How to Become a Judge in India After LLB

A Judge is considered one of the highly respected and prestigious legal professions in India. Judges preside over the court proceedings, interpret laws, conduct fair trials and ensure justice is served. If you are wondering how to become a judge in India after LLB, you are in the right place. This article is tailored to walk you through the steps, eligibility requirements, examinations, potential salary structure and career prospects in the Indian Judiciary. Let’s begin.

This Story also Contains

1. Who is a Judge?
2. Steps to Become a Judge in India After LLB
3. How to become a High Court Judge
4. How to become a Supreme Court Judge
5. Judge Salary in India
6. (Salary Source: Second National Judicial Pay Commission Report and the Judges Amendment Act, 2018)
7. Career Growth of a Judge

Who is a Judge?

A Judge is a legal authority who oversees courtroom proceedings, listens to both parties in court, and passes the final verdict by evaluating the evidence presented. A judge plays an integral role in ensuring justice by providing fair trials, listening to the witness testimony, informing defendants about their rights and protecting constitutional rights.

Responsibilities of a Judge

• Ensuring fair trials

• Determines the guilt of a convict or innocence of criminal defendants.

• Imposes sentences on defendants who are found guilty.

• Responsible for determining liability or damages in civil cases.

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• How to become Criminal Lawyer

• How to become Civil Lawyer

• How to become Cyber Lawyer

Steps to Become a Judge in India After LLB

Here are the important steps to begin your career journey of becoming a Judge in India:

Step 1: Pursue a Law Degree (LLB)

Aspirants who want to become a Judge are required to enrol in a Law degree.

You can choose either of the following pathways to become a Judge:

• Pursue a three-year LLB after your bachelor’s degree, or

• Enrol in a five-year integrated law course, such as a BA LLB, BBA LLB, or B.Com. LLB directly after the 12th.

Step 3: Qualify for the Judicial Services Examination

To become a judge in the Subordinate Courts, you must clear the Judicial Services Examination (PCS-J) conducted by the respective State Public Service Commissions or High Courts. This exam has two types:

1. Lower Judicial Services (LJS)

2. Higher Judicial Services (HJS)

Each examination comprises three stages:

• Preliminary Exam: Objective-type questions

• Main Exam: Subjective written test

• Viva Voce: Personal interview

1. Lower Judicial Services (LJS)

The Lower Judicial Services (J) Examination is conducted to appoint civil judges in the lower judiciary.

Eligibility:

• Candidates must have a 3-year LLB degree or a five-year integrated LLB degree.

• All the applicants should be eligible to be enrolled as an Advocate under the Advocates Act,1961.

Age Limit:

• 21 to 35 years (may vary by state; relaxations apply for reserved categories)

Selection Process:

• Preliminary Exam: Objective-type questions

• Main Exam: Subjective written test

• Viva Voce: Personal interview

Syllabus:

• Constitution of India

• Indian Penal Code (IPC)

• Civil Procedure Code (CrPC)

• Criminal Procedure Code (CPC)

• Indian Evidence Act

• Local and state-related laws

Also Read: How to Become Family Lawyer

2. Higher Judicial Services (HJS)

The Higher Judicial Services Examination is conducted to recruit District Judges or promote current Civil Judges.

Eligibility:

• Advocates must have been practising in the court of law for a minimum of 7 continuous years. The eligibility criteria may vary from state to state.

• Qualified for the All India Bar Examination (AIBE)

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:

The HJS Examination syllabus is similar to the LJS Examination syllabus but can include advanced case law, judgment writing and practical applications.

Advantage:

Appearing for the HJS Examination has an advantage over the LJS Examination in that applicants may get posted as additional district judges. This not only comes with great responsibility but also with improved promotional prospects of being a Judge.

How to become a High Court Judge

At the state level, High Courts are considered to be the highest judicial body. As of now, India has 25 High Courts spread across various states and Union Territories.

Eligibility:

• Must be an Indian citizen

• Should complete an LLB or an LLM degree

• 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.

Do you know that the appointment of the High Court Judges involves the President of India? Yes, the President of India makes the final decision after consulting with the Chief Justice of India and the Governor of the concerned state.

How to become a Supreme Court Judge

The Indian Judiciary system comprises the Supreme Court, High Courts, and Subordinate Courts. The Supreme Court, located in New Delhi, is the highest court at the apex of the judicial authority in the country. The verdict passed by the Supreme Court cannot be challenged or overruled by any other court in India. You can read the details of the eligibility criteria for how to become a Supreme Court judge below.

Eligibility:

• 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 practised as an Advocate in a High Court for 10 years

Are you aware that becoming a Supreme Court Judge is not just limited to your experience on the bench? 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. What qualifies someone as an exceptional jurist? How does the President make such a decision? These are some interesting aspects of the Indian Judiciary.

Judge Salary in India

The salary of Judges varies depending on their post, experience and court level. Have a look at these pay scales of different judicial positions:

(Salary Source: Second National Judicial Pay Commission Report and the Judges Amendment Act, 2018)

Career Growth of a Judge

The general career progression path of a judge in India can be:

• Civil Judge (Junior Division)

• Senior Civil Judge

• District Judge (Entry Grade)

• District Judge (Selection Grade)

• District Judge (Super Time Scale)

• High Court Judge

• Supreme Court Judge

We hope this article has cleared all your doubts and provided 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 this, you are required to clear several law examinations to start practising 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.