Supreme Court: 3-Year Practice Rule Not for Ongoing Judicial Recruitment

On May 20, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that the 3-year minimum practice condition for entry into judicial services stands restored. However, this requirement will apply only to future recruitment notifications and not to those already issued by State Governments or High Courts before this judgement.

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, while pronouncing the verdict, stated:

“The minimum practice requirement shall not be applicable where the High Courts have already commenced the appointment process of Civil Judges (Junior Division) before the date of this judgement. It shall apply only from the next recruitment cycle.”

The ruling brings relief to thousands of aspirants affected by recent examination stays in states like Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, where the selection process had been paused due to the pending case.

Key Takeaways:

• 3-year practice rule restored for judicial service aspirants.
  
• Ongoing or already-notified recruitments are exempt from this condition.
• Suspended recruitment processes due to this case can now resume.
• The rule will apply prospectively, not retrospectively.

This decision comes in the backdrop of the long-standing legal battle in the All India Judges Association v. Union of India case regarding eligibility criteria for entry-level judicial posts.