Supreme Court Update: 3-Year Practice Rule

The Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, recently discussed the controversial 3-year practice rule for judicial aspirants. The hearing has brought a ray of hope for law students across the country. 

Key Highlights of the Discussion

1. Impact on Law Students

The CJI acknowledged the growing stress and uncertainty among final-year law students and recent graduates. He noted that the sudden imposition of the 3-year practice rule has created a significant barrier for talented candidates who wish to join the judiciary immediately after their degree.

2. Proposed Shift: "Post-Selection Training"

In a significant observation, the CJI suggested that while practical experience is necessary for a judge, it should not be a pre-condition for selection.

The Proposal: Candidates should first be selected through the competitive exam based on their merit.

• The Training: Once selected, they can be trained as Law Clerks or attached to High Court judges to gain the required "practical exposure" before officially taking the bench.

3. Extension of Judiciary Exam Deadlines

To protect the interests of candidates while the Court deliberates, the CJI suggested extending application deadlines for various state judicial services.

• Example: The Bihar Judicial Services Examination (originally starting 18th March) is expected to have its deadline extended until 30th April 2026.

• This indicates that the three-judge bench is seriously considering a modification to the current eligibility criteria.

4. LLM Degree & Experience Count

Regarding whether an LLM degree will be counted as part of the 3-year experience, the CJI clarified:

• This decision currently rests with the respective High Courts.

• If a High Court fails to address this concern, the matter can then be challenged and decided by the Supreme Court.

Current Status & Next Steps

The Supreme Court appears inclined towards a model where practice follows selection, rather than preceding it. However, the final verdict is still awaited.

Next Hearing Date: 20th March 2026.

Disclaimer: This summary is based on the court's discussion on 13th March 2026. Students are advised to wait for the official written order for final confirmation.