On May 20, 2025, the Supreme Court of India reinstated a rule requiring a minimum of three years of legal practice for candidates aspiring to become civil judges (junior division), overturning a 2002 decision that allowed fresh law graduates to directly enter the judiciary.
A bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, along with Justices A.G. Masih and K. Vinod Chandran, delivered the judgment in the All India Judges Association case, directing high courts and state governments to amend recruitment rules to reflect the new eligibility standard. The court emphasized that practical courtroom experience is essential for judicial competence, stating, “Neither knowledge based on law books nor pre-service training can substitute for first-hand experience of court proceedings.”
Under the new mandate, candidates must present a certificate verifying their experience … Time served as a law clerk may … towards the three-year practice requirement.
The ruling does not affect ongoing or already notified recruitment processes but will be compulsory for all future recruitments. The decision has garnered support from most states and high courts, with exceptions from Sikkim and Chhattisgarh .
This verdict impacts institutions like Maharashtra National Law University, which had designed courses to channel graduates directly into judicial roles. The court also addressed improvements in internal promotion systems, emphasizing that judicial effectiveness requires experiential learning to handle complex legal issues.
The Supreme Court’s decision marks a significant shift in the judicial recruitment process, aiming to ensure that new judges enter
