Subordinate Judiciary Examination

For those interested in public services, judicial services can be an excellent career option. It is a highly sought-after profession among law graduates, as cracking the Judicial Services Examination offers a direct path to becoming a judge. Law graduates can pursue a distinguished career in judicial services through state-level competitive exams. There are two primary paths available for a law graduate in the judicial field: 

• Subordinate Judiciary Examination: This is an entry-level exam for the Subordinate Judiciary, where candidates can join as a Civil Judge right after graduation. 
• Higher Judiciary Examination: This exam is for those who have at least seven years of legal practice and wish to become an Additional District Judge or Additional Session Judge. Those working in the criminal sector are termed Assistant Session Judges, while those in the civil sector are called Additional District Judges. 

Judicial services offer both career satisfaction and the chance to directly contribute to the upliftment of society while remaining closely involved with the law throughout one's career. 

Why Choose Subordinate Judicial Services?

The Subordinate Judicial Services serve as a gateway to the heart of the Indian judicial system. Most cases, whether criminal or civil, are handled by Lower Courts or District/Session Courts, with only a few exceptions. The direct recruitment process for fresh graduates offers an opportunity to serve justice at the grassroots level. Becoming a Civil Judge provides an early start to one’s judicial career, accompanied by job security and steady promotions. 

About the Examination Process 

To be selected as a Civil Judge, candidates must pass a three-stage examination process. This is a state-level exam, conducted by the respective State High Court or State Service Commission. The examination consists of three stages: 

• Preliminary Examination (Objective Type) 
• Mains Examination (Subjective Type) 
• Interview 

Eligibility 

To participate in the recruitment process, candidates must meet the following criteria: 

• Nationality: The candidate must be a Citizen of India. 
• Educational Qualifications: The candidate must have an LLB degree from a recognized Indian university. Those in their final year of LLB exams are typically not eligible, except in states like Rajasthan, where a provisional degree is acceptable at the time of the mains exams. Some states also require candidates to be enrolled as advocates under the Advocates Act of 1961 and be members of the State Bar Council. 
• Age: The age limit varies by state. Generally, the minimum age is 21, and the maximum is 35. Age relaxation is available for various categories such as SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD, with variations across states. Some examples are:

Benefits of Choosing Subordinate Judicial Services 

• Direct involvement in the Indian justice system 
• Opportunity to serve society at the grassroots level 
• Job security with structured career progression 
• Meaningful work in legal interpretation and application 

The role is particularly significant as most legal cases, both criminal and civil, are handled by lower courts or district/session courts. This makes the position crucial for delivering justice at the fundamental level of the Indian judicial system. 

Conclusion 

Judicial services, particularly through the Subordinate Judicial Services, offer a fulfilling and prestigious career for law graduates. It provides an invaluable opportunity to play a pivotal role in the Indian legal system by directly contributing to the administration of justice at the grassroots level. The structured career progression, job security, and the chance to serve society through meaningful legal work make it an attractive choice for those passionate about law and public service.