Supreme Court Rejects Separate Quota for Civil Judges in Higher Judicial Service

The Supreme Court has refused to create a distinct quota for Civil Judges or Regular Promotees in Higher Judicial Service appointments, holding that longer service as a civil judge does not form a valid basis for separate classification.

The Bench noted that existing pathways, the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination and direct recruitment, already provide adequate avenues for progression. It found no evidence of Direct Recruits overshadowing Promotees nationally, and instead issued mandatory norms for fixing seniority through a uniform annual four-point roster.

States and High Courts have been directed to amend service rules to implement this framework.