3-year practice rule for judiciary latest update: SC reduces requirement for entry-level judicial exams; check new rules

The Supreme Court on Friday reduced the mandatory legal practice requirement for entry-level judicial service exams from three years to one year. The court also introduced a two-year training arrangement for selected candidates, including one year at a judicial academy and another year of structured clerkship.

3 year practice rule for judiciary latest update: Who can appear in the judicial exams

A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices AG Masih and K Vinod Chandran, delivered a 2:1 verdict while dismissing review petitions against the court's May 2025 judgment.

The court said candidates appearing for judicial examinations notified between May 25, 2025 and March 31, 2027 can apply without having prior legal practice.


However, candidates selected through these examinations will initially be appointed as trainee judicial officers. They will have to undergo one year of training at a judicial academy, followed by one year of structured clerkship.

What happens after April 2027

For examinations notified after April 1, 2027, the new arrangement will apply, the court said. The decision modifies the earlier requirement imposed by the Supreme Court in May 2025, when it made three years of legal practice mandatory for candidates seeking direct recruitment as Civil Judges (Junior Division).

Why the Supreme Court changed the rule

The court said the basic reasoning behind the May 2025 judgment remained valid. Chief Justice Surya Kant said candidates should have exposure to the legal profession before entering the judiciary.

However, the bench noted that the experience requirement must have a reasonable connection with the objective and should not create undue hardship for young lawyers and law graduates.

The court held that the sudden introduction of the three-year practice requirement, without a transitional arrangement, had caused difficulties for young lawyers and fresh law graduates. It therefore decided that limited intervention was necessary.

The court did not find a reason to reconsider its earlier view that some professional exposure is necessary before joining the judicial service.

What was the earlier three-year practice rule

On May 20, 2025, the Supreme Court had barred fresh law graduates from appearing in entry-level judicial service examinations by introducing a minimum three-year legal practice requirement.

The latest ruling came after review petitions and writ petitions challenged that decision.

The Supreme Court had reserved its order on the review petitions and related writ petitions on July 28.

High courts asked to extend application deadlines

The issue had also affected ongoing recruitment for Civil Judge (Junior Division) posts.

On March 13, the Supreme Court directed all high courts to extend the deadline for submitting applications for these posts until April 30.

The court had also sought views from high courts, National Law Universities and other law schools on the three-year practice requirement for candidates appearing in entry-level judicial service examinations.

The latest verdict now provides a transition period while retaining the court's broader position that candidates entering the judiciary should have some exposure to legal practice.

(Inputs from PTI)