keep up with current affairs. Practice writing. And slowly build confidence in your preparation.
A career in the judiciary is about knowledge, understanding, and the ability to apply law wisely. By starting early, you give yourself enough time to develop all three.
So begin your journey today. Your future bench is waiting.
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