Justice Chavan Calls For National Judicial Service, Reforms To Address Vacancies In Judiciary

Time of India

20-05-2025

Nagpur: Amid mounting concerns over the shortage of judges and the growing backlog of over 5 crore cases across Indian, former Bombay high court judge and Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission chairman Ravindra Chavan has recommended a series of urgent reforms to overhaul judicial recruitment and training.
His proposals appear in a chapter titled 'Human Resource (mis)management in the Judiciary', part of the recently published book 'Shaping the Judges'.
Chavan has stressed on the need for a coordinated, national-level framework for appointments by establishing an All India Judicial Service (AIJS), modelled on the UPSC. More than 4,800 posts in the subordinate judiciary are lying vacant despite enhanced sanctioned strength.
Chavan attributed the stagnation to decentralised and inconsistent recruitment practices across states. A centralised AIJS, he argued, would streamline appointments, attract capable candidates, and uphold uniformity and transparency.
He further pointed to the judiciary's lack of diversity, highlighting the inadequate representation of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, other backward classes, minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
To address this imbalance, Chavan advocated expanding reservation quotas and introducing support systems to improve accessibility for under-represented communities. Despite formal provisions, he noted that many reserved positions remain vacant due to systemic gaps and procedural hurdles.
Another key focus of his recommendations is modernising legal education. He emphasised the need to prepare future judges for emerging legal challenges by incorporating artificial intelligence, data analytics, and forensic science into law curricula.
He also suggested that judicial service orientation begin at the undergraduate level to foster early interest and readiness. "Law universities must evolve to match the demands of a data-driven justice system," he told TOI, adding that technological competence should be treated as essential to judicial effectiveness.
Chavan also raised concerns over the bureaucratic inertia and delays in the appointment process.
He called upon high courts and state govts to ensure faster, transparent, and independent recruitment mechanisms free from political or administrative influence. According to him, an accountable, time-bound recruitment process would not only address vacancies but also help restore public confidence in the judicial system.
His intervention comes at a time when institutional delays and inefficiencies are drawing criticism for hampering access to justice.
The measures he proposes aim to create a judicial system that is inclusive, responsive, and equipped for the future.
Nagpur: Amid mounting concerns over the shortage of judges and the growing backlog of over 5 crore cases across Indian, former Bombay high court judge and Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission chairman Ravindra Chavan has recommended a series of urgent reforms to overhaul judicial recruitment and training.
His proposals appear in a chapter titled 'Human Resource (mis)management in the Judiciary', part of the recently published book 'Shaping the Judges'.
Chavan has stressed on the need for a coordinated, national-level framework for appointments by establishing an All India Judicial Service (AIJS), modelled on the UPSC. More than 4,800 posts in the subordinate judiciary are lying vacant despite enhanced sanctioned strength.
Chavan attributed the stagnation to decentralised and inconsistent recruitment practices across states. A centralised AIJS, he argued, would streamline appointments, attract capable candidates, and uphold uniformity and transparency.
He further pointed to the judiciary's lack of diversity, highlighting the inadequate representation of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, other backward classes, minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
To address this imbalance, Chavan advocated expanding reservation quotas and introducing support systems to improve accessibility for under-represented communities. Despite formal provisions, he noted that many reserved positions remain vacant due to systemic gaps and procedural hurdles.
Another key focus of his recommendations is modernising legal education. He emphasised the need to prepare future judges for emerging legal challenges by incorporating artificial intelligence, data analytics, and forensic science into law curricula.
He also suggested that judicial service orientation begin at the undergraduate level to foster early interest and readiness. "Law universities must evolve to match the demands of a data-driven justice system," he told TOI, adding that technological competence should be treated as essential to judicial effectiveness.
Chavan also raised concerns over the bureaucratic inertia and delays in the appointment process.
He called upon high courts and state govts to ensure faster, transparent, and independent recruitment mechanisms free from political or administrative influence. According to him, an accountable, time-bound recruitment process would not only address vacancies but also help restore public confidence in the judicial system.
His intervention comes at a time when institutional delays and inefficiencies are drawing criticism for hampering access to justice. The measures he proposes aim to create a judicial system that is inclusive, responsive, and equipped for the future.