Supreme Court notes 14 states back judicial retirement age of 62, declines individual urgent pleas

Key facts

• On October 26, 2026, the Supreme Court expressed satisfaction that 14 states had agreed to raise district judicial officers’ retirement age from 60 to 62 years.
• The court refused urgent listing of separate pleas by judges nearing or just past retirement, stating that the issue was between the Supreme Court and the states.
• The petition seeks a uniform increase in the retirement age of district judiciary judges to 62 years across the country.
• In its earlier September 4 directions, the court had asked consenting states to amend service rules, preferably within two months, with the extension subject to the High Court’s suitability assessment.