How to Become a Judge in India After LLB
A Judge is considered a highly respected and prestigious legal profession in India, who presides over the court proceedings and ensures justice is served. Many aspirants wonder about how to become a judge in India after LLB. This article highlights who a judge is, what the responsibilities are, and how to build a career as one.
- What does a Judge do?
- Salary of Judge
- Steps to Become a Judge After LLB
- How to become Supreme Court Judge
- How to Become High Court Judge
What does a Judge do?
A Judge is a professional who oversees court proceedings, listens to both parties in the court. And passes the final verdict. They ensure justice by providing fair trials, listening to the witness testimony, rules the admissibility of evidence, and informs defendants about their rights.
- Ensuring fair trials
- Determines the guilt of a convict or innocent of criminal defendants.
- Imposes the sentences on defendants who are found guilty.
- Responsible for determining liability or damages in civil cases.
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Salary of Judge
The salary of Judges varies depending on their career progression, appointment in courts, and others.
| Position | Current Pay Scale | Proposed Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
First Class Magistrate/ Junior Civil Judge | Rs. 27700 to Rs. 47700 | Rs. 77840 to Rs. 136520 |
First Class Magistrate/ Junior Civil Judge (after 5 years in the service) | Rs. 33090 to Rs. 45850 | Rs. 92960 to Rs. 136520 |
First Class Magistrate/ Junior Civil Judge (5 years after first career progression or during the tenure of IInd after career progression) | Rs. 39530 to Rs. 54010 | Rs. 111000 to Rs. 163030 |
Senior Civil Judge | Rs. 39530 to Rs. 54010 | Rs. 111000 to Rs. 163030 |
Senior Civil Judge after 5 years in the service | Rs. 43690 to Rs. 56470 | Rs. 122700 to Rs. 180200 |
Senior Civil Judge (5 years after first career progression) | Rs. 43690 to Rs. 56470 | Rs. 122700 to Rs. 194660 |
District Judge | Rs. 51550 to Rs. 63070 | Rs. 144840 to Rs. 194660 |
District Judge (Selection Grade after 5 years of Entry Grade) | Rs. 57700 to Rs. 70290 | Rs. 163030 to Rs. 219090 |
District Judge (3 years after the Selection Grade) | Rs. 70290 to Rs. 76450 | Rs. 199100 to Rs. 224100 |
Steps to Become a Judge After LLB
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
After successful completion of 10+2, aspirants who want to become a Judge are required to enroll in a bachelor’s degree in disciplines such as B.Com., BBA, BA, BCA, or B.Tech. is sufficient.
Step 2: Enroll in a Law School
You can either:
- Pursue a three-year LLB after your bachelor’s degree, or
- Enroll in a five-year integrated law course such as BA LLB, BBA LLB, or B.Com. LLB.
Step 3: Qualify for the Judicial Services Examination
To become a Subordinate Court Judge, you must clear the Judicial Services Examination (PCS-J), which has two types:
- Lower Judicial Services (LJS)
- Higher Judicial Services (HJS)
Each examination comprises three stages:
- Preliminary Exam: Objective-type questions
- Main Exam: Subjective written test
- Viva Voce: Personal interview
Lower Judicial Services (LJS)
The Lower Judicial Services (J) Examination is conducted to appoint civil judges in state courts. It is conducted by the State Public Service Commission or the High Court.
Eligibility: Candidates must have a 3-year LLB degree or five years integrated LLB degree.
Age Limit: 21 to 35 years (may vary by state; relaxations apply for reserved categories)
Syllabus: Indian Penal Code (IPC), CrPC, CPC, Constitutional Law, Civil Law, Property Law, and local laws.
Also Read: How to Become Family Lawyer
Higher Judicial Services (HJS)
Higher Judicial Services Examination is conducted to promote Civil Judges to District Judges or appoint Advocates as District Judges. An Advocate is a lawyer who practices the law of court. Advocates must have successfully cleared the All India Bar Examination to be eligible for practicing law in court.
Eligibility: Advocates must have been practicing in the court of law for a minimum of 7 continuous years. The eligibility criteria may vary from state to state.
Age Limit: Candidates must be a minimum of 35 years of age and a maximum of 45 years of age. The age limit varies from state to state.
Syllabus: HJS Examination syllabus is more or less similar to the LJS Examination syllabus. Appearing for HJS Examination has an advantage over LJS Examination in that applicants may get posted as additional district judges. It increases the promotional prospect of being a Judge.
How to become Supreme Court Judge
The Indian Judiciary system comprises the Supreme Court, High Courts, and Subordinate Courts. The Supreme Court is the highest court, located in New Delhi. The verdict passed by the Supreme Court cannot be challenged or overruled by any other court in India. We have provided here details of the eligibility criteria for how to become a supreme court judge.
To become a judge of supreme court of India,
- Must be a citizen of India
- Must hold an LLB or LLM degree
- Must have served as a High Court Judge for 5 years, or practiced as an Advocate in a High Court for 10 years
Note: One can also be eligible to become a Supreme Court Judge, if he or she is an exceptional Jurist, according to the President of India.
How to Become High Court Judge
High Courts are the highest judicial authority of the state level in India. There are 25 High Courts in India, each state having jurisdiction over a particular state or group of states and union territories.
- You must be a citizen of India.
- You must have qualified for an LLB or LLM degree.
- You must be held at a Judicial office in India for 10 years or you must be an advocate of a High Court for 10 years.
We hope this article has cleared all your doubts and provides clarity on how to become a judge in India after LLB. To begin this prestigious career journey of becoming a judge, you need to complete the minimum required qualification LLB. Following which you are required to clear several law examinations to start practicing law in the court or to become a Subordinate Court Judge. With dedication and hard work you can successfully kickstart your career as a judge in India.