Requirement of proficiency in State’s local language for appointment in District Judicial Service is valid: Supreme Court

Supreme Court: In a civil writ petition challenging the condition imposed by the Public Service Commissions of the various States such as Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Odisha, the three Judge Bench of Dr. DY Chandrachud, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, JJ. held that the requirement of obtaining proficiency in the language of the State for appointment to the District Judicial Service is a valid requirement.

The Court said that the judicial officers on appointment to the District Judiciary have to appreciate evidence in the State’s language. The Court held that the imposition of such a requirement was manifestly proper and, in any event, raises an issue of policy.

Hence, the Court dismissed the petition.