Introduction
The Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC), in advertisement 33 of 2025, announced 101 vacancies for the post of Sub Divisional Enforcement Officer (SDEO) on a BS-16 Scale. An SDEO is the head of an enforcement station at the sub-division level, with one or more stations potentially existing in any Sub-Division. The PPSC has a two-phase exam for this appointment.
In Phase-1, two papers are conducted: General Knowledge and Law. Both are MCQ-based, with 100 questions each. A negative marking of 0.25 applies for every incorrect answer. To qualify for the next phase, a candidate must score at least 40 marks in each subject.
After Phase-1, qualified candidates proceed to Phase-2, which is a descriptive English Essay paper.
The Law Paper in Phase-1 is very crucial. Many applicants for the SDEO PERA post may not have a legal background, making this subject difficult to prepare. However, this presents a golden opportunity for those who score well in law to gain a significant advantage in the final merit calculation.
Understanding the Exam Pattern
The Law Paper for SDEO PERA consists of 100 MCQs divided into three different categories:
- General Legal Understanding: This section covers the Constitution of Pakistan 1973, Legal Maxims and Statute interpretation, and Basic Procedural fairness and Rights.
- Criminal and Procedural Laws: This part includes a focused and to-the-point study of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 and the Pakistan Penal Code 1860. The examiner expects candidates to know the process of arrests, searches, trials, and appeals from the CrPC, and what public offenses and criminal liability mean under the PPC.
- Laws Relevant to PERA: This section includes the PERA Act 2024 and all its scheduled laws. A comprehensive knowledge of the PERA Act 2024 is essential.
Because the exam has a 0.25 negative marking, it is crucial to be careful with your answers. Guessing is not a viable strategy; you must have a solid understanding of the bare acts and legal concepts.
Syllabus for SDEO PERA BS-16 Exam
The syllabus that PPSC has released for SDEO PERA is as follows:
Preparation Strategy for SDEO PERA Law Exam
The first and most crucial step is to download all the bare acts. You can find them on this link where we have uploaded all relevant laws. Start with the PERA Act 2024, as it is expected to contain the most questions. Then, move on to the other acts relevant to PERA. Focus on the shorter acts first, such as the Tenancy Act and the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority Rules, 2025.
While reading these bare acts, make notes of all the important points to build strong concepts. Remember that time is short, so you can only afford to read the bare acts comprehensively once. Be meticulous with your note-taking.
After you have read and taken notes on all the bare acts, revise your notes. Once you feel confident, take mock exams to test your knowledge. You can join the WhatsApp community of LearnUp Pakistan for mock exams, quizzes, and updates. They also offer a comprehensive course for the Law Paper to help you assess your preparation and improve on weak areas.
Best Resource to Prepare SDEO PERA Exam
For candidates who feel they need a dedicated and comprehensive resource, the Comprehensive Guidebook from LearnUp Pakistan on the SDEO PERA Exam is highly recommended. This guidebook covers all the relevant laws with questions that are to the point, relevant, and authentic. It is an excellent resource for those who need a structured approach to prepare for the Law Paper.
Conclusion
The Law Exam in SDEO PERA is a golden opportunity to significantly boost your overall score. With a focused and strategic effort, you can score high and gain a clear advantage over candidates who rely on traditional methods like cramming from random PDFs. The key is to build solid concepts in a short time and create your own notes. After that, use a reliable resource like the guidebook from LearnUp Pakistan for self-assessment.
