Evan V

The Supreme Court of India has approved a one-time relaxation of certain eligibility and “cooling-off” requirements under the “Guidelines for Designation of Senior Advocates by the Supreme Court of India, 2026”, enabling advocates whose applications were earlier rejected or deferred to seek designation again within a shorter timeframe.

The decision was taken by the Full Court in its meeting dated February 19, 2026, following representations made by the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association.

Also Read: S.7 IBC | Corporate Debtor's Ability To Pay Debt Irrelevant Before Admitting Insolvency Petition; CIRP Initiation Mandatory Once Debt And Default Established: Supreme Court

The one-time dispensation relates to paragraphs 9(iv), 21 and 22 of the 2026 Guidelines, which govern eligibility conditions and prescribe the waiting period for reapplication after an unsuccessful outcome.

As per the Full Court’s resolution:

• Advocates whose applications were not considered favourably by the Full Court will now be eligible to apply afresh after one year, instead of the earlier stipulated two-year period.

• Advocates whose applications were deferred will be permitted to apply afresh without being subject to the earlier one-year restriction.

The Court has clarified that this is a one-time measure. .