Reservation for Civil Judges in Principal District Judge Posts | Judgement Matrix

Today, a five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court delivered its ruling on seniority within the Higher Judicial Service and whether Civil Judges and Judicial Magistrates First Class are placed at a disadvantage compared to direct recruits. The Bench unanimously held that once officers enter the Higher Judicial Service, they form a single cadre of District Judges and their earlier service in the lower judiciary cannot determine seniority. The Bench rejected proposals seeking weightage for past judicial service, to create promotional quotas for Principal District Judge posts, and to modify seniority on the basis of stagnation.

The Court clarified that seniority must follow a uniform national roster and that earlier service in feeder posts does not supply a valid ground for classification. It observed that dissatisfaction or “heartburn without something more in the form of a legal claim” cannot justify preferential treatment for promotees. The data placed by the States, the Court noted, did not reveal any consistent imbalance that would warrant restructuring a common cadre.

The judgment was reserved on 3 November. Our arguments matrix sets out the submissions placed before the Bench.

In this judgement matrix, we set out the principal issues considered by the Court and its answers. Our judgement summary details the Court’s reasoning.