SC reduces entry-level judicial exam requirement

The Supreme Court recently lowered the mandatory legal practice requirement for entry-level judicial service exams, reducing it from three years to just one year. This change was announced by a three-judge bench, consisting of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice AG Masih, and Justice K Vinod Chandran, in a 2:1 decision. The modification allows candidates who take the exams between May 25, 2025, and March 31, 2027, to apply without any prior legal practice.

However, those who are selected will still have to undergo a structured training regime. They will begin with one year of training at a judicial academy, followed by an additional year of structured clerkship. The court's decision to introduce this requirement modification was motivated by the need to provide young lawyers and law graduates with exposure to the legal profession before entering the judiciary.

The Supreme Court's earlier decision, made in May 2025, had required a three-year legal practice background for candidates applying directly for the position of Civil Judges (Junior Division). This rule change was challenged by review and writ petitions, leading the court to reconsider its position. While the court maintains that experience in the legal field is beneficial, it acknowledged that imposing a mandatory three-year practice requirement without transitional arrangements caused difficulties for young lawyers and fresh law graduates.

The court's ruling also extends to examinations notified after April 1, 2027, and applies the new one-year training regime to these candidates as well. The decision comes after the court received feedback from high courts, National Law Universities, and other law schools on the three-year practice requirement for entry-level judicial service examinations.