Judgment Writing for Judiciary Mains: Civil and Criminal Format

Judgment writing for judiciary mains follows a fixed order. A civil judgment states the case, the points for determination or issues, a finding with reasons on each issue, the relief and the decree (Order XX, CPC). A criminal judgment states the charge, the points for determination, the appreciation of evidence, the conviction or acquittal and, after conviction, a hearing on sentence (Sections 392, 393 and 258 BNSS). Madhya Pradesh, for example, is reported to set a 100-mark judgment writing paper, with 40 marks each for a civil and a criminal judgment.

Civil judgment format for judiciary mains

Use the same skeleton every time. Examiners mark structure first and law second.

1. Heading. Court, case number, names and status of parties (plaintiff and defendant), and the nature of the suit.
2. Brief facts and pleadings. Three or four sentences for the plaint and three or four for the written statement. Do not copy the question paper.
3. Issues. Under Order XIV Rule 1, issues arise from a material proposition of fact or law affirmed by one party and denied by the other. Frame them in a logical order and say who bears the burden on each (BSA s.104 for the general rule).
4. Evidence and discussion. Take issue by issue. Summarise the oral and documentary evidence, test it, then give the finding.
5. Relief. State what is granted, what is refused and why.
6. Interest and costs. Sections 34 and 35 CPC. Candidates forget this and lose easy marks.
7. Order and decree. End with a clear operative order, then the date and signature. The decree must match the judgment.

Illustration. Mohan Lal of Kanpur sues Suresh Gupta for ₹2,40,000 on a promissory note. Issues: (1) did the defendant execute the note for consideration; (2) is the suit within limitation; (3) to what relief is the plaintiff entitled. Each gets its own heading, finding and reason. A preliminary issue on law, such as limitation, may be decided first where it can dispose of the suit.

Criminal judgment writing format under BNSS

1. Heading and charge. Court, case number, State v. accused, the offence charged with the BNS section. If the offence was committed before 1 July 2024, name the IPC section and add the BNS equivalent only if the question asks.
2. Prosecution case. The FIR, the investigation and the witnesses relied on, in short.
3. Defence. Denial, alibi, false implication or a general exception.
4. Points for determination. Section 393(1) BNSS requires them. Frame each ingredient of the offence as a question.
5. Appreciation of evidence. Weigh the eyewitnesses, medical and forensic evidence, recoveries and any electronic record with its Section 63 BSA certificate. Note contradictions that matter and ignore those that do not.
6. Findings. Decide each point with reasons.
7. Conviction or acquittal. On conviction, specify the offence, the section of the BNS or other law and the punishment. On acquittal, state the offence and direct that the accused be set at liberty.
8. Sentence. Hear the accused on sentence, weigh aggravating and mitigating factors, consider probation under Section 401 BNSS and compensation under Section 395 BNSS.

Other contents rules in Section 393 BNSS: if the conviction is doubtful between two sections, say so and decide in the alternative (s.393(2)); give reasons for the sentence where the offence carries death or life imprisonment (s.393(3)); and record reasons if you impose less than three months for an offence punishable with a year or more (s.393(4)). For a 2026 point to cite, in Mukesh Kumar Yadav v. State (26 May 2026) the Supreme Court held that an appellate court that convicts for the first time after reversing an acquittal must itself hear the convict on sentence.

Common mistakes in judgment writing for judiciary mains

• Copying the evidence instead of analysing it.
• Leaving an issue or point undecided.
• Giving no burden of proof or standard of proof (proof beyond reasonable doubt in a criminal case, preponderance in a civil one).
• Using the wrong code: BNS numbers for an offence of 2023, or IPC numbers for an offence of 2025.
• Forgetting interest, costs, the date or the operative order.
• Running out of time because the facts section took half the answer.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to approach judgment writing for judiciary mains?

Write the heading, a short statement of facts, the issues or points for determination, a reasoned finding on each, and a clear final order. For civil cases follow Order XX CPC. For criminal cases follow Sections 392 and 393 BNSS.

What is the format of a civil judgment under Order XX CPC?

Under Order XX Rule 4(2), a civil judgment outside the Small Cause Courts has a concise statement of the case, the points for determination, the decision and the reasons. Rule 5 requires a finding with reasons on each issue.

What is the criminal judgment writing format under the BNSS?

Section 393 BNSS requires the points for determination, the decision on each and the reasons. On conviction it requires the offence, the section applied and the punishment. In a sessions trial the accused must be heard on sentence under Section 258(2).

How many marks does judgment writing carry in judiciary mains?

It depends on the State. Madhya Pradesh is reported to have a 100-mark Paper IV on judgment writing: 10 for framing issues, 10 for framing a charge, 40 for a civil judgment and 40 for a criminal judgment. Check your State’s latest notification for the current pattern.

How can I practise judgment writing for judiciary mains without coaching?

Take one past mains problem a week, write it in 45 minutes in the skeleton above, and compare it with a reasoned judgment of a trial court on a similar point. Fix structure errors first, then law.

Quick quiz

Sources

• Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, ss.34, 35; Order XIV Rule 1; Order XX Rules 1, 4, 5, 6, 6A, 7
• Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, ss.258, 392, 393, 395, 401
• Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, ss.63, 104
• Mukesh Kumar Yadav v. State (UT of Andaman and Nicobar Islands), Supreme Court, 26 May 2026
• High Court of Madhya Pradesh, Civil Judge (Entry Level) mains pattern, as reported; check the latest advertisement

This page is for education and general information, not legal advice for a specific case. Law as on 29 October 2026.