Supreme Court of India introduces 2026 Senior Advocate designation guidelines removing point system and interviews under Section 16 of the Advocates Act, 1961.
Case in NewsSupreme Court Notifies New Senior Designation Guidelines 2026 replacing point system and interviews framework. |
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Case Overview
Case Name: Jitender @ Kalla vs. State (Govt. of NCT of Delhi) & Anr. (2025 INSC 667)
In Jitender @ Kalla vs. State (Govt. of NCT of Delhi) & Anr. decided on 13th May 2025, the Supreme Court of India disapproved the point-based & interview mechanism for designation of Senior Advocates, calling it unworkable. Pursuant to this decision the Court notified the Guidelines for Designation of Senior Advocates by the Supreme Court of India 2026. The new structure was approved in a Full Court Meeting held on 10th February 2026 under the leadership of the Chief Justice of India & companion Judges.
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Key Aspects
The 2026 framework restructures the designation process for institutional objectivity without mechanical scoring. It emphasises collective judicial assessment over numerical evaluation. Transparency, eligibility clarity & stakeholder participation form the core of the revised system.
- Point-system and interview process formally discarded.
- Permanent Committee constituted to oversee designations.
- Annual public invitation of applications through official website.
- Minimum 10 years’ standing & 45 years’ age requirement.
- Publication of proposals inviting stakeholder views.
Legal Insights
The designation of Senior Advocates is a statutory recognition governed by the Advocates Act, 1961 & judicial precedents. The 2026 Guidelines align the process with constitutional principles of fairness & institutional integrity while correcting defects identified in earlier frameworks.
- Section 16, Advocates Act, 1961 – Empowers the Supreme Court & High Courts to designate Senior Advocates based on ability and standing at the Bar.
- Article 145 of Constitution of India – Enables the Supreme Court to frame rules regulating its practice & procedure.
- Indira Jaising v. Supreme Court of India (2017 & 2023) – Mandated transparency & objective criteria in designation.
- Jitender @ Kalla (2025 INSC 667) – Held point-based & interview methods unworkable.
- Professional Misconduct Provisions (Advocates Act, 1961) – Permit recall of designation upon proven misconduct after hearing.
Court’s Verdict
The Supreme Court replaced the 2023 Guidelines with the Guidelines for Designation of Senior Advocates by the Supreme Court of India 2026 eliminating the numerical point system & interviews. The Full Court retains final authority so that designation remains a matter of collective judicial wisdom, professional merit & ethical integrity.
Source – Supreme Court of India
Read also – Constitution of India
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