Introduction: The Prestige of the Indian Judiciary 

​The position of a judge in India is a pillar of democracy, carrying immense responsibility and prestige. Unlike many other professions, the journey to the bench is strictly structured, requiring a rigorous combination of academic excellence, professional experience, and competitive examination success.

​Whether you aspire to start at the Civil Judge level or aim for direct entry into the District Judiciary, understanding the precise eligibility criteria and selection process is the first critical step.


​1. The Primary Path: Lower Judicial Services (PCS-J)

​The most common entry point for fresh law graduates into the judiciary is through the Lower Judicial Services (LJS), often referred to as the Provincial Civil Service-Judicial (PCS-J) Examination. This path leads to the post of a Civil Judge (Junior Division) or Judicial Magistrate.

​Eligibility Criteria for Civil Judge (PCS-J)

​The requirements are uniform across most states but can have minor variations, especially regarding age and practice experience.

Details

Notes

Citizenship

Must be a citizen of India.

Mandatory.

Educational Qualification

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree (3-year or 5-year integrated course) from a BCI-recognized university.

Final year students are often allowed to appear for the Prelims in some states (e.g., Rajasthan).

Age Limit (General Category)

Typically between 21 and 35 years.

Age relaxation is provided for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC and other reserved categories as per state rules.

Practice Experience

As per a significant Supreme Court update in 2025, a minimum of 3 years of continuous practice as an advocate is becoming mandatory in several states to ensure practical judicial maturity.

While historically some states allowed fresh graduates, the trend is moving towards mandatory practice.

2. The Three Stages of the Judicial Services Examination

​The PCS-J exam is conducted in three compulsory stages. The final merit list is based on the scores from the Mains and Interview rounds, as the Prelims is only a screening test.

​Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Prelims)

  • ​Format: Objective-type, Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs).
  • ​Purpose: Screening candidates for the Mains exam. Marks are not counted in the final selection.
  • ​Syllabus: General Knowledge, Current Affairs, English Language, and foundational Law Subjects (Constitutional Law, IPC, CrPC, CPC, Evidence Act, Contract Law, etc.).

​Stage 2: Main Examination (Mains)

  • ​Format: Descriptive/Subjective written papers. This is the most crucial stage.
  • ​Syllabus: In-depth knowledge of substantive and procedural laws, including Civil Law, Criminal Law, Local Laws specific to the state, and Language papers (essay, translation, and grammar).
  • ​Selection: Candidates must secure minimum qualifying marks in each paper to be eligible for the interview.

​Stage 3: Viva Voce / Personal Interview

  • ​Format: Face-to-face interaction with a panel of senior judges and legal experts.
  • ​Purpose: To assess the candidate's personality, judicial temperament, legal acumen, analytical abilities, clarity of expression, and general awareness.
  • ​Weightage: The score here, combined with the Mains score, determines the final rank on the merit list.

​3. Direct Entry: Higher Judicial Services (HJS)

​Practicing advocates can directly enter the higher rung of the subordinate judiciary—the District Judge cadre—through the Higher Judicial Services (HJS) Examination.

Eligibility Criteria for District Judge (HJS)

Requirement

Details

Educational Qualification

LLB degree.

Advocacy Experience

Minimum of 7 years of continuous practice as an advocate on the last date of application submission.

Age Limit

Typically between 35 and 45 years (varies by state, with relaxation for reserved categories).

The HJS examination structure (Prelims, Mains, and Interview) is similar to the PCS-J, but the syllabus is significantly more advanced and focused on practical, real-world application of law.

​4. Path to High Court and Supreme Court

​Ascending to the highest levels of the judiciary is achieved through a combination of seniority, performance, and the collegium system of appointment.

​How to Become a High Court Judge

​A person can be appointed as a Judge of a High Court (under Article 217 of the Constitution) if they are a citizen of India and have:

  1. ​Held a judicial office in India for at least 10 years, OR
  2. ​Been an advocate of a High Court (or two or more such Courts in succession) for at least 10 years.

​How to Become a Supreme Court Judge

​A person is eligible for appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court (under Article 124 of the Constitution) if they are a citizen of India and have:

  1. ​Been a High Court Judge for at least 5 years, OR
  2. ​Been an advocate of a High Court for at least 10 years, OR
  3. ​Are, in the opinion of the President, a distinguished jurist.

​5. Post-Selection and Career Progression

​After successfully clearing the competitive examinations, selected candidates must undergo mandatory judicial training at the State Judicial Academy, which typically lasts for about one year.

​Upon successful completion, the candidate is formally appointed as a Civil Judge (Junior Division) or Judicial Magistrate. From this entry-level post, judges progress through the ranks based on seniority, excellent performance, and departmental promotional exams (LDCE - Limited Departmental Competitive Examination) to become:

  1. ​Civil Judge (Junior Division) / Judicial Magistrate
  2. ​Civil Judge (Senior Division) / Chief Judicial Magistrate
  3. ​District Judge / Sessions Judge
  4. ​High Court Judge
  5. ​Supreme Court Judge

​Summary of Key Steps

  1. ​Obtain an LLB Degree (3-year or 5-year course).
  2. ​Enroll as an Advocate with the State Bar Council.
  3. ​Gain Required Experience (currently trending toward 3 years for LJS and 7 years for HJS).
  4. ​Clear the State Judicial Services Exam (PCS-J or HJS).
  5. ​Undergo Judicial Training.

​A judicial career demands unwavering commitment to justice, sharp legal knowledge, and impeccable ethical conduct. With strategic preparation and perseverance, this esteemed role is well within reach.