Is it difficult to be a judge in India?
Asked by: Retha Medhurst | Last update: February 20, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (75 votes)
Yes, becoming a judge in India is very difficult, characterized by tough competitive exams for lower courts, stringent experience requirements for higher courts, immense caseloads, high public scrutiny, significant emotional stress, and the need for unwavering impartiality and integrity, making it a demanding career path.
Is it easy to become a judge in India?
Becoming a judge in India is a very rewarding profession requiring immense legal know-how, time, and knowledge of the law. The progress into the judiciary involves rigorous education, clearing competitive judicial exams, and especially for higher positions such as district judges, much practical experience is required.
What is a judge's salary in India?
Judges Salary In India depend on the level of the court as well as the experience. In 2025, the Chief Justice of India receives a salary of about ₹2,80,000 per month. The Salary of an SC Judge is about ₹2,50,000 a month, and the judges of the High Court are paid much the same amount, about ₹2,50,000 a month.
Is becoming a judge harder than a lawyer?
Yes, becoming a judge is generally much harder than becoming a lawyer because it requires years of successful legal practice, navigating political hurdles (election or appointment), and facing intense competition for a limited number of spots, whereas becoming a lawyer primarily requires law school and passing the bar exam, making the path to judgeship a significantly more difficult, specialized, and selective career progression.
Is the judiciary exam tough in India?
It requires effort in comprehending the syllabus, as when you prepare for judiciary you generally go for two-three states judiciary in one go (why to limit yourself, right !). Each state judicial service syllabus has at least three-four separate local acts and that too in major portions sometimes.
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Is judge a stressful job in India?
Introduction. 'Judicial stress', once considered an 'unmentionable topic,'1 is now a universally recognized challenge facing judges and judiciaries. Unsurprisingly, India is no exception to this; judges – from the Supreme Court to subordinate courts – now acknowledge judicial stress and its harmful consequences.
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
How old is the youngest judge ever?
Education and career
After completing a training program and passing a certification examination, Twitty was sworn in as a judge at the age of 25.
Is a judge a stressful job?
Judges face various situations that might cause stress. From stressful day-to-day interactions and workplace conflict to stressors that are unique to judges, judges are constantly exposed to stress. These stressors can affect individual judges as well as the entire judicial system.
Do judges in India receive a pension?
The government must pay a full pension of ₹13.5 lakh per annum to High Court judges who had not retired as Chief Justices of high courts. “A retired judge of a high court shall also include such of the retired Judges of a high court who have retired as Additional Judge of the high court,” Chief Justice Gavai clarified.
What are the perks of being a judge in India?
Below is a list of some of the benefits that Indian judges are entitled to.
- Dearness allowance.
- House rent and maintenance allowance.
- Electricity, water and telephone bill.
- Travel allowance and Vehicle maintenance.
- Educational allowance for children.
- Pension facility after retirement.
How powerful is a judge in India?
For starters, High Court judges have the power to hear appeals from lower courts. This means that if you're unhappy with a decision made by a lower court, you can take your case to the High Court and have it heard by a judge there. High Court judges also have the power to issue warrants and make arrests.
How old is the youngest judge in India?
After topping the RJS examination, Jaipur boy Mayank Pratap Singh is, at 21, the youngest Judge of the country. Listen to him speak with India Today's Dev Ankur Wadhawan on what he thinks is the criteria for someone to be a good Judge.
Is there a shortage of judges in India?
Inadequate Judge to Population Ratio: India has a very low judge-to-population ratio, only 21 judges per million, compared to 150 per million in the US, and far below the Law Commission's 1987 recommendation of 50 per million.
How many years can you be a judge?
Supreme court justices may be appointed for a term of years, have a mandatory retirement age, or be given 'life tenure' with a mandatory retirement age. Mandatory retirement age ranges from 60 – 75 years. Judges serving on constitutional courts usually serve a single 7 – 12-year term.
What is the maximum age limit for judges?
Judge age limits vary significantly: federal judges have life tenure with no mandatory retirement, while most U.S. states have mandatory retirement ages for state judges, often around 70 but sometimes higher, like 90 in Vermont, though some states like California have no limit, and some countries impose limits or terms. The U.S. Constitution doesn't set age limits for federal judges, but state rules and international practices differ, reflecting debates about experience versus fitness for duty.
Which lawyer is the richest?
There isn't one single "richest lawyer" as wealth fluctuates, but top contenders include Peter Angelos (personal injury, Baltimore Orioles owner) and John Morgan (personal injury firm founder) in the U.S., while globally figures like Wichai Thongtang (Thai corporate/investor) also rank high, with many building wealth through investments beyond just legal practice, like late Charlie Munger (Berkshire Hathaway, legal background) and Judge Judy (TV fame).
Is law going to be replaced by AI?
No, AI won't fully take over law but will fundamentally transform it by automating routine tasks, increasing efficiency, and augmenting lawyers, making tech-savvy lawyers more valuable, while lawyers who don't adapt risk being left behind; AI handles data analysis, contract review, and research, but human judgment, contextual understanding, and complex argumentation remain essential for client counsel and strategic decision-making, shifting the focus to higher-value work and potentially changing billing models.
How difficult is law school?
Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.
Do judges get salary for life?
(a) Any justice or judge of the United States appointed to hold office during good behavior may retire from the office after attaining the age and meeting the service requirements, whether continuous or otherwise, of subsection (c) and shall, during the remainder of his lifetime, receive an annuity equal to the salary ...
Which job is stressful in India?
Investment Banker. Works exceptionally long hours on complex, high-stress cases that often involve significant stakes for their clients. The demanding nature of the work, combined with the need to navigate legal intricacies and manage client expectations, contributes to a high-pressure atmosphere.
How many holidays does a judge get in India?
Supreme Court
The SC has 193 working days a year for its judicial functioning. The SC breaks for its annual summer vacation which is typically for seven weeks. A week-long break each for Dussehra and Diwali and two weeks at the end of December.