Tue Oct 14 20:55:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
The Supreme Court of India, via a five-judge Constitution Bench, is examining the issue of career stagnation within the lower judiciary. The court is considering whether to refer the matter to a larger bench due to existing differing views on the matter. The case, brought forth by the All India Judges Association, highlights concerns about limited promotional opportunities and pay disparities for entry-level judicial officers, where many retire without reaching higher positions like Principal District Judge. The court has appointed nodal counsels to coordinate submissions and scheduled hearings to address the issue comprehensively.
**News Article:**
**Supreme Court Considers Larger Bench to Tackle Lower Judiciary Career Stagnation**
**NEW DELHI – October 15, 2025:** The Supreme Court of India is grappling with a long-standing issue of career stagnation within the lower judiciary, potentially paving the way for significant reforms in judicial officer career progression.
A five-judge Constitution Bench, led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, heard a plea on Tuesday filed by the All India Judges Association, addressing the concerns of limited promotional avenues and pay disparities faced by judicial officers at the entry level.
The central question before the court is whether the matter needs to be referred to a larger bench, given the existence of differing views from previous Constitution Benches on similar issues. Senior advocate R. Basant highlighted the need to consider the potential futility of a five-judge bench revisiting previously adjudicated areas.
Amicus curiae Siddharth Bhatnagar informed the Bench about intervention applications both supporting and opposing enhanced promotional opportunities. He had previously suggested reserving a quota of Principal District Judge positions for officers promoted from lower ranks.
The court acknowledged the range of submissions and committed to taking a comprehensive view of the issue. It appointed advocates Mayuri Raghuvanshi and Manu Krishnan as nodal counsels to coordinate written submissions from all parties involved. The deadline for written submissions is October 27th, with oral arguments scheduled for October 28th and 29th.
The case underscores a critical problem within the judicial system, where many judicial officers who begin their careers as Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) officers often retire without ever reaching the position of Principal District Judge (PDJ). Chief Justice Gavai previously noted the need for a “comprehensive solution” to this issue and acknowledged “divergent views” from different High Courts and State governments.
The Supreme Court’s deliberation on this matter holds the potential to significantly impact the career trajectories of thousands of judicial officers across India and ultimately, the efficiency and effectiveness of the judicial system.
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