The judiciary is one of the three pillars of Indian democracy. While the Legislature makes the law, the Executive implements and enforces it, the Judiciary upholds the rule of law to ensure justice is delivered.

Judges are key figures in society who help preserve justice, uphold citizens' rights, resolve disputes, and act as the guardians of the Constitution. As a position of immense responsibility and public trust, a career in the judiciary is regarded as one of the most prestigious professions.

Here are the steps to becoming a judge in India –

a. A candidate must first earn an LLB degree recognised by the Bar Council of India (BCI). It could be a 3-year course or a 5-year integrated course such as BA LLB, B.Sc. LLB, BBA LLB, B.Com LLB, etc.

b. After enrolment with a State Bar Council, candidates who are required to qualify for practice must clear the AIBE (All India Bar Examination) and complete the documentation process to obtain the Certificate of Practice. Candidates should check whether a Certificate of Practice is required for a particular judicial service application in the latest notifications.

c. Appear for Judicial Services Examination - This is conducted by individual state public service commissions or high courts. The Lower Judicial Level Examination and Higher Judicial Level Examination are two different entry points based on experience levels and targeting different ranks.

The Lower Judicial Level Examination is also called the Civil Judge (Junior Division) or Judicial Magistrate First Class Examination, or Provincial Civil Service-Judicial (PCS-J). It recruits early-career lawyers. The examination is conducted by the State Public Service Commissions or State High Courts.

Eligibility –

· The candidate should be an Indian citizen.

· Have an LLB degree from a recognised institution.

· Age limit – 21 to 35 years for entry-level civil judge (junior division) posts, with state-wise variations.

· Fulfil all state-specific eligibility conditions.

· Fluency in local or regional languages (mandated by certain states)

· Some states mandate enrollment in the State Bar Council.

It follows a three-step selection process –

· Preliminary examination – Includes an objective-type test that covers constitutional law, Indian Penal Code (IPC), Civil Procedure Code (CPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), Evidence Act, general knowledge, and current affairs.

· Main Examination – It is a written examination including descriptive papers on procedural laws, substantive laws, local laws, writing ability, language proficiency, and analytical skills.

· Interview/viva voce – This stage assesses communication skills, judicial temperament, decision-making ability, personality traits, and legal understanding.  

It is important to review the state’s latest notifications to verify applicable rules and eligibility. After the selection process, candidates undergo Judicial Training at state-level academies. After successfully completing Judicial Training, candidates are appointed as Civil Judge (Junior Division) or Judicial Magistrate First Class, depending on the state’s judicial structure.

The Higher Judicial Level Exam is for experienced advocates, and candidates are appointed as Additional District Judge or District Judge, both higher judicial ranks than Civil Judge. It is also called the District Judge (Direct Recruitment from Bar) Exam, Higher Judicial Service Exam, or Delhi Higher Judicial Service. The exam is conducted by the State High Courts.

Eligibility -

· The candidate should be an Indian citizen.

· Have an LLB degree from a recognised institution.

· Should have a minimum of 7 years of continuous practice as an advocate.

· Carry a track record of appearing for a minimum volume of cases (as mandated by each state).

· Should be aged between 35-40 years or 35-50 years, depending on the state.

Higher Judicial Service examinations commonly include a written examination and an interview, but the number of stages, papers, marks, qualifying conditions, and syllabus differ from one High Court to another. The papers generally test advanced civil and criminal law, constitutional law, local laws, judgment writing, and practical legal analysis.

Career Progression

Career advances in the Judiciary are as –

· Civil Judge (Junior Division)

· Civil Judge (Senior Division)

· Chief Judicial Magistrate

· District and Sessions Judge

· High Court Judge

· Supreme Court Judge

Salary

· For an entry-level Civil Judge, between Rs. 85,000 and Rs. 1,05,000 per month.

· A District Judge can earn between Rs. 1,60,000 and Rs. 2,50,000 per month

· A High Court Judge is paid a fixed constitutional salary of Rs. 2,25,000 per month, and a Supreme Court Judge gets a fixed constitutional salary of Rs. 2,50,000 per month.

· The Chief Justice of India is paid a fixed constitutional salary of Rs. 2,80,000 per month.

Note: For the latest state-specific pay details, refer to the relevant State Public Service Commission or High Court recruitment notification.

Along with this, the Judges receive several benefits and allowances such as Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Medical Allowance, Transport Allowance, Utility Allowance, etc.

District Judges and higher grades receive official residence, an official vehicle, a driver, and security as per specific state mandates.

Conclusion

A career as an advocate, progressing to Judge, is one of the most prestigious and fulfilling. But it requires a great amount of dedication, legal expertise, and a commitment to serve society in an unbiased manner.

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Disclaimer

The blog is curated by referring to various credible sources and does not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of QS I-GAUGE. The information provided is for general informational purposes only, readers are advised to conduct their own research and seek professional advice before making any decisions.