executivemagistrate

An executive magistrate is a type of magistrate whose functions are administrative and magisterial, designed to ensure public order and the smooth functioning of government machinery within a district or subdivision. The designation is used in several common-law jurisdictions, most prominently in India, where an executive magistrate is an official of the state government who exercises magisterial and administrative powers under the supervision of the District Magistrate (or Collector).

Core duties include the maintenance of public order and safety, supervision of police and other law-enforcement agencies, and the implementation of government policies at the district level. They can issue executive orders, coordinate disaster response, oversee revenue and civil administration in their sub-division, and sometimes grant licenses or permits and supervise public works within their jurisdiction. They also perform certain preventive magisterial functions to avert disturbances.

Executive magistrates operate alongside judicial magistrates. The executive magistrate handles administrative tasks and preventive actions, while the judicial magistrate presides over courts and conducts trials. In practice, both lines of authority exist within districts and are designed to ensure separation between administrative action and judicial decision-making.

Appointments are typically made by the state government and are given to officers from the state civil service, often with training in administration. A district may have multiple executive magistrates under the District Magistrate, each responsible for sub-divisions or circles.

In other countries with similar terminology, the scope and powers of an executive magistrate may differ, and some systems have replaced or renamed the post as part of broader district administration structures.