HowIndiaEarns

Government jobJ-5: 1,44,840–1,94,660Group AGazetted

District Judge (Entry Level), Delhi Higher Judicial Service

जिला न्यायाधीश (प्रवेश स्तर), दिल्ली उच्चतर न्यायिक सेवा

Direct entry as an Additional District and Sessions Judge for lawyers aged 35 to 45 with seven years at the bar.

Delhi Higher Judicial Service, under the High Court of Delhi · state government

Exam
Delhi Higher Judicial Service
Qualification
Professional degree
Age limit
35–45 years
Transfers
Rare
Work hours
Court hours on the bench, plus extensive judgment writing
Probation
2 years, with training at the Delhi Judicial Academy

Pay scale

J-5: 1,44,840–1,94,660

Starting basic ₹1,44,840. HRA and other state allowances are added on top as per Delhi rules.

Judicial officers are paid on the judicial pay scales set after the Second National Judicial Pay Commission, not on the civil pay matrix. DA and other allowances are added.

What you will actually do

  • Trying sessions cases such as murder, rape and serious economic offences
  • Hearing civil suits of higher value and appeals from the lower courts
  • Presiding over special courts (for example POCSO, NDPS, commercial or family courts)
  • Deciding bail and other urgent applications
  • Writing detailed judgments and supervising court staff

A typical day

You preside over a sessions or district court. The day is long trials: examining the record, hearing witnesses in grave offences, ruling on objections and hearing final arguments that can run for days. Appeals and bail matters are fitted in between. Judgments in serious cases run to many pages and are written outside court hours. The decisions affect liberty and life, and are tested in the High Court.

Stress5/5
CalmIntense
Public dealing3/5
LittleConstant
Field work1/5
DeskOutdoors

Promotion path

Timelines are ranges and vary by cadre. See how promotions and MACP work.

  1. District Judge (Entry Level), Delhi Higher Judicial Service (joining)

    J-5: 1,44,840–1,94,660

  2. District Judge (Selection Grade)

    After the qualifying years of service · via dpc

  3. District Judge (Super Time Scale) / Principal District and Sessions Judge

    By seniority-cum-merit · via dpc

  4. Judge of the High Court

    By elevation, for a few · via dpc

Promotion timelines vary by cadre and vacancies. If not promoted, MACP gives a pay upgrade after 10, 20 and 30 years.

How to get in

Delhi Higher Judicial ServiceIrregular, when direct-recruitment vacancies arise

High Court of Delhi

  1. 1.Preliminary examination (objective, with 25% negative marking)
  2. 2.Mains examination (written)
  3. 3.Viva voce

Eligibility: A citizen of India holding an LL.B. or equivalent law degree, with not less than seven years' practice as an advocate, or seven years' combined experience as an advocate and judicial officer, on the last date for applications. Age 35–45. Candidates must have attained 35 and not attained 45 on the last date for applications; relaxation for reserved categories as stated in the notice.

The good

  • Direct entry to the higher judiciary from practice
  • Highest starting pay among posts profiled here
  • Possibility of elevation to the High Court

The hard parts

  • Open only between ages 35 and 45, with seven years' practice
  • Few vacancies
  • Very heavy responsibility and workload

Postings

District courts across Delhi, with periodic assignments to special courts and administrative posts.

Judicial pay scale with dearness and other allowancesGovernment residence or house rent allowancePension and medical benefits for judicial officersSecurity of tenure and independence in judicial work

Questions people ask

What is the qualification and age limit for District Judge (Entry Level), Delhi Higher Judicial Service?+

A citizen of India holding an LL.B. or equivalent law degree, with not less than seven years' practice as an advocate, or seven years' combined experience as an advocate and judicial officer, on the last date for applications. Age: 35–45 years. Relaxation: Candidates must have attained 35 and not attained 45 on the last date for applications; relaxation for reserved categories as stated in the notice.

Which exam do I need to clear for District Judge (Entry Level), Delhi Higher Judicial Service?+

Delhi Higher Judicial Service (High Court of Delhi).

How many vacancies were there?+

The 2026 notice invited applications for 27 vacancies by direct recruitment.

Compare with similar posts

District Judge vs Civil JudgeDistrict Judge vs Assistant Public ProsecutorDistrict Judge vs Assistant Legislative Counsel

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J-1: 77,840–1,36,520

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Basic ₹77,840–₹1,36,520Delhi Judicial Service

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सहायक लोक अभियोजक (दिल्ली)

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Group A gazetted post at Pay Level 10 for law graduates with three years at the bar — prosecuting criminal cases in Delhi's magistrate courts.

₹92,000–₹1,02,000 in-handUPSC Assistant Public Prosecutor

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सहायक विधायी परामर्शदाता (भारतीय विधि सेवा, ग्रेड IV)

Pay Level 11

Direct entry at Pay Level 11 for experienced lawyers and judicial officers — drafting central legislation in the Law Ministry.

₹1,02,000–₹1,19,000 in-handUPSC Indian Legal Service

Sources

This profile is being reviewed. Confirm details in the latest official notification. Salary computed from pay rules as of January 2026.