Tips for Judicial Services Interview

Interview is mostly the final stage of any Judiciary Exam in India they are generally conducted for Grade ‘A’ posts such as Judge, Government Lawyer, etc. Interviews are conducted to gauge the aptitude and abilities of a candidate for the post he aspires to be posted at. It is the part of the exam that determines the candidate’s future. It is important to note that interview preparation is inextricably linked with your knowledge of the law as well as current affairs.

Generally interview is conducted for 25-30 minutes. You might be asked about 25 questions. 2-3 questions about your personal background to break the ice. Followed by 2-3 questions from current affairs. And about 20 questions from Law. Interview preparation basically comprised of revising all the Law subjects and having an opinion on each and every Law issue you would have encounter. The interviewing panel generally comprised of the PSC Chairman, High Court Judge, and two Law professors.

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Requisites of A good interview

Following are the major requisites of an impressive interview:

1. It is said that first impressions are the most lasting; so do put on a professional business suit. Girls should be neatly dressed and they should avoid wearing too much jewelry or excessive makeup. Do remember that not only your knowledge but your whole personality will be judged by the interviewing panel.
2. Face the panel and confidently say, “Good day Sir/Madam.”
3. The Interviewers normally pay more attention to a candidate who displays an enthusiasm in whatever (s)he says. This enthusiasm comes naturally while you put forward your views. You should maintain a cheerful disposition during the interview.
4. Shakespeare said, “Brevity is the soul of wit.” It is actually the most impressive skill of a good communicator. So, always present your views in a lucid manner while being to-the-point throughout the interview. A talkative or verbose person is instantly disliked by the interviewers.
5. If you do not know the answer to a question, never ever try to bluff as it will be counterproductive. The interviewers respect the integrity and honesty of the interviewees.
6. Mostly, interviews continue for the whole day, leading to fatigued minds. A little humor as a starter will make the environment favorable for you. However, avoid humor if you are not good at it.
7. Overconfidence is often misinterpreted by the interviewees as arrogance. Polite statements are always recommended.
8. Playing with your necktie, shaking legs, or sitting with arms slung over the back of the adjoining chair must be avoided.
9. Always maintain eye contact with the panelists all along the interview. This evinces your self-confidence and honesty. Many interviewees, while answering, tend to look away. This conveys you are concealing your own anxiety, fear and lack of confidence.
10. It is imperative to listen carefully to the questions. If you find a question vague, do seek clarification on the same. Seeking a clarification is far better than giving an irrelevant answer.
11. Many interviewees adopt a stance that is not in consonance with their personality traits. It is amusing for interviewers when a candidate launches into an accent which he or she cannot sustain consistently throughout the interview. Do remember that the interviewers appreciate a natural person rather than an actor.
12. When the interview is over, the panelists would most probably wish you luck. Say a word of thanks to them and leave respectfully. There is no requirement to shake hands. It’s a formal day and should be treated as such.

Be humble and polite in the interview. Do not show off. Accept your mistake there and then. If the member tries to interrogate you further, do not get defensive and hesitant. Answer respectfully and give to the point answers. The interviewers comprise of experienced persons so do not even think of misleading them.

Important Questions

Some significant questions for judicial interview are as under:

Personality-related Questions

• Gentleman, please introduce yourself.
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Tell us something about your family background?
• Why did you choose to practice in the civil/ criminal field?
• Why do you consider yourself suitable for this job?

Law-related Questions

• Who can arrest under section 151 CrPC?
• In whom the power of arrest is vested under section 107 CrPC?
• What provisions deal with trial before Magistrate?
• Under what provision a Magistrate and a Sessions Judge may acquit the accused at any stage of the trial?
• On what grounds bail can be granted or refused?
• What is the applicability of 22A CPC?
• What is the meaning of ‘want of jurisdiction’?
• What is the writ of mandamus?
• What do you know about writ of certiorari?
• What is the writ of Quo warranto?

This is the best way to crack the exam and the proper way to prepare for the Mains part. This strategy is very effective and helps to plan the Judiciary Syllabus in a well-planned manner.