How to Become a Judge in India After LLB
A Judge is a legal professional. Almost every aspirant wants to know how to become a Judge in India. A Judge is considered one of the prestigious civil services in India. In this article, we will discuss who is a Judge, what a Judge does and how to become a Judge in India. The position of Judge comes with respect and honour. A Judge presides over the court proceedings and listens to both the defendants and prosecutors. He or she gives a verdict in the court after listening to both the parties with applicable laws on the concerned matters.
Young aspirants having their eyes glued to their dream career as Judge usually ask how to become a judge, what is the procedure to become a judge, and many other such questions.
What does a Judge do?
A Judge is a professional who gets appointed to preside over court proceedings. Judge passes the final verdict listening to both parties in the court. He or she rules on questions of law act as a referee between both parties in court and renders decisions in legal disputes. A Judge has to hear the allegations of both the prosecuting and defending parties. He or she listens to the witness testimony, rules the admissibility of evidence, and informs defendants about their rights.
A Judge gives instructions to the Jury. A Judge is responsible for determining the guilty convict or innocent of criminal defendants. He or she imposes the sentences on defendants who are found guilty. A Judge is responsible for determining liability or damages in civil cases. Keep scrolling and reading.
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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 |
Let’s take a look at how to become a Judge
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Description: After successful completion of 10+2, aspirants who want to become a Judge are required to get themselves enrolled in a bachelor’s degree. Completion of a bachelor’s degree in any discipline such as B.Com., BBA, BA, BCA, or B.Tech. is sufficient.
Step 2: Enroll in a Law School
Description: After completion of the 10+2+3 or 10+2+4 level of degree, candidates are required to appear in the law entrance examinations such as CLAT, AILET, ACLAT, DU LLB, and others to get qualified for enroll in the LLB course. Successful completion of LLB is mandatory to pursue a career as Judge.
Or
You may pursue a 5 Year LLB instead of pursuing a bachelor’s degree and LLB separately such as BA LLB, BBA LLB, B.Com. LLB, B.Tech. LLB and others.
Aspirants pursuing LLB usually hit their search browser and type how to become a Judge in India after LLB. Scroll and Read to know how to become a judge after LLB.
Step 3: Qualify for the Judicial Services Examination
In order to become a Judge in India, one needs to appear for the Judicial Services Examination or PCS (J) commonly known as Provincial Civil Service Judicial Examination. It is the examination through which law graduates can become practicing members of the subordinate judiciary. It is the only way for fresh graduates to become Subordinate Court Judges.
After clearing PCS (J), examination, there are other two types of examinations:
- Lower Judicial Services
- Higher Judicial Services
There are 3 rounds for each examination following the recruitment process. We have provided below the details of three rounds for the LJS and HJS examinations.
Preliminary Examination: Preliminary examination is an objective-based examination. In this examination, questions are based on multiple-choice formats. The minimum passing percentage is 60 per cent for general candidates and 55 per cent for reserved category candidates.
Main Examination: It is a subjective based examination. In this, candidates are provided with a written examination. They are required to write answers. Those who manage to acquire a minimum of 40 percent in each subjective examination and 50 per cent in total are invited to the next round.
Viva Voce: It is the final round. Those who have qualified for both the Preliminary and Mains examination appear for the interview round with the recruitment panel.
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 5 years integrated LLB degree.
Age Limit: Candidates must not be less than 21 years of age or more than 35 years of age. Relaxation in the upper age limit is provided to candidates from OBC/SC/ST/PwD categories as per government norms. Age limit may vary from state to state.
Syllabus: The syllabus of LJS Examination can be found on the official website of the commissions that conduct the examination. The LJS Examination syllabus is based on the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), Code of Civil Procedure (CPC), Civil Law, Constitutional Law, Property Law, and others along with the local laws of the region.
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 supreme court judge.
To become a judge of supreme court of India, a person must be a citizen of India
- You must have qualified for an LLB or LLM
- You must have been a Judge of the High Court for a minimum of 5 years or a High Court Advocate for a minimum period of 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 state-level courts. There are 25 High Courts in India. In each state and union territory of India, the highest courts of appellate jurisdiction are the High Courts of India. You must fulfill certain eligibility criteria to become a High Court Judge.
- 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.
Conclusion
We hope all your doubts have been cleared and now you better understand to give directions to your career path as you understand how to start a career as Judge. You need to complete the minimum required qualification LLB to become a Judge. Further, you are required to clear several law examinations to start practicing law in the court or to become a Subordinate Court Judge.