In Brief
The Supreme Court clarified the principles governing seniority determination in Higher Judicial Services (HJS) across India. Officers appointed from three sources—Regular Promotees (RPs), Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE), and Direct Recruits (DRs)—lose their source-based identity upon entry into the common HJS cadre. Seniority is determined by an annual 4-point roster (2 RPs, 1 LDCE, 1 DR) based on continuous service within HJS and merit, not prior judicial experience. The Court rejected proposals for preferential treatment based on lower judiciary service, finding no valid classification basis. Recruitment delays are accommodated within the same-year roster if appointments are made within one year of initiation. All States must align their service rules within three months to conform to these uniform guidelines, ensuring equality and meritocracy in judicial career progression.
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