Traditionally, the collegium system, comprising the Chief Justice of India and senior Supreme Court judges, has been responsible for recommending appointments to the higher judiciary. However, the system has faced criticism for a lack of transparency and allegations of favoritism. In response, the collegium has begun interacting directly with candidates to assess their suitability, marking a significant shift from previous practices.
The proposal to exclude candidates with judicial relatives seeks to mitigate perceived biases in appointments. Critics have long argued that the prevalence of familial connections within the judiciary undermines public confidence in its impartiality. By focusing on first-generation lawyers, the collegium aims to diversify the bench and enhance meritocracy.
This move comes amid broader discussions about reforming the judicial appointment process. The collegium system has been scrutinized for its opacity, with calls for more objective criteria and greater accountability. In 2015, the Supreme Court struck down the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), which sought to replace the collegium system, citing concerns over judicial independence. Justice Jasti Chelameswar, in his dissenting opinion, criticized the collegium for being a "euphemism for nepotism" and called for overdue reforms.