Civil Judge vs District Judge
Side by side on pay, work, transfers and growth — so you can rank your preferences with confidence.
Pay level
J-1: 77,840–1,36,520J-5: 1,44,840–1,94,660
Starting in-hand
Basic ₹77,840–₹1,36,520Basic ₹1,44,840–₹1,94,660
Group
Group A (Gazetted)Group A (Gazetted)
Exam
Delhi Judicial ServiceDelhi Higher Judicial Service
Qualification
Professional degreeProfessional degree
Age limit
21–3235–45
Field work
lowlow
Stress (1–5)
45
Transfers
rarerare
First promotion
Civil Judge (Junior Division), first ACP scale (J-2) (On completing 5 years)District Judge (Selection Grade) (After the qualifying years of service)
Choose Civil Judge if…
- ✓ Independent decision-making from the first day
- ✓ Starting pay well above other entry posts
- ✓ Posting within Delhi
Choose District Judge if…
- ✓ Direct entry to the higher judiciary from practice
- ✓ Highest starting pay among posts profiled here
- ✓ Possibility of elevation to the High Court