Qualification of a Supreme Court Judge

To be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of India, a person must meet the following criteria under Article 124(3) of the Constitution:

Mandatory Qualifications

• Citizenship: The candidate must be a citizen of India.
• Professional Experience: The candidate must satisfy one of the following:
  • Served as a Judge of one or more High Courts for at least 5 years.
  • Practised as an Advocate of one or more High Courts for at least 10 years.
  • Is a distinguished jurist in the opinion of the President. 

Age and Tenure

• Maximum Age: There is no prescribed minimum age for appointment, but a judge must retire upon reaching 65 years of age.
• Oath of Office: Before taking office, the appointee must subscribe to an oath before the President or an authorised person. 

Post-Retirement Restrictions

• A retired Supreme Court judge is prohibited from practicing law in any court or before any authority within the territory of India.