The Supreme Court, on May 20, 2025, ruled that the 3-year minimum practice requirement for candidates entering the judicial service will not apply to recruitment processes already notified by the High Courts or States before this judgment. The new rule will only apply to future recruitment.

"Minimum practice requirement shall not be applicable where the High Courts have already commenced the appointment process of Civil Judges Junior Division before the date of this judgment, and this shall be applicable only when the next appointment process begins,"
— Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai.

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This clarification came as the Court reinstated the 3-year minimum experience requirement for advocates who wish to enter the judicial service, particularly for the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division).

The Supreme Court also gave relief to recruitment processes that were on hold due to the pendency of this legal issue. With the latest ruling, all such halted processes can now continue.

“All recruitment processes kept in abeyance due to the pendency of this case can now proceed,”
— the Court noted.

This decision brings clarity and certainty for thousands of candidates who had applied or were preparing for recruitment that had already been announced by High Courts across India. Those recruitments will go ahead without the 3-year condition, but future recruitments will require compliance with the new rule.

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The ruling strikes a balance between the Court's earlier directions and the ongoing needs of the judiciary recruitment process.