Bhumika Trust Vs Union of India & Ors. (Supreme Court of India)
The Supreme Court considered a writ petition filed by a trust representing specially-abled candidates seeking exemption from the requirement of three years’ practice at the bar for appearing in the competitive examination for appointment as Civil Judge (Junior Division). The Court referred to its earlier judgments dated 03.03.2025 in a suo motu matter concerning recruitment of visually impaired candidates in judicial services and dated 20.05.2025 in proceedings relating to judicial service recruitment, where a mandatory condition of three years’ practice at the bar was prescribed for eligibility. The petitioner requested that this requirement be dispensed with for specially-abled candidates. The Court observed that eligibility conditions should prima facie remain uniform for all candidates aspiring to judicial services rather than vary across categories. However, before taking a final view, the Court considered it appropriate to obtain suggestions from all High Courts and from Law Universities and National Law Schools. The Registrar Generals of all High Courts were directed to place the order before their respective Chief Justices and circulate it to law institutions within their jurisdiction for comments within four weeks. The matter was directed to be listed on 26.02.2026.
