In a recent landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of India has raised significant concerns regarding the absence of a designated authority within High Courts to address doubts and grievances of candidates appearing for judicial services examinations.
Drawing upon the findings of the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy’s report titled “Discretion & Delay: Challenges of Becoming a District & Civil Judge,” the bench, presided over by Justices Hrishikesh Roy and Prashant Kumar Mishra, emphasized the necessity for a designated authority in each recruitment process. This authority would be tasked with providing clarifications to candidates, thereby alleviating their anxieties.
The Court underscored several recommendations from the 2018 report, stressing the need for clearly defined roles, functions, and responsibilities for the designated authority. By doing so, candidates would have a reliable resource to turn to for guidance and clarification throughout the recruitment process.
Moreover, the Court proposed additional measures to enhance the transparency and efficiency of judicial services examinations. These measures include providing a syllabus outline well in advance of examination notifications and ensuring timely communication with stakeholders, particularly in cases of unforeseen exigencies.
The Supreme Court further instructed that its judgment be communicated to the Chief Justices of all High Courts, thereby ensuring widespread awareness and implementation of its directives.
This ruling comes amidst a series of recent judgments aimed at reforming various aspects of judicial recruitment and administration, underscoring the Court’s commitment to upholding fairness and transparency within the legal system.