Judges preside over court proceedings and make rulings on legal matters. Their key responsibilities include:
- Making decisions that can have a profound impact on society, helping to uphold justice and fairness
- Interpreting laws, assessing evidence, making legal decisions, and delivering judgments or sentences[1]
- Holding a position of authority and being respected for their role in dispensing justice and maintaining law and order
- This respect extends beyond the professional sphere into their social interactions[1]
- Dealing with complex legal issues that require careful analysis and interpretation of the law
- This ongoing intellectual engagement promotes continuous learning and professional growth, keeping the job challenging and rewarding[1]
Regarding work-life balance:
- Court sitting hours are typically 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM, but work extends beyond these hours for preparatory activities
- Generally, it's possible to maintain a good work-life balance as a judge
- However, when working on particularly difficult or complex cases, judges may find themselves thinking about work during their personal time[2]
However, the reality can be more demanding. Many judges work 14 to 15 hours a day. A typical day involves:
- Working two hours before coming to court
- Sitting in court until 4:30 PM
- Doing administrative work for an hour
- Finalizing orders
- Reading briefs for the next day's cases[16]
This demanding schedule not only affects judges but also takes a toll on their families. The challenge of balancing professional and personal life is a shared concern among judges in India and other countries.
How to Become Judges -
Steps to become a judge in India:
- Complete Class 12 or intermediate studies, preferably in Arts or Humanities streams[24]
- Earn a bachelor's degree in law (LLB) from a recognized university. This can be either a 3-year LLB after graduation or a 5-year integrated LLB program[24]
- Clear competitive exams like the Judicial Services Examination or PCS(J) (Provincial Civil Service Judicial) exam[24]
- Upon passing the exam and interview, candidates are recommended for appointment to the bench. The final appointment is made by the President of India, based on recommendations from the Supreme Court or relevant high court[24]
Key skills and competencies required:
- Critical reasoning skills
- Objective analysis
- Careful listening skills
- Unbiased decision making
- Reading comprehension
- Empathy
- Writing skills
- Subject matter expertise
- Pedagogical skills
- Curriculum development
- Assessment and evaluation techniques
- Use of educational technology
- Classroom management
- Adaptability to different learning styles
- Mentoring and counseling abilities
- Industry knowledge and connections
- Continuous professional development[25]
Salary:
In India, the average starting salary of a judge is INR 5.43 LPA. The High Court judge gets an average salary of INR 10.70 LPA – 8 LPA, while the average salary of a Supreme Court Judge is INR 15.10 LPA. Based on job experience, the salary gets revised. The monthly salary of a judge in India lies between INR 67,311- 91,280.[5]
Career Progression:
A judicial officer typically begins their career as a civil judge in a Court of Judicial Magistrate of First Class (JMFC). After seven years of experience, judges can be appointed to the post of District Judge via a competitive examination. The retirement age for Indian Judicial Officers is 60 years in the Subordinate (District) court, 62 years in the High Court, and 65 in the Supreme Court.[6]
The typical career progression is:
- Entry-level positions (probationary or training posts)
- Judicial Magistrate of First Class or District Munsiff Court
- After five years, promotion to Civil Judge (Senior Division)
- District Judge (after further experience and examinations)[6]
Industry Trends and Future Outlook:
- Increasing demand: The field of research and teaching in higher education is growing, with many opportunities for those entering the profession.
- Government initiatives: The Indian government is implementing reforms and policies to promote innovation and reverse brain drain.
- Industry-academia collaboration: There's a growing trend of hiring industry experts as professors of practice to bridge the gap between academia and industry.
- Diversification of roles: Universities are exploring innovative ways to engage experts, including appointing tribal figures as professors to impart knowledge on indigenous culture and heritage.
- Technological integration: The increasing use of technology in education requires judges to adapt and integrate digital tools into their methods.[4]
Citations:
[1] https://www.lawpreptutorial.com/blog/career-in-judiciary/
[2] https://www.brightnetwork.co.uk/career-profiles/judge/
[3] https://www.careers360.com/careers/judge
[4] https://www.pw.live/exams/judiciary/how-to-become-a-judge-in-india/
[5] https://www.pw.live/exams/judiciary/what-is-the-judge-salary-in-india/
[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judiciary_of_India
[7] https://testbook.com/judiciary-exams/salary-job-profile
[8] https://testbook.com/blog/judge-salary-in-india/
[9] https://allindiajudges.org/uploads/namefile/articles_31.pdf
[10] https://lawsikho.com/blog/what-are-the-salaries-and-perks-you-are-entitled-to-at-each-stage-as-a-judge/
[11] https://www.collegesearch.in/articles/judge-salary-crs
[12] https://www.scobserver.in/journal/what-is-a-typical-sc-judges-career-path/
[13] https://thelegalschool.in/blog/judge-salary-in-india
[14] https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2024/Mar/24/managing-work-life-balance-important-for-judges-cji
[15] https://districts.ecourts.gov.in/sites/default/files/paperpresentation.pdf
[16] https://indianstartupnews.com/news/judges-in-india-work-14-15-hours-a-day-says-delhi-hc-s-justice-singh-1711671
[17] https://edzorblaw.com/2024/09/03/the-challenges-and-rewards-of-life-as-a-judge-in-india/
[18] https://iacajournal.org/articles/10.36745/ijca.334
[19] https://www.toprankers.com/life-of-a-civil-judge-in-india
[20] https://vidhigya.com/blog/becoming-a-judge-the-path-to-judicial-excellence/
[21] https://www.advocatekhoj.com/library/lawreports/reformofjudicial/16.php?STitle=Hours+of+work&Title=Reform+of+Judicial+Administration
[22] https://edzorblaw.com/2024/09/04/the-perks-of-being-a-judge-in-india/
[23] https://www.pw.live/exams/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/How-to-Become-A-Judge-in-India.jpg?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiN-ajcpJqLAxX1JrkGHVk1PKQQ_B16BAgKEAI
[24] https://www.shiksha.com/law/articles/how-to-become-a-judge-in-india-blogId-144743
[25] https://leverageedu.com/blog/how-to-become-a-judge/
[26] https://www.toprankers.com/how-to-become-civil-judge-after-llb
[27] https://collegedunia.com/courses/master-of-laws-llm/how-to-become-a-judge
[28] https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a-judge
[29] https://www.pw.live/exams/judiciary/how-to-become-a-judge-in-india-after-llb/
[30] https://idreamcareer.com/blog/how-to-become-a-judge-in-india/
[31] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/how-to-become-a-judge-in-india-qualifications-eligibility-salary/articleshow/99581909.cms
[32] https://lawsikho.com/blog/what-is-the-career-trajectory-of-a-judge-in-the-lower-judiciary/
