🔆The article argues for the appointment of distinguished jurists to High Courts in India to address the pressing issues of judicial vacancies and backlogs. Key Points: ✅Judicial Vacancies & Backlog: A significant number of judicial posts in High Courts remain vacant, leading to alarming backlogs and delays in justice delivery. This erodes public trust in the judicial system. ✅Need for Reform: The article advocates for appointing distinguished jurists - academics with expertise in law - to High Court positions. This practice is followed in several other countries and can bring fresh perspectives and research-based insights to the judiciary. ✅Historical Precedent: The idea of appointing distinguished jurists was proposed by the Constituent Assembly but was rejected without proper deliberation. 📍Benefits of Jurist Appointments: ✅Brings diverse perspectives and specialized knowledge to judicial decision-making. ✅Bridges the gap between academia and judicial practice. ✅Enriches judicial discourse and strengthens the judiciary. ✅Challenges: Challenges include integrating academic expertise with practical courtroom experience and overcoming potential resistance from within the judiciary. ✅Possible UPSC Prelims Question: What is the primary argument made in the article for appointing distinguished jurists to High Courts? A. To reduce the workload of existing judges. B. To improve the diversity of judicial appointments. C. To enhance the quality of judicial decision-making. D. To reduce the pendency of cases in courts. ✅Possible UPSC Mains Question: Discuss the challenges faced by the Indian judiciary in ensuring timely and efficient justice delivery. Analyze the potential benefits and challenges of appointing distinguished jurists to High Courts and discuss the implications for the independence and integrity of the judiciary.