Supreme Court reinstates mandatory three-year legal practice for entry-level judiciary exams in India.
| Becoming a judge in India remains a prestigious and competitive aspiration for law graduates. A recent Supreme Court judgment in 2025 has reinstated the mandatory three years of legal practice as eligibility for entry-level judicial service examinations, such as Civil Judge (Junior Division). |
What Constitutes the Rule?
The three-year practice rule stipulates that a candidate must engage in legal practice for a minimum of three years post-enrollment with a State Bar Council to qualify for judicial service exams. This mandate applies specifically to posts like Civil Judge (Junior Division). The Supreme Court restored this in May 2025 through All India Judges Association vs. Union of India and connected petitions, overturning prior provisions permitting fresh law graduates to apply directly.
Reasons for Reinstatement
The Supreme Court underscored that practical courtroom exposure remains indispensable for judicial officers. Textbook knowledge alone fails to substitute hands-on court experience. Such training equips candidates with insights into legal procedures, evidence handling, advocacy, and litigation realities, prompting directions to State Governments and High Courts to amend recruitment rules accordingly.
Application to Current Exams
This rule governs prospective recruitments exclusively. Examinations notified by High Courts prior to the May 20, 2025 judgment proceed without the three-year practice precondition.
Defining Valid Practice
Candidates should meticulously record vakalatnamas, court appearances, and secure certifications from Bar authorities or officials to validate practice.
- Active advocacy in courts qualifies as practice.
- Law clerk roles under judges may qualify.
- Enrollment commences from State Bar Council registration date, including provisional enrollment.
- Proof typically requires a practice certificate from senior advocates or judicial officers.
November 2025 Clarification
A subsequent Supreme Court order clarified that judicial officers appointed before May 2025, having served a stipulated tenure, remain exempt from the three-year practice requirement for inter-state service applications, aligned with prevailing service terms. This prevents undue disadvantage to pre-2025 appointees.
Implications for Aspirants
Fresh LL.B. or LL.M. graduates cannot attempt judiciary exams absent three years of practice and must enroll with the State Bar Council to commence legal practice. Many opt for litigation, law firm roles, or clerkships to accumulate requisite experience. The criterion prioritizes candidates with proven courtroom tenure, potentially intensifying competition among seasoned practitioners.
Practical Guidance
The three-year practice rule now forms a cornerstone of judicial exam eligibility across India. Though it extends preparation timelines, it guarantees entrants possess tangible legal proficiency, fostering superior judicial competence.
- Enroll promptly with your State Bar Council upon graduation.
- Prioritize court-centric practice, including vakalatnamas, even within chambers or clerkships.
- Systematically log practice dates and appearances for eligibility documentation.
- Monitor updates via High Court notifications, Supreme Court directives, and Bar Council advisories.
“COURTROOM EXPERIENCE IS THE FOUNDATION OF JUDICIAL EXCELLENCE.”
SOURCE – SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
READ ALSO – The SUPREME COURT ALLOWS JUDICIAL OFFICERS FOR DISTRICT JUDGE BAR QUOTA
WRITTEN BY – NILIMA PATTANKAR
EDITED BY – NANCY MAHAVIR SHARMA
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