Amendments in Delhi District Courts Establishment

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA SG-DL-E-16102025-266649 EXTRAORDINARY No. 41] DELHI, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025/ASVINA 1, 1947 [N. C. T. D. No. 251 PART II—I 6310 DG/2025 (1) DELHI GAZETTE : EXTRAORDINARY PART II—I] [PART II—I DELHI GAZETTE : EXTRAORDINARY DELHI GAZETTE : EXTRAORDINARY PART II—I] [PART II—I DELHI GAZETTE : EXTRAORDINARY DELHI GAZETTE : EXTRAORDINARY PART II—I] [PART II—I DELHI GAZETTE : EXTRAORDINARY DELHI GAZETTE : EXTRAORDINARY PART II—I] HIGH COURT OF DELHI: NEW DELHI NOTIFICATION Delhi, the 22nd September, 2025 No. 68/Rules/DHC.—In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution of India read with the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs Notification No.F27/40/50-NGS dated the 28th October, 1953 and all other powers enabling it in this behalf, the High Court of Delhi, with the prior approval of the Central Government and the concurrence of Hon‘ble Lt. Governor of National Capital Territory of Delhi, hereby makes the following amendments in Delhi District Courts Establishment (Appointment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2012: AMENDMENTS These rules may be called ―Delhi District Courts Establishment (Appointment and Conditions of Service) (Amendment) Rules, 2025‖. | S.No. | Rules | Amendments | |---|---|---| | 1. | For rule 2(1)(B), the following rule shall be substituted: | All other posts in Group A and in other Groups means the Principal District and Sessions Judge of the District to which staff is allocated under these Rules. | | 2. | For rule 2(5), the following rule shall be substituted: | “District” means the District notified by the Government of NCT from time to time. | | 3. | For rule 2(6), the following rule shall be substituted: | “Principal District & Sessions Judge” means the Principal District & Sessions Judge of the concerned District | |---|---|---| | 4. | For rule 2(13), the following rule shall be substituted: | ―Recommendation Committee‖ constituted by the High Court for the purpose of making recommendations to the High Court of the names of suitable candidates for the post of Administrative Officer(Judicial) and above and shall comprise of:- i. One Principal District & Sessions Judge (as Chairman); and ii. Two members of Delhi Higher Judicial Service having at least ten years of service to be nominated by the High Court on an yearly basis or for a specified period. | | 5. | For rule 2(14), the following rule shall be substituted: | ―Unified Recruitment Committee‖ – In respect of all posts to which direct recruitment is to be made in any District, the High Court shall constitute a permanent Unified Recruitment Committee comprising: - i. One Principal District & Sessions Judge (as Chairman); and ii. Two members of Delhi Higher Judicial Service having atleast ten years of service to be nominated by the High Court on an yearly basis or for a specified period. Explanation: It shall be mandatory for a Recruitment Committee constituted for making recruitments for 10 or more vacancies in Group-C posts to have one member of SC/ST community. | | 6. | For rule 2(15), the following rule shall be substituted: | ―Selection Committee‖ in respect of: a. Post of Administrative Officer (Judicial) and above means a Committee comprising of such number of Hon‘ble Judges of High Court as the Hon‘ble Chief Justice may deem appropriate. b. All other posts in Group A and other Groups means one or more Committee or Committees constituted by the High Court comprising of : i. One Principal District & Sessions Judge; ii. One member of Delhi Higher Judicial Service having at least ten years of service; and iii. One Chief Metropolitan Magistrate or Senior Civil Judge or Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate or Administrative Civil Judge to be nominated by the High Court on an yearly basis or for a specified period. Explanation: It shall be mandatory for a Selection Committee constituted qua Group-C post to have one member of SC/ST community. | | 7. | Amendment in rule 3 | Sub Rule 2A shall be inserted after Sub Rule 2 in the following manner: 2A. The High Court, after coming into force of the ―Delhi District Courts Establishment (Appointment & Conditions of Service) (Amendment) Rules, 2025 and thereafter from time to time, shall, out of the posts specified in column (2) of Schedule A, allocate such number of posts to each District, as it considers appropriate keeping in mind the number of judicial officers, judicial and administrative work and such other criteria as the High Court may consider relevant. Sub Rule 5 shall be inserted in Rule 3 in the following manner: The High Court shall, after coming into force of the ―Delhi District Courts Establishment (Appointment & Conditions of Service) (Amendment) Rules, 2025, on the basis of such criteria as formulated by it, allocate district wise, the persons holding any of the posts specified in Schedule A. Explanation:- No officer/official shall be allowed to change the allocated district except under exceptional circumstances for which approval of High Court shall be necessary. | | 8. | For rule 5, the following rule shall be substituted: | Procedure to appoint Principal Private Secretary:- It shall be the sole discretion of the Principal District & Sessions Judge concerned to appoint his/her Principal Private Secretary from amongst the pool of Administrative Officers (Judicial) working in the district concerned and such person shall continue to hold the said post for such period as may be desired by the concerned Principal District & | DELHI GAZETTE : EXTRAORDINARY PART II—I] | | | Sessions Judge. | |---|---|---| | 9. | Amendment in rule 7 | The last para of rule 7 (after the point no. f) shall be substituted as below:- on the last date fixed for the receipt of applications or on such other date as may be specified by the High Court in the notification inviting applications. | | 10. | For rule 9, the following rule shall be substituted: | District Courts Recruitment Cell:- High Court shall constitute ‗District Courts Recruitment Cell‘ which shall function as per the administrative instructions issued by the High Court from time to time. | | 11. | For rule 10, the following rule shall be substituted: | Direct recruitment:- Direct recruitment to all posts shall be made through the Unified Recruitment Committee in accordance with these Rules and the administrative instructions issued by the High Court from time to time. | | 12. | Amendment in rule 11 | The word ―Recruitment Committee‖ changed as ― Unified Recruitment Committee‖. | | 13. | Amendment in rule 12 | Recruitment Committee changed as Unified Recruitment Committee. The words ―in consultation with the District Judge and‖ shall stand deleted. The words ―The District Judge shall, in consultation with the Chairman(s) of the Committee(s) lay down appropriate criteria for interviewing to assess the suitability of the candidates for appointment to the post applied for by them including intellectual and social traits of personality so as to maintain uniformity of standards in the process of interviewing candidates‖ shall stand deleted. The words ―in such format as may be desired by the District Judge‖ shall stand deleted. | | 14. | For rule 13, the following rule shall be substituted: | List of selected candidates:- 1. After preparation of the list of selected candidates, the Unified Recruitment Committee shall place it before the High Court for final approval. After approval, the Registrar (District Courts Recruitment) shall allocate the selected candidates to various districts in terms of the preferences expressed by them. In case the number of candidates opting for a particular district is more than the number of vacancies of that post in the particular district, the candidate securing higher position in the merit list shall be allocated the District of his choice. 2. The Unified Recruitment Committee shall also prepare a panel of candidates in the order of merit containing the names of candidates not included in the select list prepared under sub-rule (1) in which the number of candidates to be included shall, as far as possible, be ten percent of the number of vacancies notified. 3. The list so prepared under Sub-Rules (1) and (2) shall be published in such manner as the High Court may direct. | | 15. | For rule 14, the following rule shall be substituted: | Appointment of candidates:- (1) Subject to Rule 16, candidates whose names are included in the select list prepared under sub-rule (1) and published under sub-rule (3) of rule 13, may be appointed by the Appointing Authority against the vacancies in the particular cadre of the particular District in the order in which the names are found in the select list after satisfying itself, after such enquiry as may be considered necessary that each such candidate is suitable in all respects for appointment to a post in the cadre. Candidates, whose names are included in the list prepared under sub-rule (2) and published under sub-rule (3) of rule 13, may be similarly appointed against vacant posts still available after the candidates whose names are included in the list prepared under Sub-Rule (1) of Rule 13 have been appointed. (2) The inclusion of the name of a candidate, in any of the two lists published under Rule 13, shall not confer on him any right of appointment. | | 16. | For rule 19, the following rule | Recruitment by Promotion:- | | | shall be substituted: | (1) The Principal District and Sessions Judge concerned shall make an assessment in the month of January, every year, of number of promotion vacancies existing and likely to occur during the year in different category of posts in the particular District. (2) The Principal District and Sessions Judge shall notify the vacancies for the posts of Administrative Officer (Judicial) and above in the particular District and shall forward the list of all eligible candidates falling in the zone of consideration for appointment to those posts to the Recommendation Committee. The Recommendation Committee, in accordance with the criteria laid down by the High Court shall prepare a list of suitable candidates for their appointment on promotion to the quota of 50% of the posts of Administrative Officer (Judicial) by way of promotion on the basis of suitability-cum-merit and for remaining 50% of posts shall conduct a departmental exam followed by an interview. The Committee shall thereafter forward the list of persons so selected along with the list of the persons not found suitable stating the reasons for the same to the High Court. The list so received shall then be placed before the Selection Committee constituted by the Chief Justice of the High Court under Rule 2 (15)(a) and the Selection Committee may either accept or reject the recommendations of the Committee or suitably modify the list as it may deem fit. The final list shall then be placed before the Chief Justice for his consideration and who shall thereafter forward it to the Full Court for approval. (3) Deleted. (4) The Principal District and Sessions Judge shall also notify the vacancies for all other posts in Group-A and other Groups in the particular district and shall forward the list of all eligible candidates falling in the zone of consideration for appointment to those posts to the Selection Committee. The Committee, in accordance with the criteria laid down by the High Court shall prepare a consolidated list of suitable candidates for all districts. However, for the post of Senior Judicial Assistant, the Selection Committee, shall prepare a list of suitable candidates for their appointment on promotion to the quota of 50% by way of promotion on the basis of suitability- cum-merit and for remaining 50% of posts shall conduct a departmental examination followed by an interview. The Committee shall thereafter forward the list of persons so selected along with the list of the persons not found suitable stating the reasons for the same to the High Court for final approval through Principal District and Sessions Judge of the District concerned. (5) The High Court shall lay down the criteria to determine the merits of a candidate. | |---|---|---| | 17. | For rule 20, the following rule shall be substituted: | Appointment:- On approval of the list of selected candidates of promotion under Rule-19, the Registrar (District Courts Recruitment Cell) shall allocate the candidates to the districts, keeping in mind the allocated vacant post in such district and send such list to the Principal District and Sessions Judge concerned who then shall make appointment of the candidates so selected after making enquiry as may be considered necessary or pass such orders as may be deemed appropriate. | | 18. | For rule 27, the following rule shall be substituted: | Disciplinary Authorities:- (1) The High Court may impose any of the penalties specified in Rule 26 on any Member of the Service. (2) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-rule (1) the Principal District and Sessions Judge may impose any of the penalties specified in Rule 26 on any Member of the Service for which the Appointing Authority is the Principal District & Sessions Judge. (3) The Principal District and Sessions Judge shall also be empowered to impose any of the penalties enumerated in clauses (i) to (iv) of Rule 26 on any Member of the Service of which High Court is the Appointing Authority. Explanation:- The Principal District & Sessions Judge under whose jurisdiction, the | DELHI GAZETTE : EXTRAORDINARY PART II—I] | | | alleged misconduct or misbehavior is committed by any Member of the service, shall be the Disciplinary Authority even where such member is transferred to other district. | |---|---|---| | 19. | For rule 28, the following rule shall be substituted: | Authority to institute proceedings:- The High Court, by general or special order, may— 1. Institute disciplinary proceedings against any Member of the Service 2. Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-rule (1) the High Court may direct the Principal District and Sessions Judge of the District concerned to institute disciplinary proceedings against any Member of the Service on whom the Principal District and Sessions Judge of the District concerned is competent to impose under these rules any of the penalties specified in Rule 26. 3. The Principal District and Sessions Judge of the District concerned competent under these rules to impose any of the penalties specified in clauses (i) to (iv) of Rule 26 may institute disciplinary proceedings against any Member of the Service of the concerned District for the imposition of any of the penalties specified in clauses (v) to (ix) of Rule 26 notwithstanding that the Principal District and Sessions Judge of the District concerned is not competent under these rules to impose any of the later penalties. EXPLANATION—On the conclusion of the inquiry or receipt of the inquiry report if the Disciplinary Authority comes to the conclusion that a minor penalty will meet requirement of the case it will be well within his competence to impose the minor penalty without seeking the approval of the High Court which is competent to impose a major penalty on the member of the Service concerned. | | 20. | Amendment in rule 33 | The word ―President‖ shall be replaced with ―High Court‖. | | 21. | Amendment in rule 34 | The word ―President‖ in Sub-Rule (iii) shall be replaced with words ―High Court‖. | | 22. | For rule 39, the following rule shall be substituted: | Retirement in public interest:- Notwithstanding anything contained in these rules or any other law, the High Court or the Principal District & Sessions Judge may, if it is of the opinion that it is in the public interest so to do, have the absolute right to retire any member of the Service who has put in not less than twenty five years of service or has attained the age of 50 years, by giving him notice of not less than three months in writing or three months pay and allowances in lieu of such notice. | | 23. | For rule 44, the following rule shall be substituted: | Power to relax:- Where the Principal District & Sessions Judge, is satisfied that the operation of any rule causes undue hardship in any particular case, he or she may send a recommendation to the High Court for dispensing with or relaxing the requirement of that rule to such extent and subject to such conditions as he or she may consider necessary for dealing with the case in a just and equitable manner provided that the case is not dealt with in a manner less favourable to the officer or officials concerned than in accordance with rules, and the High Court shall take a decision on such recommendation which shall be final. | | 24. | Amendment in Schedule-B | Column 5 – wherever the word ―District Judge‖ appears the same shall be replaced with the words ―Principal District and Sessions Judge‖ Column 4 of Sl. No. 4, 10 and 16 ―District Judge‖ shall be replaced with ―High Court‖ in the matter of relaxation of qualification and experience. | | 25. | | Wherever the words ―District Judge‖ are appearing in the Rules, the same shall be replaced with the words ―Principal District & Sessions Judge‖ | II. The following shall be substituted for the existing Sr.No.3 of Group-A of Schedule-B:- | Srl. No. | Name of the Post | Method of Recruitment | Qualification etc. | Appointing Authority | |---|---|---|---|---| | (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) | | 3. | Administrative | a) 50% of the sanctioned strength by | a) Graduate with 5 years service (Law | High Court | | Officer (Judicial) [Promotion/ Selection post] (Gazetted) PB- III-15600- 39100+6600/- | promotion on the basis of seniority-cum-merit from Senior Judicial Assistants, Senior Personal Assistants and Civil Nazirs / District Nazirs shall be filled according to the percentage of cadre strength of above three category i.e 60%, 30% and 10% respectively. b) 50% of the sanctioned strength by selection on the basis of written test and interview from Senior Judicial Assistants, Senior Personal Assistants and Civil Nazirs / District Nazirs, Judicial Assistant, Personal Assistant or combined service in any of these posts. c) In case requisite number of candidates do not qualify for selection on merit in terms of provisions of clause (b) above, by direct recruitment on the basis of written test and interview. | Graduate to be preferred) in any of the posts of Senior Judicial Assistants, Senior Personal Assistants and Civil Nazirs/District Nazirs. b) Graduate with 5 years service (Law Graduate to be preferred) in any of the posts of Senior Judicial Assistants, Senior Personal Assistants and Civil Nazirs/District Nazirs. OR Graduate with 7 years regular service (Law Graduate to be preferred) in the post of Judicial Assistant/Personal Assistant or combined service in any of these posts. c) For Direct Recruits : Law Graduate with 5 years service in the grade pay of Rs. 4600/-. | |---|---|---| III. The following shall be substituted for the existing Sr.No.14 of Schedule-B:- | Srl. No. | Name of the Post | Method of Recruitment | Qualification etc. | Appointing Authority | |---|---|---|---|---| | (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) | | 14. | Senior Personal Assistant (Promotion/ Selection Post) (Non- Gazetted) PB-II-9300- 34800+4600/- | a) 50% of the vacant posts by promotion from Personal Assistants on the basis of seniority-cum-suitability on the basis of shorthand dictation to be transcribed on Computer /Typewriter. ―Provided, Personal Assistants, who have completed eight (8) years of regular service would be promoted as Senior Personal Assistant. Such promotees would be en bloc shown at the bottom of the seniority list in the year in which they were promoted as Sr. Personal Assistants. Such promotees would maintain inter se seniority between them in the cadre of Personal Assistant. They would be junior to those promoted in the cadre of Senior Personal Assistant in the said year or earlier years. In case a junior in the said category has completed eight (8) years of regular service, his senior would also be considered, provided the shortfall is less than six (6) months. Promotions made under this proviso would be adjusted and from the 50% promotion quota.‖ b) 50% of the vacant posts by direct recruitment on the basis of written examination comprising of one paper in English language (Essay, Grammar and Translation) followed by a Shorthand dictation to be transcribed on Computer/Typewriter. The short listed candidates would also undergo a viva voce test. | a) For members of the Establishment: 3 years service as Personal Assistant. b) For direct recruits: Graduate with speed of not less than 110 w.p.m. in shorthand and 40 w.p.m. in typewriting. | Principal District and Sessions Judge | DELHI GAZETTE : EXTRAORDINARY PART II—I] IV. The following shall be substituted for the existing Sr.No.21 of Schedule-B of ―Rules 2012‖:- | Srl. No. | Name of the Post | Method of Recruitment | Qualification etc. | Appointing Authority | |---|---|---|---|---| | (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) | | 21. | Driver/Staff Car Driver (Special Grade) PB-II-9300- 34800+4200/- | By promotion on the basis of seniority-cum-merit from the category of Driver/Staff car driver (Grade-I) | Three years Regular service in the cadre of Driver/Staff Car Driver (Grade-I) in the establishment of the District & Sessions Judge, Delhi | Principal District and Sessions Judge | NOTE: These Amendment Shall Come Into Force From The Date Of Their Publication In The Gazette. By Order of this Court, ARUN BHARDWAJ, Registrar General and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054. GORAKHA NATH NATH YADAVA Date: 2025.10.16 09:57:11 +05'30' YADAVA