SC Asks States, UTs to Consider Raising Retirement Age of Judicial Officers to 61 Years

New Delhi, July 22: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed all states and Union Territories to consider increasing the retirement age of judicial officers from 60 to 61 years, in consultation with their respective High Courts. A Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant passed the interim order while hearing a petition seeking a uniform retirement age of 62 years for district judiciary judges across the country. The Court said that if a state government and its High Court agree to the proposal, judicial officers may continue in service till the age of 61 years. The interim arrangement will take effect from April 1, 2026, and will remain subject to the final decision of the Supreme Court. The Bench clarified that the main issue—whether the retirement age should be uniformly raised from 60 to 62 years nationwide—will be decided later. The Court has asked all states, UTs and their respective High Courts to submit their responses within two weeks. Those already supporting the proposal need only file a brief statement confirming their agreement. The matter comes as some states, including Telangana and Madhya Pradesh, have already moved towards increasing the retirement age of judicial officers, while others have opposed the proposal, citing the retirement age of state government employees. The Supreme Court said the issue requires an early resolution in view of differing positions across the country.