10 Must-Have Bare Acts & Books for RJS Mains Preparation 2025
The Rajasthan Judicial Services (RJS) Mains Examination is a highly competitive and intellectually demanding test that assesses your understanding of core legal subjects. One of the most common challenges aspirants face is choosing the right books and bare acts from the ocean of material available.
This blog post offers a carefully curated list of 10 must-have bare acts and reference books that every serious RJS aspirant should possess — with subject-wise insights, preparation tips, and bonus material to simplify your preparation journey.
Why Bare Acts Matter
The RJS exam expects not just theoretical understanding, but precision. Bare Acts are the actual text of the law as enacted by the legislature. While guidebooks and commentaries help you understand legal principles, it’s the Bare Acts that help you quote the exact language, definitions, and sections — all of which can make or break your Mains answers.
That said, reading Bare Acts alone isn’t enough. You need one high-quality reference book per subject to understand illustrations, landmark judgments, and analytical nuances that RJS Mains questions often demand.
📚 Subject-Wise List of Must-Have Bare Acts and Books
- Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860
– Bare Act: Essential for quoting sections like 299–304 (Culpable Homicide), 375 (Rape), 420 (Cheating)
– Recommended Book: KD Gaur or Ratanlal & Dhirajlal
– Study Tip: Focus on illustrations and General Exceptions (Sec 76–106). Most fact-based questions are derived from here. - Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), 1973
– Bare Act: Focus on sections related to arrest, bail, trials, and powers of courts
– Recommended Book: Kelkar’s Criminal Procedure
– Study Tip: Draw flowcharts for Trial Stages and differentiate between Summons and Warrant Cases. - Indian Evidence Act, 1872
– Bare Act: Study Relevancy of Facts (Secs 5–55), Admissions, Confessions, Presumptions
– Recommended Book: Batuk Lal or Avtar Singh
– Study Tip: Create notes of important case laws per section. Questions often ask you to apply law to factual scenarios. - Civil Procedure Code (CPC), 1908
– Bare Act: Orders 1–22, Secs 9, 11, 35A, 80
– Recommended Book: CK Takwani
– Study Tip: Focus on Res Judicata, Limitation, and differences between Preliminary Decree and Final Decree. - Indian Contract Act, 1872
– Bare Act: Sections 1–75 (General Principles)
– Recommended Book: Avtar Singh
– Study Tip: Prepare contract timelines (offer → acceptance → consideration → performance) with relevant cases. - Specific Relief Act, 1963
– Bare Act: Focus on Specific Performance, Injunctions, Declaratory Relief
– Recommended Book: Covered in Avtar Singh or RK Bangia’s Contract Law
– Study Tip: Make comparative charts: Mandatory vs Prohibitory Injunction, Legal vs Equitable Remedy. - Transfer of Property Act, 1882
– Bare Act: Emphasis on Sale, Lease, Mortgage, Gift, Doctrine of Part Performance
– Recommended Book: SN Shukla or Mulla
– Study Tip: Learn illustrations by heart. Visual memory helps retain property concepts better. - Limitation Act, 1963
– Bare Act: Important for its practical application in procedural law
– Recommended Book: Bare Act + short guide is sufficient
– Study Tip: Make a summary table of limitation periods for various suits. RJS loves practical applicability. - Family Law (Hindu Law & Muslim Law)
– Bare Acts: Hindu Marriage Act, Hindu Succession Act, Muslim Personal Laws
– Recommended Book: Paras Diwan (for both Hindu and Muslim Law)
– Study Tip: Prepare summary sheets for divorce grounds, adoption rules, and maintenance laws. - Constitution of India
– Bare Act: Focus on Part III (Fundamental Rights), Part IV, Part V, VI (Union & State Relations)
– Recommended Book: MP Jain or VD Mahajan
– Study Tip: Use schematic diagrams to memorize Article groupings. Also note latest amendments and landmark judgments.
How to Use These Books Effectively
- Stick to one book per subject. Too many resources = confusion.
- Annotate your Bare Acts. Highlight important words, add case laws in margins.
- Make concise subject-wise notes. Focus on exam-relevant topics.
- Revise often. These are not one-time reads. Use monthly revision cycles.
- Practice answer-writing. Reading law is not enough — presentation matters in Judiciary Mains.
Feeling Overwhelmed by So Many Books?
We understand. And that’s why Delhi Law Academy has designed a complete, exam-oriented solution just for you.
📦 DLA’s RJS Study Material (2025 Mains Edition)
- All important Acts and topics covered
- Concise, easy-to-revise format
- Updated with latest case law and questions
- Includes past years’ solved papers and mock tests
- Available in Online + Postal mode
👉 Click here to explore the Study Material or call us at 9911916552.
Conclusion
Cracking the RJS Mains requires clarity, consistency, and smart planning. Having the right books is step one — but what you do with them matters even more.
We hope this guide helps you structure your preparation better. Save this list, mark your acts, and get started. All the best!