As everyone becomes aware of the competitive scenario, many stick to finding different vocations for a prosperous life. Out of those vocations, the most trending one in the current era is the Law. Specifically, to become a Judge. Beginning as a neophyte, becoming a prestigious lawyer is not a piece of cake. It undertakes dedicated effort and diligent work.
How to become a Judge? How can I become a Judge after 12th Std? These questions pop into your mind when you think about this career. Learning how to become a Judge will help you decide if this is your right career choice.
Knowing what it takes to become a judge lets you determine your career path. This article discusses the roles of a judge and how to become a judge in India. Keep Reading!
How to Become a Judge in India: Quick Facts
Today’s era of globalization and liberalization introduces law as a career, gaining momentum. Judges are impartial decision-makers in the quest for justice. They rule on cases of law, act as a referee between the litigating parties, and render decisions in legal disputes.
The following table details how to become a judge in India-
| Particulars | Details |
| Industry | Law & Judiciary |
| Required Skills | Unbiasedness, Emotional Intelligence, Analytical Skills, Communication Skills, Logical Sense, Reasoning Skills. |
| Eligibility | 1. Candidate must be an Indian citizen Must have an LLB/LLM degree from a recognized university (Lower Judicial Services – LJS) 2. Practicing in court for 7 straight years (Higher Judicial Services – HJS) 3. Held Judicial Office or be an advocate of the High Court for 10 years (High Court Judge) 4. Judges in the High Court for 5 years or High Court Advocate for 10 years (Supreme Court Judge) |
| Related Industries | Supreme Court of India, High Court, District Court, Sessions Court, Civil Court, Tribunals |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 5.50 LPA |
| Highest Salary | INR 24 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | Bihar Public Service Commission, Maharashtra Public Service Commission, Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission, Orissa Public Service Commission, etc. |
Who is a Judge?
A judge is either a part of a panel of judges or alone, presides over court proceedings and hears all of the witnesses and other evidence submitted by the case’s barristers or solicitors. Moreover, a judge also evaluates the parties’ credibility and arguments and later gives a verdict based on their interpretation of the law and opinion. A judge is expected to preside over the trial impartially and in public.
Qualifications Required to Become a Judge
Mentioned below are the eligibility criteria for this job:
- Candidate must be a citizen of India.
- Candidates desiring to become judges must be at least 21 and at most 35 years old.
- Candidate must possess a law degree.
- Candidate must qualify for the Judicial Services exam.
- Candidate must have been an advocate for at least 7 years.
Also Read: Civil Judge Salary Structure 2024: Basic Pay + Other Benefits
What is the Role of a Judge?
The following are some of the responsibilities of a judge:
- A judge is a qualified professional appointed to preside over court proceedings.
- Renders the ultimate decision after hearing from both sides in court.
- Judges on legal issues mediate both sides in court and make judgments in legal disputes.
- Listen to witness testimony, judge the admissibility of evidence, and advise defendants of their rights.
- Gives the jury instructions.
- Assesses whether a criminal defendant is guilty, a guilty convict, or innocent.
- Sentence defendants who have been proven guilty.
- In legal cases, a judge is in charge of assessing culpability or damages.
What are the Benefits of Becoming a Judge?
Becoming a judge is a rewarding career path that offers many benefits. Some benefits of becoming a judge include:
- Judges are selected to serve for a specific term or until they retire. Thus providing a high level of job safety.
- Judges typically are well paid, with many receiving six-figure salaries, providing a comfortable living and financial security.
- Judges often receive many benefits like pensions and healthcare aid.
- Judges play a key role in upholding the rule of law and protecting rights, positively affecting society.
- The role is intellectually challenging. It requires a deep knowledge of legal issues and the ability to make sound decisions.
- Judges give back to the community and make a difference in people’s lives.
Also Read: CLAT Full Form (CLAT Exam Stands for?)
Types of Judges in India
A position as a judge gives both a high level of respect and responsibility. They must devote their careers to the nation’s numerous courts. Judges are classified according to the hierarchy of the legal system.
Supreme Court Judge
The Indian Supreme Court is the highest in the country. In addition to having original, appellate, and advisory jurisdictions, the judges of this court also have the power of judicial review.
To qualify for this post, the candidate must have been a High Court judge for at least five years or a High Court attorney for 10 years.
High Court Judge
The High Court is subordinate to the Supreme Court. The judges of the High Court are recruited from individuals who achieved the highest score on their respective state’s Judicial Services Examination.
District Judge
The district courts are subordinate to the Supreme Court and referred to as the Subordinate Court. This category includes all other judges, including the civil court judge, joint district judge, assistant district judge, chief presidency magistrate, etc.
Also Read: How to Prepare for CLAT Exam 2025? (Experts Tips & Tricks)
How to Become a Judge in India after 12th?
Becoming a judge in India requires an amalgamation of education, experience, and passing competitive examinations. Here are the steps you can follow:
1. Educational Qualifications
- You need a bachelor’s degree in law (LLB) from a recognized university. This is typically a 3-year or 5-year program.
2. Enrollment as an Advocate
- After completing your LLB, you must enroll with your state’s Bar Council as an advocate. This is a regulatory body for lawyers in India.
3. Gain Practical Experience
- After enrollment, gaining practical experience by working as a lawyer is important. You may work in a law firm, under a senior advocate, or in an organization’s legal department.
4. Preparation for Judicial Services Examination
- To become a judge in India, you must clear the Judicial Services exam conducted by the respective state’s public service commission.
The examination includes:
- Prelims Exam: This is typically objective-type and covers general knowledge, current affairs, English language, and legal aptitude.
- Mains Exam: This is subjective and includes questions on various areas of law, drafting of legal documents, and language skills.
- Viva-voce/Interview: This face-to-face interview assesses your suitability for the role.
5. Clearance of Eligibility Criteria
- You must meet the eligibility criteria set by the respective state’s judiciary. This may include age limits, nationality, and other requirements.
6. Practice Law for a Minimum Period
- Many states require a certain number of years of practice as an advocate, typically 3 to 7 years.
7. Apply for the Judicial Services Examination
- Watch for notifications regarding the Judicial Services examination from the respective state’s public service commission. The notifications usually specify the eligibility criteria, exam dates, and application procedure.
8. Prepare for the Examination
- This involves a rigorous study of law subjects, especially those relevant to the judiciary. Joining a coaching institute can be beneficial.
9. Clear the Examination
- You must perform well in all stages of the examination process – Preliminary, Main, and Viva-voce.
10. Appointment
- Upon clearing the examination and meeting all eligibility criteria, you will be eligible for appointment as a judge. Initially, you will be appointed as a Civil Judge (Junior Division); later, depending on experience and performance, you can progress to higher positions like Civil Judge (Senior Division), District Judge, etc.
The specific process might vary slightly from state to state in India. Hence, it’s vital to refer to the official notifications and guidelines issued by the respective state’s public service commission.
Also Read: How to Crack CLAT Exam 2025? Expert Tips & Full Guide
2 Levels of Judicial Services Examination
- Lower Judicial Services (LJS)
- Higher Judicial Services (HJS)
Both the Judicial Services follow the 3 rounds of recruitment:
- Preliminary Examination – This stage is an objective-based exam, i.e., Multiple Choice Questions. The minimum passing percentage required for the general category candidates is 60%, and for the reserved category, it is 55%.
- Mains Examination – This stage is a subjective exam. Candidates are bound to score a minimum of 40% to qualify for the next round.
- Viva Voice (Interview) – This is the last round to appear for the interview round with the recruitment panel.
1. Lower Judicial Services (LJS)
To qualify for this exam, candidates must acquire an LLB degree and enroll as advocates under the Advocate Act 1961. Even final-year students can appear in the exam without any work experience. This JLS exam is conducted to ordain Civil Judges for the Judicial Proceedings in several state courts. The State Public Service Commission or the High Court conducts this JLS Exam.
Eligibility
Candidates must have a 3-year LLB or a 5-year integrated LLB degree.
Age Limit
Candidates must not be under 21, and the lower and upper limits are not over 35. Upper age limit relaxation is offered to candidates based on OBC/SC/ST/PwD categories as per government norms. However, the candidates’ Age limit may vary from State to State.
Syllabus
For the syllabus of the LJS exam, candidates must refer to the official website of the commissions that conduct the LJS exam. The syllabus of this exam is based on law subjects such as the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), Civil Law, Constitutional Law, Code of Civil Procedure (CPC), Property Law, Indian Penal Code (IPC), and others with enclosure of local laws. Other sections, such as General Knowledge, Current Affairs, English, and the State’s local language, are also asked.
2. Higher Judicial Services (HJS)
This stage requires candidates to be law graduates with at least 7 years of law litigating practice. Higher Judicial Services exam is conducted to promote Civil Judges to District Judges or ordain Advocates as District Judges. Advocates practicing the law proceedings must have passed the All India Bar exam.
Eligibility
By profession, a candidate must be an Advocate and have been practicing law for at least 7 years. However, the eligibility criteria for experience may vary from state to state.
Age Limit
The age limit for candidates must be at least 35 years of age and not above 45 years of age. However, the age limit varies from State to State.
Syllabus
The Higher Judicial Services exam syllabus is similar to the Lower Judicial Services exam syllabus. Appearing for the HJS examination has a marginal upper hand over the LJS examination applicants, who get posted as additional district judges. As a result, it elevates the promotional inclination of being a Judge.
How to Become a Judge in the Supreme Court in India?
The Supreme Court is the Zenith Juridical domain in the constitution of India and is the highest court for Juridical Operations under the Indian Constitution of the Republic of India. The highest position in the hierarchy of judicial authority enshrines the final decision-making power in all legal matters.
Qualifications Required to Become a Judge in the Supreme Court in India:
- Candidate must be a resident of India.
- Candidate must have an LLB or LLM degree.
- Candidate should be a High Court judge for a minimum period of 5 years or should have been an advocate of a High Court for at least 10 years.
Besides this, a candidate is also eligible if they are an exceptional jurist, according to the President of India.
How to Become a Judge in the High Court in India?
High Courts hold the Judicial proceedings of States. At present, there are around 25 High Courts in India. For each State and Indian Union Territory, the highest court of appellate jurisdiction is the High Court.
Qualifications Required to Become a Judge in High Court in India
- Candidate must be a resident of India.
- Candidate must have an LLB or LLM degree.
- Candidate must have worked under a judicial office in India for at least 10 years or must have been an advocate of a high court for a minimum period of 10 years.
How to Become a Judge in a Subordinate Court in India?
The courts at district levels are categorized under subordinate courts.
Qualifications Required to Become a Judge in Subordinate Court in India
- The Candidate must have an LLB or LLM degree.
- They should have qualified for the state Public Service Commission exam.
Conclusion
As said, with great power comes significant responsibilities. The prestige associated with being a judge is undoubtedly flattering. Becoming a judge is not a one-day job; hard work, determination, willpower, and proper guidance go into making and shaping a glorious legal career.
After going through the article, you must have obtained some enrichment of knowledge on the career path after the 12th class or how to become a judge after the 12th. We have tried our best to offer precise and credible content to you.
Leave A Comment