Senior Advocate Designation 2026: Supreme Court Gets 293 Applications; Invites Bar’s Feedback
The Supreme Court invited feedback from the Bar after receiving 293 applications from advocates seeking designation as Senior Advocates
The Supreme Court of India has received 293 applications from advocates seeking designation as Senior Advocates, following notices issued earlier this year inviting eligible members of the Bar to apply.
According to a notice dated March 16 issued by the Court’s Committee for Designation of Senior Advocates (CDSA), suggestions and views from members of the Bar and other stakeholders have now been invited regarding the proposals for designation.
The feedback received will be placed before the Full Court for consideration in accordance with the Guidelines for Designation of Senior Advocates, 2026.
The notice was issued in continuation of earlier notifications dated February 12 and February 19, 2026, through which advocates were invited to submit applications for conferment of the Senior Advocate designation. The Court clarified that suggestions or views on the candidates must be accompanied by verifiable material and submitted to the CDSA Secretariat at the Supreme Court premises or sent via email.
Stakeholders have been asked to submit their inputs by 4:30 PM on April 1, 2026, after which no further submissions will be entertained.
"In pursuance of Notices bearing F.No. 16/CDSA/2026/1 and F.No.16/CDSA/2026/1R dated 12th February, 2026 and 19th February, 2026 respectively, applications seeking designation of Senior Advocate have been received from Advocates mentioned in the list annexed hereto.
In terms of Paras 11 and 12 of the Guidelines for Designation of Senior Advocates by the Supreme Court of India, 2026, suggestions/views, if any, of other stakeholders on the proposals for designation of Advocates, who have applied for conferment of designation of Senior Advocate, are invited, for placing the same before the Full Court for consideration.
The suggestions / views along with verifiable material may be submitted in the CDSA Secretariat [Room No.308, 3rd Floor, B-Block, Administrative Building Complex, Supreme Court of India, New Delhi110001 (Phone: 011-23115879)] or through e-mail (cdsa.2018@sci.nic.in) latest by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, 1st April, 2026. Suggestions / views received beyond the said stipulated date shall not be entertained," the notice reads.
Earlier, the Court had clarified the eligibility criteria for applicants. Advocates whose requests for Senior Advocate designation had not been rejected by the Supreme Court or any High Court in the past two years were permitted to apply. Similarly, those whose applications had not been deferred by any court during the previous year were also eligible to submit fresh applications.
Copies of the notice have been circulated to key legal bodies including the Supreme Court Bar Association, the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association, the Bar Council of India, and State Bar Councils across the country.
The views and feedback received from stakeholders will form part of the material considered by the Full Court while deciding which advocates will be conferred the prestigious Senior Advocate designation.
Notably, in February, the SCBA had written to the Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant seeking reconsideration of the waiting period prescribed under the Guidelines for Designation of Senior Advocates, 2026, [Jitender @ Kalla v. State (Govt of NCT of Delhi) & Ors] urging that the timelines operate harshly against several deserving members of the Bar.
In a representation dated February 12, the SCBA flagged concerns with Paras 21 and 22 of the 2026 Guidelines, which mandate a two-year waiting period for Advocates-on-Record and Advocates whose applications were not considered favourably, and a one-year waiting period for those whose cases were deferred by the Full Court before they can apply afresh.
The Association pointed out that the Supreme Court has, in the past, relaxed similar restrictions to prevent undue prejudice to advocates whose applications were not rejected on merits or due to any disqualification.
Notification Date: March 16, 2026