{"id":2164,"date":"2025-04-02T18:40:44","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T13:10:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/?p=2164"},"modified":"2025-10-28T13:15:23","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T07:45:23","slug":"njac-antional-judicial-appointments-commission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/njac-antional-judicial-appointments-commission\/","title":{"rendered":"National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC): Meaning, Purpose &#038; Why It Was Struck Down"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-flat ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<label class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Table of Contents<\/label>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #127abf;color:#127abf\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #127abf;color:#127abf\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/njac-antional-judicial-appointments-commission\/#History_and_Evolution_of_Judicial_Appointments_in_India\" >History and Evolution of Judicial Appointments in India<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/njac-antional-judicial-appointments-commission\/#Article_124_in_the_Constitution_of_India\" >Article 124 in the Constitution of India<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/njac-antional-judicial-appointments-commission\/#National_Judicial_Appointments_Commission_NJAC\" >National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/njac-antional-judicial-appointments-commission\/#Key_Features_of_the_NJAC\" >Key Features of the NJAC<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/njac-antional-judicial-appointments-commission\/#NJAC_Full_Form\" >NJAC Full Form<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/njac-antional-judicial-appointments-commission\/#Collegium_vs_NJAC_UPSC\" >Collegium vs NJAC UPSC<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/njac-antional-judicial-appointments-commission\/#Why_NJAC_was_Struck_Down_by_the_Supreme_Court\" >Why NJAC was Struck Down by the Supreme Court<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/njac-antional-judicial-appointments-commission\/#Why_was_NJAC_Declared_Unconstitutional\" >Why was NJAC Declared Unconstitutional?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/njac-antional-judicial-appointments-commission\/#Impact_of_the_Supreme_Courts_Verdict_on_NJAC\" >Impact of the Supreme Court\u2019s Verdict on NJAC<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/njac-antional-judicial-appointments-commission\/#Current_System_of_Judicial_Appointments_in_India_Post_NJAC\" >Current System of Judicial Appointments in India (Post NJAC)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/njac-antional-judicial-appointments-commission\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/njac-antional-judicial-appointments-commission\/#National_Judicial_Appointments_Commission_FAQs\" >National Judicial Appointments Commission FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was introduced through the 99th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2014, to reform the process of appointing judges to the higher judiciary in India. It aimed to replace the collegium system with a more transparent and accountable mechanism. However, the Supreme Court struck down the <\/span><b>National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as unconstitutional in 2015, restoring the collegium system. This article explores the structure, function, and reasons behind the invalidation of the NJAC.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"History_and_Evolution_of_Judicial_Appointments_in_India\"><\/span><b>History and Evolution of Judicial Appointments in India<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before the <\/span><b>National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, judicial appointments in India were primarily governed by the <\/span><b>collegium system<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which was established through Supreme Court judgments in the <\/span><b>Three Judges Cases<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This system granted the Chief Justice of India and senior judges control over the appointment and transfer of judges, ensuring judicial independence but also raising concerns about transparency.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Also Read: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/upsc-prelims-syllabus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Prelims Syllabus<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Article_124_in_the_Constitution_of_India\"><\/span><b>Article 124 in the Constitution of India<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Article 124<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the Indian Constitution deals with the establishment and constitution of the <\/span><b>Supreme Court of India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The article lays down the framework for the number of judges in the Supreme Court, their appointment process, qualifications, and removal. Here&#8217;s a simplified explanation:<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>Structure of the Supreme Court<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court of India consists of a <\/span><b>Chief Justice of India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and up to <\/span><b>seven other Judges<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, unless Parliament decides to increase the number by law.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><b>Appointment of Judges<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Judges<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the Supreme Court are appointed by the <\/span><b>President of India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> after consulting the <\/span><b>National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as mentioned in <\/span><b>Article 124A<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They hold office until they reach the age of <\/span><b>65 years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A judge can resign by writing to the President or can be removed under specific procedures (explained below).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><b>Qualification for Appointment<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To become a <\/span><b>Judge<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the Supreme Court, a person must:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be a <\/span><b>citizen of India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have served as a <\/span><b>Judge of a High Court<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for at least <\/span><b>five years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or have been an <\/span><b>advocate in a High Court<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for <\/span><b>ten years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alternatively, if the President considers a person to be a distinguished jurist, they can also be appointed as a judge.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><b>Removal of Judges<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>Judge<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can be removed from office only by an order from the <\/span><b>President of India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> after a process where both <\/span><b>Houses of Parliament<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> pass a motion for removal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The motion must be supported by a majority of the total members of Parliament, and at least <\/span><b>two-thirds<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the members present and voting.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><b>Judicial Independence<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once appointed, a <\/span><b>Supreme Court Judge<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cannot practice law in any court in India.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><b>Oath of Office<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before starting their duties, every new <\/span><b>Supreme Court Judge<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> must take an oath or affirmation, administered by the <\/span><b>President of India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as per the form laid out in the <\/span><b>Third Schedule<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the Constitution.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Also Read: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/upsc-study-material-for-ias-exam-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Study Material for IAS Exam 2025<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"National_Judicial_Appointments_Commission_NJAC\"><\/span><b>National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was introduced to make the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts more structured and transparent. It was designed to make the appointment process more accountable and reduce judicial overreach.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>Key Features of NJAC<\/b><\/h4>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Feature<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Description<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Established By<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">99th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2014<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Purpose<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To appoint judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Members<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chief Justice of India (CJI), two senior SC judges, Law Minister, two eminent persons<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Replaced System<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The previous <\/span><b>Collegium System<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><b>Also Read: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/upsc-eligibility\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Eligibility<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Features_of_the_NJAC\"><\/span><b>Key Features of the NJAC<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A six-member body responsible for recommending judicial appointments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Included <\/span><b>non-judicial members<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to increase transparency.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Required a <\/span><b>majority consensus<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for judicial selections.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Veto power<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> granted to any two members.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aimed to eliminate <\/span><b>nepotism<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in judicial appointments.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"NJAC_Full_Form\"><\/span><b>NJAC Full Form<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The full form of NJAC is the National<\/span><b> Judicial Appointments Commission<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This body was constituted to bring reforms in the appointment and transfer of judges, reducing the exclusive control of the judiciary in selecting its own members.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Also Read: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/upsc-exam-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Exam 2025\u00a0<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Collegium_vs_NJAC_UPSC\"><\/span><b>Collegium vs NJAC UPSC<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding the difference between the collegium system and NJAC is crucial for legal and UPSC aspirants.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Feature<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Collegium System<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>NJAC System<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Authority<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supreme Court judges<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Judicial and executive members<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transparency<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Confidential process<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More transparent<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Composition<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CJI and senior SC judges<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CJI, two senior SC judges, Law Minister, two eminent persons<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Public Accountability<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limited<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased due to external involvement<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The NJAC was seen as a way to balance judicial independence and executive participation in appointments, while the collegium system retained judicial supremacy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Arguments in Favor of NJAC<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Transparency<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Included non-judicial members for accountability.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Executive Oversight<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Reduced judicial exclusivity in appointments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Merit-Based Selections<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Aimed to prevent favoritism and ensure diversity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Public Confidence<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Allowed greater participation in judicial appointments.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Also Read: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/upsc-syllabus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Syllabus<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-2165\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/NJAC.jpg?resize=300%2C227&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"227\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/NJAC.jpg?resize=300%2C227&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/NJAC.jpg?w=628&amp;ssl=1 628w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3><b>Arguments Against NJAC<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Judicial Independence Threatened<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Allowed political interference.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Veto Power Concerns<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Any two members could block an appointment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Violation of Separation of Powers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Gave the executive a role in judicial matters.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lack of Clear Selection Criteria<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Process was still subjective.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-5575\" style=\"width: 100%;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-107-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-5575 ml-slider has-dots-nav ms-theme-default-base\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"New Slideshow\" data-height=\"300\" data-width=\"700\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_5575\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_5575\">\n            <ul aria-live='off' class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; 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width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-5581 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-10-11 11:47:58\" data-filename=\"web-site-banner-toppers-book.-400x180-1-scaled-700x300.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/courses\/upsc-cse-books\/toppers-handwritten-upsc-pyq-4-books\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/web-site-banner-toppers-book.-400x180-1-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"300\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-5575 slide-5581 msDefaultImage\" title=\"web site banner toppers book. 400x180\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_NJAC_was_Struck_Down_by_the_Supreme_Court\"><\/span><b>Why NJAC was Struck Down by the Supreme Court<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court of India struck down the NJAC in 2015 through a landmark judgment in <\/span><b>Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association v. Union of India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The key reasons were:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It <\/span><b>diluted judicial independence<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by allowing external members in judge selection.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The presence of the <\/span><b>Law Minister<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> raised concerns over political influence.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>veto power of non-judicial members<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> undermined the Chief Justice\u2019s authority.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This ruling reinstated the <\/span><b>collegium system<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, ensuring that judges retain control over judicial appointments.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_was_NJAC_Declared_Unconstitutional\"><\/span><b>Why was NJAC Declared Unconstitutional?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The NJAC was <\/span><b>declared unconstitutional<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as it violated the <\/span><b>basic structure doctrine<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the Indian Constitution. The Supreme Court ruled that judicial independence is a fundamental feature, and any system that compromises this principle is invalid.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Reason<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Explanation<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Violation of Separation of Powers<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Executive interference in judicial appointments<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of Judicial Primacy<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Judges lost sole authority over appointments<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Political Influence<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Law Minister and eminent persons had voting power<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The decision ensured that the judiciary remained <\/span><b>independent and free from political pressure<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, safeguarding democracy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Impact_of_the_Supreme_Courts_Verdict_on_NJAC\"><\/span><b>Impact of the Supreme Court\u2019s Verdict on NJAC<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Restored the Collegium System<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as the sole appointment process.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Reaffirmed Judicial Independence<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by preventing executive interference.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Raised Calls for Further Reforms<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in judicial appointments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Maintained the Separation of Powers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a fundamental constitutional principle.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Current_System_of_Judicial_Appointments_in_India_Post_NJAC\"><\/span><b>Current System of Judicial Appointments in India (Post NJAC)<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After the NJAC was struck down, the <\/span><b>collegium system<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was reinstated, continuing as the prevailing method for appointing judges. Despite criticisms of opacity and favoritism, no alternative mechanism has replaced it. Recent discussions focus on introducing <\/span><b>greater transparency and accountability<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in judicial appointments.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><b>Conclusion<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was an ambitious attempt to reform the judicial appointment process, making it more transparent and accountable. However, the Supreme Court\u2019s decision to strike it down highlighted the need to uphold judicial independence. While the collegium system continues, discussions on improving judicial appointments remain relevant to ensuring a fair and impartial judiciary in India.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><i>Are you preparing for UPSC 2025? <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/courses\/prelims\/prelims-samadhaan-mentorship-2025?utm_source=website&amp;utm_medium=home_page&amp;utm_campaign=course\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Join IAShub&#8217;s UPSC coaching batches<\/i><\/a><i> to boost your preparation. Enroll now!<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"National_Judicial_Appointments_Commission_FAQs\"><\/span><b>National Judicial Appointments Commission FAQs<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<style>#sp-ea-2166 .spcollapsing { height: 0; overflow: hidden; transition-property: height;transition-duration: 300ms;}#sp-ea-2166.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #e2e2e2; }#sp-ea-2166.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a {color: #444;}#sp-ea-2166.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.sp-collapse>.ea-body {background: #fff; color: #444;}#sp-ea-2166.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {background: #eee;}#sp-ea-2166.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a .ea-expand-icon { float: left; color: #444;font-size: 16px;}.sp-ea-one.sp-easy-accordion .sp-ea-single .ea-header a {\r\n  padding: 7px;\r\n  background: #fff;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.sp-easy-accordion .sp-ea-single .ea-header a {\r\n  font-size: 1rem;\r\n}\r\n.sp-ea-one.sp-easy-accordion .sp-ea-single .ea-header a .ea-expand-icon {\r\n  font-size: 1rem;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.sp-easy-accordion .sp-ea-single .ea-header a .ea-expand-icon {\r\n  margin-right: 0px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.sp-easy-accordion .sp-ea-single{\r\n background: #fff;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.ea-expand a{\r\n  background: #cfe2ff !important;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.sp-easy-accordion{\r\n  margin-bottom: 1rem;\r\n  margin-top: 1rem;\r\n}<\/style><div id=\"sp_easy_accordion-1743597642\"><div id=\"sp-ea-2166\" class=\"sp-ea-one sp-easy-accordion\" data-ea-active=\"ea-click\" data-ea-mode=\"vertical\" data-preloader=\"\" data-scroll-active-item=\"\" data-offset-to-scroll=\"0\"><div class=\"ea-card ea-expand sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-21660\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse21660\" aria-controls=\"collapse21660\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"true\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-minus\"><\/i> What was the purpose of the NJAC?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse collapsed show\" id=\"collapse21660\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-2166\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-21660\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The NJAC was created to bring transparency and accountability to the process of appointing Supreme Court and High Court judges in India, replacing the collegium system.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/><\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-21661\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse21661\" aria-controls=\"collapse21661\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Why did the Supreme Court reject the NJAC?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse21661\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-2166\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-21661\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Supreme Court ruled the NJAC unconstitutional in 2015, citing concerns over judicial independence and executive interference in judicial appointments.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/><\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-21662\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse21662\" aria-controls=\"collapse21662\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> What is the difference between the NJAC and the collegium system?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse21662\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-2166\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-21662\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The collegium system is an internal judiciary-led appointment process, whereas the NJAC included members from the executive and eminent persons to enhance transparency.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/><\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-21663\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse21663\" aria-controls=\"collapse21663\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Can the NJAC be revived in the future?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse21663\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-2166\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-21663\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reviving the NJAC would require a constitutional amendment that ensures judicial independence while addressing the concerns that led to its rejection.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/><\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-21664\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse21664\" aria-controls=\"collapse21664\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> What is the current system of judicial appointments in India?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse21664\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-2166\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-21664\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">After the NJAC was struck down, the collegium system was reinstated as the method for appointing Supreme Court and High Court judges.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) aimed to replace the collegium system for judicial appointments but was struck down as unconstitutional. Learn why NJAC was rejected and how it impacted judicial independence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2164","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2164"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2164\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6356,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2164\/revisions\/6356"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}