Mon May 19 11:07:22 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The Supreme Court of India has ruled that all High Court judges, including additional judges, are entitled to full pension and retirement benefits, ensuring equality under Article 14 of the Constitution. The ruling eliminates distinctions based on the timing of appointment, designation (permanent or additional), or source of appointment (from the Bar or district judiciary). Families of deceased additional judges are also entitled to the same benefits as families of permanent judges. Former Chief Justices of the High Court will get ₹15 lakh per annum as pension. The Union of India is directed to pay a full pension of ₹13.50 lakh per annum to all High Court judges, including additional judges. The court addressed concerns about disparities in pension payments, particularly for those elevated from the district judiciary and covered under the New Pension Scheme (NPS).

**News Article:**

**Indian Supreme Court Mandates Equal Pensions for All High Court Judges**

*New Delhi – May 19, 2025* – In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of India today declared that all High Court judges, including those who served as additional judges, are entitled to full pension and retirement benefits. The decision aims to eliminate disparities in pension amounts that previously existed based on factors like the timing of appointment, whether a judge was permanent or additional, or their elevation from the Bar versus the district judiciary.

Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, along with Justice Augustine George Masih, delivered the verdict, emphasizing that denying full pension to any judge would violate the right to equality enshrined in Article 14 of the Indian Constitution. The court also stated that the families of deceased additional High Court judges are now entitled to the same pension and retirement benefits as the families of permanent judges. Former Chief Justices of the High Court will get ₹15 lakh per annum as pension.

“We hold that any discrimination among [High Court] judges for terminal benefits after retirement will be violative of Article 14,” stated the Bench in its ruling. The Union of India has been directed to pay a full annual pension of ₹13.50 lakh to all High Court judges, including additional judges.

The ruling addresses concerns raised in petitions arguing that judges elevated from the district judiciary and covered under the New Pension Scheme (NPS) received lesser pension amounts than those directly elevated from the Bar. The court clarified that no such distinction should exist.

The detailed judgment is awaited, but the immediate effect of the ruling is expected to provide significant financial relief and ensure equal treatment for all who serve on the High Courts.

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