one who has become subordinate judge through PCS[J] can never be promoted to High Court or Supreme Court ?

Hi K Jj,

Thanks for asking, Let me give you a comprehensive and undubious answer.

The Indian judiciary can be divided into two main categories, higher judiciary, and lower judiciary.Higher Judiciary includes High Courts and Supreme Court the rest is lower judiciary.

The process of appointment to the lower judiciary is carried out by the state public service commissions or through the high courts (PCSJ). The process usually involves written examination which includes a preliminary objective test and then a mains subjective test. Once you qualify if you are subject to the interview after which if cleared you to become a judge in the lower judiciary (Munsif courts). There is another set of examinations that are conducted by the High Court for induction of Judges at the level of Additional District Judges, this is called HJS or Higher Judicial Services while it is higher than the PCSJ in rank, in the overall scheme of things it is still lower judiciary. The process for HJS is also same but it requires an experience as a Judge or a Lawyer (7 Years). These two posts are regularly promoted and eventually, some make it to the high courts or supreme courts.

The Higher Judiciary includes the High Courts and the Supreme Courts. The appointment to this judiciary is done in the following manner:
1. Through Promotion from Lower Judiciary
2. Through direct elevation of practicing lawyers (has been an advocate for at least 10 years of a high court)
3. In case of Supreme Court through direct elevation and promotion from high courts. (has been a judge for at least 5 years in  High court/s)

All The Best!

Please upvote!