New Delhi: The Gujarat district judge recruitment results have come under judicial scrutiny after the Supreme Court issued a notice on a petition filed by two advocates challenging the recruitment process. The petition questions the Gujarat High Court’s decision not to select any candidate under the 25% direct recruitment quota despite 113 advertised vacancies. The case raises important questions about transparency, fairness, and the role of viva voce marks in judicial appointments.
Gujarat District Judge Recruitment Results: Supreme Court Seeks Response
The Supreme Court has issued notice on a writ petition filed by two advocates challenging the Gujarat High Court’s District Judge recruitment results for the 2024-25 recruitment cycle. A Bench comprising Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan took up the matter and sought responses from the concerned authorities.
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What Is the Case About
The petition challenges the final recruitment result declared on July 9, 2026. According to the petitioners, although 113 District Judge vacancies were advertised under the 25% direct recruitment quota, no candidate was ultimately selected despite two candidates qualifying for the viva voce stage. The petition seeks the setting aside of the result and requests a fresh and transparent evaluation process.
Gujarat District Judge Recruitment Results: Petitioners Raise Concerns Over Selection Process
The petitioners argue that the decision not to recommend any candidate despite a large number of vacancies is arbitrary and violates constitutional principles of equality and fairness. They have also questioned the evaluation process followed during the interview stage.
Recruitment Process Explained
The Gujarat High Court had advertised 113 District Judge vacancies under the direct recruitment quota. The selection process included:
- Preliminary Examination
- Gujarati Language Test
- Main Written Examination
- Viva Voce (Interview)
Out of 729 candidates who appeared in the preliminary examination, only 31 candidates qualified for the main examination. Eventually, only the two petitioners qualified for the viva voce stage under the direct recruitment quota.
Gujarat District Judge Recruitment Results: Allegations Regarding Viva Voce Marks
The petition states that both petitioners performed well in the written examination but failed to secure the minimum marks required in the viva voce. According to the petition, the interview process lasted only a few minutes, raising concerns about the adequacy and fairness of the assessment. The petitioners have argued that excessive importance was given to viva voce marks, which effectively outweighed performance in the written examination.
Gujarat District Judge Recruitment Results: Concerns Over Vacancy Filling
The petition highlights that over the last seven years, only one appointment has reportedly been made through the 25% direct recruitment quota despite multiple recruitment exercises and hundreds of notified vacancies. The plea claims that this pattern requires closer examination to ensure transparency and effectiveness in judicial recruitment.
Interim Relief Sought
Apart from challenging the results, the petitioners have sought interim relief from the Supreme Court. They have requested a stay on the operation of the July 9 result and have asked the Court to restrain authorities from starting a fresh recruitment process for the advertised vacancies until the matter is decided.
