Judicial Pay and Talent Retention: Justice Datta’s Appeal During a public address on Saturday, 22 March 2026 , Justice Dipankar Datta highlighted the growing mismatch between the remuneration of judges and the financial expectations of senior advocates. He argued that inadequate pay is deterring capable lawyers from accepting elevation to the bench, thereby affecting the quality of the judiciary. Key Developments Datta cited personal anecdotes from his tenure as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court , where senior advocates rejected judgeship offers because a salary of ₹2.25 lakh per month plus allowances was deemed insufficient for modern lifestyle needs. He recounted a senior advocate’s humorous yet telling refusal, stating that his monthly expenditure on four pets alone was ₹4 lakh, making the judicial salary untenable. Datta called for a policy review of judicial remuneration to ensure that meritorious lawyers are incentivised to join the bench. The Justice warned that without attracting top talent, the judiciary cannot hope to expedite the disposal of pending cases. Important Facts The current pay structure for High Court judges stands at approximately ₹2.25 lakh per month plus various allowances. This figure has remained largely unchanged for several years, despite rising living costs and the increasing financial commitments of legal professionals, such as overseas education for children and higher personal expenditures. Datta also referenced broader systemic concerns, noting that case pendency is not solely a judicial issue; the executive’s role in case management and infrastructure also matters. UPSC Relevance Understanding judicial pay is crucial for GS2 (Polity) as it touches upon the independence and efficiency of the judiciary—key pillars of democratic governance. Aspirants should link the issue to: Judicial independence: Adequate remuneration reduces susceptibility to corruption. Access to justice: A competent bench can speed up case disposal, impacting the rule of law. Policy formulation: The need for a structured review of collegium and executive coordination. Way Forward Datta’s suggestions point to a multi‑pronged approach: Review and revise the salary and allowances of judges to reflect contemporary economic realities. Introduce performance‑linked incentives or post‑retirement benefits to make the judicial career more attractive. Strengthen the executive‑judicial coordination to address case backlog holistically. Encourage periodic stakeholder consultations, including senior advocates, to gauge the impact of pay reforms. By aligning judicial compensation with market expectations, the government can ensure that the bench comprises highly qualified individuals, thereby enhancing the overall efficacy of the justice delivery system.