The Supreme Court has now directed those States to amend their service rules and formally raise the age of superannuation of judicial officers to 62 years, preferably within two months.
The extension, however, has been made subject to a suitability assessment by the concerned High Court when the judicial officer attains the age of 60 years.
Pending amendment of the rules, the Court directed that judicial officers in these seven States who have attained 60 years shall not superannuate until attaining 62 years, subject to the assessment of their suitability and performance by the concerned High Court.
Those opting to rejoin would be entitled to consequential benefits of pay, seniority and continuity in service, subject to suitability and performance assessment by the High Court.
The directions were passed by a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.
The Supreme Court has now directed those States to amend their service rules and formally raise the age of superannuation of judicial officers to 62 years, preferably within two months.
"The States which have consented to the enhancement of age of the Judicial Officers, namely, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, are directed to amend the service rules and enhance the age of superannuation in the judicial service to 62 years, subject to the suitability assessment of the concerned Judicial Officer, on their attainment of the age of 60 years, by the High Court. Such amendments shall be carried out as early as possible, preferably within two months," the order passed by the Court on September 1 said.
The extension, however, has been made subject to a suitability assessment by the concerned High Court when the judicial officer attains the age of 60 years.
Pending amendment of the rules, the Court directed that judicial officers in these seven States who have attained 60 years shall not superannuate until attaining 62 years, subject to the assessment of their suitability and performance by the concerned High Court.
The Bench further permitted judicial officers in these seven States who superannuated on or after March 31, 2026, to exercise an option to rejoin judicial service, provided they have not subsequently obtained employment or been appointed to any other office of profit under the Union or State government.
Those opting to rejoin would be entitled to consequential benefits of pay, seniority and continuity in service, subject to suitability and performance assessment by the High Court. They would also be required to surrender post-retirement benefits, if any, already granted to them.
The directions were passed by a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.
