2023-12-08 Salaries and Perks for Judges in the Indian Judiciary
The Indian judiciary holds a significant position in society, and aspiring judges often wonder about the financial benefits that come with it. In addition to the prestigious status judges enjoy, it's important to understand the kind of salary and perks one can expect after dedicating countless hours to their legal career. To shed light on this topic, we have compiled some interesting information about the salaries and perks for judges at each stage in the Indian judiciary. Salary Structure for Lower Judiciary In February 2020, the Second National Judicial Service Commission introduced a revised pay scale for all judicial officers in the lower judiciary. This new pay scale increased the salary by three times the previous amount. However, it is important to note that the implementation of this order may take some time to be uniformly adopted across the country. The table below outlines the current pay scale for judges in the lower judiciary and their proposed pay scale according to the Second National Judicial Pay Commission. Position Current Pay Scale Proposed Pay Scale (2nd National Judicial Pay Commission) Junior Civil Judge/First Class Magistrate ₹27,700 – ₹44,700 ₹77,840 – ₹1,36,520 Junior Civil Judge/First Class Magistrate ACP* after first 5 years ₹33,090 – ₹45,850 ₹92,960 – ₹1,36,520 Junior Civil Judge/First Class Magistrate II ACP* 5 years after 1st ACP ₹39,530 – ₹54,010 ₹1,11,000 – ₹1,63,030 Senior Civil Judge ₹39,530 – ₹54,010 ₹1,11,000 - ₹1,63,030 Senior Civil Judge ACP* after first 5 years ₹43,690 – ₹56,470 ₹1,22,700 – ₹1,80,200 Senior Civil Judge II ACP* 5 years after 1st ACP ₹51,550 – ₹63,010 ₹1,44,840 – ₹1,94,660 District Judge ₹51,550 – ₹63,070 ₹1,44,840 – ₹1,94,660 District Judge - Selection Grade after 5 years of Entry Grade ₹57,700 – ₹70,290 ₹1,63,030 – ₹2,19,090 District Judge Super Time Scale – 3 years after Selection Grade ₹70,290 – ₹76,450 ₹1,99,100 - ₹2,24,100 *ACP = Assured Career Progression Perks and Benefits for Judges Apart from the attractive salaries, judges are entitled to numerous perks and benefits provided by the government. These perks ensure that judges have a comfortable and secure lifestyle. Here are some of the perks and benefits enjoyed by judges in the Indian judiciary: 1. Government Residence and Maintenance Judges are provided with government residences based on their rank and position. The minimum plinth area for residential accommodation varies according to the judge's position. For example, district judges are entitled to a minimum plinth area of 2500 sq.ft., while civil judges have a minimum plinth area of 2000 sq.ft. Additionally, judges receive a furniture grant of ₹1.25 lakhs every five years for the purchase of furniture. The state government also provides sufficient financial funds annually for the maintenance of the residence. 2. Security To ensure the safety of judges, various security measures are implemented. Home guards, without guns, are provided to all judicial officers from Judicial Division to District Judge level. Additionally, judges overseeing criminal cases, such as Family Judges or Additional District Judges, are provided with 24x7 gunmen and home guards. Principal District Judges, Chief Judicial Magistrates, and some key judges are provided with extra clerks who also act as personal assistants. In some states, separate home orderly peons and office orderly peons are provided to judges. 3. Conveyance Senior judges, such as Principal District Judges, Family Judges, Chief Judicial Magistrates, and Additional District Judges, are provided with independent sedan vehicles for official purposes. Other judicial officers can either avail fuel allowances or take soft loans to purchase their own vehicles. Courts may also provide one pool car for every group of three officers. 4. Personal Assistance and Support Staff Each judicial officer is assigned an office clerk and a bench clerk. Additionally, one of these clerks also acts as a personal assistant to the judicial officer. In some states like Maharashtra and Karnataka, separate home orderly peons and office orderly peons are provided. Senior judges, such as Principal District Judges and Chief Judicial Magistrates, are provided with separate residence orderly peons, cooks, and office orderly peons. The Second National Judicial Pay Commission has recommended that all judges can engage a separate home orderly peon-cum-cook at their residence on government expenditure. 5. Electricity and Water Charges Judicial officers receive specific allowances for electricity and water charges. For example, Civil Judges are granted electricity up to 6000 units per year and water up to 336 Kls per year. District Judges receive higher allowances, with 8000 units per year for electricity and 420 Kls per year for water, all covered by the government. 6. Telephone Allowance and Gadgets Judicial officers are provided with various telephone allowances and gadgets. Residential landline and broadband facilities are provided, with different allowances for District Judges and Civil Judges. Provision is also made for the purchase of mobile handsets, with different allowances depending on the judge's position. Office telephones are equipped with STD facility and a specified number of calls per year, depending on the judge's rank. 7. Medical Allowance and Reimbursement Judicial officers receive a fixed medical allowance of ₹3000 per month. They are also entitled to consultations and treatment in government notified/empanelled private hospitals and pathological labs, with reimbursement available upon submission of bills. In case of emergencies, credit letters can be issued for urgent private hospital admissions. These medical benefits extend to judicial officers, pensioners, and their family members. 8. House Building Advance Judicial officers can avail house building advances if they wish to build a house on their existing land, purchase a new plot, or expand their current household. 9. Children Education Allowance Judicial officers are entitled to children education allowances, which include a monthly allowance for education expenses and a hostel subsidy. The allowance is available for two children up to class XII. 10. Higher Qualification Allowance Judicial officers receive three advance increments for acquiring a higher qualification, such as post-graduation in law. An additional advance increment is granted for acquiring a Doctorate in Law. 11. Specific Location Allowance Judicial officers posted in hilly areas or tough locations receive a Hill Area/Tough Location Allowance of ₹5000 per month. Judicial officers working in states like Jammu & Kashmir and insurgency-affected North East States are also eligible for a risk allowance, similar to what civilian government officials receive in those areas. 12. Newspaper and Magazine Allowance Reimbursements are provided for newspapers and magazines, with specific amounts allocated for District Judges and Civil Judges. Additional Allowances Apart from the perks mentioned above, judicial officers also receive dearness allowances, robe allowances, and transfer grants. Conclusion Becoming a judge in the Indian judiciary comes with attractive salaries and numerous perks and benefits. The Second National Judicial Pay Commission has introduced a revised pay scale for judicial officers in the lower judiciary, significantly increasing their earnings. Judges also enjoy government residences, security personnel, conveyance facilities, personal assistance, electricity and water allowances, telephone allowances, medical benefits, house building advances, children education allowances, and more. These perks ensure that judges have a comfortable and secure lifestyle, enabling them to focus on their crucial role in upholding justice in the country. If you are aspiring to pass the Indian judiciary exam, consider checking out the "Judiciary ka Rambaan Course" course offered by LegalStix Law School. This unique course provides personal guidance, tailor-made strategies, speed-reading friendly content, coaching for smart studying, model solutions, regular mock tests, time management techniques, and more. Enroll now and embark on a successful journey towards a career in the judiciary. KR IRS 1324 Then CJI lied? On Fri, 1 Mar 2024 at 01:35, Narayanaswamy Iyer <[email protected]> wrote: > > Dear folks > > From the figures given by Sri Ambadipudi, it would appear that district > judges are paid some two lakhs of rupees in monthly salary alone, and > receive another half of that in allowances and perquisites. > > Over a career of, say 40 years, they would each have been paid from public > funds like your taxes and mine, some 40 x 3 lakh = 120 lakhs of your money > and mine. > > If, by prudent living, they had saved and invested half that, by > cumulative dividends and interest, and income from investments, not to > mention capital appreciation such as property, they would have accumulated > perhaps another 50 to 60 lakhs by the time they retired. > > As for Sri Gopalakrishnan's worries about educating children and > maintaining aged parents (after retirement), the children would have been > fully educated up to post-secondary school by then, and having their own > productive careers; and the super-aged parents would have reached Heaven. > > S Narayanaswamy Iyer > > On Fri, Mar 1, 2024 at 1:44 PM 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> Sir, >> >> The topic is pension. One can say , a substantial amount might have >> saved during the period he worked as Judge. But like others he too has to >> educate his children, look after aged parents etc. >> Gopalakrishnan >> >> On Friday, 1 March, 2024 at 09:58:25 am IST, Markendeya Yeddanapudi < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >> >> >> >> ---------- Forwarded message --------- >> From: *Suryanarayana Ambadipudi* <[email protected]> >> Date: Fri, Mar 1, 2024 at 8:05 AM >> Subject: Re: [society4servingseniors] Re: Pension of judges-forward >> To: Markendeya Yeddanapudi <[email protected]>, ggroup < >> [email protected]> >> >> >> judge? >> What is the salary of district judge in AP? >> Annual Package for the AP High Court District Judge >> >> Those chosen for this role will receive an annual compensation package >> ranging from *INR 17,38,080 to 23,35,920*.20 Nov 2023 >> *High Court District Judge Additional Perks and Allowances* >> >> - House Rent Allowance. >> - Travel Allowance. >> - Electricity Bill. >> - Phone Bill. >> - Water Bill. >> - Car Facility. >> - Vehicle Maintenance >> - Pension after Retirement. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> *High Court District Judge Additional Perks and Allowances* >> >> - House Rent Allowance. >> - Travel Allowance. >> - Electricity Bill. >> - Phone Bill. >> - Water Bill. >> - Car Facility. >> - Vehicle Maintenance. >> - Pension after Retirement. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> * A.SURYANARAYANA* >> *The less you speak,the more you are listened to* >> >> >> On Fri, 1 Mar 2024 at 7:15 AM, Markendeya Yeddanapudi < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >> I am stunned to note that the Judges are paid such little pensions.It is >> obscene. >> YM >> >> On Fri, Mar 1, 2024 at 5:28 AM 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >> Supreme Court says retired judges getting Rs 19,000 pension not proper >> -Forward >> >> Dear friends, >> >> Day before yesterday, I watched in the Malayalam news about very low >> 20000-00 pension of supreme court judges told by Mr Chandrachood, retired >> judge. I could not digest. Today I made a Google search for the information >> I watched was fully correct. I found the following news item in Times of >> India. I thought of forwarding. >> >> When even class IV staff get pension above 30000-00 now, still I am not >> able to digest how supreme court judges have such a low pension. >> >> Gopalakrishnan 1-3-2024 >> >> The Supreme Court on Monday said that retired district judges were not >> being given enough pension. The top court pointed out that these judges >> being paid 19,000 to 20,000 after such long service is not justified. >> >> CJI DY Chandrachud >> >> The Chief Justice said that these judges have substantially contributed >> to the cause of justice. >> >> India Today News Desk >> >> UPDATED: Feb 27, 2024 11:57 IST >> >> Written By: Vivek Mishra >> >> In Short >> >> Retired district judges are being paid just 19,000 to 20,000 pension >> >> Chief Justice asks the Union to come up with a 'just solution' >> >> Chandrachud says at 61-62 years these judges can't jump into practice >> >> The Supreme Court on Monday said that retired district judges were not >> being given enough pension. The top court pointed out that these judges >> being paid 19,000 to 20,000 after such long service is not justified. >> >> While hearing the matter of the pension scheme for judicial officers, the >> court urged the Union to find a solution, reported Live Law. >> >> "It is a very serious issue, Attorney General. Retired district judges >> being paid 19,000 to 20,000 after such long service is not proper. They are >> really disabled," said Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Thatha_Patty" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1565431827.1570848.1709251118040%40mail.yahoo.com >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1565431827.1570848.1709251118040%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> >> >> >> >> -- >> *Mar* >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "societyforservingseniors" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To view this discussion on the web, visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/society4servingseniors/CACDCHCLE-jttZQoYMTg8dDeztSgqiGZBE6Bqvh%3D0ejMY3y2yCQ%40mail.gmail.com >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/society4servingseniors/CACDCHCLE-jttZQoYMTg8dDeztSgqiGZBE6Bqvh%3D0ejMY3y2yCQ%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> >> >> >> -- >> *Mar* >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "iyer123" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/1838787114.1663863.1709271847658%40mail.yahoo.com >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/1838787114.1663863.1709271847658%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "iyer123" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/CAL4idhNNg--JAopkK3bGSoY87fceFUNV3Ec0KdHGk%2BP%2BXWrjGw%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/CAL4idhNNg--JAopkK3bGSoY87fceFUNV3Ec0KdHGk%2BP%2BXWrjGw%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZoqMJ0nEEr42c81USAQHWLw%2Bac-Z-dtPviw5ktvUkf5C8g%40mail.gmail.com.
