Judge Salary in India: A Complete Guide
The salary of a judge in India is an important topic for aspiring legal professionals, law students, and those interested in knowing of the Indian judicial system. Judges in India play a vital role in upholding the rule of law and delivering justice. Their pay structure is determined by various factors such as their position, experience, and jurisdiction.
Related Links - Law Courses after 12th
How Much Do Judges Earn in India?
The average Judge salary in India varies with position, like the Supreme Court judge earns around INR 2,50,000 to INR 2,80,000 per month, while district court judges earn between INR 1,20,000 to INR 1,50,000 per month. The salary is accompanied by various allowances and benefits like medical coverage, pension, and official residence.
The judge salary in India is determined by the Judicial Pay Commission (JPC) and revised periodically to ensure that judges are compensated fairly for their work. The judge pay scale varies on the basis of the level of judiciary, such as the Supreme Court, High Court, and Lower Courts.
Read in detail - Lawyer Salary in India
Also watch -
1. Supreme Court Judge Salary
| Position | Salary | Allowances & Benefits |
| Chief Justice of India (CJI) | INR 2,80,000/month | Official Residence, Pension, Travel Allowances, Medical Benefits |
| Other Supreme Court Judges | INR 2,50,000/month | Official Residence, Pension, Travel Allowances, Medical Benefits |
2. High Court Judge Salary
| Position | Salary | Allowances & Benefits |
| Chief Justice of High Court | INR 2,50,000/month | Official Residence, Pension, Travel Allowances, Medical Benefits |
| Other High Court Judges | INR 2,25,000/month | Official Residence, Pension, Travel Allowances, Medical Benefits |
Also Read - LLB Entrance Exam
3. District Court Judge Salary Per Month
| Position | Salary | Allowances & Benefits |
| Entry-Level District Judge (Grade I) | INR 1,44,840 to INR1,74,840/month | House Rent Allowance (HRA), Medical Allowance, Pension |
| District Judge (Grade II) | INR 1,21,000 to INR 1,51,000/month | House Rent Allowance (HRA), Medical Allowance, Pension |
4. Judicial Services: Civil Judge & Additional District Judge
| Position | Salary | Allowances & Benefits |
| Civil Judge (Junior Division) | INR 56,100 to INR 1,77,500/month | HRA, Medical Allowance, Pension |
| Additional District Judge | INR 1,20,000 to INR 1,50,000/month | HRA, Medical Allowance, Pension |
5. Other Benefits for Judges in India
| Benefit | Details |
| Official Residence | Government accommodation, often with all amenities |
| Pension | Entitlement to pension after a certain number of years of service |
| Medical Benefits | Medical insurance, reimbursements, and family health benefits |
| Travel Allowances | Free travel for official purposes and reimbursement of travel costs |
| Security | High-level security, especially for senior judges handling sensitive cases |
6. Judge Salary Comparison
| Profession | Salary (Approx.) | Other Benefits |
| Supreme Court Judge | INR 2,50,000 - INR 2,80,000/month | High social prestige, job security, perks |
| Corporate Lawyer | INR 1,50,000 - INR 3,00,000/month | High pay, bonuses, benefits |
| Civil Services Officer | INR 56,100 - INR 2,50,000/month | Perks, allowances, job security |
| Private Sector Executive | INR 1,00,000 - INR 5,00,000/month | Bonuses, stock options, perks |
Also read - Top 10 Highest Paid Lawyers in India
The following table explains about the Judge Salary in India with Perks and Allowances:-
| Designation | Furnishing | HRA | Sumptuary Allowance |
| Chief Justice of India | INR 10,00,000/- | 24% of Basic Salary | INR 45,000/- per month |
| Supreme Court Judges | INR 8,00,000/- | 24% of Basic Salary | INR 34,000/- per month |
| Chief Justices of High Court | INR 8,00,000/- | 24% of Basic Salary | INR 34,000/- per month |
| Judges of High Court | INR 6,00,000/- | 24% of Basic Salary | INR 27,000/- per month |
Also Read -
Magistrate Salary in India
Let's look at the Magistrate salary in India given below -
| Designation | Basic Salary |
| Chief Judicial Magistrate | INR 1,44,840 to INR 1,74,840 |
| District Magistrate (Grade I) | INR 1,21,000 to INR 1,51,000 |
| Civil Judge (Junior Division) | INR 56,100 to INR 1,77,500 |
Also Read - How to become Lawyer in India After 12th
Judge Salary in India : Perks
Yes, a judge earns a handsome amount but along with the salary, he/ she also gets various perks. The perks that a judge gets apart from the salary are:-
- Dearness allowance
- Travel allowance and vehicle maintenance
- House rent and maintenance allowance
- Pension facility after retirement
- Electricity, water and telephone bill
- Educational allowance for children
Also Read - DU LLB Entrance Exam
Skills Required to Become a Judge
One who aspires to be a judge should know that to become the same, he/ she needs to possess certain skills. Furthermore, the skills needed to become a judge can be found below:-
- Communication skills
- Knowledge of the law
- Problem-solving skills
- Empathy
- Impartial judgement
- Decision making skills
Also Read - BA LLB Subjects and Syllabus
How to become a Judge?
In order to become a judge, one needs to follow a certain procedure. The same can be found below in explanation:-
1.Pass the 12th Standard
First and foremost step is to clear your 12th. You are qualified to take the Common Law Admission Test after completing your 10+2 course (CLAT). You can complete your 10+2 in the humanities, sciences, or commerce. Depending on the college, a different minimum score may be required for admission.
2. Qualify the Entrance Examination
An entrance exam called the CLAT is required to enrol in undergraduate and graduate law programs. Candidates may apply for admission to National Law Universities across the nation by passing this entrance exam at the national level. After finishing your higher secondary school, you are eligible to take the CLAT. After receiving their bachelor's degree, many students take the CLAT to get entrance to the LLM or Master of Law program. The CLAT score is used by numerous educational institutions, including national law schools, to determine admissions.
3. Complete the Bachelors' Degree
The most critical step toward becoming a qualified judge is to earn your Bachelor of Laws or LLB degree from a university recognized by the Bar Council of India. You have the option of enrolling in a 3-year LLB program or a 5-year integrated legal program. After finishing their 10+2 requirements, candidates can begin the 5-year integrated law degree program. To pursue the 3-year LLB degree, you could need a bachelor's degree. After earning your LLB, you can begin working in the legal field, enroll in a legal education program, or seek a master's degree.
4. Qualify the Judicial Service Exam
The Judicial Services Examination (JSE) is administered in each state by the Public Service Commission. Candidates may take the JSE after earning their LLB. By passing the state JSE, you can be appointed to lower courts or subordinate courts. Individual JSEs are held by several states. Because of this, the selection procedure and eligibility requirements may differ from state to state.
The two levels of judicial services are as follows:
- Lower judicial services: Since applicants without any experience are also accepted, it is the ideal choice for recent law graduates.
- Higher judicial services: By passing this exam, practicing attorneys with a minimum of seven years of experience can become extra district judges.
Also Read - BA LLB