The Supreme Court has ruled that aspiring candidates for the Civil Judge (Junior Division) post must have at least three years of legal practice before appearing for the judicial service exam.

A bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai, along with Justices AG Masih and K Vinod Chandran, delivered the verdict on Tuesday, citing the lack of practical exposure in fresh law graduates as a serious concern.

The court noted that the direct recruitment of freshers has led to practical challenges in the judicial system. To ensure better preparedness, the court directed all state governments to amend rules, mandating a minimum of three years of practice, certified by a lawyer with 10 years of Bar experience.

The court also clarified that experience as a law clerk will count, and selected candidates must undergo one year of training before presiding in court. This decision aims to strengthen the judiciary with practical and experienced candidates.