New Delhi:
Becoming a High Court judge in India has become significantly more challenging, with recent data revealing that less than half of the proposed names are approved for elevation. According to sources within the judiciary and government, the selection process is undergoing tighter scrutiny, leading to a noticeable drop in the approval rate of candidates recommended for judicial appointments.
The Collegium system, which involves the Chief Justice of India and senior Supreme Court judges recommending names, often faces delays in getting approvals from the central government. Additionally, several names are returned or left pending for months, leading to a growing gap between vacancies and appointments.
Between 2021 and 2024, the Union Government reportedly approved only around 45% of names recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium. The rest were either sent back for reconsideration or held up due to lack of intelligence clearance or administrative vetting. These developments have raised concerns within the legal community about the timely filling of judicial vacancies.
Senior advocates and former judges suggest that increasing the transparency of the selection process, as well as streamlining communication between the judiciary and the executive, could help address delays. “While quality control is essential, excessive filtering and delays can lead to judicial backlogs and impact justice delivery,” said one legal expert.
The situation is particularly pressing in high courts like Allahabad, Bombay, and Calcutta, which are already dealing with large numbers of pending cases. The delay in appointments contributes to the existing burden on sitting judges, impacting the efficiency of the courts.
The Law Ministry has stated that the government is committed to timely appointments while ensuring that due diligence is maintained. However, the friction between the judiciary and executive over the Collegium system continues to be a topic of national debate.
As judicial aspirants face greater hurdles, experts emphasize the need for reforms that balance accountability with efficiency in India’s judicial appointment process.
