Yes, you can become a Judge after B.A. LL.B.!
This is because the very first eligibility criteria for becoming Judge states that the candidate must have passed LL.B. degree from a recognized university. And, in as much as the B.A. LL.B. degree is in effect equivalent to a LL.B. degree from a recognized university, a B.A. LL.B. student perfectly fulfills this first criteria to become a Judge in India. The only difference between a B.A. LL.B. and LL.B. degree is that, while the former is a 5-year integrated degree course in law which is entered into by students of Class 12, the latter is a 3-year degree law course which can only be taken up after one has completed their graduation degree in any subject from a recognized university.
But, that does not alone make you a Judge after B.A. LL.B.!
After you have completed your B.A. LL.B degree, you will have to sit for the All India BAR Council Examination. When you have cleared this exam you will become a practicing lawyer. You will get your license to practice. Earlier, in order to become a Judge or to sit for this exam, candidates were required to have a minimum of 10 years’ experience in lower courts or at least a 5 years’ experience in a higher court. But now things have changed. You can now sit for the Judicial Services Examinations conducted all over India. Here, you have to have a minimum of 55% marks in your graduation result. In the event that you qualify in one of these Judicial Services Examinations, you will have to start small. You will be posted in the lowest office in the hierarchy of judges. But, with experience, you will be able to rise to the other position. This is because in India, it is a seniority-based appointment norm that is usually followed. Thus, the more experienced you are, the higher rank you will be given.
Perhaps, a little more detail about Judicial Services Examinations is most warranted here!
Commonly referred to as Judicial Services Examination or the PCS (J)-Provincial Civil Service-Judicial Examination, these exams are the entry-level exams for law graduates to become members of the subordinate judiciary in India. The various State Governments of the Republic of India, under the supervision of their respective High Courts, appoint members of the lower judiciary based on the results of this competitive examination.
The eligibility criteria for appearing in Judicial Services Examination for Lower Judiciary Services is a degree in LL.B (which could be B.A. LL.B as well) and the candidate should have enrolled or be qualified to be enrolled as an advocate under the Advocates’ Act 1961. Here, no experience is required and final year candidates can also appear. Although the age limit varies according to the state, it is usually between 21 to 35 years. And, for Higher Judiciary Services, the eligibility criteria states that the candidates need to be graduates in law and they should have a minimum number of years of litigating practice, as may be specified. As far as the structure of the exam is concerned, the Judicial Service Examination is held in three successive stages – viz., Preliminary Examination, Mains Examination, and the Viva-Voce/Interview Test.
Here, it may be worthwhile to note that Asian Law College (ALC), Noida is one of those very few law colleges in India that – in order to help the students pursuing law from the institute and to help them to realize their dream of becoming a judicial officer a reality – has its very our own academy named as Asian Law College Judicial Coaching Academy. The aim of Asian Law College (ALC) Judicial Coaching Academy is to equip the ALC students pursuing their B.A.LL. B / LL. B with the required knowledge to get selected in the Judicial Services Examination of various States conducted by the respective High Courts of the States, or by Public Service Commissions of the States in certain cases.
So, if you have dreams to become a Judge after your B.A. LL.B., you may consider joining Asian Law College in the new academic session, admissions for which are currently in full swing!