A Day in the Life of Kiffi Aggarwal, Professor (Judiciary) at PhysicsWallah Limited!

This post is part of our ‘A Day in the Life’ segment, where we showcase the lives of legal professionals. The segment aims to help you make inspired and informed career decisions.

What initially drew you towards a career in academia, and what continues to excite you about teaching law?

My journey towards academia began with a deep passion for understanding the law not just as a set of rules, but as a living system that shapes society. Early in my career, I discovered that I had a knack for breaking down complex legal concepts into simple, relatable explanations that truly help students grasp and apply the law. What excites me most about teaching law is seeing that ‘aha’ moment in students when a difficult concept suddenly becomes clear.

My expertise lies in making even the most challenging subjects like the CPC, IPC, and minor laws easy to learn through innovative techniques, mnemonics, and memory tricks. I help students remember Bare Act provisions in perfect sequence—sometimes in just a matter of minutes—making legal learning not only effective but also engaging and memorable.

Can you describe your specific responsibilities in this role?

As a Professor in Academics (Judiciary) at PhysicsWallah Limited, my responsibilities include designing and delivering lectures on core legal subjects such as the CPC, IPC, COI  and minor laws, with a focus on competitive judiciary examinations.

I prepare structured study materials, including mnemonics, flowcharts, and memory techniques, to simplify complex provisions and help students retain Bare Act sequences with ease. I also conduct doubt-clearing sessions, mock tests, and answer-writing practice to enhance exam readiness.

Additionally, I track students’ progress, provide individualized guidance, and ensure that each topic is taught with both conceptual clarity and practical applicability.

What kind of subjects or research areas do you focus on?

My academic and teaching focus spans core legal subjects such as the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC), Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Constitution of India, and a range of specialised statutes including the Transfer of Property Act, Registration Act, Arbitration and Conciliation Act, as well as local laws of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

With a strong emphasis on competitive judiciary examinations, I design comprehensive study frameworks that integrate both doctrinal understanding and practical application. This includes creating meticulously crafted Prelims and Mains questions, judgment-writing exercises, and analytical problem sets that test both legal knowledge and reasoning skills.

I also incorporate innovative memory techniques, mnemonics, and structured revision tools to help students master Bare Act provisions, case laws, and procedural sequences with efficiency and precision.

What’s the one thing that surprised you about the job when you started?

When I started teaching law, what surprised me most was how much I would learn in the process of preparing to teach others. I had assumed my primary role would be to impart knowledge, but I quickly realised that students’ questions often push you to explore the law from new angles, think more critically, and find simpler ways to explain even the most intricate provisions.

Another unexpected yet deeply fulfilling aspect is the way students begin to see you not just as a teacher, but as a mentor and guide. They follow your approach, absorb your values, and are influenced by your personality and work ethic. Knowing that your words and conduct can leave a lasting impression on their professional and personal lives is both a privilege and a responsibility that continues to inspire me every day.

What does a typical day in your life look like?

A typical day in my life as a law professor is a blend of teaching, content creation, and student mentoring. My mornings usually begin with reviewing my lecture plans and refining study materials, ensuring that complex topics like the CPC, IPC, Constitution of India, and a range of specialised statutes including the Transfer of Property Act, Registration Act, Arbitration and Conciliation Act, as well as local laws of Delhi, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh are broken down into easy-to-grasp concepts with the help of mnemonics, flowcharts, and tricks.

The day often includes delivering multiple interactive lectures, conducting doubt-clearing sessions, and holding discussions on Bare Act interpretation and case law analysis. I also spend time designing Prelims and Mains questions, preparing judgment-writing exercises, and evaluating students’ performance.

Between classes, I respond to students’ queries, provide personalised guidance, and work on improving my teaching methods. Evenings are often devoted to research, staying updated with recent legal developments, and innovating new techniques to make learning more engaging and effective.

What are the Pros and Cons of your work?

One of the biggest pros of my work is the opportunity to make a direct and lasting impact on students’ careers. Guiding aspiring judges and lawyers, simplifying complex laws, and seeing students succeed in competitive examinations is immensely fulfilling.

Another advantage is the constant intellectual growth—teaching requires me to stay updated with legal developments, refine my understanding, and continuously innovate my teaching methods. Additionally, the respect, trust, and mentorship bond I share with students is deeply rewarding.

On the flip side, the main challenge is the extensive preparation and constant energy the role demands. Creating high-quality study materials, designing exam-oriented questions, and delivering engaging lectures require significant time and effort, often beyond classroom hours.

There’s also the responsibility of ensuring accuracy and clarity in every explanation, as students’ exam performance and confidence depend on it. However, the satisfaction of seeing students grow far outweighs these challenges.

What’s something you’ve learned about law or students from teaching?

Teaching has taught me that law is not just about memorising provisions—it’s about understanding their logic, context, and application. When you explain a concept in a way that connects with a student’s real-life understanding, it transforms their learning.

I’ve also learned that every student has a unique pace and style of grasping legal concepts; some excel with case law analysis, others with mnemonics or practical examples. This has made me more adaptable as a teacher, constantly tailoring my methods to ensure each student feels confident.

Most importantly, I’ve realised that students don’t just learn the subject from you—they also learn your discipline, values, and attitude towards work, which makes the role of a teacher both powerful and deeply responsible.

What advice would you give to students or young lawyers who are considering a career in academia or legal research?

For students or young lawyers considering a career in academia or legal research, my advice would be to focus first on building a strong conceptual foundation. Teaching and research demand far more than just knowing the law—you must understand it deeply enough to explain it in simple, relatable terms. Stay curious and keep updating yourself with recent judgments, amendments, and scholarly debates.

Develop your own teaching or research style, whether it’s through mnemonics, case analysis, or practical illustrations. Patience, clarity, and the ability to connect with your audience are crucial. Also, remember that in academia, your personality and conduct influence students as much as your lectures, so approach the role with dedication, discipline, and a genuine passion for learning and sharing knowledge.

Please recommend any books or resources that you think every law student should explore.

Judiciary Exam – Prelims (Objective)

Focus: Bare Act reading + objective-style MCQs for quick recall.

• Constitution of India – Durga Das Basu’s “Introduction to the Constitution of India” + Bare Act +  A K JAIN MCQ BOOK
• CPC – CK Tacia’s Civil Procedure + Universal’s Guide to Judicial Service Examination (Objective CPC section)
• IPC – K.D. Gaur’s Indian Penal Code + Bare Act
• CrPC – R.V. Kelkar’s Criminal Procedure + Objective questions from Singhal’s Criminal Procedure
• Indian Evidence Act – Vepa P. Sarathi’s Law of Evidence + Objective question bank (Singhal or Universal)
• Contract Act – Avtar Singh’s Law of Contract & Specific Relief + Bare Act
• Transfer of Property Act – Mulla on Transfer of Property Act (selected chapters) + Objective TPA from Singhal’s
• Arbitration Act, Registration Act, Limitation Act, Local Laws – Bare Act + Objective MCQs from Universal’s
• General Knowledge / Current Affairs – Lucent’s GK + Monthly magazines like Pratiyogita darpan
• English Language – Wren & Martin’s High School English Grammar + previous year papers

Judiciary Exam – Mains (Descriptive)

Focus: Conceptual clarity + answer-writing practice + case law integration.

• Constitution of India – M.P. Jain (for depth) + Supreme Court Case Digest for recent judgments
• CPC – CK Tacia’s Civil Procedure (for conceptual clarity) + past year mains questions practice
• IPC – K.D. Gaur’s Indian Penal Code (analytical style) + judgment references
• CrPC – R.V. Kelkar’s Criminal Procedure + descriptive notes with illustrations
• Evidence Act – Battok Ball’s Law of Evidence (for detailed explanations)
• Contract Law – Avtar Singh’s Law of Contract and Specific Relief (with problem-based questions)
• TPA – Decreases singh or Mulla (for depth in sections)
• Minor Acts & Local Laws – Bare Acts + short notes for revision
• Judgment Writing – An Insight Into Judgment Writing  by Robinjeet Singh (DJS) (Author), Arjinder Kaur (DJS) B.A. LL.B (Silver Medalist) (Author)
• Essay / General English – LexisNexis Legal Writing Skills + Wren & Martin for grammar

Solved Mains Answer-Writing Books (Judiciary)

1. Universal’s Guide to Judicial Service Examination – Mains(LexisNexis)
   • Covers all major subjects with previous years’ mains questions + model answers.
   • Great for learning answer structure and incorporating case laws.
2. Singhal’s Mains Examination Question & Answer Series(Separate books for CPC, IPC, CrPC, Evidence, Constitution, etc.)
   • Subject-wise, topic-wise solved mains questions.
   • Ideal for quick revision and concise legal writing practice.
3. Dr. Shailender Malik – Mains Solved Papers (Judiciary Exams)
   • Updated with recent judgments and model answers.
   • Known for clear explanations and coverage of both major and minor subjects.

Tip:

• Always keep a recent judgment notebook for last-minute updates.
• For Prelims, target Bare Act language and MCQs.
• For Mains, focus on structured answers, illustrationsand case laws.

Disclaimer: Interviews published on Lawctopus are not thoroughly edited to retain the voice of the interviewee.