Equal Pensions for Equal Service: Supreme Court’s Clarification on High Court Judges’ Post-Retirement Benefits
The Supreme Court of India, in a landmark ruling on May 19, 2025, mandated equal pensions for all retired High Court judges under the ‘One Rank One Pension’ principle, regardless of their entry route or tenure. The decision eliminates disparities between permanent and additional judges, ensuring a uniform pension of ₹15 lakh annually for Chief Justices and ₹13.5 lakh for other judges. It upholds Article 14’s equality clause, reinforcing judicial independence by standardizing post-retirement benefits. The ruling also extends family pension rights, addressing long-standing inequities.