District Courts of India - Appointment and Removal

Appointment and Removal

The judges of subordinate courts are appointed by the Governor in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court of the concerned State. A minimum of seven years of practise as a lawyer at bar is a necessary qualification. Upon a written examination and oral interview by a committee of High court judges, the appointment of district judges is notified by the state Government. This is referred to as direct recruitment. District judges are also appointed by way of elevation of judges from courts subordinate to district courts provided they fulfill the minimum years of service.

The next level of ascendancy for a district judge who served sufficient number of years is the post of High court judge. High court Judges are usually appointed from a pool of advocates practising at the Bar of the High court and District Judges who served for sufficient number of years.

A district judge or Additional judge may be removed from his office by the state Government in consultation with the High court. By virtue of his office a district judge often occupies privileged position in the district alongside administrative heads of the district like the collector.