NationalFriday, 21 August 2026·The Hindu - National
Supreme Court cuts legal practice requirement to one year for entry-level judicial exams
The Supreme Court on August 21, 2026 reduced the mandatory legal practice requirement for entry-level judicial exams from three years to one year, with transitional rules till March 31, 2027.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On August 21, 2026, the Supreme Court modified its May 2025 ruling and reduced the mandatory legal practice requirement for entry-level judicial service examinations from three years to one year.
Key specifics
- The Bench was led by Chief Justice Surya Kant with Justices A.G. Masih and K. Vinod Chandran.
- Candidates in judicial exams notified between May 25, 2025 and March 31, 2027 are eligible regardless of prior experience.
- Selected candidates will serve as trainee judicial officers for one year.
- A further one-year structured clerkship is required after selection.
- For exams notified after April 1, 2027, the new arrangement will apply.
Exam lens
Question type: Judiciary and Supreme Court judgment facts, direct recruitment to Civil Judges (Junior Division), transitional dates, trainee period and clerkship. TNPSC may ask about the revised eligibility rule and the dates covered by the interim arrangement.