Retirement Age of Supreme Court Judges

The correct answer is option 'D', which states that the retirement age of a Supreme Court judge is 65 years. In this response, we will explain the reasons behind this retirement age and the importance of having a fixed retirement age for judges.

Importance of a Fixed Retirement Age for Judges

Having a fixed retirement age for judges ensures that there is a regular turnover of judges in the judiciary. This turnover allows for fresh perspectives and ideas to be brought into the court system, ensuring that the judiciary remains dynamic and adaptable to changing times. Additionally, a fixed retirement age prevents the possibility of judges becoming too old to effectively discharge their duties, ensuring that the judiciary remains efficient and effective in delivering justice.

Reasons for Setting the Retirement Age at 65 Years

1. Age-related Decline: As individuals age, they may experience physical and cognitive decline, which can impact their ability to effectively perform their duties. By setting the retirement age at 65 years, the judiciary ensures that judges retire before age-related decline significantly affects their abilities.

2. Ensuring Independence: By retiring judges at a certain age, the judiciary ensures that judges do not serve indefinitely and become susceptible to external influences or interference. This helps maintain the independence and integrity of the judiciary.

3. Reducing Workload: The retirement age of 65 years helps manage the workload of the Supreme Court. By retiring judges at a certain age, new vacancies are created, allowing for the appointment of fresh judges and distributing the workload among a larger number of judges.

4. Uniformity: Setting a fixed retirement age ensures uniformity in the judiciary, as all judges are subject to the same retirement age. This promotes fairness and equality within the judicial system.

Conclusion

The retirement age of a Supreme Court judge is set at 65 years to ensure that judges retire before age-related decline affects their performance, maintain the independence of the judiciary, manage the workload effectively, and promote uniformity within the judicial system. This fixed retirement age allows for the infusion of new perspectives and ideas, ensuring that the judiciary remains efficient and effective in delivering justice.