Hierarchy of Criminal Courts in India – Judicial Perspective

Judge Constituted under Section Punishment that the Judge can award
High Court Article 214 Constitution of India Any sentence authorised by Law – Section 28(1) Cr.P.C.
Sessions Judge Section 6(i) & 9(2) Cr.P.C. Any sentence authorised by law, but the sentence of death shall be subject to confirmation by the High Court – Sec. 28(2) Cr.P.C.
Additional Sessions Judge Section 6(i) & 9(3) Cr.P.C. Same as Sessions Judge – Section 28(2) Cr.P.C.
Assistant Sessions Judge Section 6(i) & 9(3) Cr.P.C. Any sentence authorised by law except a sentence of death or of imprisonment for life or of imprisonment for a term exceeding ten years – Sec. 28(3) Cr.P.C.
Chief Judicial Magistrate Section 6(ii) & 12(1) Cr.P.C. Any sentence authorised by law except a sentence of death or of imprisonment for life or of imprisonment for a term exceeding seven years. – Section 29(1) Cr.P.C.
Chief Metropolitan Magistrate  Section 6(ii) & 17(1) Cr.P.C. Same as Chief Judicial Magistrate – Section 29(1) Cr.P.C. read with Section 3(1)(d) Cr.P.C.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Section 6(ii) & 12(2) Cr.P.C. Any sentence authorised by law except a sentence of death or of imprisonment for life or of imprisonment for a term exceeding seven years. – Section 29(1) Cr.P.C.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Section 6(ii) & 17(2) Cr.P.C. Same as Chief Judicial Magistrate – Section 29(1) Cr.P.C. read with Section 17(2) Cr.P.C and Section 3(1)(d) Cr.P.C.
Judicial Magistrate First Class Section 6(ii), 11(1) & 11(2) Cr.P.C. A sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or of fine not exceeding ten thousand rupees, or of both – Section 29(2) Cr.P.C.
Metropolitan Magistrate Section 6(ii) & 16(2) Cr.P.C. Same as Judicial Magistrate First Class – Section 29(2) Cr.P.C. read with Section 6(ii) Cr.P.C.
Special Metropolitan Magistrate Section 18(1) & 18(2) Cr.P.C. Same as Judicial Magistrate First Class – Section 18(3) Cr.P.C. 
Special Judicial Magistrate First Class Section 6(ii), 11(1), 11(2) & 13 Cr.P.C.  Same as Judicial Magistrate First Class – Section 13(1) Cr.P.C.
Judicial Magistrate Second Class Section 6(iii), 11(1) & 11(2) Cr.P.C. A sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or of fine not exceeding five thousand rupees, or of both – Section 29(3) Cr.P.C.
Special Judicial Magistrate Second Class Section 6(iii), 11(1), 11(2) & 13 Cr.P.C.  Same as Judicial Magistrate Second Class – Section 13(1) Cr.P.C.
Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate Section 6(ii) & 12(3)(a) Cr.P.C. Same as Judicial Magistrate First Class – Section 12(3)(a) Cr.P.C.
Executive Magistrate Section 6(iv) Cr.P.C. Only Preventive Measures