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.

*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.

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