The Supreme Court of India issued the Guidelines for Designation of Senior Advocates, 2026, replacing 2023 norms, following Jitender @ Kalla vs State ruling, after Full Court approval on February 10, 2026, led by Chief Justice and judges nationwide.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India has issued the “Guidelines for Designation of Senior Advocates by the Supreme Court of India, 2026,” which replace the prior guidelines from 2023. This notification was released on February 11, 2026, following the Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of Jitender @ Kalla vs. State (Govt. of NCT of Delhi) (2025 INSC 667).
These new guidelines received approval during a Full Court Meeting conducted on February 10, 2026, which included the Chief Justice of India and the Supreme Court judges.
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Permanent Committee for Designation
Under the 2026 guidelines, all nomination processes for Senior Advocates will be managed by a Permanent Committee known as the “Committee for Designation of Senior Advocates,” which comprises:
- Chairperson: Chief Justice of India
- Members: Two senior-most judges of the Supreme Court
The Committee is required to convene as necessary and will have a Permanent Secretariat responsible for initiating the designation process at least once each year.
Eligibility Criteria
The guidelines stipulate particular qualifications for Advocates seeking designation:
- Standing: A minimum of 10 years as an Advocate, or a combined total of 10 years as an Advocate and a District and Sessions Judge or Judicial Member of a Tribunal (with equivalent qualifications to a District Judge).
- Practice: The applicant should primarily practice in the Supreme Court. However, those with specialized expertise who practice before specific Tribunals may receive leniency regarding their frequency of appearances in the Supreme Court.
- Age: Applicants must be at least 45 years old, unless the Full Court waives this age requirement.
- Prior Applications: Applicants must not have had any previous applications for designation rejected by the Supreme Court or any High Court in the last two years or deferred in the previous year.
Designation Process
The Secretariat will announce the application process on the official Supreme Court website and will notify the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association. Applicants will have a minimum of 21 days to submit their applications online.
Once applications are received, the Secretariat will gather relevant information regarding the candidates’ reputation, conduct, and integrity. This information will then be published on the Supreme Court website to solicit feedback from stakeholders, with a minimum of 15 days provided for responses.
Assessment Criteria by the Full Court
The Full Court will review each application based on the compiled data and conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the candidate’s “ability, standing at the Bar, or specialized knowledge or experience in law.” The guidelines lay out the following assessment parameters:
- Ability: This encompasses a strong understanding of the law, advocacy proficiency, the publication of articles and commentaries, and the ability to thoughtfully analyze judicial decisions.
- Standing at the Bar: The Court will consider attributes such as fairness in legal proceedings, respectful demeanor toward judges and the bar, maintenance of court decorum, primary function as an officer of the court, adherence to professional standards, mentorship of junior advocates, pro bono efforts, and a general reputation for honesty and integrity.
- Special Knowledge: Expertise in specific areas of law including Arbitration, Insolvency and Bankruptcy, Company Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Tax Laws, among others.
- No Criminal Antecedents: Candidates must not have been convicted by any competent court or faced penalties for offenses involving moral turpitude or contempt of court, nor have they been sanctioned for misconduct by any Bar Council.
Voting and Decision Making:
The Guidelines state that decisions regarding designation “will be by consensus.” If a consensus cannot be reached, the decision will be determined by majority vote. The rules indicate that “Voting by secret ballot will be resorted to in an exceptional situation, for reasons to be recorded.”
Other Key Provisions:
- Former Judges: Former Chief Justices and High Court Judges may submit requests for designation. However, those in any full-time position will not be considered while they hold that role.
- Suo Motu Designation: The Full Court retains the authority to recommend the designation of a deserving Advocate without an application, contingent on their consent.
- Review and Recall: The Full Court may review its decisions and revoke an Advocate’s designation if found guilty of conduct that disqualifies them, providing an opportunity for a hearing.
- Deferred/Rejected Cases: Candidates not favorably considered must wait two years to reapply, while those whose cases are deferred must wait one year.
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