Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday shared a personal anecdote from his early legal career while hearing a plea filed by an Advocate-on-Record seeking re-evaluation of a judicial services examination paper, using the experience to advise young law aspirants on pursuing a career in the judiciary. He advised young aspirants to not get disheartened by smaller setbacks and to keep an eye on bigger goals.
During the hearing before the Supreme Court, the CJI suggested that the petitioner should consider appearing for the higher judicial services examination later in life instead of pressing the present plea.
Reflecting on his own journey, he recounted how he had once aspired to join the judicial service while still a final-year law student.
“Apply for superior judicial services next time. But let me share something, why you should not press this,” the CJI remarked while addressing the petitioner.
He explained that at the time he had applied for judicial services, final-year students were eligible to sit for the examination.
However, before the results were declared, the recruitment process underwent changes following a Supreme Court judgment that required High Court judges to serve as subject experts whose opinions would be binding on the Public Service Commission.
The Chief Justice said that during that period he had already begun appearing before the High Court, where one of the senior-most judges on the interview panel was familiar with his work.
Recalling the interaction, he said the judge had seen his name in the list of candidates appearing for the interview.
“One day, he called me into his chamber and asked, ‘Do you want to become a judicial officer?’ I said yes. He immediately said, ‘Get out from the chamber,’” the CJI recalled.
He said the incident deeply affected him at the time.
“I came out trembling. All my dreams were shattered. I thought I would become a judicial officer, but he had snubbed me like that,” he said.
CJI Surya Kant further recalled that the same judge summoned him again the following day and offered advice that eventually changed the course of his career.
He said, “If you want to become, you are welcome. But my advice is, don’t become a judicial officer. The Bar is waiting for you.’ These were the exact words he said: ‘The Bar is waiting for you,’” the CJI told the courtroom.
The Chief Justice said that after the conversation, he decided not to appear for the interview and did not even inform his parents immediately because he feared they would disapprove of the decision.
“I came outside the chamber and decided not to go for the interview. I did not inform my parents because I knew they would get annoyed,” he said, adding that he later made excuses to avoid discussing the matter further.
The CJI then asked the petitioner, “Now do you think my decision was correct or not?”
Concluding his remarks, the Chief Justice advised the young lawyer not to be disheartened by the present setback and instead prepare for future opportunities in the judiciary.
“My suggestion to you is forget about this exam.. after you turn 35 sit for the higher Judicial services exam,” he said.
– Ends