NEW DELHI, May 8 : In a rare moment of candour, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday shared a personal anecdote from his early legal career while hearing a plea by a judicial services aspirant seeking revaluation of an examination paper.
Although the petition filed by Prerna Gupta was dismissed by a bench comprising the CJI and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, she left the courtroom smiling after the interaction.
As Gupta pressed her request, the CJI intervened and said he would share a personal experience before pronouncing the order. He recalled his own days as a young law student when he aspired to join the judicial services.
“When I was in my final year, I applied for judicial services… by the time results came, the procedure had changed,” he said, explaining how changes in the selection process altered his path.
He recounted an incident during his early practice at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where a senior judge—who was also part of his interview panel—once called him to his chamber.
The CJI said the judge initially rebuked him when he expressed his desire to become a judicial officer. “I came out trembling. All my dreams were shattered,” he recalled.
However, the judge later called him back and advised him not to join the judiciary, telling him instead, “The Bar is waiting for you.”
Taking that advice, Justice Surya Kant said he chose to focus on legal practice instead of pursuing judicial service.
Addressing the petitioner, the CJI urged her not to be discouraged by the outcome of a single exam paper. “Apply for superior judicial services next time. The Bar has much to offer,” he said.
He concluded by encouraging her to look ahead, remarking that one decision or setback should not define a career path.
