The Supreme Court on Friday heard a plea concerning the alleged alteration of marks in the Delhi Judicial Services examination, during which the Chief Justice Surya Kant advised a young Advocate-on-Record (AOR) to continue pursuing higher judicial services instead of litigating over the present disputes, as the law on revaluation of answer sheets was already well settled and revaluation is permissible only where the rules specifically provide for it.

Appearing in person, the petitioner argued that marks had allegedly been deducted after evaluation and tabulation of scores had already been completed. It was submitted that there was no provision for revaluation under the applicable rules and that the examiner could not alter marks after finalising the assessment.

During the hearing, the Bench observed that the law regarding revaluation of answer sheets was well settled and noted that revaluation is permissible only where rules specifically provide for it.

Sharing a personal anecdote from his early years at the Bar, Chief Justice Surya Kant recalled that while he was in his final year of law, he had himself appeared for judicial service examinations at a time when final-year students were permitted to apply. The Chief Justice narrated that he had qualified the written examination, but before the interview process, a Supreme Court judgment altered the selection procedure by requiring sitting High Court judges to participate as subject experts in interviews.

He then recalled that the judge nominated for his interview had earlier heard arguments from him in a matrimonial appeal where the decree of divorce had been set aside. Narrating the incident, the Chief Justice said:

“He called me in chamber, ‘Do you want to become like this? Get out from the chamber.’ And trembling, I came out of the chamber. My dreams were shattered.”

The Chief Justice further stated that the same judge called him again the next day and advised him against joining the judicial service.“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.”

The Chief Justice said that after the interaction, he decided not to appear for the interview and ultimately continued at the Bar. He used the anecdote to encourage the young AOR to continue pursuing higher judicial services rather than litigating over the present dispute.

“So please, don’t insist for this case. Next year, appear for the higher judicial service, and all the best.”