On December 12, 2025, Dr. Anand Kumar submitted Unstarred Question No. †2225 to the Minister of Law and Justice, inquiring about the Supreme Court's mandate of three years of legal practice for Judicial Service exams. The questions covered the potential difficulty this may pose for women, economically weaker sections, and those without legal backgrounds, as well as whether the Government is considering abolishing or reducing the practice period or introducing financial assistance. In response, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State, stated that the appointment and recruitment of Judicial Officers in Lower Judiciary falls under the purview of the respective State Government, in consultation with the High Court, as per the Constitutional framework under Article 309 read with Articles 233 and 234. Therefore, the concerned subject matter does not fall under the purview of the Central Government.
Key Entities Referenced
Supreme Court: Recently mandated three years of legal practice for appearing in Judicial Service (Lower Judiciary) examinations.
Articles 233 and 234 of the Constitution: Empower respective State Governments, in consultation with the High Court, to frame rules regarding the appointment and recruitment of Judicial Officers in Lower Judiciary.
Ministry of Law and Justice: The ministry to which the parliamentary question is directed regarding the mandatory practice period for judicial service.
Article 309 of the Constitution: Constitutional provision related to powers for making rules of recruitment.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2225.
TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 12TH DECEMBER, 2025
THREE YEARS COMPULSORY PRACTICE FOR JUDICIAL SERVICE
†2225. DR. ANAND KUMAR:
Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that recently the Supreme Court has made a minimum
of three years legal practice mandatory for appearing in the Judicial Service (Lower
Judiciary) examinations;
(b) whether this condition is likely to make it more difficult for women candidates,
economically weaker sections and aspirants without legal backgrounds to enter the judicial
service;
(c) if so, whether the Government is contemplating to abolish or reduce the compulsory
practice period of three years by bringing a new law in view of the problems of these
sections; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, whether the Government is contemplating to
introduce any financial assistance or special assistance scheme for such candidates to ensure
equal opportunity in judicial services, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND
JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY
AFFAIRS
(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)
(a) to (d): As per the Constitutional framework, in exercise of powers conferred under the
proviso to Article 309 read with Articles 233 and 234 of the Constitution, the respective State
Government, in consultation with the High Court, frames the rules and regulations regarding the
appointment and recruitment of Judicial Officers in Lower Judiciary. Hence, the concerned subject
matter does not fall under the purview of the Central Government.
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