How To Become A Judge, Roles, Qualifications and Salary

The position of a judge in India is considered the most respected, honorable, and sought-after profession, offering all genders an opportunity to maintain justice, ensure fairness, and contribute to the legal framework of society. But many legal aspirants have a question in their minds about how to become a Judge. If you are looking for the answer to this question, then you have come to the right place. The path from the law school to the chair of the judge, everything is structured. It consists of obtaining a law degree, passing the competitive judicial exams, and seeking practical knowledge in law. The Indian judicial system is characterized by a well-organized framework for resolving various social problems and providing the younger generation with an opportunity to understand the country’s law and order. In this blog, we will cover how to become a judge and all the skills and qualifications needed to become a judge.   

Who is the Judge? 

A judge is considered one of those legal experts who have the power to conduct the court cases, decide the judgments, and give the final verdicts inside the facts of the cases, applicable laws, and the evidence presented. The judge helps to keep the system of justice by their fair decisions according to the law. A judge solves various disputes and makes sure that the rights of an individual are upheld. 

A judge has an important role in maintaining the rule of law by solving disputes, making the right decisions, and educating citizens about their rights. To preserve the checks and balances within the government bodies, the judiciary system functions independently of the legislative and executive branches.  

What are the Roles and Responsibilities of the Judge? 

The judge’s position is considered a higher position in the Indian law and order, which comes with several roles and responsibilities as follows: 

1. A judge helps in interpreting the laws and acts by applying various legal practices to resolve various disputes in criminal and civil matters. 
2. A judge presides in the courtrooms and listens to the arguments related to the cases, and maintains the decorum of the courtroom during the proceedings. 
3. Judges screen through the evidence, listen to the testimonies, and give the verdicts with valid reasons, and maintain transparency in the justice system.  
4. In most of the criminal cases, judges give appropriate punishments or penalties to the offenders. 
5. Judges are considered keen observers of the Constitution. They make sure that all the laws and judgments are sanctioned and followed within the constitutional provisions.   

How to Become a Judge in India?

In India, becoming a judge is designed to be comprehensive, which involves both academic as well as practical legal expertise. Below is a step-by-step guide that tells you how to become a judge: 

Step 1: Completing Your LLB Degree

It is a basic step in becoming a judge. You have to complete your  LLB course after class 12th, which is of a 5-year duration. You can complete it after your graduation (3-year program). 

Step 2: Enroll yourself with a state bar council

After graduation, your next step is to enroll in the state bar council and obtain your certificate of practice. 

Step 3: Gaining 3 Years of Legal Practice 

Once you complete your LLB degree, it is necessary to obtain a minimum of 3 years of legal practice under a legal supervisor. Your Practice includes:  

• Courtroom advocacy in the criminal as well as civil courts. 
• Law clerkships with experienced judges. 
• Research work and legal aid services with experienced advocates. 

Step 4: Apply for the legal Judicial Service Exam 

Once your legal practice is completed, you have to apply for the Legal Judicial Service Exam (PCS-J). Every state conducts this exam through its respective Public Service Commission or the High Court. 

Step 5: Clear Your 3-tier Judicial Exam 

Your 3-tier Judicial Exam includes: 

• Preliminary Exam (Objective-based)
• Mains Exam (Subjective/Descriptive)
• Interview/Viva Voca 

Each stage of the exam tests your knowledge of law, your language skills, legal procedures, and your reasoning & personality skills. 

Step 6: Undergo the Professional Judicial Training 

If a candidate passes the above exam criteria, then he/she will undergo 1-year compulsory training at the Judicial Academy before becoming a judge.  

What are the Qualifications and Eligibility Criteria needed to become a Judge? 

To become a judge, an individual has to possess a set of qualifications and the Eligibility Criteria, which are as follows: 

• Basic Educational Qualification: 

A Bachelor’s degree in law, which is also known as the LLB degree, from a recognized university is mandatory. 

• Eligibility Criteria for a lower Judiciary: 

• The Minimum Age of a candidate will be 21 years, and the maximum age will be 35. It may vary according to the state. 
• Candidate must have cleared the judicial service examination conducted in their respective states.

• Eligibility Criteria for a Higher Judiciary (District Judge):

• Candidate’s maximum age may vary between 35 years to 45 years.
• An eligible candidate must have a minimum of 7 years of experience in the legal practice. 

• Eligibility Criteria for Becoming a Supreme Court Judge:

Almost 33 justices and 1 chief justice of India make up the Supreme Court of India, and the nominations for the Supreme Court judges are based on vacancies. The following is an eligibility criterion for becoming a Supreme Court judge: 

• A legal degree from an accredited university and valid proof of Indian Citizenship. 
• To become a Supreme Court judge, a candidate must have at least five years of Judicial experience in the High Court, or as an advocate in one or more high courts. 
• The President of India must see them as a capable jurist. 
•  The retirement criteria for the judges must be 65 years. 

What are the Recent Changes in the Judicial Service Reforms? 

Below are some of the recent changes in the Judicial Service Reforms: 

1. Almost 3 years of law practice is compulsory. (As per the Supreme Court distinctive)
2. Law Clerkship has been counted in your practice years. 
3. Compulsory Judicial training for 1 year before the final appointment as a judge. 
4. All law schools and institutions must focus on practical knowledge rather than just theoretical knowledge.  
5. LDCE Quota has been increased from 2025, which means candidates must be promoted from the Civil Judge to a District Judge. 

Reasons for Choosing the Judiciary as a Career in India

1. Commitment to Justice: A job in the judiciary allows you to serve society by protecting people’s rights and ensuring fairness. Judges and legal professionals play a key role in maintaining justice and upholding the law for everyone.
2. Job Security and Respect: Judicial jobs come with strong job security, good benefits, and high social status. Being a judge or legal officer earns respect and offers a stable, reputable career.
3. Impact on Society: Judges have the power to bring real change through their decisions. They can shape laws and promote important causes like equality, environmental care, and human rights.
4. Diverse Career Paths: The judiciary offers various career options, judge, magistrate, legal advisor, or academic roles. Each position contributes to the justice system and public service in different ways.
5. Work-Life Balance: Judicial jobs usually provide more structured work hours compared to corporate roles, helping professionals maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life.

What are the Skills and Qualities Required to Pursue Judiciary as a Career?

To successfully understand the complexity of the law and order, a job as a judge requires a high set of abilities and traits. The following are some of the skills and qualities required for judiciary as your career: 

1. To become a judge, there is a need for thorough legal knowledge and expertise. It required a good comprehension of rules & laws, and legal concepts to understand the case procedures and guidelines. 
2. To guarantee that all the parties are treated fairly in the courtroom, judges must approach their cases objectively to maintain the decorum of justice. 
3. Candidates must be excellent at decision-making skills to ensure that justice is transparent and preserves public confidence in the legal system. 
4. To become a judge candidate has the power to pay attention to details while examining the court record, supporting documentation, and the case law. As a minor mistake can cause major repercussions. 
5. A judicial job requires lengthy work hours and a heavy workload. To successfully manage the responsibility of this position, the candidate must have a strong work ethic.  

What is the Current Salary of a Judge?

With the heavy responsibility and the long working hours, the Indian judiciary is well respected and fairly compensated. The current judge’s salary in India is based on their various positions, ranging from lower civil court judges to the chief justice of India in the Supreme Court. Below is a salary breakdown for various judiciary posts:

Various Perks and Benefits included in the Judge’s Salary

A judge’s job in India comes with much more than just a good salary. Along with a competitive pay scale, judges receive several benefits and allowances that support both their professional and personal lives. These include:

• Official Residence: Judges are provided with well-maintained official housing, which ensures comfortable living without the stress of finding accommodation.
• Travel Allowances: They receive allowances for travel within India as well as abroad, making official trips easy and convenient.
• Medical Benefits: Judges and their families are entitled to complete healthcare facilities, ensuring their medical needs are well taken care of.
• Security: To ensure their safety, judges are provided with personal security guards and other necessary security arrangements.
• Pension: Even after retirement, judges receive a lifetime pension, giving them financial stability and peace of mind.

FAQS: 

1) How Many Years Does It Take to Become a Judge? 

The time to become a judge varies by role and country, but in India, becoming a district or high court judge typically requires at least 10 years of experience as a practicing advocate. 

2) Is It Hard to Become a Judge? 

Yes, becoming a Judge is a very tough and challenging job. It requires a lot of time. 

3) Can a 25-Year-Old Become a Judge? 

Yes, according to the Junior Judge Exam Eligibility, your age should be between 21 to 35 years to apply for the judicial services exam. 

4) Who Is the Youngest Judge in India? 

Mayank Pratap Singh became the youngest judge in India at the age of 21 years after topping the Rajasthan Judicial Services (RJS) examination in 2019.

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