NITI Aayog pitches for All India test to select judges for lower courts

NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 21: NITI Aayog has recommended for an all India Judicial Services examination to select cadre for the lower judiciary. This move by the government think tank aims to attract young and bright law graduates that can enhance accountability in the governance system. The responsibility of selecting the cadres to lower judiciary, Indian Legal Service (both centre and states), prosecutors, legal advisors, and legal draftsmen will be entrusted to Union Public Service Commission.

The ‘Strategy for New India @75’ report released by NITI Aayog reads, “An All India Judicial Services examination on a ranking basis can be considered to maintain high standards in the judiciary. The selection process may be entrusted to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for a cadre of lower judiciary (first induction level), Indian Legal Service (both centre and 181 states), Prosecutors, Legal Advisors, and Legal Draftsmen. This will attract young and bright law graduates and help build a new cadre that can enhance accountability in the governance system.”

Further, the report reads, “Introduction of an administrative cadre in the judicial system will streamline processes. To maintain judicial independence, the cadre should report to the Chief Justice in each High Court.”

Earlier also, the government had proposed for an All India Judicial Service (IJS). But nine high courts did not agree to the idea of IJS for lower judiciary. Eight other high courts have sought changes in the framework while two have supported the idea.

As per news reports, while the total number of available posts for judges is 20,502, the actual number of judges and judicial officers in subordinate courts is 16,050. This means that there are 4,452 vacancies for the posts of judges in subordinate courts.