To tackle the loss of experienced judicial officers and ensure accessible justice, the Supreme Court of India has ordered seven states to raise the retirement age of district judges from 60 to 62 years. A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana ruled that district judges from these seven states who retired on or after March 31 of this year will have the option to rejoin judicial service, provided they have not taken up alternative employment in the interim. The apex court instructed Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal to amend their service rules within two months to extend the retirement age to 62. This extension will be subject to an assessment of the judge’s suitability by the respective High Court upon reaching the age of 60. Pending formal amendments to the service regulations, no district judge in these seven states reaching the age of 60 will be retired until they turn 62, contingent on approval of their performance and fitness by the concerned High Court. Additionally, the Supreme Court directed 24 other states and union territories—including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi (NCT), Gujarat, Haryana, Kerala, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir—to reconsider their current stance on increasing the judicial retirement age. These jurisdictions have been given two weeks to take a definitive decision and submit a compliance report to the court. Post navigation Krishna Janmashtami 2026: Important Puja Timings, Date Schedule, and Fasting Practices Health Alert: Avoid Buying and Consuming Fish from Flood-Hit Waters in Kushinagar
