Judge Salary in India 2026 (Perks & Benefits)
Joining any profession comes with its earning potential; candidates pursuing law or planning to become high court judges and supreme court judges, they must want to know what the judge's salary is in India.
Judge Salary in India
In India, judge salaries differ based on which court they work in. We have district courts, High Courts, and the Supreme Court at the top. Each level has a different pay structure. The government reviews and updates these salaries from time to time to make sure judges get fair payment for their qualifications and the serious nature of their job.
Judge salaries include more than just basic pay. They also get various allowances and benefits like housing, medical facilities, travel allowances, etc. These additional benefits make the complete package quite attractive and provide security even after retirement.
- Average Judge Salary in India
- High Court Judge Salary in India
- Supreme Court Judge Salary in India
- Judges in India: Salary Comparison
Average Judge Salary in India
The average salary of judges in India ranges from INR 80,000 to 2,80,000 per month. This big difference exists because there are many levels in the court system, and each level pays differently.
District judges salary is usually between INR 80,000 and 1,40,000 per month. The exact amount depends on their experience and the state they work in. As judges move higher in their career to High Courts and then the Supreme Court, their pay increases by a large amount.
A new district judge might earn around INR 1,00,000 monthly, including all benefits. With more years of experience, this amount goes up. High Court judges in the middle of their career might get around INR 2,50,000 each month, while Supreme Court judges receive the highest pay in the entire judicial system.
| Post |
Judge Salary in India (in INR) |
|---|---|
| Chief Justice of India |
2,80,000 |
| Supreme Court Judge |
2,50,000 - 3,25,000 |
| Chief Justice of the High Court |
2,50,000 |
| High Court Judge |
2,25,000 |
| District Judge |
1,44,840 - 2,24,100 |
| District Judge (Selection Grade after 5 years) |
1,63,030 - 2,19,090 |
| District Judge (3 years after Selection Grade) |
1,99,100 - 2,24,100 |
| Senior Civil Judge |
1,11,000 - 1,94,660 |
| Junior Civil Judge / First Class Magistrate |
77,840 - 1,36,520 |
| Junior Civil Judge (after 5 years) |
92,960 - 1,36,520 |
| Junior Civil Judge (5 years after 1st ACP) |
1,11,000 - 1,63,030 |
Also Read: Hierarchy of Courts In India
High Court Judge Salary in India
High Court judges hold a very respected position in India’s court system. Currently, a High Court judge gets a salary of INR 2,50,000 per month. The Chief Justice of a High Court receives INR 2,80,000 monthly because they handle extra administrative work along with their judicial duties.
This salary is much higher than what district judges earn, which makes sense. High Court judges deal with complicated legal cases, questions about the constitution, and appeals from lower courts. Their decisions often become examples for future cases and affect how laws are understood.
Apart from a monthly salary, High Court judges get many other benefits. They receive free housing or a large house rent allowance if government housing is not available. This housing is usually a big bungalow in a good area of the city.
High Court judges also get free medical treatment for themselves and their family members. They receive telephone facilities, money for vehicle maintenance, and household staff. When they travel for official work, the government pays for everything.
Also Read: How to become a High Court Judge
Supreme Court Judge Salary in India
The Supreme Court is the highest in India, and the Supreme Court judges get the highest salary. A Supreme Court judge's salary is INR 2,80,000 per month. The Chief Justice of India, who leads the Supreme Court and the whole judicial system, also receives a salary of INR 2,80,000, with some additional benefit components.
Once appointed, Supreme Court judges work until the age of 65. The houses given to Supreme Court judges match their high status. They live in official homes in Delhi’s safest and best-maintained areas.
The government covers everything from regular check-ups to major operations. After retirement, they also continue to get medical facilities and other benefits, which help them live comfortably even after they stop working.
Also Read: How to become a Supreme Court Judge
Judges in India: Salary Comparison
Judge Salary in India across different court levels is different. District judges salary start with INR 80,000 to INR 1,40,000 monthly. High Court judges earn INR 2,50,000 per month, while Supreme Court judges get INR 2,80,000 per month.
| Judge Salary in India |
|
|---|---|
| District Judge |
INR 80,000 to 1,40,000 per month |
| High Court Judges |
INR 2,50,000 per month |
| Supreme Court Judge |
INR 2,80,000 per month |
Within India, judges are among the higher-paid government officials. Their salaries are similar to those of top bureaucrats like Cabinet Secretaries. But top lawyers in private practice can earn much more than judges. Senior advocates at the Supreme Court often charge fees for one case that equal a judge’s monthly salary.
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