Overview
- The Constitution bench led by Chief Justice B. R. Gavai, with Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, K. Vinod Chandran and Joymalya Bagchi, delivered the ruling on November 19.
- The court found no nationwide pattern of disproportionate representation that would justify a separate quota for promotee judges.
- Perceived discontent or heartburn cannot justify creating subgroups within the cadre without a legal claim, illegal denial, or a legitimate expectation backed by evidence.
- Seniority will follow an annual four‑point roster—two Regular Promotees, one LDCE, one Direct Recruit—with roster seniority for belated appointees only if the recruitment concludes within the initiating year and no later‑year appointments intervene.
- Fixation in Selection Grade and Super Time Scale will rest on merit‑cum‑seniority within the HJS rather than length of service or performance in lower rungs, with in‑service officers retaining advancement opportunities as district judges.