The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) recruits Legal Officers and Law Officers for various government departments. These are vacancy-specific recruitments, not one permanent examination with identical eligibility conditions.
For the 2026 recruitment cycle, UPSC has scheduled a Combined Recruitment Test on 9 January 2027. It includes 12 Legal Officer vacancies in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and three Law Officer vacancies in Delhi’s Land and Building Department.
This guide explains both recruitments, their official eligibility requirements, examination pattern, syllabus, previous-year question papers and preparation strategy.
Last updated: 14 November 2026.
UPSC Legal Officer Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particular | Official details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting authority | Union Public Service Commission |
| Posts covered | Legal Officer and Law Officer |
| DGCA Legal Officer vacancies | 12 |
| Delhi Law Officer vacancies | 3 |
| DGCA advertisement | 07/2026 |
| Delhi advertisement | 12/2026 |
| Combined Recruitment Test | 9 January 2027 |
| Test timing | 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM |
| Examination mode | Offline, pen-and-paper |
| Question format | Objective multiple-choice questions |
| Examination language | English |
| Negative marking | One-third of assigned marks for each incorrect answer |
| Selection | Recruitment Test and interview |
| Final weightage | 75% Recruitment Test and 25% interview |
| Official website | upsc.gov.in |
| Recruitment portal | upsconline.nic.in |
The examination details come from UPSC’s Combined Recruitment Test notice dated 28 October 2026.
What Is the UPSC Legal Officer / Law Officer Recruitment?
UPSC recruits legal professionals to support government departments in statutory interpretation, litigation, advisory work and regulatory compliance.
However, responsibilities vary with the department concerned.
The DGCA Legal Officer primarily handles civil aviation legislation and related legal matters. The Delhi Law Officer works on litigation involving land acquisition and departmental legal disputes.
Both positions require a recognised law degree and relevant professional experience. Their experience requirements, age limits and pay levels are different.
Candidates should therefore examine the vacancy number before determining eligibility.
Latest UPSC Legal Officer Notification and Important Dates
Two advertisements govern the posts discussed in this guide.
| Event | DGCA Legal Officer | Delhi Law Officer |
|---|---|---|
| Advertisement | 07/2026 | 12/2026 |
| Vacancy number | 26060704227 | 26091203226 |
| Application opening | 27 June 2026 | 26 September 2026 |
| Application deadline | 17 July 2026, 6:00 PM | 16 October 2026, 6:00 PM |
| Combined RT notice | 28 October 2026 | 28 October 2026 |
| Recruitment Test | 9 January 2027 | 9 January 2027 |
| Interview | To be notified | To be notified |
Application status: Both application windows had closed by 14 November 2026.
Candidates who applied successfully should monitor UPSC’s recruitment-test notices and admit-card updates.
Official advertisements:
- UPSC Advertisement 07/2026: DGCA Legal Officer
- UPSC Advertisement 12/2026: Delhi Law Officer
- Combined Recruitment Test notice for 9 January 2027
UPSC Legal Officer and Law Officer Vacancies
DGCA Legal Officer: 12 vacancies
Advertisement 07/2026 prescribed the following reservation distribution:
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved | 5 |
| EWS | 1 |
| OBC | 3 |
| Scheduled Caste | 2 |
| Scheduled Tribe | 1 |
| Total | 12 |
One vacancy carries horizontal reservation for eligible Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).
Clarification: The later combined-test addendum contains an inconsistent category breakup against these 12 posts. Its figures total 18 rather than 12. Candidates should consult the original advertisement and any subsequent official clarification.
Delhi Law Officer: 3 vacancies
Advertisement 12/2026 specifies two unreserved vacancies and one OBC vacancy.
One vacancy also carries horizontal reservation for eligible PwBD candidates.
The advertisement specifies applicable disability categories and associated conditions. Candidates claiming reservation must examine those requirements carefully.
UPSC Legal Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026
1. DGCA Legal Officer eligibility
The following conditions apply to vacancy number 26060704227.
Educational qualification: A degree in law from a recognised university.
Essential experience: Three years of experience in the field of legal practice.
Desirable experience: At least one year of legal practice involving aviation matters. Relevant examples include aircraft leasing, liability arrangements and airline mergers or acquisitions.
Aviation experience is desirable, not an additional mandatory qualification.
Age limits under Advertisement 07/2026:
| Category | Specified upper age |
|---|---|
| UR | 35 years |
| EWS | 35 years |
| OBC | 38 years |
| SC | 40 years |
| ST | 40 years |
The advertisement provides further relaxation for eligible PwBD candidates, subject to its conditions.
2. Delhi Law Officer eligibility
The following conditions apply to vacancy number 26091203226.
Educational qualification: A law degree from a recognised university or institution.
Essential experience: Candidates must satisfy either of these alternatives:
- Two years of legal work as a legal practitioner.
- Two years of legal work in a government office.
The advertisement does not prescribe a separate mandatory postgraduate law qualification.
Age limits under Advertisement 12/2026:
| Category | Specified upper age |
|---|---|
| UR | 30 years |
| OBC | 33 years |
Eligible PwBD candidates may receive additional relaxation under the prescribed conditions.
3. Citizenship and other conditions
Applicants must satisfy the citizenship or nationality provisions contained in their respective advertisements.
Certain eligible non-citizen categories require a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India.
Age and qualification requirements are assessed against the applicable advertisement’s closing date. The critical dates were 17 July 2026 and 16 October 2026, respectively.
A law degree alone does not satisfy the advertised professional experience requirements.
Candidates should also distinguish qualifying experience from internships or academic training. Whether particular work qualifies depends on the advertisement and supporting documentation.
How to Apply for UPSC Legal Officer Recruitment
UPSC accepted applications through its official online recruitment portal.
The application windows for both 2026 advertisements are now closed. The following process remains useful for future vacancy-specific recruitments.
- Visit UPSC’s online recruitment portal.
- Complete the required candidate registration and profile details.
- Select the exact advertised post and vacancy number.
- Enter educational qualifications and qualifying professional experience.
- Upload the documents required by the advertisement.
- Claim applicable reservation or relaxation using valid certificates.
- Pay the prescribed fee, where applicable.
- Submit the application and retain the confirmation details.
UPSC’s 2026 advertisements prescribed an application fee of ₹25 for candidates without an applicable exemption.
Women candidates, SC candidates, ST candidates and eligible PwBD candidates were exempted from paying the fee.
OBC and EWS male candidates were not automatically exempted.
Documents candidates should retain
Applicants should preserve their law degree, date-of-birth proof, photographic identity document and professional experience certificates.
Where applicable, they should also retain category, disability and other supporting certificates.
Experience certificates must adequately establish the nature and duration of relevant work.
UPSC may require original documents and application printouts during later verification or interview stages.
UPSC Legal Officer Exam Pattern 2027
UPSC has confirmed a common Recruitment Test for multiple legal positions. Both posts covered here appear in the same official notice.
| Component | Confirmed examination pattern |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, 9 January 2027 |
| Time | 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Mode | Offline, pen-and-paper |
| Question type | Multiple-choice questions |
| Language | English only |
| Marks per question | Equal |
| Wrong answer | One-third of assigned marks deducted |
| Unanswered question | No penalty |
| Selection after RT | Shortlisting for interview |
| Final weightage | RT 75%, interview 25% |
The 2027 addendum does not specify the total number of questions or maximum test marks.
Candidates should not assume these figures from an earlier examination.
Negative marking explained
Every incorrect answer attracts a deduction equal to one-third of that question’s assigned marks.
Suppose a question carries three marks. An incorrect response would attract a one-mark deduction.
This is only an illustration of the notified marking rule. It does not establish the actual marks allotted per question.
Leaving a question unanswered attracts no penalty.
Interview weightage and qualifying standards
UPSC has prescribed a 75:25 weightage between the Recruitment Test and interview for eligible, shortlisted candidates.
The notice also provides interview suitability standards:
| Category | Prescribed suitability standard |
|---|---|
| General/EWS | 50 and above |
| OBC | 45 and above |
| SC/ST | 40 and above |
| PwBD | 40 and above |
These are interview suitability standards. They should not be confused with the Recruitment Test’s qualifying cut-off.
Recruitment Test cut-offs and final selection marks must be checked against the relevant official results.
UPSC Legal Officer / Law Officer Syllabus 2027
The combined-test notice contains 15 law subjects. These are the officially notified subject headings.
The topics suggested beneath them are preparation areas, not a separate UPSC-issued topic-wise syllabus.
1. Constitution of India
Prepare Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, constitutional remedies, legislative powers and Centre-State relations.
Cover constitutional bodies, judicial review, emergency provisions and important constitutional amendments.
2. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Study general exceptions, punishments, criminal liability, abetment and criminal conspiracy.
Prepare offences against persons, property, women and the State.
3. Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
Focus on relevancy, admissibility, documentary evidence, electronic records and burden of proof.
Prepare presumptions, witness examination and rules governing proof.
4. Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
Cover arrest, investigation, remand, bail, jurisdiction, charges, trials and appeals.
Pay attention to procedural timelines and statutory powers.
5. Information Technology Act, 2000
Prepare electronic records, digital signatures, intermediary liability and cyber offences.
Review the relationship between technological regulation and criminal enforcement.
6. Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988
Study bribery offences, criminal misconduct, investigation and prosecution requirements.
Understand the statutory framework following relevant amendments.
7. Companies Act, 2013
Cover incorporation, directors, corporate governance, meetings and statutory compliance.
Review penalties, investigations and provisions concerning company administration.
8. Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003
Study the Commission’s composition, powers, functions and oversight responsibilities.
Understand its relationship with anti-corruption administration.
9. Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002
Prepare scheduled offences, proceeds of crime, attachment, confiscation and enforcement powers.
Cover arrest, adjudication, prosecution and relevant procedural safeguards.
10. Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946
Understand the statutory foundation, jurisdiction and investigative powers of the DSPE.
Review issues concerning territorial jurisdiction and governmental consent.
11. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
Study statutory powers, environmental standards, regulatory directions and offences.
Understand the Central Government’s role in environmental protection.
12. Competition Act, 2002
Prepare anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominance and combinations.
Cover the Competition Commission’s powers and relevant enforcement procedures.
13. Trade Marks Act, 1999
Study registrability, infringement, passing off, opposition and available remedies.
Review statutory authorities and trademark protection principles.
14. Indian Contract Act, 1872
Cover offer, acceptance, consideration, capacity, consent and lawful objects.
Prepare void agreements, performance, breach, damages, indemnity and guarantee.
15. Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999
Study registration, authorised users, infringement, rights and available remedies.
Understand how geographical indications differ from trademarks.
Preparation warning: The notified syllabus specifically names the BNS, BNSS and BSA. Candidates should not replace them with the IPC, CrPC and Indian Evidence Act as the primary prescribed enactments.
The official 2027 syllabus PDF remains controlling.
Examination Centres and Admit Cards
The combined Recruitment Test notice lists examination centres including Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Lucknow, Bhopal, Ahmedabad and several other cities.
It also includes Dispur (Guwahati), Jammu, Kochi, Nagpur, Ranchi, Visakhapatnam and Port Blair.
UPSC has stated that requests for changing the examination centre will not be entertained.
The Commission has announced that e-admit cards will be released three weeks before the Recruitment Test.
Candidates should check the official portal for their individual admit-card availability and instructions.
UPSC Legal Officer Salary, Pay Level and Job Profile
DGCA Legal Officer
The DGCA Legal Officer post carries Pay Matrix Level 10 under the Seventh Central Pay Commission.
The position is classified as Group A, Gazetted, Non-Ministerial.
It is a permanent post with a two-year probation period, subject to mandatory induction training.
Duties include examining civil aviation legal matters, drafting and vetting affidavits, and preparing legislative amendment proposals.
The role also involves court proceedings and international aviation law matters.
Headquarters are at DGCA, New Delhi, with all-India posting liability.
Delhi Law Officer
The Delhi Law Officer post carries Pay Matrix Level 7 under the Seventh Central Pay Commission.
It is classified as Group B, Gazetted, Non-Ministerial.
The post is permanent, with two years of probation and prescribed induction training.
Responsibilities include assisting government advocates in land acquisition litigation and related writ proceedings.
The officer may also handle civil suits and departmental legal work.
Headquarters are in Delhi’s Land and Building Department.
Actual monthly take-home salary depends on applicable allowances, deductions and service circumstances. Candidates should not treat the pay level as a fixed in-hand salary.
UPSC Legal Officer Previous-Year Question Papers (PYQs) and Answer Keys
Previous papers help candidates understand question construction and the breadth of legal subjects.
UPSC’s official archive contains a previous Combined Recruitment Test paper linked to the DGCA Legal Officer position.
Verified official previous-year paper
| Year | Examination | Official resource |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Combined RT (Law), held 17 December 2023; includes DGCA Legal Officer recruitment under Advertisement 13/2023 | Download official question paper |
| 2023 | Combined RT (Law), official answer key | Download official answer key |
The question paper was uploaded to UPSC’s archive on 18 January 2024.
UPSC’s answer-key archive also contains the corresponding official key, covering different booklet series.
Candidates can independently locate these resources through:
- UPSC Recruitment Test Question Paper Archives
- UPSC Recruitment Test Answer Key Archives
- UPSC Recruitment Test Cut-off Archives
The 2023 archive associates the same combined paper with several legal recruitment posts. Those entries should not be mistaken for separate examination years.
The 9 January 2027 examination has not yet taken place. Its question paper and final answer key are therefore unavailable.
How to analyse the 2023 paper
First, solve the question paper without referring to the answer key.
Next, identify each question’s subject and governing statutory provision.
Separate questions involving direct statutory language from those requiring legal interpretation.
Finally, revise weak subjects before attempting another timed practice session.
Remember that the 2027 syllabus contains the new criminal enactments. Historical questions must therefore be used with appropriate legislative updates.
UPSC Legal Officer Preparation Strategy
Step 1: Start with the official syllabus
Divide the 15 notified subjects into manageable revision units.
Prepare a subject checklist and track completed statutory provisions.
Do not devote excessive time to subjects absent from the notification.
Step 2: Prioritise bare Acts
Many objective legal questions test exact statutory wording, definitions and exceptions.
Read the relevant provisions before relying on coaching notes or summaries.
Prepare concise revision tables for important timelines, authorities and legal consequences.
Step 3: Study the three new criminal laws carefully
Read the BNS, BNSS and BSA as distinct enactments.
Compare their provisions with older legislation only when this improves understanding.
Avoid assuming that historical section numbers remain unchanged.
Step 4: Use PYQs to identify question styles
Practise the verified 2023 combined-law paper.
Examine how UPSC frames direct, conceptual and application-based legal questions.
Use the exercise to improve reasoning rather than predict identical future questions.
Step 5: Practise timed MCQs
The notified test duration is two hours.
Develop sufficient speed to read questions carefully and reserve time for review.
Because one-third negative marking applies, avoid uninformed guessing.
Step 6: Prepare for the interview
Candidates shortlisted from the Recruitment Test may be called for interview after eligibility scrutiny.
Revise your professional experience, work responsibilities and relevant legal developments.
DGCA applicants should understand the department’s aviation-regulatory responsibilities.
Delhi Law Officer applicants should understand land acquisition litigation and government legal administration.
The interview is relevant to final merit because UPSC has assigned it 25% weightage.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is UPSC Legal Officer a separate annual examination?
No. UPSC recruits for particular legal posts through vacancy-specific advertisements.
The examination pattern depends on the relevant recruitment notice.
2. What is the UPSC Legal Officer examination date?
The combined Recruitment Test is scheduled for 9 January 2027, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
3. Can a fresh LL.B. graduate apply?
Not ordinarily for these particular vacancies without qualifying experience.
DGCA requires three years of legal practice, while Delhi requires two years of specified legal work.
4. Is an LL.M. compulsory?
The 2026 DGCA Legal Officer and Delhi Law Officer advertisements require recognised law degrees.
They do not prescribe a mandatory LL.M. qualification.
Other UPSC legal posts may impose different educational requirements.
5. Is there negative marking?
Yes. Each incorrect answer attracts a deduction of one-third of its assigned marks.
Unanswered questions attract no penalty.
6. What is the UPSC Legal Officer salary?
The 2026 DGCA Legal Officer position carries Pay Level 10.
The Delhi Law Officer position carries Pay Level 7.
Allowances and deductions determine the actual take-home amount.
7. Can candidates apply for both posts?
Candidates could submit separate applications if they independently satisfied both advertisements.
However, their 2026 application deadlines have already passed.
8. Where can candidates download genuine UPSC Legal Officer PYQs?
Use the official UPSC Recruitment Test question-paper archive.
The verified 2023 Combined RT (Law) paper is linked above.
Official UPSC Resources
Candidates should rely on original UPSC documents for recruitment decisions.
- UPSC Official Website
- UPSC Recruitment Advertisements
- UPSC Online Recruitment Portal
- DGCA Legal Officer Advertisement 07/2026
- Delhi Law Officer Advertisement 12/2026
- Combined Recruitment Test Notice, 28 October 2026
- Official Previous-Year Question Papers
- Official Recruitment Test Answer Keys
The strongest preparation approach combines bare Act revision, verified PYQs and timed practice.
Candidates should also monitor UPSC regularly for admit-card instructions, corrigenda and subsequent selection notices.
