The Supreme Court has made it clear to the State governments that they cannot cite financial burdens to oppose raising the retirement age of judicial officers. States have been urged to take an independent and pragmatic decision on enhancing the retirement age of judicial officers, preferably within two weeks, irrespective of the retirement age applicable to other government employees. Officers are allowed to continue beyond 60 years only if States/UTs and High Courts are in concurrence. In case States/UTs and High Courts decide to enhance the retirement age, such enhancement shall take effect from 01.04.2026." During the hearing, the bench had also indicated that it intended to decide the larger issue of a uniform retirement age for District Judges at the earliest.