On May 20, 2025, the Supreme Court of India reinstated the requirement of a minimum of three years of legal practice as an advocate for candidates applying to entry-level judicial service positions, such as Civil Judge (Junior Division). This decision, delivered by a bench comprising Chief Justice BR Gavai, Justice AG Masih, and Justice K Vinod Chandran, marks a significant shift from the earlier relaxation of this criterion.

The Court emphasized that practical courtroom experience is indispensable for effective judicial functioning. To validate this experience, candidates must obtain a certificate from an advocate with at least ten years of standing, endorsed by a judicial officer from the same jurisdiction.

This ruling is expected to impact judicial recruitment processes nationwide, especially in states like Gujarat, Karnataka, and Chhattisgarh, where recruitment had been paused pending this verdict. The decision aligns with the views of several High Courts advocating for mandatory legal practice to ensure the competence of judicial officers.

सोर्सेस