All High Court judges entitled to full pension: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court ruled that all High Court judges, including other judges, will be entitled to full pension and retirement benefits. File | Image source: PTI

In a major judgment, the Supreme Court of India ruled on Monday (May 19, 2025) that all high court judges, including other judges, will be entitled to full pension and retirement benefits. The Supreme Court said the former chief judge of the High Court will receive a pension of Rs 1.5 lakh a year.

Observing that the denial would violate the right of equality under Article 14 of the Constitution, the judges composed of Chief Justice Br Gavai and Augustine George Masih said that the full pension would be paid whether appointed as another judge or later appointed as permanent. The bench said that discrimination between judges is violated based on the time of appointment or designation, which violates this fundamental right. The CJI announced the verdict, saying that the families of the late additional High Court judges also have the right to the same pension and retirement benefits as the permanent judge’s family.

The bench said it had reviewed Article 200 of the Constitution, which relates to pensions that the High Court judge should pay.

“There is any discrimination between us [High Court] It said the final welfare judge after retirement would violate Article 14. Therefore, whenever we enter and are entitled to the full pension, we hold all the High Court judges.

“We also appoint retired High Court judges to receive full pensions, and any difference between judges and other judges will be against violence against this situation,” the bench said. “The union” [of India] It shall pay the full pension of Rs 13.5 lakh to the High Court judges (including other judges). ”

The Supreme Court had retained the judgment on January 28, including “considering the redefinition of pensions in the service period in the regional judiciary and the High Court.” The gap is allegedly paid pensions to High Court judges on several reasons, including whether they are permanent or other judges at retirement.

“The High Court judges are promoted from the district judiciary and covered on the NPS, with less pensions than those raised directly from the bar association.”