Every year millions of students take competitive exams in India to acquire top job positions in the government sector. UPSC and judiciary are two of the most popular and high-profile jobs that students aim for. Both exams are tough, and challenging, need proper time, and preparation, and have their own journey. However, sometimes students who want to start their career have confusion about the exams, and which one they should opt for. Though it should be completely your choice which exam to take, you can clear your doubts with us to help you find the right path. If you are contemplating or want complete details about Judge(Judiciary) and IAS(UPSC), this guide is helpful for you. Let’s find out the complete details and their comparison.
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Exam structure for Judge and IAS officer
To become a judge, you have to clear the judiciary exam while to become an IAS officer you have to clear the UPSC exam. Both exams follow somewhat similar exam structures such as:
- The exams are taken in three different stages- Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
- Candidates must have minimum criteria or qualifying exams to reach the next stage. However, the higher your marks or rank will be, the more chances of selection.
- The qualifying criteria of the UPSC exam have been consistent over the years however the Judiciary exam qualifying criteria may differ as each state takes the Judiciary exam separately. So some states might have minimum qualifying marks announced for a vacancy separately compared to the Judiciary exam of another state. Moreover, the qualifying exams may also depend on the ratio of the number of candidates who applied for the vacancy.
- UPSC has 40% marks for general studies while the rest of the marks are divided into subjects like Geography, science, history, economics, etc. However, for Judiciary exams lawyers have regular subjects that they might have studied during their law degree so clearing the Judiciary exam is comparatively easier compared to UPSC.
Controlling Authorities
Candidates can become IAS officers by clearing the civil services examination which is taken by the Union Public Service Commission UPSC. The controlling authority of the IAS is the central government. The Judiciary exam is conducted by the Service Commission and the high court of the concerned states. The controlling body of judges is the supreme court popularly known as the apex court which is the top court and the ultimate Court of India.
Competition in Judge and IAS / IPS Officers exam
UPSC is conducted for the top positions in the country, however, the Judiciary exam is an exam conducted by States depending on the availability of vacancies. So the competition level in the UPSC exam is higher compared to the Judiciary exam due to exams at the national and state level. In addition, UPSC is considered one of the most challenging exams in India due to its low selection rate. The Judiciary exam for judges on the other hand has a better chance of selection.
Career promotion or hierarchy of IAS officers and Judge
Both IAS officers and judges have their own ways of promotion and career progression. Here is what their hierarchy looks like:
IAS officer’s career progression:
- SDM/Joint Magistrate/Sub Collector
- Municipal Commissioner, DDO/CDO
- DM/Collector
- State Secretariats at Director/Joint Secretary level
- Principal/Additional Secretary
- Chief Secretary of a state
- Cabinet Secretary
Judge Hierarchy or career progression
- Civil Judge – Junior Division
- Civil Judge – Senior Division
- District Court after 5 years of senior division for a minimum of 10 years.
- High Court- 1/3rd of judges are appointed by promotion of district judges.
- Supreme Court- 2/3rd judges of the supreme court are appointed high court judges who served in the high court for a minimum of 5 years.
Salary of a Judge and IAS Officers
IAS officers receive salaries with a 7th pay commission, their entry-level salary is Rs 56,100. However, judges do not get their salaries through the 7th pay grade, they receive salaries higher than IAS officers under the national judicial pay commission. The salaries or pay scale for judges as announced in February latest can range from as low as Rs 77840 for junior civil judges to as high as Rs 2,24,100 for district judges. However, an IAS officer after working for 37+ years can reach up to the Cabinet Secretary of India.
Powers of Judge and IAS officer
Both judges and IAS officers work on different levels in different work environments, so their powers are completely distinctive. However, judges have some powers over IAS officers, but it’s not reversed. Judges can summon an IAS officer to punish them and order them to do or not do certain things, but IAS officers cannot do the same. Moreover, in the hierarchy level of union and state government, the judge is far more superior and powerful than the IAS officer. IAS officers might have a vast range of authority and powers, but they are used for the general public or officers at the junior level.
Accountability for Judges and IAS officers
The judiciary or judges are accountable to the law and the general public. Their decisions affect the general public directly, so they are accountable to them. IAS officers are accountable and answerable to the central government, they can take action against the same. In addition, they are also accountable to the legislatures of concerned districts or states.
Time for preparation and Efforts required to become a Judge or an IAS officer
The syllabus for the UPSC exam might be generic and does not require cramming but it takes more effort and preparation when it comes to the IAS job position. On the other hand, Judicial Service exams are prepared in a different way the candidates have to understand the Judiciary system and must know all the legislative policies and judiciaries in an exact manner. Due to the high competition in both exams, the chances of success are more or less the same. However, it depends on the candidate’s preparation and other aspects. It takes more than a year’s preparation minimum for anyone to appear in these exams, but it may vary from candidate to candidate.
Final Thoughts on Judge VS IAS
These are complete details about judges and IAS officers that you need to know to understand and comprehend. Both Judge and IAS officers have their own roles, challenges, and powers. If you are planning to take the judiciary exam or UPSC, these details will help you contemplate. You can opt for either of these exams, but it depends on you how you want to proceed. Understand and consider all aspects before you start your preparation.
