Supreme Court directs seven Indian states to raise judges' retirement age to 62

The Supreme Court of India has directed seven states to increase the retirement age of judicial officers from 60 to 62 years to prevent the loss of experienced legal talent and ensure better access to justice. The states complying with this directive are Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.

The extension is not automatic; High Courts must conduct suitability assessments regarding the performance and capacity of officers upon reaching age 60. Additionally, judicial officers who retired on or after March 31, 2026, may have the option to rejoin service if they have not taken other government positions.

The Court has also instructed numerous other states and Union Territories, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, and Gujarat, to reconsider their current retirement age policies and submit a compliance report within two weeks to address disparities in judicial service rules across the country.