J&K Government has accorded sanction to the enhancement of the age of superannuation of Judicial Officers serving in the Union Territory from 60 years to 62 years, with effect from March 31, 2026.Sanction to enhancement of retirement age is, however, subject to certain stipulated conditions.
Enhancement would take effect also in respect of those Judicial Officers, who retired on or after March 31, 2026, subject to their consent and fulfillment of the applicable conditions.
As per conditions specified, the continuation in service beyond the age of 60 years will be subject to assessment by the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh of the fitness, eligibility, suitability, performance and continued utility of the Judicial Officer concerned, in accordance with the recommendation of the Full Court dated August 10, 2026.
“Besides, necessary amendments in the relevant rules will be undertaken in consultation with the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh,” Commissioner Secretary, J&K Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Achal Sethi specified in an order, issued on behalf of the Lieutenant Governor.
The order issued today, October 5, 2026, following approval by the Lieutenant Governor, is in consonance with the Supreme Court directive.
Earlier, J&K Council of Ministers, led by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had approved the proposal, in light of SC direction, in its meeting on September 22, 2026.The Supreme Court, while considering W P (C) No 1022/1989, titled All India Judges Association & Ors. and connected matters, vide orders dated July 22, 2026 and August 5, 2026, had directed the State governments and Union Territories to take a decision regarding enhancement of the age of superannuation of Judicial Officers from 60 to 61/62 years, in consultation with the respective High Courts.
The Supreme Court, vide order dated July 22, 2026, had further directed that, wherever such enhancement was agreed to, the same would take effect from March 31, 2026, including in respect of Judicial Officers who retired on or after the said date (March 31, 2026), subject to their consent and fulfillment of the applicable conditions.
Thereafter, vide order dated September 1, 2026, the Supreme Court directed seven consenting States, namely Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, to amend their judicial service rules to provide for superannuation at 62 years, subject to assessment of suitability at the age of 60 years by the jurisdictional High Court.
The apex court separately directed the remaining States and Union Territories, including the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, to take an appropriate decision and submit a compliance report.
“In pursuance of those directions, the matter was considered in consultation with the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The Registrar General, vide communications dated July 30, 2026 and August 12, 2026, conveyed that the Full Court, in its deliberations held on August 10, 2026, resolved to recommend enhancement of the retirement age of Judicial Officers in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to 62 years, subject to such officers being found fit and eligible for their continued utility beyond the age of 60 years,” Achal Sethi mentioned.
Thereafter, the matter was taken up with the Finance Department, which vide U O No 7786054 FD-Code/916/2026-02-978 dated September 9, 2026, conveyed its concurrence to the proposal, subject to assessment of fitness, eligibility and continued utility beyond the age of 60 years, carrying out of necessary amendments to the relevant service rules, and approval of the Council of Ministers.
“The Council of Ministers, vide decision number 146/12/2026 dated September 22, 2026, accorded approval to the proposal. Now, therefore, in pursuance of the aforesaid directions of the Supreme Court, the competent authority has been pleased to accord sanction to the enhancement of the age of superannuation of Judicial Officers serving in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir from 60 years to 62 years, with effect from March 31, 2026, subject to stipulated conditions,” the order read.