How to Become a Judge after LLB

The Complete Guide

Short roadmap (pick the route that fits you best):

1. Enroll as an Advocate (register with State Bar Council).

2. Gain qualifying practice experience (recent Supreme Court rule: min. 3 years’ practice before appearing in many judicial services; check state rules).

3. Prepare & clear State Judicial Services Exam (District Judge / Civil Judge) — Prelims → Mains → Interview. (Or get appointed by elevation/promotion from subordinate judiciary.)

4. Serve as a judge in subordinate courts → become eligible for High Court judge (usually 10 years as advocate OR 10 years judicial office). Constitutional eligibility: Article 217.

5. From High Court judge/experienced advocate to Supreme Court judge (Article 124 qualifications: 5 years HC judge OR 10 years Advocate of HC).

Who can become a judge in India? — Basic legal eligibility

Before diving into steps, know the legal qualifications for senior posts:

• High Court Judge — constitutional requirement (Article 217): a person must have been for at least ten years either a judge in India or an advocate of a High Court (or more than one such court in succession).

• Supreme Court Judge — Article 124: a person must have been for at least five years a High Court judge or ten years an advocate of a High Court, or be a distinguished jurist in President’s view.

For entry-level judicial posts (District Judge / Civil Judge) the eligibility is set by each State/High Court but generally includes:

• A law degree (LLB) from a recognized university and

• Enrollment as an Advocate with the State Bar Council (Bar Council of India regulates enrollment/AIBE etc.).

Important recent change: The Supreme Court has recently ruled that fresh law graduates cannot immediately sit for judicial services — candidates must show a minimum of three years’ legal practice before applying for many judicial-service exams. Check your State’s rules for how this is implemented.

Action for you: Immediately after LLB, enroll with your State Bar Council and get your Certificate of Practice; track whether your state requires a minimum practice period for judicial exam eligibility.

Routes to the Bench — which path suits you?

There are three main routes to become a judge in India:

Judicial Services Route (Subordinate Judiciary → Promotion/Elevation)

• What it is: Clear State Judicial Service (Civil Judge/Judicial Magistrate) exam → start as Civil Judge (Junior Division) → promotion to District Judge → possible elevation to High Court.

• Best for: Candidates who want courtroom work and judicial career from early stage.

• Pros: Structured career, pension & government service benefits.

• Cons: Competitive; involves long service & good on-job performance for elevation.

Bar Route (Experienced Advocate → High Court / Supreme Court Judge)

• What it is: Practice as an advocate for many years (usually 10+ to be HC-eligible) → appointed as High Court judge by President on CJ/Collegium recommendation; later may be elevated to Supreme Court.

• Best for: Advocates who excel in litigation, have strong reputation, and wish to be appointed directly to higher courts.

• Pros: Possible direct leap to High Court without decades in subordinate judiciary.

• Cons: Very selective; requires exceptional professional record.

Tribunal / Judicial Academies / Legal Academia Route

• Serving as tribunal member, tribunal judge, or legal academic can sometimes lead to judicial appointments or create a strong profile for elevation to higher courts. (Experience at National Judicial Academy, tribunals, or government service counts in many eligibility computations.)

Step-by-step: Become a Judge via Judicial Services (most common path)

Below is the most common & structured path: LLB → Enrolment → Practice / Internship → Judicial Services Exam → Civil Judge → District Judge → High Court.

Step 1 — Complete LLB and enroll with State Bar Council

• LLB (3-yr after graduation or 5-yr integrated after 12th) from a recognized university.

• Enroll online/offline with your State Bar Council and clear AIBE if required to get Certificate of Practice (BCI/State Bar Council info).

Step 2 — Gain practical experience (recommended & now often mandatory)

• Recent Supreme Court guidance requires minimum 3 years’ practice for judicial aspirants (confirm state rules). Use this time for courtroom exposure, drafting, and internships under senior advocates to build a strong resume.

Step 3 — Choose the right Judicial Services exam and know the syllabus

• Each state conducts its own Judicial Services exam (called HJS/HJS/JJS etc.). Typical stages: Prelims (objective), Mains (written descriptive), Interview/Viva. Syllabus heavily focuses on:

  • Constitutional Law

  • Civil Law (CPC, Contracts, Property)

  • Criminal Law (IPC, CrPC)

  • Evidence Act

  • Limitation, Negotiable Instruments, Family Law

  • General Knowledge & Current Affairs in prelims.

Tip: Download the official syllabus from your High Court or Public Service Commission website — syllabi vary by state.

Step 4 — Apply, appear and clear Prelims → Mains → Interview

• Prelims: objective test to screen candidates.

• Mains: descriptive answers and problem-solving (drafting of judgments/orders).

• Interview: personality, basic legal knowledge, ethics, clarity of thought.

Step 5 — Training & probation

• On selection, appointees undergo training at State Judicial Academies / National Judicial Academy (if applicable). NJA organizes higher judicial training and programs.

Step 6 — Career progress: Civil Judge → District Judge → High Court

• With years of service and promotions (or by performance-based elevation), one may rise to District Judge; from there, elevation to High Court depends on vacancies, reputation, and collegium/selection processes.

Step-by-step: Become a Judge via Bar (advocate → High Court / Supreme Court)

If your long-term aim is High Court or Supreme Court judgeship, the Bar route is popular among high-profile litigators.

Step 1 — Strong practice at the Bar

• Build a robust practice in High Court or Supreme Court, appear in significant matters, publish legal articles, maintain ethical reputation.

Step 2 — Meet constitutional minimums

• For High Court: 10 years’ practice as advocate of a High Court (or held judicial office for 10 years) is constitutionally required.

Step 3 — Be considered and recommended

• High Court judges are appointed by President on recommendation of Collegium (Chief Justice of High Court/CJI/Collegium process). This selection uses reputation, seniority, integrity, and competence.

Step 4 — Supreme Court elevation

• Requirement: either 5 years as HC judge or 10 years as HC advocate (or distinguished jurist). Appointment by President based on Collegium recommendations.

Reality check: These appointments are exceptional and depend not only on years but also on visibility, seniority, judgments authored, professional standing, and sometimes state representation.

What do Judicial-Services exams test?

Reliable syllabus references and model papers are available on state High Court / PSC websites and standard judiciary guides.

Practical preparation blueprint — 12-month plan

This plan assumes you already have 3 years’ practice or have decided to prepare while practicing.

Months 1–3: Foundation

• Read Constitution (basic chapters), IPC, CrPC, CPC, Evidence Act.

• Create short notes for every topic.

• Start current affairs reading (daily).

Months 4–6: Consolidate subjects

• Solve objective MCQs for prelims (2–3 hours/day).

• Practice long answers for mains — start with one subject per week.

• Attend a weekend mock-moot or judgment drafting workshop.

Months 7–9: Past Papers & Writing

• Solve previous 5 years’ mains papers under time limit.

• Do 2 full-length mock mains per month.

• Begin mock interviews.

Months 10–12: Revision & Exam Readiness

• Revise all short notes, bare act highlights.

• Focus on drafting skills and judgment writing templates.

• Final 4 weeks: quick MCQ revisions, morning revision of key points.

Daily study split (if also practicing): 2–3 hours study (early morning), 2 hours evening practice/revision, weekend full mock tests.

Recommended books & resources (reliable, standard)

• Constitution of India — Bare Act + M. P. Jain (commentary for deeper study)

• Indian Penal Code (IPC) — Ratanlal & Dhirajlal (or relevant bare act commentary)

• Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) — Batuk or R.V. Kelkar

• Civil Procedure Code (CPC) — C.K. Takwani / Dutt & Jain

• Law of Evidence — Ratanlal & Dhirajlal

• Legal drafting & judgment writing — Supreme Court & High Court judgments as models

• State Judicial Service previous year papers & High Court syllabus pages (official)

Also use NJA resources for best practices and judicial training materials. National Judicial Academy

Skills you must build

Becoming a judge requires a set of soft + hard skills:

• Judgment writing — clarity, neutrality, logical structure.

• Decision-making — weigh evidence & law fairly.

• Courtroom management — control proceedings respectfully.

• Language skills — English and the local official language(s) of your state.

• Ethics and impartiality — crucial for judicial credibility.

• Patience & temperament — judges handle long, stressful cases.

Practical ways to build these:

• Draft opinions for moot courts.

• Intern/assist judges or senior counsel.

• Volunteer at legal aid clinics.

• Attend NJA seminars and state judicial academy courses. National Judicial Academy

Salaries, perks, and work-life of a judge

• Subordinate judiciary (Civil Judge / District Judge): Government salaries & allowances vary by state but include pensions, housing, medical benefits, and other perks.

• High Court Judges: Fixed pay scales set by central rules + official housing & staff.

• Supreme Court Judges: High salaries, official residence, and other central benefits; enjoy the highest judicial status.

Work-life: Intense responsibility — long case-lists, judicial administration, writing judgments, and public service. But the role is prestigious and socially impactful.

Common myths & realities

Myth 1: “I must top CLAT/LLB to become a judge.”

Reality: While elite law schools help networking, becoming a judge depends on practice, study, and clearing judicial exams or being appointed on merit — not only college brand.

Myth 2: “Judicial exams are only memory tests.”

Reality: Modern exams test application, judgment writing, law interpretation, and temperament — not rote memory.

Myth 3: “Only courtroom litigators become judges.”

Reality: Some judges come from tribunals, academia, or government legal service — varied backgrounds are considered for higher appointments.

State variations — always check your High Court rules

Each state has its own judicial services recruitment rules (age limit, educational eligibility, practice requirement, reservation). Always check your State High Court or PSC official website for the exact notification and syllabus before applying. Syllabus and minimum years of practice can change.

Recent legal update you should know

The Supreme Court has issued rulings impacting eligibility and practice expectations for judicial recruits; for example, rulings mandating a minimum practice period (news reference). Because such changes are consequential, always verify the current notification from your State High Court or PSC. The Times of India+1

Checklist: Application pack for Judicial Services exam

• LLB degree certificate (attested)

• Enrollment certificate from State Bar Council (or proof of practice)

• Identity proof (Aadhaar/PAN)

• Domicile/residence certificate (if required)

• Recent passport photos & signatures

• Application fee proof

• Certificates for age/educational reservations (SC/ST/OBC/EWS)

Keep scanned and hard copies; exam centers may require originals at interview.

How to build a judge-worthy CV

• Document your court appearances, significant cases, and internships.

• Publish a short research article or case note in a reputable law journal.

• Participate in judged moot courts and trial advocacy.

• Volunteer for legal aid clinics and community legal outreach.

• Maintain clean professional reputation — references from senior advocates/judges help.

Interview & Viva — how to impress the board

• Be punctual, polite, and crisp.

• Focus on clarity: briefly explain legal positions with supporting statute/case law.

• Show judicial temperament — impartiality, patience, and adherence to rule of law.

• Prepare current legal developments and landmark judgments.

• Be honest about experience; the panel values integrity.

Sample 6-month intensive study schedule (for mains/interview)

Weekdays: 3–4 hours (early mornings + late evenings)
Weekends: 6–8 hours (full-length mocks)

• Weeks 1–4: Constitutional Law (structure, fundamental rights, basic cases)

• Weeks 5–8: Civil Procedure Code + Family Law (drafting practice)

• Weeks 9–12: Criminal Law (IPC & CrPC) + Evidence Act

• Weeks 13–16: Special Acts (Negotiable Instruments, Limitation, Rent)

• Weeks 17–20: Revision + mock mains + drafting judgments

• Weeks 21–24: Interview mocks; psychology; ethics; current affairs

What judges do daily — a realistic peek

• Read case files & briefs

• Hear arguments & evidence

• Write orders and judgments

• Supervise court administration

• Attend judicial meetings & training programs

Extra edge: Competitive advantages that help selection

• Specialization: experience in family law, corporate law, or criminal law can make you a strong candidate for certain posts.

• Public interest work: consistent legal aid work is valued.

• Teaching / research: LLM/PhD or teaching stints improve profile.

• Language & local law fluency: being proficient in local languages is important for district judiciary.

If you fail — Plan B options

Not everyone clears on first attempt — options include:

• Continue practice and reattempt (practice helps).

• Apply for tribunal or quasi-judicial posts (income + judicial experience).

• Pursue LLM / academic & research careers (NJA or university teaching).

• Join legal services in government (AG office, state law department).

Sources & further reading (authoritative)

• Article 217 — Appointment & conditions of High Court Judges (Constitution of India). Indian Kanoon

• Article 124 — Supreme Court judge qualifications (Constitution of India). Indian Kanoon

• Bar Council of India (enrollment / AIBE info). Bar Council of India

• National Judicial Academy — judicial education & resources. National Judicial Academy

• State Judiciary exam syllabi & notifications (refer your High Court or State PSC official site). Law Prep Tutorial+1

• Recent Supreme Court news on minimum practice requirement — national press coverage. The Times of India+1

Final checklist — Are you ready to start the judge journey?

• ✅ LLB degree and State Bar Council enrollment?

• ✅ Minimum practice years required for your state?

• ✅ Decided between Judicial Services (subordinate) or Bar route?

• ✅ Studying the correct syllabus and past papers?

• ✅ Regular moot & drafting practice?

• ✅ Mentorship / senior advocate guidance arranged?

• ✅ Local language & court procedure knowledge?

If you checked most boxes — start preparing with discipline and integrity.

FAQs (short & practical)

Q1. Can I take Judicial Services exam right after LLB?
A: Most states now require practice experience — the Supreme Court recently set a minimum practice requirement (check your state notification).

Q2. Do I need to be enrolled with Bar Council to sit for the exam?
A: Yes — enrollment (and AIBE where applicable) is typically necessary.

Q3. Is ascending from Civil Judge to High Court common?
A: Yes — many High Court judges are promoted from subordinate judiciary, though many also come from the Bar.

Q4. How important is judgment writing practice?
A: Extremely — mains often contain judgment writing; good structuring is essential.

Q5. Can law academics become judges?
A: Yes — distinguished jurists and academics have been appointed, but practical experience and reputation matter.

Closing note

Becoming a judge is a long, demanding but deeply rewarding journey. It requires legal knowledge, practical experience, temperament, ethical conduct, and consistent preparation. Use the steps, study plans, and checklists above as a map — and always verify the current rules and notifications from your State High Court and the Bar Council of India.