1723534562.png){kind=small}
Judiciary As a Career in India: Advantages And Disadvantages
July 24, 2024
Overview: Are you considering judiciary and career in judiciary and are confused by questions like how to become a civil judge, the eligibility criteria, and so on? If yes, then this blog has all the answers for you!! Read further to learn more about the opportunities available in the Indian judiciary!!
The judiciary is one of the most sought-after career options in India. This path encompasses various roles, from the esteemed position of a judge to other crucial legal functions.
The journey involves rigorous preparation and qualification processes, reflecting the judiciary's significance in Indian society.
In this blog, we will cover:
- Career as a Judge in India
- How to Become a Civil Judge in India?
- Qualifications for Appointment as a Civil Judge
Check: Upcoming Judiciary Vacancy
Career as a Judge
A career as a judge in India offers a prestigious and impactful path in the legal profession. Judges serve at various levels, from civil courts to the Supreme Court, interpreting laws and delivering justice. The role demands extensive legal knowledge, unwavering integrity, and the ability to make fair decisions under pressure.
Aspiring judges typically enter through competitive examinations for lower judiciary positions, with opportunities for advancement based on merit and experience. Judges are crucial in upholding the rule of law and shaping the nation's judicial landscape.
Read: Structure of Judiciary In India
How to Become a Civil Judge in India?
Becoming a civil judge in India requires a law degree. Candidates must also pass the Judicial Services Examination conducted by the High Courts. This rigorous process includes preliminary, main, and interview stages and tests legal knowledge and suitability for the role.
Age limits vary by state but generally range from 21 to 35 years. Successful candidates undergo intensive training at judicial academies before formal appointment by the state government.
This path demands dedication, extensive legal knowledge, and strong analytical skills, but it offers a challenging yet rewarding career in the Indian judiciary.
Let's explore the structure and functions of the Indian Judiciary:
The Union Judiciary
The Supreme Court of India is the country's highest court. It is considered the final interpreter of the Indian Constitution and its legislation.
The Supreme Court of India comprises the Chief Justice and 33 other judges.
Qualifications for Appointment as a Judge in the Supreme Court:
You must possess the following qualifications to become a judge.
- He must be a citizen of India.
- He has been a Judge of a High Court or of two or more High Courts in succession for at least five years.
- Has been an advocate of a High Court or of two or more High Courts in succession for at least ten years.
- He is, in the opinion of the President, a distinguished jurist. The person shall hold office until he attains the age of 65 years.
The State Judiciary
The High Court is the seniormost court in the State Judiciary. It is assisted by a network of systems of courts subordinate to the State High Court. The courts are within the state's territory.
Every State High Court in Judiciary consists of a High Court Chief Justice.
The number of Judges varies as the president, along with the governor of the state, deems necessary. The President of India appoints all the judges in the High Court. These appointments are done in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, the state's governor and the High Court's Chief Justice.
Qualifications for Appointment as a Judge
A person to be qualified for appointment as a Judge of a High Court:
- Must be a citizen of India;
- Must have for at least ten years held a Judicial office in the territory of India;
- Must have for at least ten years been an advocate of a High Court or of two or more such courts in succession.
- Judge of the High Court holds office until he attains the age of 62 years.
The Subordinate Judiciary: The District Court
The District Court’s jurisdiction spans over the entire district. The Judges of the District Court, aka Successions Court in any district, are appointed by the Governor of the State. These appointments are done after consultations with the High Court
Qualifications for Appointment as a Civil Judge
To appoint a Judge in Subordinate Judiciary, there are two ways mainly:
For Additional District Judges
- Must be a citizen of India.
- Must have an advocate for at least seven years.
- Must have attained age 35 years (age differs from state to state).
- Qualify for the exam conducted by the Higher Judicial Service.
Understand: Difference Between Civil Judge & District Judge
For Civil Judge/ Magistrate
- Must be a citizen of India
- Must be between 21 and 35 years old (age varies from state to state).
- Qualify for the exam conducted by the State Judicial Service.
Learn: How to crack judiciary exam in 6 months
Judicial Service Examination
The Judicial Services Examination for the lower judiciary (Civil Judge Class II) is conducted for law graduates for their recruitment to the post of judges.
The State governments, under the ambit of the High Court or PSCs, conduct these state-level Judicial Services Exams for the Judiciary. The exam is conducted in three stages (Prelims, Mains, and Interview). The shortlisted candidates are appointed to the post of Judges after the completion of their training.
Judicial Services Examination - Eligibility Criteria
Higher Judiciary Service
- Candidates must have a law degree.
- They have a minimum of years of litigating experience, usually seven years.
Learn: Can Civil Judge become a High Court Judge
Lower Judiciary Service
- Candidates must have a law degree.
- They have enrolled or qualified to be an advocate under the Advocates Act 1961.
- No experience is required, and final-year candidates can also appear.
- Usually, the age limit is between 21 to 35 years. ( Varies According to State)
As mentioned earlier, most of the Judicial Services Examination for Judiciary follow a similar pattern/structure of recruitment. The recruitment to the post of Judges through the PCS J exam is held in three successive stages, namely:
1) Preliminary Examination: The preliminary examination is the first step in the three rounds of the selection process. The preliminary level of the Judiciary examination is a screening level for subsequent exam rounds.
The exam is objective. The questions are multiple-choice, with one correct answer among a few options for each question. The papers generally have negative markings.
Marks obtained by the student in the preliminary examination for Judiciary are only considered for selection in the mains round of the exam. The marks obtained in the prelims round are not considered in the final selection. Marks required to qualify for the prelims round vary with each state's Judiciary Jobs.
2) Main Examination: Unlike prelims, the main examination is subjective, and students have to write detailed answers to the questions. The Main exam of the Judiciary generally comprises three to four papers. Marks obtained by students in the Main examination, along with the interview score, are considered for the final selection.
3) Interview: The Judiciary Interview is the final stage of selection in the recruitment process. Here, candidates are assessed on their personality, confidence, and presence of mind, among other factors. The interview tells about the candidate's personal view. This round is a face-to-face oral examination of the candidate.
Check: Judiciary Exam Syllabus
Judicial Services Examination Syllabus
The syllabus of judicial exams varies across states. At the same time, the Constitution of India is common to all the states. Candidates must also pay attention to the state laws when studying for the Judiciary exam. The syllabus for the judicial exams is broadly divided into the following sections.
- Civil law
- Criminal Law
- General Knowledge
- Proficiency in English Language and Aptitude
- Constitutional law
- Contract Law and Tort Law
- Transfer of Property law
- Indian Evidence Act
- Law of Torts
Benefits and Allowances of a Civil Judge
As mentioned earlier, perks and allowances of the Judiciary are tempting. Every Judge recruited to the Judiciary is entitled to the following allowances.
- House Rent Allowance
- Travel Allowance
- Electricity Bill
- Phone Bill
- Vehicle Maintenance
Read: Life of a civil judge in India
Conclusion
A career in the Indian judiciary offers a challenging yet rewarding path for those passionate about law and justice. From civil judges to Supreme Court justices, this profession demands rigorous preparation, extensive legal knowledge, and unwavering integrity.
While the journey is demanding, it provides a unique opportunity to shape the nation's legal landscape and make a significant impact on society.
As India's legal system continues to evolve, the role of dedicated and impartial judges becomes increasingly crucial.
For aspiring legal professionals, the judiciary offers a respected career and a chance to uphold the principles of justice and contribute meaningfully to the nation's democratic foundation.
Download Judiciary Study Material
Fill your details
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the stages of the Judicial Services Examination?
What skills are essential for a successful career in the judiciary?
Who should choose a judiciary career?
What kind of job security and benefits do judges get?
Are there any age restrictions for becoming a judge in India?