A Day in the Life of a Junior Civil Judge (JCJ) in Hyderabad
An inside look at the demanding routine of a Junior Civil Judge who served in Hyderabad and Rangareddy from 2021 to 2025.
Last month, I met a judge at an event and I later met him at his office where he narrated his story.
This is the story of a Junior Civil Judge who served in Rangareddy and Nampally from 2021 to 2025. He was known as a good judge, dedicated to his work. But behind the prestige of the black robe lies a reality that few truly understand.
The Daily Routine of a Junior Civil Judge
| đź•’ Time | đź“ť Activity |
|---|---|
| 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Court proceedings |
| 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Remand matters |
| 2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Lunch break |
| 2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Court resumes |
| 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Remand work continues |
| 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Administrative work & initial judgment drawing |
| 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Commute back home |
| 7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Personal time with family |
| 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Reading and preparing next day's case files |
| 9:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Dinner |
| 10:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. | Drafting judgments |
| 1:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m. | Call from hospital: Prepare to record dying declaration |
| 2:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m. | Coordination with police and travel to hospital |
| 3:00 a.m. – 5:00 a.m. | Record dying declaration at hospital |
| 5:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. | Return and sleep |
| 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Wake up and get ready |
| 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Commute to court |
I noted these down after I left his office so there maybe slight inaccuracies.
The Numbers Don't Lie: Breaking Down a Judge's Life
Let's analyze what this schedule really means:
Work Hours
- Court hours: 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. = 7.5 hours
- Commute time: 1 hour daily (30 minutes each way)
- Case preparation at home: 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. = 2 hours
- Judgment drafting: 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. = 3 hours
- Emergency work (dying declaration): 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. = 4 hours
Total working hours on this particular day: 17.5 hours
Even on a "normal" day without emergency calls, the judge works approximately 13.5 hours, with only 3.5 hours of sleep when emergencies arise.
Personal Time
- Family time: 30 minutes (7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
- Dinner: 30 minutes
- Sleep (on emergency days): 3.5 hours
- Sleep (on regular days): ~6-7 hours
The Reality of Judicial Service
No Real Leaves: While judges are entitled to leave on paper, the reality is different. Cases pile up, pendency increases, and taking leave often means returning to an overwhelming backlog. The system doesn't pause when you're away. This is why Judges do not get much leave.
Always On Call: As this schedule shows, a judge can be called at 1:00 a.m. to record a dying declaration. Medical emergencies, urgent remand matters, and critical cases don't follow office hours. This is rotational so different judges keep getting this shift.
Mental and Physical Toll: Reading case files, drafting judgments, handling remand matters, administrative work—all while maintaining judicial objectivity and ensuring justice is served. The pressure is immense.
Limited Family Time: Notice the 30 minutes of "personal time with family" in this schedule. That's the reality. Birthdays, anniversaries, children's school events—everything takes a backseat to the demands of justice.
Social Restrictions: Judges cannot move around freely in society like ordinary citizens. They must maintain a certain distance from social gatherings, avoid certain places, and be extremely careful about their associations. The fear of compromising judicial impartiality means living under constant scrutiny. Simple pleasures like attending a friend's party, going to a public event, or even casual socializing become complicated when you wear the black robe.
I heard this story about a friend of a High Court Judge. They, along with their families went to Tirupati together. After darshan of the Lord Balaji, they returned to their respective TTD rooms. When they returned, there were several expensive saris kept in the room of the friend of the Judge. This was obviously a way to gain favour with the Judge. They left the Saris in the room and left. They do not show their friendship in public after that day. These are real world practical challenges of being a judge.
My Perspective: The Hidden Cost of Prestige
While a judgeship is considered prestigious by many, it comes at a great cost. The cost is not known to everyone, and one ought to be aware of it before pursuing this path.
The prestige is real—the respect, the authority, the power to deliver justice. But what's hidden behind the black robe is a life of immense sacrifice. This article isn't meant to discourage anyone from becoming a judge, but to present the complete picture. Too often, we see only the glory and miss the grind.
After Seeing This, Do You Still Want to Be a Judge?
This is the question worth asking. The judiciary is often romanticized—the power, the respect, the black robe. But the reality is:
- 17.5-hour workdays are not uncommon
- Emergency calls at 1:00 a.m. are part of the job
- No work-life balance in the traditional sense
- Constant pressure of pending cases and judicial accountability
- Minimal family time and personal life
Being a judge is not just a job—it's a calling that demands everything from you. It requires sacrifice, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to justice, often at the cost of your own well-being and family life.
This judge served with dedication from 2021 to 2025. He was a good judge. But at what cost?
If you're considering a career in the judiciary, look at this schedule carefully. Ask yourself: Are you ready for this life? Because this is what it truly takes to serve justice.
Prithvi Raj Kunapareddi
Founder
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