The Supreme Court has decided to send the significant issue of career stagnation among junior judicial officers nationwide to a five-judge Constitution Bench. This move was announced on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.
This referral order was issued by a Bench consisting of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran. They were hearing a petition from the All India Judges Association, which highlighted concerns regarding judicial officers’ service conditions, salary structures, and advancement opportunities.
Chief Justice Gavai noted the urgent need for a comprehensive solution to the scarce promotional opportunities available to those who start their judicial careers at entry-level positions. The Bench acknowledged that various High Courts and State Governments had offered differing perspectives in their earlier responses to the Supreme Court’s inquiries on this matter.
“Several High Courts believe that, given the current system, judges who begin their service as Civil Judge, Junior Division, often fail to advance to the rank of District Judge,” stated the Chief Justice.
The Bench also highlighted the “anomalous situation” in numerous states where judicial officers, starting as Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), frequently retire without ever attaining the position of Principal District Judge (PDJ), much less being elevated to the High Court.
In contrast, Senior Advocate R. Basant argued against the proposal, asserting that it could unfairly put meritorious candidates seeking direct recruitment as District Judges at a disadvantage.
During the proceedings, the Chief Justice recognized the validity of concerns from both perspectives but stressed the importance of achieving a fair balance. “It’s understandable that a young judicial officer, joining at 25 or 26 and retiring merely as an Additional District Judge, would feel disheartened,” the CJI remarked. He emphasized the necessity of finding a “middle way” to enhance the overall efficiency of justice administration.
“To definitively resolve this ongoing dispute and establish a lasting solution, we firmly believe this issue should be deliberated by a five-judge Constitution Bench,” the court stated. The Chief Justice reiterated that the primary goal is to maintain and improve the efficiency of the justice system.
He further recounted an incident shared by Justice Sundresh, involving his former law clerk who resigned from judicial service after only two years due to the lack of significant promotion opportunities.