Career in Judiciary: Interview of Mr. Gautam Singh Deora (A.I.R.1, Gujarat Judiciary, 2018)

1) Sir, please introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello. I am Gautam Singh Deora. I hail from Sirohi (Rajasthan). I have been selected as a Civil Judge and JMFC in Gujarat judiciary.

2) Please tell us about your law school period and what are certain things which one learn during law school which helps him/her in professional career?

I have completed my law from CNLU, Patna. I am from the batch of 2011-16. I believe that one ought to sharpen the skills in the arenas one is most interested in. Instead of being Master of All and Jack of none, it's better to focus on the things one likes the most and put all the sweat and blood in learning and mastering them. And for that one needs to have dedicated z consistency and will power and patience. Nothing comes easy.

3) What is the one thing you experienced which changed totally after you finished your studies and entered into professional life?

You see, fear is a big motivator. Be it fear of life or of livelihood. I had decided in my final year that it's the judiciary which I want to join. My journey began back then in the year 2016 when I graduated and came back home. The thought of lying idle and thriving of pocket money after graduation was troublesome. And it goaded me to put in my best for the thing I want.

4) Securing AIR 1 in Gujarat Judiciary is a big feat.

Please tell us about your experience when you heard the news that you are AIR 1.

Rank 1 was not on my bucket list. I prepared in the best possible manner that I could. I focused on quality of study instead of quantity. Though I got more than an year which was an added advantage as it helped me to study in depth and clear my concepts of law. Besides bare acts I read books and even made notes which made my task easy for the latter part where I only had to revise from the notes. The news of clearing the exam was more of a shock as I had never expected that I'd secure rank 1. I remember, it was 6th April 2018, and I was lying asleep, bedridden due to multiple injuries and fracture that I had received 3 days prior to my interview in an accident. I saw a missed call of a senior judge on my phone and I assumed that the results were out. So before calling that person, I checked the high court website and downloaded the list. As soon as it opened I started checking my name from the middle to the down and I couldn't find my name. I went up hastily and saw my name on the top. For a minute, I didn't believe it, I then cross checked my marks which were highest and I was left baffled. I had secured rank 1. Mixed set of feelings gushed through me and every struggle that I had faced on the journey to that destination started scrolling in front of my eyes. A day I would never forget!

5) What are the things which a law student should do in college , if he/she aims to clear Judicial Services Exams.

Please share your experience regarding your academic performance along with other co-curricular activities and internships which you did during your law school and how it helped in achieving such a remarkable feat .

If a student of law is determined to get into judiciary then the duration of law course is the best period one can avail. Start reading bare acts, clear your doubts on bare acts. if any doubt arises, approach your faculty. Once you have mastered bare act, start with a standard book and prepare notes. Go through previous year question papers of judiciary exams, that would help you understand the pattern of questions which are asked. The pattern is more or less the same every-time, subject to minor changes. Understand the concepts and object of the law or the section that you are reading. Having the knowledge of Latin Maxims would be an added advantage. Besides this, you can choose to go for internships in the courts. Join a good advocate who would put some efforts to teach you intricacies of court and trials. This would help in understanding the environment of court, the practical nuances of advocacy and other trial related factors.

Prepare a structured plan from the beginning about the internships for every semester break and the order in which you'd take up the subjects. The best strategy is to read one major law subject and one minor law subject hand in hand and then go ahead similarly. Moots always intrigued me. I participated in few moot competitions and even represented our college with my team in Stetson moot competitions South India rounds where we were adjudged best overall performer.

6) Internet is a great source to quickly access information which we need and at the same time it is a great source of distraction as well.

How you managed to make internet a boon for yourself rather than being an incumbrance in the path of studies?

To be honest, I used internet at my will. I would watch shows, TV series, movies etc. for refreshment. It's about priority. One needs to divide time as per one's priority. It is subjective and would vary from person to person. One would give priority to his studies whereas the another wouldn't even care for the same.

7) Please share with us about your preparation journey of judicial services exams.

Which books you opted for different subjects and what was your strategy during the preparation?

As discussed before, I prepared notes. I had variety of books. Because, it's quite probable that all the topics would be discussed at best in one book and therefore you may need to refer another one. A warrior must have all the weapons in his arsenal, but it depends on him when to use which. Likewise, student should have all the study material he can gather, it would depend on him when to read which.

8) Preparing for Judicial Services Exam is not a cakewalk. One needs to stay focused and concentrated on the goals along with putting a lot of efforts.

How one is supposed to be motivated and concentrated while preparing for Judicial Services Exams?

Strength of mind is of Paramount importance. It is natural to feel fear, be stressed about something. lack of motivation and willpower may be there. But one needs to keep them at Bay. Meditate, indulge into exercise and sports. This would help in refreshing the mind. Prepare a time table and follow it in letter and spirit. Read or watch stories which motivate u. Think about the historical personalities who despite all the odds, which were far worse then we face, emerged victorious. If they could do it, why can't we. Afterall, you only need one slot out of all the vacancies. You don't need all of them!

9) Thank you so much sir for talking with us , please end it with an adage which will motivate our readers in pursuing the legal profession.

There are two important days in one's life. One is when he's born and the another is when he realises why he's born!