Too few rules: Without some codification, SC collegium will keep running into problems in selecting judges

Source– The post is based on the article “Too few rules: Without some codification, SC collegium will keep running into problems in selecting judges” published in The Times of India on 11th October 2022.

Syllabus: GS2- Judiciary

Relevance– Reforming the system of appointment of judges

News- The article explains the issues with the collegium system for appointment of judges.

What are the recent reforms introduced in the collegium system?

Procedure for vetting the previous judgements of the prospective candidates has been introduced for the first time.

What are the issues with the collegium system?

There is a lack of transparency in the college system. The appointments are not open to scrutiny.

Very little part of the process followed by collegium has been codified after the second and third judges’ case.

The collegium system is unable to cope whenever controversy over appointments arises.

Government has not been able to finalise the Memorandum of procedure for appointment of judges. It was mandated by the Supreme Court after it struck down the NJAC.

There is a lack of criteria for ap[pointment of eminent lawyers as SC judges.