The government on Thursday informed the Rajya Sabha that 4,855 posts of judicial officers in district and subordinate courts across the country remain vacant, against a total sanctioned strength of 25,886.
During the Question Hour, Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal shared detailed data, noting that the total number of pending cases before subordinate courts stood at 4,80,42,720 as of December 1, 2025. He emphasized that filling these vacancies is crucial to easing the growing burden on the judiciary.
Meghwal clarified that while 16 states conduct recruitment for district judiciary positions through their State Public Service Commissions, the remaining states rely on their respective High Courts for the selection process.
He further explained that, under the Constitutional framework, the responsibility for appointing judicial officers lies with the High Courts and State Governments. Recruitment rules are framed by the states in consultation with the High Courts, using powers under Article 309, read with Articles 233 and 234 of the Constitution.
The minister also pointed to the Supreme Court’s guidelines issued in the Malik Mazhar Sultan case (January 2007), which mandated specific timelines for the recruitment of judges in district and subordinate courts. These timelines are expected to be strictly followed by all state governments and High Courts to expedite appointments.