GS2Polity · Governance · IR·Polity & Constitution
Judicial Appointments and Accountability for UPSC
35 notes · updated 27 Oct 2026
In the news
- Supreme Court Collegium recommends four judges for Chief Justice positions
The Supreme Court Collegium issued a resolution on October 26 recommending four judges for Chief Justice positions and two judges for the Bombay High Court.
- Supreme Court strength reaches 37 as Chief Justice Surya Kant swears in three judges
Chief Justice Surya Kant administered the oath of office to three new judges, bringing the Supreme Court's working strength to 37.
- Justice Puthichira Sam Koshy appointed Acting Chief Justice of Telangana High Court
The President of India appointed Justice Puthichira Sam Koshy as Acting Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court following the elevation of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh to the Supreme Court.
- Supreme Court Collegium recommends three High Court Chiefs for top judge roles
The Supreme Court Collegium recommended the elevation of three High Court Chief Justices to the Supreme Court, initiating the formal appointment process.
- Delhi High Court Gets 7 New Judges, Strength Rises To 50
The Delhi High Court increased its judicial strength to 50 judges following the appointment of seven new judges by the Central Government.
- Justice V. Kameswar Rao takes oath as Chief Justice of Patna High Court
Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain swore in Justice V. Kameswar Rao as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court on September 13, 2026.
- Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati Takes Oath As J&K, Ladakh High Court Chief Justice
Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.
- New Calcutta Chief Justice Sworn In, Pledges Tech for Accessible Justice
Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge was sworn in as the 45th Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court by West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi.
- Justice Sanjay Kumar Agrawal sworn in as 44th Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court
Justice Sanjay Kumar Agrawal was sworn in as the 44th Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court following a Supreme Court Collegium recommendation.
- President Droupadi Murmu appoints 8 judges as Chief Justices of High Courts
President Droupadi Murmu appointed eight judges as Chief Justices of various High Courts following consultation with the Chief Justice of India.
- Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Justice Agrawal for Rajasthan Chief Justice Amid Conduct Complaints
The Supreme Court Collegium recommended Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal as Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court following conduct complaints against the current Acting Chief Justice.
- On August 6, the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice
The Supreme Court collegium recommended the elevation of four judges to Chief Justiceships and the transfer of two judges, highlighting the judicial appointment process.
- The Supreme Court of India sworn in five new judges on June 2, 2026
The Supreme Court of India sworn in five new judges on June 2, 2026, to address a backlog of over 93,000 cases and facilitate regular Constitution Bench convenings.
- Supreme Court gets 5 new judges; strength to go up to 37
The Centre cleared the appointment of five new judges to the Supreme Court, increasing its current strength to 37 following a Collegium recommendation.
- Cabinet approves four more judges for Supreme Court
The Union Cabinet approved an increase in the number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38 to address a backlog of 92,385 cases.
- Lisa Gill appointed Chief Justice of A.P. High Court
President Droupadi Murmu appointed Justice Lisa Gill as the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court effective April 25, 2026.
- Supreme Court collegium recommends two women lawyers as Kerala High Court judges
The Supreme Court collegium recommended two women lawyers, Liz Mathew Anthraper and A.K. Preetha, for appointment as judges of the Kerala High Court.
- CJI calls on High Court collegiums to consider female lawyers of Supreme Court for judgeship
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant urged high court collegiums to establish a norm for considering meritorious women Supreme Court lawyers for judgeship to improve gender representation.
- Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari sworn in as 55th Chief Justice of Madras High Court
Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi administered the oath of office to Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari as the 55th Chief Justice of the Madras High Court.
- SC Collegium recommends Justice Lisa Gill as Chief Justice of A.P. High Court
The Supreme Court Collegium recommended Justice Lisa Gill as the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court to streamline judicial administration.
- SC collegium decides to transfer judges proposed to be CJs of HCs well in advance
The Supreme Court collegium decided that judges proposed to become Chief Justices of High Courts may be transferred up to two months before a vacancy arises to ensure familiarity with the court's affairs.
- SC Collegium proposes new Chief Justice for Calcutta HC
The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, recommended Justice Sujoy Paul as the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court.
- Soumen Sen sworn in as new Chief Justice of Kerala High Court
Justice Soumen Sen was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court by Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar.
- Justice Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak sworn in as Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court
Justice Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak was sworn in as the 18th Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court following the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium.
- Sangam Kumar Sahoo takes oath as Chief Justice of Patna High Court
Sangam Kumar Sahoo was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court following a notification by the Centre on January 1, 2026.
- Soumen Sen is new Kerala Chief Justice
The Union government appointed Soumen Sen as the new Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court following the retirement of Nithin Jamdar.
- SC Collegium recommends elevation of five judges as Chief Justices of High Courts
The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, recommended the elevation of six judges to the positions of Chief Justices of various High Courts.
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Key facts
- Concept: Collegium System — The mechanism used for the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts. note →
- Concept: Collegium System — A body consisting of the Chief Justice of India and four other judges for judicial appointments. note →
- Body: Supreme Court Collegium — Currently comprises the CJI and Justices Vikram Nath, B V Nagarathna, M M Sundresh, and P S Narasimha. note →
- Body: Ministry of Law and Justice — Body responsible for notifying judicial appointments note →
- Concept: Judicial Independence — Constitutional role of the Governor in swearing-in High Court judges note →
- Figure: 38 — Sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court note →
Practice · 5 questions
Which High Court was Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak recommended for?
- (a)Madhya Pradesh High Court
- (b)Gujarat High Court
- (c)Maharashtra High Court
- (d)Kerala High Court
Answer
(b) Gujarat High Court — The note specifies that Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak was recommended for the Gujarat High Court. Note →
With reference to the Supreme Court of India, consider the following statements:
- Justice Sunita Agarwal's appointment brings the number of women judges to three.
- The current working strength of the Supreme Court is 34 judges.
- The sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court is 38 judges.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a)1 only
- (b)1 and 2 only
- (c)1 and 3 only
- (d)1, 2 and 3
Answer
(c) 1 and 3 only — Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect: The working strength reached 37 after the appointment of three new judges. Note →
With reference to the Supreme Court of India, consider the following statements:
- The appointment of judges follows recommendations by the Supreme Court Collegium.
- The current working strength of the Supreme Court is 40.
- The sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court is 38.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a)1 only
- (b)2 only
- (c)1 and 2 only
- (d)1 and 3 only
Answer
(d) 1 and 3 only — Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect: The working strength is 37. Note →
Which body is responsible for notifying judicial appointments in India?
- (a)Ministry of Finance
- (b)Ministry of Home Affairs
- (c)Ministry of Education
- (d)Ministry of Law and Justice
Answer
(d) Ministry of Law and Justice — The note states the Ministry of Law and Justice is the body responsible for notifying judicial appointments. Note →
Which of the following judges is currently a member of the Supreme Court Collegium?
- (a)S.K. Garg
- (b)R. Venkataramani
- (c)B V Nagarathna
- (d)D.Y. Chandrachud
Answer
(c) B V Nagarathna — The note specifies that the Collegium currently comprises the CJI and Justices Vikram Nath, B V Nagarathna, M M Sundresh, and P S Narasimha. Note →
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