Answer

The All India Judicial Service (AIJS) is a proposed centralised recruitment system aimed at appointing district judges across India. Envisioned under Article 312 of the Constitution, AIJS seeks to standardise judicial appointments, enhance diversity, thereby strengthening the judiciary’s efficiency and inclusivity.

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Diversifying India’s Judiciary through AIJS

• Enhanced Representation of Marginalised Communities: AIJS can implement uniform reservation policies, ensuring consistent inclusion of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and women across states.
  For instance: The 2006 Parliamentary Standing Committee emphasised AIJS’s potential to improve representation from underrepresented groups in the judiciary.
• Geographical Diversity: Centralised recruitment allows candidates from various regions to serve nationwide, promoting a judiciary reflective of India’s diverse populace.
  For instance: A candidate from Kerala could be appointed in Punjab, bringing diverse perspectives to the judicial process.
• Standardised Selection Criteria: AIJS ensures uniform eligibility and evaluation standards, reducing biases and promoting a more inclusive judiciary.
  For instance: The AIJS proposal includes standardised exams and interviews, minimising regional disparities in judge selection.
• Attracting Talent from Diverse Backgrounds: A national platform like AIJS can appeal to candidates from varied socio-economic and educational backgrounds, enriching the judiciary’s diversity.
  For instance: Law graduates from rural areas would have equal opportunities to enter the judiciary through AIJS.

Improving Merit-Based Recruitment for District Judges through AIJS

• Transparent Selection Process: AIJS proposes a clear, merit-based recruitment system, reducing favouritism (Uncle Judge Syndrome) and enhancing public trust in judicial appointments.
  For instance: The AIJS framework includes objective assessments and interviews, ensuring selections are based on merit.
• Uniform Training Standards: Centralised recruitment facilitates standardised training programs, ensuring all judges possess requisite skills and knowledge.
  For instance: AIJS could establish a national judicial academy to provide consistent training to newly appointed judges.
• Efficient Vacancy Filling: AIJS aims to streamline recruitment, promptly addressing judicial vacancies and reducing case backlogs.
  For example: AIJS’s objective is to achieve the recommended ratio of 50 judges per 10 lakh population (Law Commission of India), currently it is 19 judges per 10 lakh population.
• Attracting High-Caliber Candidates: A prestigious national service like AIJS can draw talented individuals, enhancing the judiciary’s overall competence.
  For instance: Top law graduates may be more inclined to join the judiciary through a respected national examination system.
• Consistency in Judicial Quality: Standardised recruitment and training under AIJS ensure uniform judicial quality across states, promoting fairness in justice delivery.
  For instance: AIJS could implement consistent evaluation metrics, ensuring judges nationwide meet high competency standards.

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By adopting best practices from global models like the United States’ federal judicial appointments, AIJS can enhance judicial efficiency and inclusivity. Aligned with the objectives of the National Judicial Appointments Commission, AIJS could play a crucial role in strengthening India’s justice delivery system and reducing the pendency of 4.5 crore cases, while also promoting inclusivity.