The West Bengal Judicial Service Examination consists of three stages

(i) Preliminary Examination (Objective - MCQs)

(ii) Main Examination (Written)

(iii) Viva-voce – Interview & Personality Test

There are 200 multiple-choice objective questions on the preliminary exam, each carrying one mark. The total duration of the preliminary exam is 180 minutes. The Standard of the paper will be of the level of graduation in Law of a recognized University of West Bengal.

The Main examination will have eight compulsory papers and three optional papers. Each compulsory and Optional paper will carry 100 marks and will be of three hours’ duration. In all the answer papers of the Final Examination due credit will be given for proper economy of words combined with clarity and effectiveness of expression and originality of approach. In other words, quality will be of prime importance; and mere quantity (in terms of the length of the answer) will not fetch higher marks.

The scores from the West Bengal Judicial Service Examination – Main and the Viva-voce will be used to arrive at the final rankings. The preliminary exam scores will be used only for deciding eligibility to appear in the main examination.

The Preliminary Examination is meant to serve as a screening test only for the purpose of selection of candidates for the Final Examination. The marks obtained by the candidates in the Preliminary Examination will not be counted for the purpose of determining the final merit list.

On the basis of the combined marks received on the final exam and the personality test, the final merit list will be prepared. There won't be separate qualifying scores for the Personality Test or any particular paper. The Commission shall have the right to determine the aggregate qualifying marks.