Frame Rules To Increase Posts Of District Judge (Selection Grade) & District Judge (Super Time Scale) In 3 Months : Supreme Court To States & HCs

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (January 21) directed the High Courts and State Governments to frame rules regarding the increase of posts of District Judges in the Selection Grade and Super Time Scale categories.

A bench comprising Justice BR Gavai, Justice AG Masih and Justice KV Vinod Chandran noted that the recommendation of the Second National Judicial Pay Commission regarding District Judges (Selection Grade) and District Judges (Super Time Scale), which was approved in the All India Judges Association case by the judgment dated May 19, 2023, has not been implemented by many States/High Courts.

The bench ordered :

"We are informed that some of the States and the High Courts have not framed the rules to give effect to the recommendation number 44.16(i) in the order passed by this Court dated 19.05.2023. We therefore request such of the States and High Courts who have not framed the rules, to frame the rules in conformity with the directions of this Court, within a period of three months."

The recommendation in paragraph 44.16(i) of the May 2023 judgment read as follows :

"The posts of District Judges (Selection Grade) shall be increased to 35% of the cadre strength as against the existing 25%, and the District Judges (Super Time Scale) shall be increased to 15% of the cadre strength as against the existing 10%. It will be effective from 01.01.2020."

Also from today's hearing - Judicial Officers' Pay : Supreme Court Directs States To Clear SNJPC Arrears By Feb 29; Asks HCs To Set Up Committees To Oversee

Record ACRs Of Judicial Officers Without Delay : Supreme Court To High Court Judges

Judicial Officer Who Got ACP Benefit Also Entitled To Additional Increment On Acquiring LLM Qualification: Supreme Court

Case : All India Judicial Association v Union of India W.P.(C) No. 643/2015 

Citation : 2025 LiveLaw (SC) 130

Click here to read the order