Advocates can now apply for judge posts after 1-year practice

In a recent development, the Supreme Court of India has altered its long-standing eligibility criteria for aspiring trial court judges. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices A G Masih and Vinod Chandran, reversed its previous decision that required advocates to have a three-year practice history to apply for judicial officer posts. Instead, the court has now set the eligibility threshold at just one year of practice.

However, the court remains firm on the two-year mandatory training period for all selected advocates. Upon clearing the rigorous recruitment process, the successful candidates will be designated as Trainee Judicial Officers. These officers will undergo a compulsory one-year intensive training program at the State Judicial Academy, during which they will receive a fixed emolument equivalent to half the salary of magistrates.

Following their training, the trainee judicial officers will be required to complete another year of structured law clerkship. This six-month period will be spent working with the principal district judge, followed by another six months under the supervision of a sitting High Court judge. The performance and suitability of the trainees will be evaluated by their respective supervisors, ensuring that only competent and capable individuals progress in their judicial careers.