Supreme Court orders a pay increase for judicial officers starting on January 1, 2016

The Supreme Court ordered the implementation of the improved pay scale as suggested by the Second National Judicial Pay Commission with effect from January 1, 2016, emphasising the necessity to update the pay system for judicial officers.

The Center and the States were also ordered to pay the arrears to the officers in 3 instalments: 25% in 3 months, another 25% in the following 3 months, and the remaining balance by June 30, 2023. This directive came from the bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli.

The Supreme Court further noted that as judicial officers were not included in the purview of the Pay Commission established by the State and the Center, prompt adjustment of the pay system was necessary.

The bench said in its order, "As a matter of fact, scales of pay of government servants are raised in some states once in 5 years and once in 10 years in central govt. Judicial officers are not covered by pay commission constituted by state and centre. Therefore there's an imperative need to revise pay structure immediately,".