The judicial system is the watchdog of democracy and the Indian constitution. The role of a judge is to administer justice, interpret and apply the law, and ensure fair and impartial settling of disputes. A judge presides over a court proceeding and makes impartial and neutral decisions on legal matters. The judgments delivered by judges become legal precedents and act as a guide for future cases.
Career opportunities within the Judiciary include-
To pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Law, you must complete at least higher secondary education from a recognised school. Students from all streams can enroll in the bachelor's degree course. Students pursuing law after their 10+2 must enroll in five-year integrated programmes like BA LL.B, B.Com LL.B, or BBA LL.B. these programmes.
Students pursuing law after graduation can opt for the three-year programmes. Whether you have a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), or Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), you are eligible to enroll for the three-year programme.
Most law schools in India select students based on an entrance test. The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is the most accepted entrance test. Other common entrances in India include the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET), Symbiosis Law Admission Test (SLAT), Law School Admission Test (LSAT), and Maharashtra Common Entrance Test - Law (MC-CET).
National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, NLU Delhi - National Law University, New Delhi are some renowned law schools in India.
Practical experience in the legal field is one of the essential things law firms look for in a person. It depicts a person's keen interest in law and his capabilities. The area of law is very competitive, and having experience on your CV assures employers that you know the inner workings of law. Gaining experience is a method to foster continuous learning. Working with organizations provides access to resources, forums, and networks and opens the door for collaboration and career advancement.
Legal experience helps hone communication, decision-making, research, critical thinking, and negotiation skills. Legal practice provides hands-on experience on cases that you have studied in books. It provides an opportunity to interact with clients, understand their needs, and add to the professional network. Reading real cases helps develop and sharpen analytical skills. You learn to draft legal documents, contracts, and pleadings.
1. Do expensive research and carefully plan the type of internship you want to consider and the kind of lawyer you want to become.
2. Start building your legal network early. Talk to your professors and lawyers in your proximity and let them know you are open to work.
3. Draft your internship applications carefully. Add a well-written cover letter, your resume details, your experiences, your education, and a letter of recommendation.
4. Prepare well for the interview. Research the firm, its clients, and areas of practice. Convey them how you will add value to their firm.
Pursuing LLM will create more job opportunities and offer a promising career in law. Postgraduate students can become legal advisors and work in law offices, NGOs, and Real Estate, even as freshers.
Also, pursuing LLM lays a foundation for Ph.D. aspirants. Pursuing a PhD provides opportunities for higher-level legal roles with higher earning potential.
Advanced studies in law, that is, pursuing a Master of Law (LLM), enhances knowledge and expertise. Specializing in a specific field means focusing on that particular field and becoming an expert. Specialization improves efficiency and provides credibility and opportunities to tap that particular field. It helps to understand complex legal cases and principles. Fields of law like intellectual property law and tax law require specialization as a general lawyer needs help understanding the intricacies of issues.
1. The International and Comparative Law LLM program at the National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS)
This program is designed for students who want to deepen their understanding of international legal frameworks and comparative legal systems.
2. The LLM (Professional) program is a postgraduate degree offered by the National Law University in Delhi, India.
This program is designed to provide advanced legal education and training to law graduates who want to specialize in various fields of law, such as corporate law, intellectual property law, international law, human rights law, and environmental law.
3. The Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism and Environmental Laws (PGDTEL) collaboration of National Law University Delhi (NLUD) and WWF-India
The unique program imparts knowledge of sustainable tourism development and environmental laws.
The Judicial Services Examination is the most coveted entry-level examination to recruit subordinate judiciary posts. The examination offers a valuable opportunity to individuals pursuing a career in Judiciary. The state governments and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conduct the examination.
1. Must be a citizen of India.
2. Must have an LLB/LLM degree from a recognized institution. However, having an LLM degree to appear in the examination is unimportant.
3. Must be enrolled as an Advocate under the Advocates Act, 1961, with membership in the state bar council.
4. No experience is required. Final-year students can also apply for the examination.
5. Must be between 21 to 35 years. (age limit varies from state to state)
Eligibility criteria Higher Judiciary Services
1. Must be a citizen of India.
2. Must have an LLB degree from a recognized institution.
3. Minimum 35 years of age (age limit varies from state to state)
4. Must have at least seven years of continuous practice as an advocate experience in litigation.
Here are some of the recommended books for effective exam preparation-
1. The Law of Evidence by Batuklal
2. Indian Contract Act by R.K. Bangia
3. Modern Hindu Law by Paras Diwan
4. Limitation Act by J.D. Jain
5. Civil Procedure with Limitation Act by C.K. Takwani
6. The Indian Penal Code Paperback by Ratanlal
7. Textbook on the Indian Evidence Act by K D Gaur
8. Muslim Laws with Model Nikahnama-Bare Act with short Notes by Universal.
9. Jurisprudence by NV Paranjape
10. R. V. Kelkar's Criminal Procedure by R.V. Kelkar
11. Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 by Lawman's
12. Introduction to the Constitution of India by Durgadas Basu, M.P. Jain & Laxmikanth
13. The Transfer of Property Act by R.K. Sinha
14. Specific Relief by Dr Avtar Singh
15. International Law And Human Rights by Dr H.O. AGARWAL
16. Administrative Law by Dr. U.P.D Kesari
17. Law of Torts With Consumer Protection Act by RK Bangia
18. Indian Partnership Act by Avtar Singh
The Judicial Services Examination contains three stages: prelims, Mains, and Interview/viva voce.
Preliminary Examination
This is the first stage of the examination. The commonly asked subjects in the prelims examination are as follows -
· General Knowledge and Current Affairs
· Proficiency In English Language and Aptitude
· Constitutional law
· IPC, CPC, CrPC, and The Indian Evidence Act
· Contract Law and Tort Law
· Transfer of Property law
Mains Examination
This is the second stage of the examination. It comprises subjects like Criminal Law, Civil Law, and Language paper, and the syllabus is as follows-
1. Civil Law I covers topics like the Indian Contract Act, Hindu Law, and the Transfer of Property Act.
2. Civil Law II covers topics like the Indian Partnership Act, the Specific Relief Act, and the Limitation Act.
3. Criminal covers the Indian Penal, Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act.
4. English Language: This paper assesses your English grammar and comprehension proficiency.
5. Regional Language: This paper assesses your proficiency in the state's regional language.
Note: The syllabus varies from state to state.
Interview/Viva-Voce
This is the final stage of the examination. The interview contains questions about general knowledge, aptitude, and personality tests. It aims to develop knowledge, communication skills, and suitability for judicial services.
The following study techniques will help you clear the exam in the first attempt -
1. Start the preparation at least a year before, as the syllabus is vast.
2. Prepare a strategic study plan and diligently follow it. Make sure to complete the daily task without fail.
3. Assign at least 2 hours for every subject and study four subjects daily.
4. Follow the reverse preparation method. Start with the main syllabus, and you will automatically prepare for the prelims examination.
5. Solve as many mock tests and previous years' papers as possible.
Preliminary Examination
The preliminary examination consists of objective-type questions and acts as a screening test for the main examination. The number of questions varies from state to state, and the duration is generally 2-3 hours.
Mains Examination
The main examination consists of descriptive questions. It has three to four papers, generally lasting 3-4 hours.
Tips to ace the prelims -
1. Focus on Bare Acts. Be thorough with every word of the bare act.
2. Practice previous years' papers to have a fair idea about the questions.
3. Keep practicing MCQs with a time limit.
4. Prepare notes on each topic using charts, diagrams and tabular forms.
Tips to ace the mains -
1. Be very careful while selecting the books for preparation. Refer to the list mentioned above.
2. Prepare a proper study schedule per the subjects and study for at least 10-12 hours.
3. Allot 2-3 hours to read judgments, newspapers, and general knowledge.
4. Practice well for the language papers.
Judicial training plays a significant role in instilling the qualities required of a judge to improve justice delivery. It enhances their knowledge and leads to professional development and attitudinal changes. Judicial training adds to the confidence of judges in providing speedy and quality justice.
The induction training for a judicial officer in the judicial academies of the state where the judge is restricted. The officers are subjected to field and institutional training in three phases by sitting and former judges from subordinate and higher Judiciary, lawyers, academists, and experts in various fields, including forensic science and medical jurisprudence.
Institutions or centers that offer judicial training in India.
1. Lucknow- Judicial Training & Research Institute JTRI
2. Andhra Pradesh - Andhra Pradesh Judicial Academy
3. Bombay- a) Judicial Officers Training Institute, Nagpur b) Maharashtra Judicial Academy Uttan
4. Calcutta - West Bengal Judicial Academy
5. Chhattisgarh- Chhattisgarh State Judicial Academy
6. Delhi - Delhi Judicial Academy
7. Guwahati - a) Judicial Academy Assam and North Eastern b) Judicial Officers Training Institute (NEJOTI)
8. Gujarat - Gujarat State Judicial Academy
9. Himachal Pradesh - Himachal Pradesh Judicial Academy
10. Jammu & Kashmir - Jammu & Kashmir State Judicial Academy
11. Jharkhand - Judicial Academy Jharkhand
12. Karnataka- Karnataka Judicial Academy
13. Kerala - Kerala Judicial Academy
14. Madhya Pradesh - Madhya Pradesh State Judicial Academy
15. Madras - Tamil Nadu State Judicial Academy
16. Manipur - Manipur Judicial Academy
17. Meghalaya - Meghalaya State Judicial Academy
18. Orissa - Orissa Judicial Academy
19. Patna - Bihar Judicial Academy
20. Punjab & Haryana - Chandigarh Judicial Academy
21. Rajasthan - Rajasthan State Judicial Academy
22. Sikkim - Sikkim Judicial Academy
23. Telangana - Telangana State Judicial Academy
24. Tripura - Tripura Judicial Academy
25. Uttarakhand - Uttarakhand Judicial & Legal Academy
Ongoing learning and development is imperative for judges to improve their knowledge and efficiency, increase productivity, and enhance justice delivery. Staying updated with legal developments helps judges decide according to the current principles and laws. This becomes crucial, especially in areas of law like cybersecurity and intellectual property rights, where the legal landscape is not static. A judge who knows current contemporary issues has the confidence of the public.
https://delhihighcourt.nic.in/
https://rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in/
https://appsc.gov.in/Index/institute_home/ins/RECINS001
https://bombayhighcourt.nic.in/
http://www.hppsc.hp.gov.in/hppsc/
https://highcourt.kerala.gov.in/
https://karnatakajudiciary.kar.nic.in/
https://www.opsc.gov.in/Public/OPSC/Default.aspx
https://psc.ap.gov.in/(S(1bkdz05etc00lumjywq3uznr))/Default.aspx
1. Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent by Isabel Wilkerson
2. Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
3. The Bible
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
5. Conviction Machine by Sidney Powell
6. Eulogy of Judges by Piero Calamandrei, preface by Jacob A. Stein
Online Courses -
St. Peters Law Academy
https://stpeterslaw.com/course/judiciary_english_medium
An LLB degree is the minimum qualification required to become a judge in India. The age range is 21-35 years.
Further, you have to clear several examinations. Becoming a judge means attaining a role with supreme power and responsibilities. The journey is not easy, but it prepares you for the challenging journey ahead.
FAQs-
(Answer the following FAQ questions in 15-25 words)
The main role of a judge in the legal system is to prevent an infringement of laws. If a law violation occurs, a suit is documented against the offender. The judge hears the two sides and decides if there is a violation of the law. It punishes the offender of the law.
Candidates should be a citizen of India and have a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree.
No, pursuing postgraduate studies (LLM) to become a judge is unnecessary.
Judicial service examination is the exam through which aspiring candidates can get an opportunity to become a judge. The exam has three phases: prelims, mains and viva voice.
A citizen of India with an LL.B. degree and aged between 21 and 35 can appear for the Judicial Services Examination.
Though the subjects in preliminary and main exams are state-specific, some of the subjects common in the exam conducted by all the states are criminal law, including the Indian Penal Code, Evidence Act and Code of Criminal Procedure, Constitutional law, and Civil Procedure Code.
There are three stages in the selection process, namely - Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
The age limit is generally between 21 and 35 years but varies for every state.
The judicial training programme lasts 12 months, wherein the judges in state judicial academies are trained to inculcate an attitude of applying the law as an engine of social justice. The induction training is focused on inculcating in the officer's values of judicial ethics and sensitizing them to social issues.
The probation period for a newly appointed judge is two years.
A judge must discharge his duties without being impartial and should do everything for justice, keeping his interests aside. A judge should also have the patience to hear both parties.
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