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Becoming a Public Prosecutor in India: Roles, Responsibilities, and Career Path
By ABT Team
27 May, 2025
A Public Prosecutor (PP) plays a very important role in the criminal justice system of India,
representing the State in prosecuting criminal cases. Their main job is to make sure that justice is
served while balancing the rights of the accused and holding the offenders accountable. This career
calls for strong legal knowledge, integrity, and commitment to justice.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Public Prosecutor
A Public Prosecutor is appointed by the government to represent interests of society in criminal
cases. Their key functions include:
1. Representing the State in Criminal Cases
2. Ensuring Fair and Impartial Prosecution
3. Counseling Law Enforcement Agencies
4. Examining Witnesses and Evidence
5. Handling Appeals and Plea Bargains
1. Academic Qualifications
2. Gaining Legal Experience
3. Passing the Public Prosecutor Exam
4.Appointment and Career Progression
Public Prosecutors operate on various levels:
Challenges and Rewards of the Profession
Challenges:
Rewards:
Conclusion
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representing the State in prosecuting criminal cases. Their main job is to make sure that justice is
served while balancing the rights of the accused and holding the offenders accountable. This career
calls for strong legal knowledge, integrity, and commitment to justice.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Public Prosecutor
A Public Prosecutor is appointed by the government to represent interests of society in criminal
cases. Their key functions include:
1. Representing the State in Criminal Cases
Public Prosecutors conduct criminal trials on behalf of the government. They present evidence,
examine witnesses, and argue cases in court to prove the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable
doubt.
examine witnesses, and argue cases in court to prove the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable
doubt.
2. Ensuring Fair and Impartial Prosecution
Unlike private attorneys, a Public Prosecutor's responsibility is not to get convictions at all costs.
Their function is to present facts fairly, so justice is served, whether that means conviction or
acquittal.
Their function is to present facts fairly, so justice is served, whether that means conviction or
acquittal.
3. Counseling Law Enforcement Agencies
Public Prosecutors instruct police and investigation agencies in gathering evidence legally and
preparing charge sheets appropriately before the trial. They assist in making sure that legal
procedures are being correctly followed.
preparing charge sheets appropriately before the trial. They assist in making sure that legal
procedures are being correctly followed.
4. Examining Witnesses and Evidence
An important function of the PP is to cross-examine witnesses and to put forward documentary
and forensic evidence in support of the prosecution case.
and forensic evidence in support of the prosecution case.
5. Handling Appeals and Plea Bargains
Public Prosecutors may be involved in:
• Filing appeals in higher courts for retrial or review of verdicts.
• Negotiating plea bargains, ensuring fair settlements while upholding legal ethics.
Career Path to Becoming a Public Prosecutor• Filing appeals in higher courts for retrial or review of verdicts.
• Negotiating plea bargains, ensuring fair settlements while upholding legal ethics.
1. Academic Qualifications
To become a Public Prosecutor in India, one has to:
• Have a Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB) from a recognised university.
• Register with the State Bar Council and get a valid license to practice law.
• Register with the State Bar Council and get a valid license to practice law.
2. Gaining Legal Experience
• At least 7 years of practice as a legal advocate ( requirement varies by state) is necessary to
qualify.
• Practical experience in criminal law, trial advocacy and court house procedure is an asset.
qualify.
• Practical experience in criminal law, trial advocacy and court house procedure is an asset.
3. Passing the Public Prosecutor Exam
• State Public Service Commissions (SPSC) or the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
hold examinations for Public Prosecutor posts.
The test covers:
hold examinations for Public Prosecutor posts.
The test covers:
• Written examinations in criminal law, evidence law, and procedural laws.
• An interview evaluating legal acumen and ethical decision-making.
• An interview evaluating legal acumen and ethical decision-making.
4.Appointment and Career Progression
Public Prosecutors operate on various levels:
| Position. | Role | ||
| Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP). | Entry-level position; handles cases in District Courts. |
| Public Prosecutor (PP) | Handles serious criminal cases in Sessions Courts. | ||
| Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) | Appointed for high-profile cases, including corruption, terrorism, or economic offenses. | ||
| Director of Prosecution | Senior-most position overseeing state-level prosecution. |
Challenges and Rewards of the Profession
Challenges:
• Heavy caseloads and long working hours.
• Pressure from political or influential entities in sensitive cases.
• Emotional and psychological toll due to the nature of criminal cases.
• Pressure from political or influential entities in sensitive cases.
• Emotional and psychological toll due to the nature of criminal cases.
Rewards:
• Chance to serve justice and make social impact.
• Job security and respect for the legal system.
• Opportunity for career advancement, including judicial or high government postings.
• Job security and respect for the legal system.
• Opportunity for career advancement, including judicial or high government postings.
Conclusion
Becoming a Public Prosecutor in India is a matter of prestige and a demanding career, which
requires dedication, legal expertise, and a strong sense of justice. The right qualifications,
experience, and perseverance are everything aspiring legal professionals need to rise to the level
of this role, ensuring that justice is done in the courts through fair trials of the Indian judicial
system.
requires dedication, legal expertise, and a strong sense of justice. The right qualifications,
experience, and perseverance are everything aspiring legal professionals need to rise to the level
of this role, ensuring that justice is done in the courts through fair trials of the Indian judicial
system.
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