Judge Promotion Row Referred to Constitution Bench for Lasting Solution
New Delhi | October 8, 2025 — The Supreme Court has referred the long-standing dispute over promotions in the judiciary to a five-judge Constitution Bench, seeking a balanced and lasting solution between career judicial officers and direct recruits.
Background:
The issue arises from the structural imbalance in promotions within the judicial system. A civil judge typically joins the judiciary at around 25 years of age, with the expectation of progressing step by step to eventually become a District Judge (DJ) and possibly a High Court judge. However, under the current system, a significant number of District Judge posts are filled directly by advocates from outside through lateral entry. This limits promotional opportunities for existing judicial officers and has caused growing frustration among over 20,000 officers in the lower judiciary.
Present Scenario:
Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai acknowledged the legitimate aspirations of both groups those who dedicate their entire careers to the judiciary and advocates who enter at a higher level seeking upward mobility. Recognizing the clash of interests, a bench of CJI Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran decided to refer the issue to a Constitution Bench.
The apex court aims to find a fair and permanent solution that ensures equal opportunities for judicial officers and direct recruits while maintaining the quality, merit, and efficiency of the judicial system. This decision is expected to have a far-reaching impact on the future structure of judicial promotions in India.
