All India Judicial Service Can Select Brilliant Youngsters For Judiciary : President Droupadi Murmu

In the inaugural session of Constitution Day celebrations at the Supreme Court, President Droupadi Murmu put forth a proposal for the establishment of an All India Judicial Service examination. She envisioned a mechanism that would identify and nurture talented individuals from the legal fraternity to become judges. The President expressed her desire to support young, talented, and loyal individuals and stated that since there was an All India examination to become IAS and IPS officers, the same opportunity should be extended to those aspiring to serve in the judiciary.

She said–

"I wish to do something for such children so that they can come here. They're young, talented, energetic, and loyal to the country. For IAS, IPS, there is an all India examination. There can be an All India Judicial Service which can select brilliant young stars and nurture and promote their talent from lawyer level to higher level. I leave it to your wisdom to devise any effective mechanism that you deem fit to achieve the strengthening of justice delivery system."

It may be recalled that recently, responding to a question raised in the Lok Sabha, the Law Ministry stated that at present, there was no consensus on the proposal for setting up an All India Judicial Service (AIJS). In 2022 as well, the then Union Minister for Law & Justice Kiren Rijiju had informed the Rajya Sabha that there was no proposal to bring AIJS due to lack of consensus among various State Governments and High Courts. It may be noted that AIJS was also the part of discussion in 2017 in a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee and the Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of SCs/STs in 2021. However, no consensus was reached. 

The provision for AIJS was added to the constitution in 1976 by the 42nd Constitution Amendment which inserted a clause in Article 312. It enables creation of AIJS at District Judge level and not below that. 

In her address, President Murmu also reflected on the historical significance of the day and emphasized the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Commemorating the adoption of the Constitution in 1949 after three years of deliberation, she highlighted the transition from Law Day to Constitution Day symbolised a deeper commitment to the principles that guide the nation.

President Murmu underscored the core values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, as highlighted in the Preamble. She articulated that these principles form the bedrock on which the nation conducts itself. President Murmu marvelled at India's democracy, the largest of its kind globally, stating that it exemplifies diversity and inclusivity.

She stressed the importance of making the justice delivery system accessible to all. She praised recent initiatives by the Supreme Court to provide judgments in various regional languages, emphasizing that this step enhances accessibility and strengthens equality. The live webcast of court proceedings was commended as a measure that transforms citizens into true stakeholders of the judicial system. The President urged for a citizen-centric approach to improve access to justice, ensuring that the system caters to the needs of the people.

The President congratulated the Supreme Court for its pivotal role as the final interpreter of the Constitution. She lauded the Court's efforts in making judgments available in regional languages and acknowledged the institution as a model for many countries. President Murmu expressed confidence in a vibrant judiciary ensuring the robust health of the nation's democracy.

In concluding her address, President Droupadi Murmu highlighted the living nature of the Constitution, emphasizing that its vitality is sustained through practical implementation. She urged the youth to learn about visionaries like Babasaheb, emphasizing that an understanding of transformative historical figures ensures the future of the republic remains in safe hands. She said–

"The constitution is a living document- it remains alive only when its contents are put in practice. I must congratulate the Supreme Court for playing the role of final interpreter of our founding document to the perfection. Like our constitution, our Supreme Court has also been a model to many countries. With a vibrant judiciary, I'm sure that the health of our democracy would never be of concern."

The inaugural session also witnessed an address by Law Minister Arjun Meghwal who began by expressing gratitude and extending congratulations to Chief Justice DY Chandrachud for unveiling the historic statute of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, stating that it was a momentous event that held great significance. Law Minister Meghwal highlighted the unique aspect of the statute being in lawyer's attire, adding another layer of historical importance to the occasion.

In his address, he delved into the historical journey of the Constitution, shedding light on the remarkable dedication of Dr B.R. Ambedkar. He recounted the formidable task of handling a staggering total of 7635 amendments during the drafting process out of which, a significant 2437 were actively discussed and debated before the final adoption of the Constitution. He emphasized the remarkable achievement of India in establishing political equality, especially in contrast to other countries that gained independence around the same time, such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.

Concluding his address, the Law Minister attributed India's success in maintaining political stability to the Indian Constitution.