On May 20, 2025, the Supreme Court of India reinstated the requirement that candidates must have a minimum of three years of legal practice to be eligible for entry-level judicial positions, specifically for the Civil Judge (Junior Division) posts. This decision overturns the 2002 ruling that allowed fresh law graduates to directly enter the judiciary without prior practice.

Mandatory Practice Period: Candidates must have at least three years of legal practice experience to apply for judicial service exams.

Certification Requirement: Applicants need to provide an experience certificate endorsed by a lawyer with a minimum of 10 years of standing at the Bar.

Consideration of Law Clerk Experience: Time spent working as a law clerk to judges will also be counted towards the three-year practice requirement.

Prospective Implementation: The new rule applies only to future recruitment processes. Ongoing or already advertised selection processes will not be affected.

Rationale: The Court emphasized that practical courtroom experience is essential for judicial competence, as fresh graduates often lack the necessary exposure to effectively handle judicial responsibilities.

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