CJI D.Y. Chandrachud Advocates for National-Level Judicial Recruitment and Inclusivity

 

Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud recently advocated for a national-level recruitment process for judicial services across all states. Speaking at the valedictory ceremony of the National Conference of the District Judiciary, he emphasized the importance of national integration in judicial recruitment, which he believes should transcend regional biases and state-centric selections.

Need for Standardized Recruitment

CJI Chandrachud highlighted the necessity of standardizing the recruitment calendar nationwide to ensure timely filling of vacancies. He pointed out that the current vacancy rate for judicial personnel at the district level is 28%, while non-judicial staff vacancies stand at 27%. He stressed that improving the disposal-to-filing ratio in courts requires attracting skilled personnel.

"For disposal to outweigh the institution of cases, courts must operate beyond the current capacity of 71% to achieve 100% efficiency," he stated. The conference discussed various criteria for selecting judges and the importance of a unified recruitment calendar.

Action Plan for Reducing Case Backlogs

Chandrachud also outlined a three-phase action plan developed by a committee focused on reducing case backlogs:

1. Preparatory Stage: Establishing district-level case management committees to identify target cases and update records.
2. Ongoing Stage: Resolving cases pending for 10 to 30 years.
3. Future Stage: From January to June 2025, the judiciary will focus on clearing backlogs of cases pending for over a decade.

This initiative requires effective coordination of various applications and data management systems to track progress. The conference also discussed strategies such as pre-litigation dispute resolution to address backlog issues.

Addressing Gender Bias in the Judiciary

During his address, CJI Chandrachud underscored the need for a more inclusive environment for women in the judiciary. He noted that only 6.7% of court infrastructure at the district level is female-friendly, questioning the acceptability of this statistic in a nation where a significant percentage of judicial recruits are women.

He stated, "While the number of women in the judiciary is increasing, we must confront any biases we may have toward our colleagues at the bar and bench." He called for the legal profession to be more accommodating of marginalized groups, including women, persons with disabilities, and members of Scheduled Castes and Tribes.

Conclusion

The event was attended by notable figures, including President Droupadi Murmu, who previously endorsed the concept of an "All India Judicial Service." CJI Chandrachud's remarks reflect a commitment to reforming the judicial recruitment process and fostering an inclusive environment within the judiciary, aiming to enhance the overall efficiency and fairness of the legal system in India.