Chief Justice Calls for National Integration in Judicial Recruitment

CJI DY Chandrachud emphasized the need for national integration in judicial recruitment, addressing high vacancy rates and the importance of standardized training. Speaking at the National Conference of the District Judiciary, he highlighted infrastructure improvements and innovative training as key to reducing case backlogs.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Sunday underscored the necessity of national integration in judicial recruitment. He advocated for transcending regionalism and state-focused selection practices.

In his valedictory remarks at the National Conference of the District Judiciary, commemorating 75 years of the Supreme Court, CJI Chandrachud pointed out a 28% vacancy among judicial personnel and 27% among non-judicial staff at the district level. He stressed that courts must operate at full capacity to address case backlogs, calling for standardized criteria and recruitment calendars.

Improving judicial infrastructure, according to Chandrachud, directly impacts the ability to reduce case pending rates, with the national average disposal rate currently at 95%. He highlighted the efforts of the Supreme Court's Centre for Research and Planning in creating a white paper to align state judicial training modules with global best practices. Chandrachud emphasized the importance of a unified, tech-enhanced curriculum for judicial training.

The CJI also advocated for institutionalizing training practices, ensuring they benefit all judicial officers through innovative methods. He called for bridging the gap between the district judiciary and High Courts, viewing it as a legacy of colonial subjugation.

(With inputs from agencies.)