ORISSA JUDICIAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION vs STATE OF ORISSA

The Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of Rule 7 of the Orissa Superior Judicial Service Rules, 1963, stating that Article 233(1) and (2) allows for recruitment of District Judges both by promotion from the Subordinate Judicial Service and by direct recruitment from the Bar. The Court dismissed the petitioners' claims of stagnation and frustration, asserting that the direct recruitment process does not violate any legal provisions. It noted that while the quota for recruitment was not statutorily fixed, the State Government and High Court had established a 25% quota for direct recruits and 75% for promotions, which was being adhered to, thus rejecting the petitioners' grievances as unfounded.