Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Maharashtra Judicial Posts Face Nearly 60% Vacancy, Chief Justice Warns
Maharashtra has many empty jobs in its courts.
There are 5,195 approved judicial positions, but only 2,116 are filled.
This means nearly 60% of the jobs are vacant.
Bombay High Court Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi called the shortage “glaring.”
He noticed the problem while reviewing court facilities and staff numbers.
He spoke about it on September 16.
The discussion took place during a hearing about appointing junior judges.
He said a committee would work on steps to fill the empty positions.
Only 2,116 of Maharashtra’s 5,195 sanctioned judicial posts are currently filled.
Nearly 60% of the state’s sanctioned judicial positions remain vacant, according to a government affidavit.
Bombay High Court Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi described the shortage as “glaring.”
Tripathi made the observation on September 16 while hearing pleas about civil judge junior division and JMFC appointments.
The chief justice said he had formed a committee to help address the vacancies and refer the matter to the Public Service Commission.
- Who
- Maharashtra’s judicial system, Bombay High Court Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi, and the state Law and Judiciary Department are involved.
- What
- Nearly 60% of Maharashtra’s sanctioned judicial posts are vacant, with 2,116 of 5,195 positions filled.
- When
- The chief justice made the observation on September 16; he had reviewed the issue earlier that month.
- Where
- Maharashtra, during proceedings before the Bombay High Court.
- Why
- The vacancies were identified as a serious shortage requiring urgent steps to strengthen the state’s judicial cadre.
- Sanctioned posts
- 5,195 judicial positions
- Filled posts
- 2,116 positions
- Vacant posts
- Nearly 60% of sanctioned positions
- Chief justice
- Mahesh Chandra Tripathi
- Description of shortage
- “Glaring”
- Committee
- Formed to help address vacancies and refer the matter to the Public Service Commission
- Appointments discussed
- Civil judge junior division and Judicial Magistrate First Class posts