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 seven years’ experience at the Bar would be eligible for appointment as District Judges. The judgment held that judicial officers with a combined seven years of experience at the Bar and in the judicial service would also be eligible.

The Bench directed States to reframe their service rules in consultation with the respective High Courts within three months. The minimum age for consideration of in-service judicial officers as District Judges would be 35.

The Bench said that this would infuse young, fresh talent into the senior judicial service, who may go on to join the constitutional courts.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (October 7, 2025) had referred to a five-Judge Constitution Bench questions relating to the service conditions, pay structures and promotional prospects of judicial officers who join the judiciary at the entry level. The plea was filed by the All India Judges Association.

The matter, which has been under judicial consideration for several years, raises concerns over stagnation in career progression and disparities in pay and promotion opportunities among officers in the subordinate judiciary.