The Supreme Court has notified the Guidelines for Designation of Senior Advocates by the Supreme Court of India, 2026. These Guidelines replace the 2023 framework. The revision follows the Court’s judgment dated May 13, 2025 in Jitender @ Kalla vs. State (Govt. of NCT of Delhi) and Anr. (2025 INSC 667).
In Jitender @ Kalla, the Court held that the point-based evaluation system and interview process were unworkable. Earlier, the Court awarded marks based on years of practice, reported judgments, publications, and related parameters. The Court had introduced that system pursuant to directions in the Indira Jaising I and Indira Jaising II decisions to promote objectivity. However, the Court has now discarded that approach.
The Chief Justice of India and the Judges of the Supreme Court approved the new Guidelines in a Full Court meeting held on February 10, 2026.
Permanent Committee to Oversee Designation
Under the 2026 framework, a standing body titled the “Committee for Designation of Senior Advocates” will handle all designation matters.
The Committee will consist of:
- The Chief Justice of India as Chairperson
- The two senior-most Judges of the Supreme Court as Members
The Committee will function with the assistance of a Permanent Secretariat. The Chief Justice of India, in consultation with Committee members, will determine the Secretariat’s composition. The Committee will meet as required.
Annual Invitation for Applications
The Secretariat must initiate the designation process at least once every year. It will publish a notice on the official website of the Supreme Court inviting applications. It will also inform the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association.
Applicants will receive at least 21 days to submit online applications in the prescribed format.
After receiving applications, the Secretariat will collect and compile material relating to each applicant’s reputation, conduct, and integrity. It will publish the proposals on the Supreme Court website. Stakeholders will then receive at least 15 days to submit suggestions or comments.
Eligibility Criteria
The Guidelines prescribe the following conditions:
- At least 10 years’ standing as an advocate; alternatively, 10 years’ combined standing as an advocate and as a District and Sessions Judge or Judicial Member of a Tribunal, provided eligibility for that post is not lower than that required for appointment as a District Judge.
- Predominant practice before the Supreme Court. However, the Court may relax this requirement for advocates with domain expertise before specialised tribunals.
- Minimum age of 45 years, unless the Full Court grants relaxation.
- The applicant must not have faced rejection within the previous two years or deferral within the previous one year by the Supreme Court or any High Court.
In addition, the applicant must not have criminal antecedents. The Court will not consider advocates convicted of offences involving moral turpitude or contempt of court. Likewise, the Court will disqualify advocates punished for professional misconduct by a State Bar Council or the Bar Council of India.
Assessment Standards
The Full Court will assess eligible candidates on three primary factors.
1. Ability
The Court will examine legal knowledge, advocacy skills, legal writing, publications, and the ability to critically analyse judicial decisions.
2. Standing at the Bar
The Court will consider fairness in court, respectful conduct towards judges and members of the Bar, adherence to ethics, mentorship of juniors, pro bono contributions, professional reputation, honesty, and integrity.
3. Specialised Knowledge or Experience
The Court may give weight to expertise in fields such as Arbitration, Insolvency and Bankruptcy, Company Law, Intellectual Property, and Taxation.
Decision-Making Process
The Secretariat will place all eligible applications before the Full Court. The Court will ordinarily decide designations by consensus. If consensus is not possible, the Court will decide by majority. The Court may resort to secret ballot only in exceptional situations and must record reasons.
The Full Court may also designate an advocate even without a formal application, subject to consent.
If the Court does not favourably consider an application, the advocate may seek review after two years. If the Court defers a case, it will not reconsider the matter for one year. The advocate may thereafter submit a fresh application under the procedure in force at that time.
The Court will communicate the final decision individually to all applicants.
Separate Mechanism for Former High Court Judges
The Guidelines create a distinct route for former Chief Justices and Judges of High Courts. Such individuals may seek designation through a request-cum-consent letter in the prescribed format.
However, former judges who hold full-time post-retirement assignments will remain ineligible for designation during that tenure.
Power to Recall Designation
The Full Court retains authority to review and recall the designation of a Senior Advocate if subsequent conduct disentitles the advocate to the status. Before taking such action, the Court must provide an opportunity of hearing.
If any question arises regarding interpretation or implementation of the Guidelines, the matter will go to the Chief Justice of India. The Chief Justice’s decision will be final.
With the 2026 Guidelines, the Supreme Court has replaced the earlier point-based and interview-driven model. The Full Court now retains direct and decisive control over the designation process.
