Delhi Judicial Services Exam Language, General Knowledge & Legal Aptitude Syllabus

What is the difference between a bailable and a non-bailable offence?

In a bailable offence, bail is a matter of right and the accused must be released on furnishing bail. In a non-bailable offence, bail is at the discretion of the court and is not granted as of right.

In the appreciation of evidence, what is the difference between 'examination-in-chief' and 'cross-examination'?

Examination-in-chief is the questioning of a witness by the party who called them, to elicit favourable facts. Cross-examination is questioning by the opposing party to test the witness's truthfulness, memory and credibility; leading questions are permitted in cross-examination.

What is the difference between a 'hostile witness' and an accomplice as a witness?

A hostile witness is one who, after being called by a party, gives evidence against the interest of that party and can be cross-examined by the party who called them. An accomplice is a guilty associate in a crime whose evidence requires corroboration as a rule of prudence.

What is the legal meaning of 'res judicata' and 'res sub judice'?

'Res judicata' bars re-litigation of a matter already finally decided between the same parties. 'Res sub judice' (stay of suit) bars trial of a suit in which the matter is already pending in a previously instituted suit between the same parties.

Define 'mens rea' and 'actus reus' as elements of a crime.

'Actus reus' is the guilty act — the physical or external element of a crime. 'Mens rea' is the guilty mind — the mental element or criminal intent. Generally both must be present for criminal liability (except strict liability offences).

What is the difference between 'culpable homicide' and 'murder' in principle?

Culpable homicide is causing death with the intention or knowledge likely to cause death. Murder is the aggravated form of culpable homicide where the intention/knowledge is of a higher degree (e.g., intention to cause death). All murder is culpable homicide, but not all culpable homicide is murder.

What is the meaning of the legal maxim 'audi alteram partem'?

'Audi alteram partem' means 'hear the other side' — a principle of natural justice requiring that no person be condemned unheard; both parties must be given a fair opportunity to present their case.

What is meant by 'nemo judex in causa sua'?

'Nemo judex in causa sua' means 'no one should be a judge in his own cause' — a principle of natural justice requiring the rule against bias; the adjudicator must be impartial and free from personal interest.

What is the difference between a question of law and a question of fact?

A question of fact concerns what actually happened — determined from the evidence (e.g., whether the accused was present). A question of law concerns the application or interpretation of legal rules (e.g., whether the act amounts to an offence). Appeals to higher courts often lie only on questions of law.

In logical reasoning, what is the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning?

Deductive reasoning moves from general premises to a specific, certain conclusion (if premises are true, conclusion must be true). Inductive reasoning moves from specific observations to a general, probable conclusion (conclusion is likely but not certain).

In analytical reasoning, what is a 'syllogism' and what are its three parts?

A syllogism is a form of deductive argument with two premises and a conclusion. Its three parts are the major premise (general statement), the minor premise (specific statement), and the conclusion drawn from them (e.g., All men are mortal; Socrates is a man; therefore Socrates is mortal).

In legal reasoning, what does 'applying a legal principle to facts' require a candidate to do?

It requires the candidate to (1) identify the relevant legal principle/rule from the given proposition, (2) analyse the facts of the problem, and (3) apply the principle strictly to those facts to reach a conclusion — even if the principle seems morally or factually wrong, the given principle must be assumed correct.

What are the essential components of a well-structured judgment?

A judgment should contain: the facts of the case; the points/issues for determination; the decision on each issue with reasons (the reasoning); the relief granted or the final order/operative portion. It must be clear, reasoned and self-contained.

In essay writing on legal themes, what are the three structural parts of a good essay?

Introduction (states the theme and thesis), Body (develops arguments logically in coherent paragraphs with evidence/examples), and Conclusion (summarises and gives a balanced final view). Coherence, clarity and a logical flow of arguments are essential.

What is the difference between a 'simple' and a 'complex' sentence in English grammar?

A simple sentence has one independent clause (one subject and predicate). A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent (subordinate) clause joined by a subordinating conjunction such as 'because', 'although' or 'when'.

What is subject-verb agreement, and what rule applies when two subjects are joined by 'either...or'?

Subject-verb agreement means the verb must agree in number with its subject (singular subject takes singular verb). When two singular subjects are joined by 'either...or' / 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it.

What is the difference between 'affect' and 'effect'?

'Affect' is usually a verb meaning to influence (e.g., 'The ruling affected the parties'). 'Effect' is usually a noun meaning result (e.g., 'The ruling had a major effect'), though 'effect' as a verb means to bring about.

Which constitutional amendment added the words 'Socialist', 'Secular' and 'Integrity' to the Preamble?

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 added the words 'Socialist', 'Secular' and 'Integrity' to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.

How many Fundamental Duties are there in the Indian Constitution and under which Article and Part?

There are 11 Fundamental Duties, listed in Article 51A under Part IVA. They were added by the 42nd Amendment (1976), based on the Swaran Singh Committee's recommendations (the 11th duty was added by the 86th Amendment, 2002).

What is the procedure for the impeachment/removal of a Supreme Court or High Court judge in India?

A judge can be removed only by an order of the President after an address by each House of Parliament supported by a special majority (majority of the total membership of the House and at least two-thirds of members present and voting), on grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity, under Articles 124 and 217.

What is the geographical fact about India's standard time meridian, and which Tropic passes through India?

Indian Standard Time (IST) is based on the 82°30'E longitude passing near Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh), set at UTC+5:30. The Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N) passes through India, crossing eight states.

Name the three principal mountain ranges/systems that define northern India and the river system associated with the northern plains.

The Himalayas (the great fold mountains) define the north; the Indo-Gangetic plains lie south of them. The plains are formed by three major river systems — the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra.

In current affairs of judicial relevance, what does the Collegium System refer to?

The Collegium System is the mechanism, evolved through judicial decisions (the Three Judges Cases), by which judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts are appointed and transferred. The Supreme Court collegium is headed by the Chief Justice of India along with the senior-most judges.

What did the Supreme Court strike down in the NJAC case (2015)?

In Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association v. Union of India (2015), the Court struck down the 99th Constitutional Amendment and the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act as unconstitutional, holding they violated the basic structure (independence of the judiciary), thereby restoring the Collegium System.

In science and technology in the news, what is Artificial Intelligence (AI) and one key legal/ethical concern it raises?

AI is the simulation of human intelligence by machines capable of learning, reasoning and decision-making. A key legal/ethical concern is accountability and bias — questions of liability for AI decisions, data privacy, and algorithmic discrimination, which the law is still adapting to address.

What are the core values expected in the professional ethics of a judicial officer (as per the Restatement of Values of Judicial Life)?

Independence, impartiality, integrity, propriety, equality, diligence and competence. A judge must avoid conflicts of interest, maintain dignity both in and out of court, refrain from political activity, and ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done.

What is the principle of 'recusal' in judicial conduct and when should a judge recuse?

Recusal is a judge's withdrawal from hearing a case to avoid a conflict of interest or apprehension of bias. A judge should recuse when they have a personal, pecuniary or relational interest in the matter, or where a reasonable likelihood of bias exists, to uphold impartiality.

What is the difference between 'discharge', 'acquittal' and 'conviction' of an accused?

Discharge is release of the accused before charges are framed because no prima facie case exists. Acquittal is a finding of not guilty after trial. Conviction is a finding of guilt after trial, leading to sentencing.

What does 'burden of proof' mean and on whom does it generally lie in a criminal trial?

Burden of proof is the obligation to prove a fact in issue. In a criminal trial it generally lies on the prosecution to prove the guilt of the accused (because of the presumption of innocence), and it shifts to the accused only for certain specific exceptions/defences.

What is the legal maxim 'ignorantia juris non excusat' and its practical meaning?

'Ignorantia juris non excusat' means 'ignorance of the law is no excuse'. A person cannot escape liability merely by claiming they did not know the law; everyone is presumed to know the law of the land.