UPSC Civil Services Examination — Law optional is administered under Union Public Service Commission. It relates to careers in All India and Central Services through CSE, with Law chosen as an optional subject.
Directory: Law examinations in India.
Place of Law in the Civil Services Examination
All CSE candidates study Indian polity through the General Studies papers, which overlap with constitutional structure. Candidates who choose Law as an optional subject sit two additional papers whose detailed heads are printed in the UPSC CSE syllabus PDF.
Optional Law — broad map
Paper I themes historically include constitutional law, administrative law and foundations of international law.
Paper II themes historically include law of crimes, torts, contracts and mercantile law, with contemporary legal developments.
Core reading:
- Constitution of India — fundamental rights, directive principles, federal structure, judiciary, emergency and amendment provisions
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — substantive criminal offences (successor to the Indian Penal Code)
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 — investigation, trial and appellate criminal procedure (successor to the Code of Criminal Procedure)
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 — relevancy, proof and examination of witnesses (successor to the Indian Evidence Act)
- Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 — institution of suits, jurisdiction, decrees, appeals, execution and interim relief
- Indian Contract Act, 1872 — formation, performance, breach and quasi-contract themes
- Specific Relief Act; Transfer of Property Act; Limitation Act; Negotiable Instruments Act
- Personal laws: Hindu law (marriage, succession, adoption, maintenance), Muslim law, and Special Marriage Act themes where listed
Related pages
- UPSC CSE Law optional
- Indian Legal Service
- State PSC law overview
- Uttar Pradesh PCS-J
- All India Bar Examination
Primary sources
Syllabus documents and post advertisements issued by Union Public Service Commission.