The Supreme Court noted that 14 States have consented to letting District Judicial Officers serve until 62 years instead of retiring at 60. It told these States to amend their service rules, with the increase subject to the concerned High Court assessing suitability and performance. Seven States — Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal — must let eligible officers who retired on or after 31 March 2026 opt to rejoin service. Other States and Union Territories were asked to reconsider, and the Court said financial burden should not be a ground for opposing the change. Supreme Court judges retire at 65 and High Court judges at 62.
