Government plans NEET-like exam to recruit judicial officers

The proposal comes close on the heels of several states, including some ruled by the BJP, opposing the formation of an all-India judicial service, a 60-year-old idea. 

There were vacancies of 4,452 judges in subordinate courts in the country as per the figures released on December 31, 2015. While the sanctioned strength is 20,502, the actual number of judges/judicial officers in subordinate courts is 16,050. 

“Adoption of the model followed by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for conducting the National-Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses could also be explored. 

“As per the process followed by NEET, the CBSE is responsible for conducting the entrance test, declaration of result and preparation of an all-India rank,” reads a letter written by the Secretary (Justice) in the Law Ministry to theSecretary General, Supreme Court. The ministry has suggested various models to the apex court so that vacancies in the subordinate courts are filled up fast.

Besides the NEET model, the Law Ministry has also proposed that a “centralised examination” could be held by a “recruitment body” for selection of candidates and it can work under the supervision of the Supreme Court. 

It also proposed that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) can also be asked to hold an exam to recruit judicial officers. The UPSC, it said, can modify its procedures and practices in consultation with the high courts to hold the specialised test. The Secretary (Justice) has also suggested that some of the features followed by the Institute of Banking and Personnel Selection could also be followed to recruit judges to lower courts. 

The letter is a follow-up of a meeting held on April 8 between representatives of the government and the judiciary to discuss speedy justice where the issue of vacancies in lower courts also came up for deliberation.