Judges’ Retirement Age in India: Supreme Court, High Courts and District Judiciary Explained
In India, the retirement age of judges depends on the level of the judiciary. As of September 2026, Supreme Court judges retire at 65 years, while High Court judges retire at 62 years. These ages are constitutionally prescribed under Articles 124 and 217 of the Constitution of India.
Under Article 124(2), a Judge of the Supreme Court holds office until attaining 65 years of age, unless the judge resigns or is removed through the constitutionally prescribed process.
For High Court judges, Article 217 provides that they hold office until attaining 62 years of age. A High Court judge can also cease to hold office earlier through resignation, removal under the constitutional procedure, appointment to the Supreme Court or transfer to another High Court.
The retirement age of district and subordinate judicial officers is different. Traditionally, the superannuation age has been 60 years, although the question of increasing it has recently come before the Supreme Court.
In a significant development in September 2026, the Supreme Court was considering a demand for a uniform increase in the retirement age of district judiciary judges from 60 to 62 years. The Court’s proceedings followed responses from High Courts and State Governments on the issue.
The Supreme Court has also directed States and Union Territories to consider allowing judicial officers to continue up to 61 years, subject to the respective State’s decision in consultation with its High Court. The interim arrangement was stated to take effect from April 1, 2026, while the larger question of whether the retirement age should uniformly become 62 remains subject to the Court’s final adjudication.
The issue has periodically been raised in Parliament as well. In December 2024, the Union Government stated in the Rajya Sabha that there was no proposal at that time to increase the retirement age of Supreme Court and High Court judges.
Thus, the present constitutional position can be summarized simply: Supreme Court — 65 years; High Court — 62 years; District Judiciary — generally 60 years, with the retirement-age question currently under judicial consideration.
