SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has cleared a proposal to raise the superannuation age of Judicial Officers from 60 to 62 years, with retrospective effect proposed from March 2026, officials said.
The proposal was cleared by the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs portfolio, and has subsequently been placed before Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for the requisite approval.
A formal government order is expected from the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Department after completion of the approval process. The notification will determine the legal and administrative framework for implementing the revised retirement age, including the status of Judicial Officers who retired during the proposed retrospective period.
If approved and notified in its proposed form, officers who retired on or after March 2026 could be considered for restoration or continuation in service, subject to the eligibility conditions and procedure prescribed by the Government. Serving Judicial Officers would be able to remain in office until attaining 62 years.
The proposed change would bring the retirement age of Judicial Officers in the subordinate judiciary closer to that of High Court Judges, who ordinarily retire at 62. Supreme Court judges retire at 65.
The move comes against the backdrop of Supreme Court observations on the superannuation age of Judicial Officers in the district judiciary. The apex court had urged States and Union Territories to reconsider the existing retirement age and examine raising it to 62 years, citing the relatively late age at which Judicial Officers enter judicial service.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana also addressed concerns over the financial implications of extending judicial service, observing that financial considerations alone should not determine the decision on enhancing the retirement age.
The exact number of Judicial Officers who could benefit from the proposed amendment, as well as the arrangements for those who have already retired since March 2026, will be known after the final notification is issued.
The government order is awaited and is expected to specify the effective date, eligibility criteria, restoration of recently retired officers and other consequential service matters.
