Judicial officers with 7 years of practice as advocates, eligible for district judge posts under bar quota: Supreme Court

A five-Judge Constitution Bench held that in-service judicial officers with 7 years’ acquisition astatine the Bar would beryllium eligible for assignment arsenic District Judges. The judgement held that judicial officers with a combined 7 years of acquisition astatine the Bar and successful the judicial work would besides beryllium eligible.

The Bench directed States to reframe their work rules successful consultation with the respective High Courts wrong 3 months. The minimum property for information of in-service judicial officers arsenic District Judges would beryllium 35.

The Bench said that this would infuse young, caller endowment into the elder judicial service, who whitethorn spell connected to articulation the law courts.

The Supreme Court connected Tuesday (October 7, 2025) had referred to a five-Judge Constitution Bench questions relating to the work conditions, wage structures and promotional prospects of judicial officers who articulation the judiciary astatine the introduction level. The plea was filed by the All India Judges Association.

The matter, which has been nether judicial information for respective years, raises concerns implicit stagnation successful vocation progression and disparities successful wage and promotion opportunities among officers successful the subordinate judiciary.