In Brief
The Supreme Court addressed the status and regularization of Court Managers—administrative professionals introduced by the Thirteenth Finance Commission to support judges and improve court efficiency. Finding that despite earlier directives, most Court Managers remained on precarious contractual or ad hoc employment across India with no uniform service conditions, the Court directed all High Courts to frame rules based on the Assam model within three months, with State Government approval to follow within another three months. The Court mandated regularization of existing Court Managers (treating Class-II Gazetted Officer status for pay purposes) subject to suitability testing, with retrospective effect from initial appointment dates. Registrar Generals and Chief Secretaries were made personally responsible for meeting regularization timelines.
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