Criminal Procedure Law (BNSS / CrPC): Mains Previous Year Questions (Subjective)
Topic-wise descriptive questions from judicial-service and prosecution examinations. Every occurrence links to an attributable paper source. Questions only, without answers.
Scope and source verification
This is a source-attributed collection of descriptive Criminal Procedure questions. It includes questions originally asked under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and later questions under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The original statute named by each paper is retained.
Research cut-off: 4 November 2026. The material comes from 6 identifiable examination papers across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Kerala. Every displayed question is an editorial paraphrase of an attributable printed question. Sources marked Grade B are third-party reproductions whose underlying official originals were not independently retrieved.
The BNSS commenced on 1 July 2024, subject to its notified commencement terms. Older CrPC questions are historical PYQs, not recast as BNSS questions. Question choices and optional subparts each receive a distinct card where separately printed. The counts therefore represent question occurrences or options rather than compulsory answers.
Find Mains PYQs
FIR and Police Powers
3 attributed question occurrences
Distinguish cognizable and non-cognizable offences.
UPPSC Assistant Prosecution Officer Mains · 2025 · Criminal Law and Procedure (Paper 54) · Q9(b) · Page 4
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Write a note on the meaning, purpose, utility and significance of an FIR.
UPPSC Assistant Prosecution Officer Mains · 2025 · Criminal Law and Procedure (Paper 54) · Q9(a) · Page 4
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Define cognizable and non-cognizable offences under CrPC 1973, and explain consequences for arrest and investigation.
Assam Judicial Service Mains · 2025 · Law Paper II, Parts C–D · Q9(a) · Part C
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Police Investigation and Reports
10 attributed question occurrences
Define criminal investigation and describe its principal stages.
UPPSC Assistant Prosecution Officer Mains · 2025 · Criminal Law and Procedure (Paper 54) · Q3(c) · Page 3
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Describe the procedure for recording confessions and statements under Section 164 CrPC 1973.
Assam Judicial Service Mains · 2025 · Law Paper II, Parts C–D · Q9(d) · Part C
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Describe when a Magistrate or Sessions Court may order further investigation, fresh investigation, or reinvestigation.
Delhi Higher Judicial Service Mains · 2024 · Law III (Criminal Law) · Part 1 Q6 · Law III p.2
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In a murder investigation involving an initially unidentified body, exhumation and photographic superimposition, discuss reliability of identification and whether DNA testing has a different evidential standing.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2019 · Criminal Law (12 October 2019) · Q3 · Page 7
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Discuss whether police may seize or attach immovable property by invoking CrPC Section 102.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2019 · Criminal Law (12 October 2019) · Q12(h) · Page 9
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Discuss whether an accused may apply to record their own confession under Section 164 CrPC.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2019 · Criminal Law (12 October 2019) · Q12(e) · Page 9
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State the object and evidentiary value of an inquest report.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2019 · Criminal Law (12 October 2019) · Q12(a) · Page 9
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Police want a suspect’s voice sample to match a seized phone recording in a recruitment fraud investigation. Examine the legality of the Magistrate’s order directing collection of the sample.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2019 · Criminal Law (12 October 2019) · Q10 · Page 9
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Explain the investigating officer’s powers under CrPC Section 173(8) after submitting a report, and examine whether a Magistrate can order reinvestigation or investigation de novo.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2018 · Criminal Law (exam held 9 February 2019) · Q6(a) · Page 7
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Discuss whether a test identification parade is compulsory, consequences of delay, joint parade for two accused, and whether an accused can demand a parade as of right.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2018 · Criminal Law (exam held 9 February 2019) · Q3(b) · Page 6
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Bail, Bonds and Arrest
11 attributed question occurrences
Discuss statutory provisions governing bail under BNSS, 2023.
UPPSC Assistant Prosecution Officer Mains · 2025 · Criminal Law and Procedure (Paper 54) · Q9(c) · Page 4
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Examine the extent of judicial discretion to grant bail for non-bailable offences using relevant statutory provisions and judgments.
UPPSC Assistant Prosecution Officer Mains · 2025 · Criminal Law and Procedure (Paper 54) · Q5(b) · Page 3
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When may a person be released upon executing a bond instead of being taken into custody?
Assam Judicial Service Mains · 2025 · Law Paper II, Parts C–D · Q12(c) · Part D
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Set out the rights available to a person under arrest.
Assam Judicial Service Mains · 2025 · Law Paper II, Parts C–D · Q12(a) · Part D
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Explain anticipatory bail under CrPC Section 438 and discuss grant conditions with case law.
Assam Judicial Service Mains · 2025 · Law Paper II, Parts C–D · Q10 · Part C
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State the considerations governing cancellation of bail.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2019 · Criminal Law (12 October 2019) · Q12(d) · Page 9
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Explain the right of a complainant or victim to oppose bail in sexual offence cases.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2019 · Criminal Law (12 October 2019) · Q12(b) · Page 9
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Distinguish anticipatory bail and ordinary bail.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2018 · Criminal Law (exam held 9 February 2019) · Q9(d) · Page 7
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Distinguish suspension of sentence from bail.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2018 · Criminal Law (exam held 9 February 2019) · Q9(b) · Page 7
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Can an arrested individual insist upon an advocate being present during police interrogation?
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2018 · Criminal Law (exam held 9 February 2019) · Q6(b) · Page 7
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A murder accused remains in custody. Police submit a report within the statutory period, but the Magistrate returns it for non-compliance with a High Court direction on investigator rank. Examine the accused’s claim to statutory bail under CrPC Section 167(2).
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2018 · Criminal Law (exam held 9 February 2019) · Q10 · Page 7
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Processes to Compel Appearance
1 attributed question occurrences
Briefly explain methods of serving summons under the BNSS, 2023.
Assam Judicial Service Mains · 2025 · Law Paper II, Parts C–D · Q12(d) · Part D
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Cognizance and Complaints
8 attributed question occurrences
Explain what constitutes a complaint, its essential features, and the procedure followed by a Magistrate after receiving one.
UPPSC Assistant Prosecution Officer Mains · 2025 · Criminal Law and Procedure (Paper 54) · Q4(a) · Page 3
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Discuss the Magistrate’s role under Chapter XVI CrPC when the alleged offence is triable exclusively by a Court of Session.
Assam Judicial Service Mains · 2025 · Law Paper II, Parts C–D · Q9(b) · Part C
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Define complaint and explain the Magistrate’s procedure upon receiving a complaint under BNSS 2023.
Assam Judicial Service Mains · 2025 · Law Paper II, Parts C–D · Q12(b) · Part D
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What powers may a Special Judge exercise when police submit a closure report in a Prevention of Corruption Act matter?
Delhi Higher Judicial Service Mains · 2024 · Law III (Criminal Law) · Part 2 Q8 · Law III p.2
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Can investigators submit a fresh charge-sheet with sanction after a public servant has earlier been discharged because sanction was lacking?
Delhi Higher Judicial Service Mains · 2024 · Law III (Criminal Law) · Part 1 Q2 · Law III p.1
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Evidence implicates a third public servant after cognizance was taken against two sanctioned accused. Determine the interaction of Section 319 and sanction under Section 197 CrPC.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2019 · Criminal Law (12 October 2019) · Q7 · Page 8
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A rape complainant supports allegations under Section 161 CrPC, retracts under Section 164 before a Magistrate, then affirms them in a further Section 161 statement. Examine whether cognizance may be taken on the charge-sheet.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2019 · Criminal Law (12 October 2019) · Q6 · Page 8
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Describe procedure for consideration of a protest petition against a police closure report.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2019 · Criminal Law (12 October 2019) · Q12(c) · Page 9
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Criminal Courts and Jurisdiction
1 attributed question occurrences
Identify the classes of criminal courts, powers of the Court of Session and sentences it may impose.
UPPSC Assistant Prosecution Officer Mains · 2025 · Criminal Law and Procedure (Paper 54) · Q7(a) · Page 4
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Criminal Trials and Charges
17 attributed question occurrences
Describe summary trial procedure and consider the effect of the complainant’s absence on the scheduled trial date.
UPPSC Assistant Prosecution Officer Mains · 2025 · Criminal Law and Procedure (Paper 54) · Q7(b) · Page 4
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Define a criminal charge and examine the statutory rules permitting joinder of charges.
UPPSC Assistant Prosecution Officer Mains · 2025 · Criminal Law and Procedure (Paper 54) · Q5(a) · Page 3
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Describe each stage of a warrant-case trial instituted on a police report.
UPPSC Assistant Prosecution Officer Mains · 2025 · Criminal Law and Procedure (Paper 54) · Q3(b) · Page 3
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Discuss the constitutional protection against self-incrimination with reference to State of Bombay v. Kathi Kalu Oghad, AIR 1961 SC 1808.
Kerala Judicial Service Mains · 2025 · Paper III, Part III · Q37 · Part III
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Explain compounding of offences under Section 320 CrPC 1973.
Assam Judicial Service Mains · 2025 · Law Paper II, Parts C–D · Q9(c) · Part C
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Describe the stages of a warrant case instituted on a police report under BNSS, 2023.
Assam Judicial Service Mains · 2025 · Law Paper II, Parts C–D · Q13 · Part D
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Explain the accused person’s right to remain silent.
Delhi Higher Judicial Service Mains · 2024 · Law III (Criminal Law) · Part 2 Q9 · Law III p.2
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Under what conditions may the prosecution re-examine its witness?
Delhi Higher Judicial Service Mains · 2024 · Law III (Criminal Law) · Part 1 Q5 · Law III p.2
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Write a short note on trial or pronouncement of judgment in the absence of a proclaimed offender.
Delhi Higher Judicial Service Mains · 2024 · Law III (Criminal Law) · Part 1 Q1 · Law III p.1
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At framing of charge, may an accused invoke Section 91 CrPC to produce material withheld from the charge-sheet, and may a court independently call for it?
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2019 · Criminal Law (12 October 2019) · Q8 · Page 8
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Evaluate whether the court may dispense with putting incriminating circumstances to the accused simply because evidence was recorded in the accused’s presence.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2019 · Criminal Law (12 October 2019) · Q2(b) · Page 7
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An accused with blindness seeks advance written questions before examination under CrPC Section 313. Consider whether a court can allow the request against the prosecution’s objections.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2019 · Criminal Law (12 October 2019) · Q2(a) · Page 7
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Define plea bargaining and identify the procedural stage when a case may be referred for it.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2019 · Criminal Law (12 October 2019) · Q12(g) · Page 9
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The court finds hurt proved but cruelty unproved. After delivering conviction, it purports to add a Section 323 IPC charge and convict on it. Determine the legality of post-judgment alteration.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2019 · Criminal Law (12 October 2019) · Q11 · Page 9
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Distinguish formulation of charges in police cases and complaint cases.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2018 · Criminal Law (exam held 9 February 2019) · Q9(e) · Page 7
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Where call-detail records were admitted without objection, examine the effect on formal proof under CrPC Section 294.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2018 · Criminal Law (exam held 9 February 2019) · Q7(b) · Page 7
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The Magistrate tried a warrant case by summons-case procedure and convicted the accused. Examine the appellate court’s power under Section 386 CrPC to direct a retrial.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2018 · Criminal Law (exam held 9 February 2019) · Q1 · Page 6
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Public Prosecutors and Withdrawal
2 attributed question occurrences
A Public Prosecutor seeks withdrawal from a prosecution using only a government no-objection notification. Decide whether that application is sufficient.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2018 · Criminal Law (exam held 9 February 2019) · Q14(b) · Page 8
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Explain the functions of a Public Prosecutor in criminal trials and the circumstances permitting withdrawal from prosecution.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2018 · Criminal Law (exam held 9 February 2019) · Q14(a) · Page 8
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Preventive Jurisdiction and Maintenance
3 attributed question occurrences
Identify when and from which persons a court can demand security for peace and good behaviour despite there being no criminal conviction.
UPPSC Assistant Prosecution Officer Mains · 2025 · Criminal Law and Procedure (Paper 54) · Q4(b) · Page 3
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Explain the BNSS provisions requiring security to ensure good behaviour.
Assam Judicial Service Mains · 2025 · Law Paper II, Parts C–D · Q14 (OR) · Part D
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Define maintenance and describe the CrPC rules governing maintenance for a wife.
Assam Judicial Service Mains · 2025 · Law Paper II, Parts C–D · Q11 (OR) · Part C
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Sentencing, Appeals and Revision
9 attributed question occurrences
Compare the statutory framework for suspending, remitting and commuting sentences under BNSS, 2023 with the constitutional powers of pardon and remission.
UPPSC Assistant Prosecution Officer Mains · 2025 · Criminal Law and Procedure (Paper 54) · Q3(a) · Page 2
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Discuss BNSS provisions on judgment, sentencing and compensation for victims.
Assam Judicial Service Mains · 2025 · Law Paper II, Parts C–D · Q14 (main) · Part D
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Describe the powers of an appellate court when it emerges that a convicted person was a juvenile in conflict with law.
Delhi Higher Judicial Service Mains · 2024 · Law III (Criminal Law) · Part 1 Q4 · Law III p.1
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After acquittal in a disputed forged-power-of-attorney case, examine the deceased complainant’s daughter’s standing to appeal to the Supreme Court against the High Court order.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2019 · Criminal Law (12 October 2019) · Q9 · Page 8
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Following a 2013 acquittal arising from an attack in February 2009, the victim is denied appeals under Sections 372 and 378(4) CrPC. Assess the victim’s challenge to those dismissals.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2019 · Criminal Law (12 October 2019) · Q4 · Page 7
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Identify remedies where incriminating evidence was not put to the accused during the examination under Section 313 CrPC.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2019 · Criminal Law (12 October 2019) · Q2(c) · Page 7
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Distinguish suspension of sentence from suspension of conviction.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2018 · Criminal Law (exam held 9 February 2019) · Q9(c) · Page 7
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Discuss the proposition that traditional locus standi has no place in criminal jurisdiction.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2018 · Criminal Law (exam held 9 February 2019) · Q4(b) · Page 6
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After the State was refused leave to appeal from a murder acquittal, could the deceased victim’s wife bring a separate appeal?
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2018 · Criminal Law (exam held 9 February 2019) · Q4(a) · Page 6
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High Court Inherent Powers
3 attributed question occurrences
Discuss the scope of inherent powers under Section 482 CrPC to prevent miscarriage of justice.
Assam Judicial Service Mains · 2025 · Law Paper II, Parts C–D · Q11 (main) · Part C
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A retired bank employee fails to repay a ₹27 lakh loan; a civil recovery suit is pending, and criminal charges for cheating and breach of trust follow. Assess the accused’s petition under Section 482 CrPC seeking to quash the FIR and proceedings.
Delhi Higher Judicial Service Mains · 2024 · Law III (Criminal Law) · Part 3 Q14 · Law III p.8
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An official commits suicide after alleged workplace harassment; the superior is named for abetment and intimidation. Analyse an application under CrPC Section 482 seeking quashing of the FIR.
Delhi Judicial Service Mains · 2018 · Criminal Law (exam held 9 February 2019) · Q12 · Page 8
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Original question papers and attributed reproductions
- UPPSC Assistant Prosecution Officer Mains (2025)
Criminal Law and Procedure (Paper 54) · A · Official commission PDF
- Delhi Judicial Service Mains (2018)
Criminal Law (exam held 9 February 2019) · A · Official court PDF
- Delhi Judicial Service Mains (2019)
Criminal Law (12 October 2019) · A · Official court PDF
- Delhi Higher Judicial Service Mains (2024)
Law III (Criminal Law) · A · Official court PDF (large file)
- Assam Judicial Service Mains (2025)
Law Paper II, Parts C–D · B · Attributed secondary reproduction; original paper not independently retrieved
- Kerala Judicial Service Mains (2025)
Paper III, Part III · B · Attributed paper reproduction; original not independently retrieved
Research coverage audit
| Source paper | Questions |
|---|---|
| UPPSC Assistant Prosecution Officer Mains (2025) | 12 |
| Delhi Judicial Service Mains (2018) | 15 |
| Delhi Judicial Service Mains (2019) | 18 |
| Delhi Higher Judicial Service Mains (2024) | 8 |
| Assam Judicial Service Mains (2025) | 14 |
| Kerala Judicial Service Mains (2025) | 1 |
Scope: 68 attributed question occurrences, 68 individually indexed prompts, 6 distinct source papers, 11 topics; years 2018–2025. The covered examination sources are UPPSC APO 2025, Delhi Judicial Service 2018 and 2019, Delhi Higher Judicial Service 2024, Assam Judicial Service 2025, and Kerala Judicial Service 2025.
Source grades: A = official court or commission examination paper (53 occurrences); B = attributed independent reproduction (15 occurrences). No unverified recollections or coaching predictions are counted. Question texts are labelled faithful paraphrases; intricate problem facts should always be checked in the linked original.
Limitations: This is not an exhaustive all-India inventory. Original or complete papers for several cycles of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh Civil Judge, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab and Haryana, Gujarat, Odisha, West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, other northeastern states and additional HJS/APO/JLO posts remain unchecked or inaccessible. Some scanned Delhi papers from 2022–2023 were identified but not fully extracted and are excluded. A 2024 Delhi HJS file is very large and may open slowly. Entries from two secondary reproductions remain Grade B, not official-paper-verified.
Paper year means the year named by the examining authority, even when the test was conducted or the archive published later. No model answers, solutions or suggested responses are included.
