In a significant ruling with wide-ranging implications for judicial aspirants across India, the Supreme Court has held that fresh law graduates will no longer be eligible to appear in judicial service examinations. The apex court has mandated a minimum of three years of legal practice as a prerequisite for candidates seeking entry into the lower judiciary.
The verdict was delivered on May 14, 2025, by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, Justice A G Masih, and Justice K Vinod Chandran. The ruling came in response to a plea filed by the All India Judges Association, which sought clarity and reform in the recruitment process for entry-level civil judge posts.
Practical experience in court essential for efficiency
The Supreme Court bench observed that appointing fresh law graduates to judicial posts had created several practical difficulties. The Chief Justice noted that multiple high courts had flagged issues stemming from the lack of real-world courtroom exposure among new appointees.
“The appointment of fresh law graduates has led to several difficulties, as noted by multiple high courts. Practical experience in court is essential for ensuring judicial efficiency and competence,” the CJI stated while pronouncing the judgement, PTI quoted. The Court underlined that the minimum requirement of three years of legal practice would help enhance the quality and readiness of judicial officers at the grassroots level.
Conditions for fulfilling the practice requirement
According to the verdict, the three-year legal practice must be certified and endorsed. A candidate must provide a certificate either from a principal judicial officer of the court concerned or from an advocate with at least ten years of standing at the Bar, with such certification duly endorsed by the principal judicial officer of the district or station.
In cases where the candidate practises at the Supreme Court or a High Court, the certification must be provided by an advocate with a minimum of ten years of experience, and it should be endorsed by an officer designated by the respective court.
Law clerk experience and training requirement
The Court also clarified that experience as a law clerk to judges will be considered valid for the purpose of satisfying the practice requirement. Furthermore, those selected through the judicial service examination must undergo one year of training before presiding over court proceedings.
Additional directions on promotional quota
The judgement also issued directions regarding the promotion quota under the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, though details on this aspect are expected in the forthcoming detailed judgement.
The verdict was delivered on May 14, 2025, by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, Justice A G Masih, and Justice K Vinod Chandran. The ruling came in response to a plea filed by the All India Judges Association, which sought clarity and reform in the recruitment process for entry-level civil judge posts.
Practical experience in court essential for efficiency
The Supreme Court bench observed that appointing fresh law graduates to judicial posts had created several practical difficulties. The Chief Justice noted that multiple high courts had flagged issues stemming from the lack of real-world courtroom exposure among new appointees.
“The appointment of fresh law graduates has led to several difficulties, as noted by multiple high courts. Practical experience in court is essential for ensuring judicial efficiency and competence,” the CJI stated while pronouncing the judgement, PTI quoted. The Court underlined that the minimum requirement of three years of legal practice would help enhance the quality and readiness of judicial officers at the grassroots level.
Conditions for fulfilling the practice requirement
According to the verdict, the three-year legal practice must be certified and endorsed. A candidate must provide a certificate either from a principal judicial officer of the court concerned or from an advocate with at least ten years of standing at the Bar, with such certification duly endorsed by the principal judicial officer of the district or station.
In cases where the candidate practises at the Supreme Court or a High Court, the certification must be provided by an advocate with a minimum of ten years of experience, and it should be endorsed by an officer designated by the respective court.
Law clerk experience and training requirement
The Court also clarified that experience as a law clerk to judges will be considered valid for the purpose of satisfying the practice requirement. Furthermore, those selected through the judicial service examination must undergo one year of training before presiding over court proceedings.
Additional directions on promotional quota
The judgement also issued directions regarding the promotion quota under the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, though details on this aspect are expected in the forthcoming detailed judgement.
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