The Supreme Court has ruled that candidates aspiring to join the judiciary must now have a minimum of three years of legal practice experience to be eligible for entry-level posts like Civil Judge (Junior Division). This decision, announced recently, overturns the 2002 rule that allowed fresh law graduates to apply directly.

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• SC mandates 3 years of legal practice for judicial exam aspirants
• Applies to entry-level posts like Civil Judge (Junior Division)
• Reverses 2002 ruling that allowed direct entry for fresh law grads
• Experience to be counted from provisional Bar Council enrollment
• Certificate required from advocate with 10+ years’ standing, endorsed by judge
• Law clerk experience to judges will be accepted as valid legal practice
• Applies prospectively; current recruitment processes unaffected
• All States and High Courts to update judicial service rules
• Aims to ensure judges have practical courtroom experience
• Seen as step to improve judicial quality and decision-making