2.14.1 Before the commencement of the Constitution, Manipur was a Chief Commissioner’s Province. By the First Schedule of the Constitution, it was Part "C" State.

2.14.2 Under the North-Eastern Areas (Re-organisation) Act, 1971, Manipur became an independent State in the Indian Union with effect from 21-01-1972.

2.14.3 Manipur has independent Judicial System under the High Court of Gauhati. It was part of North-Eastern Areas territory.

2.14.4 Manipur Judicial Service Rules, 1976 governs the recruitment and conditions of service of the State Judiciary.

2.14.5 At present, there are three grades in Manipur Judicial Service viz.,

i) Grade-I,

ii) Grade-II, and

iii) Grade-III.

Grade - I consists of District and Sessions Judges / Additional District and Sessions Judges / Registrar / Joint Registrar in High Court / Judges, Family Court / Judges, Narcotic and Psychotrophic Substance Act / Presiding Officers, Revenue Tribunal.

Grade - II consists of Deputy Registrar in High Court / Chief Judicial Magistrates / Additional Chief Judicial Magistrates / Civil Judges (Sr. Division).

Grade - III consists of Civil Judges (Junior Division) / Judicial Magistrates I Class and II Class / Administrative Officer of the District and Sessions Court.

2.14.7 After initial appointment, an officer should undergo probation for a period of two years. The new recruit is imparted in-service training for two weeks in Criminal Courts and another two weeks in Civil Courts before he is posted to a regular court. Foundation and Refresher Courses are also provided from time to time.

2.14.8 At present, there are 11 posts in the cadre in the pay scale of Rs.2000-60-2300-EB-75-3200-100-3500 and after completion of two years they are given the pay scale of Rs.2200-75-2800-EB-100-4000.

2.14.9 The confirmed officers in Grade-III would be promoted to Grade-II. At present, there are 6 permanent and 7 temporary posts in that grade carrying a pay scale of Rs.3000-100-3500-125-5000.

2.14.10 If confirmed officers in Grade-III are not available for promotion to Grade-II, the appointment to the posts in Grade-II shall be made by direct recruitment from among the members of the Bar in the age group of 30 years and 40 years with not less than 5 years standing at the Bar.

2.14.11 The newly recruited officers will be on probation for a period of two years.

2.14.12 The posts in Grade-I are also filled up by promotion from among the confirmed officers in Grade-II. In case of need, the appointment to the posts of District Judge and Additional District Judge in Grade-I may be made by the Gauhati High Court from amongst the members of the Bar in the age group of 35 years and 45 years with not less than seven years standing at the Bar.

2.14.13 At present, there are 5 posts in that Grade and 3 other posts are to be manned by the MJS Grade-I in the pay scale of Rs.3700-125-4700-150-5000 and after completion of two years they are given the pay scale of Rs.4100-125-4350-150-5300.

2.14.14 20% of the total cadre strength in the service is deputation reserve, 10% is leave reserve and 2% is training reserve. At present, there are 4 deputation reserve posts, 2 leave reserve posts and 2 training reserve posts.

2.14.15 All the appointments shall be subject to the orders regarding special representation in the service to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, issued by the Government from time to time.

2.14.16 Territorial jurisdiction of the District and Sessions Judges and Additional District and Sessions Judges extends to all the Districts within the District and Sessions Division.

2.14.17 Pecuniary jurisdiction of the District Judge / Additional District Judge and Civil Judge (Senior Division) is unlimited.

2.14.18 Pecuniary jurisdiction of the Civil Judge (Junior Division) is upto Rs.20,000/- .

2.14.19 Appeals from a decree or order of a Civil Judge (Junior Division) in any suit and also the Civil Judge (Senior Division) in a suit of the value not exceeding Rs.50,000/- would lie to the Court of the District Judge.

2.14.20 Appeals in all other cases would lie to the High Court.

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