"Judges Should Be Selected Through Exams Like IAS Officers": President Droupadi Murmu

Speaking at an event organized by the Supreme Court of India in New Delhi, President Murmu suggested that an All India Judicial Service could be established to select talented young individuals for the judiciary. President raised an important question regarding the judicial appointment process in India: Should judges of the SC & HC be selected through a competitive examination similar to that of the IAS & IPS officers?

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[EXCLUSIVE] "Judges Should Be Selected Through Exams Like IAS Officers": President Droupadi Murmu

NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu raised an important question regarding the judicial appointment process in India: Should judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts be selected through a competitive examination similar to that of the IAS and IPS officers?

Speaking at the Constitution Day event organized by the Supreme Court of India in New Delhi, President Murmu suggested that an All India Judicial Service could be established to select talented young individuals for the judiciary.

She acknowledged, however, that

“the people associated with the judiciary would be better placed to explain what the rules say,”

but firmly supported the idea that

“talented youth should be given such opportunities.”

During her speech, President Murmu highlighted the unique position of the judiciary in the constitutional framework of India. She emphasized that-

“the unique diversity in the bench and bar in India will certainly help in achieving the objective of better justice through more diverse representation.”

She proposed that the process could be accelerated by establishing a system where judges are recruited from various backgrounds through a

“merit-based, competitive, and transparent process.”

Drawing parallels with the selection process of IAS and IPS officers, President Murmu hinted at the need for a similar system for the judiciary. She stated,

“An All India Judicial Service could be established to select talented youth and nurture their skills from the lower levels to the higher levels.”

She expressed her desire to provide opportunities for young, talented, and energetic individuals who are loyal to the nation to enter the judiciary.

“I want to do something for these children so that they can come here,”

-she said, stressing the need to encourage and cultivate their potential.

The President further elaborated, saying,

“There is an all-India examination for IAS and IPS. An All India Judicial Service Examination could be established to select talented young stars and foster their talent from the lawyer level to the higher levels.”

She left the development of any effective mechanism to strengthen the judicial system to the discretion of the judiciary, stating,

“I leave it to your discretion to develop any effective mechanism you deem appropriate for strengthening the system of delivering justice.”

President Murmu also suggested that

“those who aspire to serve on the bench could be selected from across the country to prepare a large pool of talent.”

Her remarks resonate amid ongoing discussions about the possibility of establishing an All India Judicial Service (AIJS). Notably, the Ministry of Law recently informed the Lok Sabha that there is currently no consensus on the proposal for the formation of AIJS.

In 2022, the then Union Minister of Law and Justice, Kiren Rijiju, also mentioned in the Rajya Sabha that there was no proposal to bring AIJS due to the lack of consensus among various state governments and High Courts.

In her speech, President Murmu emphasized the foundational values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, which she said are the principles upon which the nation operates. She praised India’s democracy, calling it exemplary on a global scale and a model of diversity and inclusiveness.

Highlighting the importance of making the justice system accessible to all, she commended the Supreme Court’s recent initiatives to provide judgments in various regional languages and stressed that this step