A Constitution Bench headed by CJI B.R. Gavai (October 9 2025) held that judicial officers having a combined experience of seven years or more as advocates and/or judicial officers are eligible for appointment as District Judges/Additional District Judges under Article 233 of the Constitution.
Key Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Constitutional Provision | Article 233 – Appointment of District Judges |
| Bench | Constitution Bench led by CJI B.R. Gavai |
| Judgment Date | 9 October 2025 |
| Core Ruling | Combined 7 years’ experience as Advocate and/or Judicial Officer counts for eligibility. |
| Earlier Position | Only practising advocates with 7 years’ Bar experience were eligible. |
| Minimum Age | 35 years on date of application (for both categories). |
| Appointing Authority | Governor, in consultation with the High Court. |
| Direction to States | Frame/amend recruitment rules within 3 months. |
| Judicial Reasoning | “A lawyer does not cease to be a lawyer after joining judicial service.” |
| Significance | Brings parity between advocates and judicial officers; widens pool for High Court elevation. |
Related Constitutional Provisions
- Article 233 – Appointment of District Judges
- Article 234 – Recruitment of persons other than District Judges
- Article 235 – Control of subordinate courts by the High Court
