Judicial Services: SC makes major changes to rules for entry into the judicial service..

The Supreme Court has modified the conditions for entry into the judicial service. While the Court refused to reconsider its earlier decision mandating legal practice prior to entry, it has reduced the mandatory practice period from three years to one year. Under the revised arrangement, candidates selected for the judicial service must undergo training at a judicial academy following their appointment, followed by a one-year clerkship. This modification amends the Court's 2025 ruling that had made three years of legal practice experience mandatory for entry-level judicial service appointments.

**What the Supreme Court Said**
Under the new changes, law graduates will be able to apply for the judicial service without completing a mandatory practice period until March 31, 2027. Thereafter, at least one year of active legal practice will be mandatory to apply for entry-level judicial service. The Court's revised framework also incorporates provisions for structured judicial academy training and a clerkship following selection.

**Justice K. Vinod Chandran Expresses Dissent**
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Augustine George Masih, and Justice K. Vinod Chandran heard the matter. The bench delivered this verdict on review petitions filed against the May 2025 decision. However, Justice K. Vinod Chandran dissented from the majority opinion held by CJI Surya Kant and Justice A.G. Masih; he was in favor of dismissing the review petitions. Meanwhile, this decision is significant for students currently pursuing law who aspire to join the judicial service in the future.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from NDTV India. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.