In Brief
The Supreme Court accepted the Second National Judicial Pay Commission's recommendations for comprehensive pay, pension, and service condition reforms for district judiciary officers nationwide. The Court upheld a uniform 2.81 multiplier for pay increases (commensurate with High Court judges' raises), revised pension at 50% of last drawn pay, and increased gratuity limits. It rejected States' financial hardship objections, reaffirming that judicial independence—including district judiciary independence—is constitutionally fundamental. Officers must receive uniform designations across all States and enhanced retirement benefits, including additional pension from age 75. The Court rejected comparison of judicial officers with administrative staff, emphasizing judges exercise sovereign power comparable to legislators. Implementation deadlines were set: payroll amendments within 3 months, arrears and pension revision payments by end-2023, with 25% installments at specified intervals."
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