How to Become A Judge in India?- To become a judge is a troublesome and trusted career route that needs hard work, dedication and education. Candidates willing to become a judge must follow a comprehensive procedure that examines their judicial reasoning, law knowledge and decision-making potential. To be eligible for becoming a Judge in India, candidates must have passed their Class 12 with an aggregate 60% marks followed by a Bachelor’s degree in Law like BA LLB or LLB.
Aspirants must also have a robust educational background with various years of experience. Admission to the best colleges like NLU, NLSIU, MIT WPU, and NALSAR depend on law entrance tests like LSAT, CLAT and AILET. The salary of a Judge is between INR 13,00,000 to INR 17,00,000 lakhs per annum.
How to Become A Judge?
| Particulars | Judge Details |
| Job Type | Judge |
| Eligibility Criteria to Become A Judge |
|
| Needed Skills to Become A Judge |
|
| Salary of A Judge | INR 5,43,000 to INR 33,60,000 lakhs per annum |
Responsibilities of A Judge
You will have various responsibilities and duties after becoming a head of the Indian Judicial System. A few of the essential jobs that a judge does are given below.
- The first and most important responsibility of a Judge is to be fair and must never be partial to his relatives or friends while giving justice.
- A judge must be calm enough to listen to a case, He/ she must enable an advocate or a party to showcase their complete case and shouldn’t stop them in the middle of the case.
- They should have an acceptable brain. A judge should never reach a case’s final point without listening to both the prosecutor and dependant.
- A judge must interrupt in their arguments if something is unacceptable as well as during the witness test.
Eligibility Criteria for Becoming A Judge
The judiciary system has its own eligibility requirements. Aspirants must be citizens of India and possess a Bachelor’s degree to become a Judge. They must pass Judicial tests and earn an LLB degree to begin exercising. They can also choose a Master’s degree such as LLM. The standard eligibility criteria to become a Judge in India are given below.
- Aspirants must be a citizen of India to exercise judiciary in India.
- Students must have an LLB degree or integrated LLB degree to become a judge in the nation.
- The age restriction differs based on multiple states. Aspirants must be between 21 to 35 years of age. Age relaxation is given to aspirants from backward classes as per government terms.
- Lower judicial services only need aspirants to have a law degree. They need to exercise in court for 7 consistent years for higher judicial services. The knowledge and experience levels exceed the Supreme Court and High Court.
- Judges must have proficiency in the language in which the court functions.
Qualifications to Become A Judge
Candidates first need to have a Graduate degree in any discipline to become a Judge in India. After receiving the degree, they need to apply for Judicial service tests such as LSAT, CLAT, AILET, etc. to receive an LLB degree. They can begin exercising or move for a Master’s degree upon receiving an LLB degree.
- Graduate – Aspirants must have a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
- Law Degree – The most significant qualification is to have a law degree from a recognized University. Aspirants can enroll for an LLB degree or an Integrated LLB course.
- Judicial Service Exam – Candidates must pass the Judicial exam or PCS (J) (Provincial Civil Service Judicial) test to begin performing as judges in courts. The eligibility criteria may differ based on the state.
- Experience – Professionals must work for more than 7 years as an advocate for higher judicial services. 10 years of High Court advocacy is required to become a judge in the High Court. The working experience of 10 years as a High Court advocate is needed to become a Judge in the Supreme Court.
Skills Needed to Become A Judge in India
The highly respected profession that needs exceptional qualifications and skills is to become a Judge. They should have skills that assist them in their daily tasks. A few of the best skills that a judge must have are given below.
- Analytical Skills
- Communication Skills
- Legal Expertises
- Interpersonal Skills
- Impartiality
- Judicial Temperament
- Logic Sense
- Integrity
- Reasoning Skills
Becoming a judge in India is a prestigious and challenging career path that requires a combination of academic qualifications, professional experience, and an understanding of the legal system. The process of becoming a judge can vary based on the level of the judiciary you’re aiming for: Lower Judiciary (Civil Judge), Higher Judiciary (District Judge), or Supreme Court/High Court Judge. Below is a general roadmap for each of these positions.
1. Becoming a Civil Judge (Lower Judiciary)
Civil Judges, also known as Judicial Magistrates or Judicial Officers, serve in lower courts and handle civil and criminal cases at the district or sub-district level.
Eligibility:
- Educational Qualification: A law degree (LLB) from a recognized university. This is the minimum qualification to apply.
- Age Limit: Typically, you need to be between 21 to 35 years old (age limits may vary depending on the state).
- Citizenship: You must be an Indian citizen.
Process:
- Step 1: Complete LLB – You need to complete a 3-year LLB course after your undergraduate studies, or a 5-year integrated LLB course after school (12th grade).
- Step 2: Gain experience – Before appearing for the judicial exams, having some experience as a practicing lawyer is useful, but not mandatory.
- Step 3: Judicial Services Exam – After completing your LLB, you need to clear the State Judicial Service Examination. Each state in India has its own Judicial Service Exam.
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The exam generally consists of:
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Preliminary Exam (Objective Type)
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Mains Exam (Descriptive Type, usually includes multiple papers like Civil Law, Criminal Law, etc.)
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Interview/Personality Test.
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Step 4: Selection and Appointment – After clearing the exam, you’ll undergo a selection process (often an interview). If selected, you will be appointed as a Civil Judge and placed in a district court.
2. Becoming a District Judge (Higher Judiciary)
District Judges handle more complex civil and criminal cases and typically have more experience than Civil Judges.
Eligibility:
- Educational Qualification: LLB (Law degree).
- Professional Experience: At least 7 years of practice as an advocate in any court, or judicial experience as a Civil Judge, is required.
- Age Limit: Usually between 35 to 45 years (depending on the state).
Process:
- Step 1: Experience as an Advocate – To become a District Judge, you need to have significant legal experience. This is usually gained by practicing law for a minimum of 7 years.
- Step 2: Judicial Service Exam for District Judges – Like Civil Judges, District Judges also need to clear an exam. However, the exam for District Judges is usually more focused on advanced legal principles. The process includes a written exam (similar to the lower judiciary) followed by an interview.
- Step 3: Selection and Appointment – After the exam and interview, candidates are selected based on merit and seniority.
3. Becoming a High Court or Supreme Court Judge
Judges of the High Court and the Supreme Court are appointed based on seniority, legal knowledge, and experience. There is no competitive exam for these positions, but certain eligibility criteria must be met.
Eligibility:
High Court Judge
- You must have been an advocate for at least 10 years.
- Alternatively, you can be a District Judge for at least 10 years.
- You need to be an Indian citizen.
Supreme Court Judge
- A person must have served as a Judge of a High Court or been an advocate of the High Court for at least 10 years.
- You must be recommended by the Chief Justice of India and other sitting judges of the Supreme Court.
Process:
- Step 1: Legal Career – You need years of experience as an advocate or a lower judiciary judge. This includes extensive legal knowledge and courtroom experience.
- Step 2: Appointment by the President – Judges for the High Court and Supreme Court are appointed by the President of India based on recommendations from the collegium (a group of senior judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts).
- Step 3: Collegium System – The collegium system, comprising the Chief Justice and other senior judges, recommends candidates for judicial appointments. If nominated, the President appoints you to the respective High Court or Supreme Court.
Key Considerations for All Judicial Roles:
- Knowledge of Law: You need a thorough understanding of both procedural and substantive law, including the Constitution of India, Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), Civil Procedure Code (CPC), Evidence Act, etc.
- Integrity and Ethics: As a judge, you are expected to exhibit impartiality, fairness, and a high level of integrity.
- Judicial Training: Once selected, judicial officers undergo training to enhance their understanding of judicial procedures, ethics, and case management.
Salary of A Judge
The average salary that a judge receives at the fresher start is INR 5,43,000 lakhs per annum. The judge’s salary in India depends on various factors. A High Court Judge receives INR 12,20,000 lakhs per annum in India. The compensation of judges as per multiple positions are given in the table below.
| Position | Average Salary (INR) |
| Junior Civil Judge | INR 27,700 to INR 47,700 per annum |
| Junior Civil Judge after 5 years of service | INR 33,090 to INR 45,850 per annum |
| Junior Civil Judge (1st career progression or 2nd year of progression) | INR 39,530 to INR 54,010 per annum |
| Senior Civil Judge | INR 39,530 to INR 54,010 per annum |
| Senior Civil Judge after 5 years of service | INR 43,690 to INR 56,470 per annum |
| Senior Civil Judge after 5 years of service | INR 43,690 to INR 56,470 per annum |
| District Judge | INR 51,550 to INR 63,070 per annum |
| District Judge after 5 years of Entry Grade | INR 57,700 to INR 70,290 per annum |
| District Judge after 3 years of Selection Grade | INR 70,290 to INR 76,450 per annum |
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