Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Nine Advocates for Calcutta High Court

The Supreme Court collegium has recommended nine advocates to the Central Government for elevation as judges of the Calcutta High Court. This development is crucial for UPSC aspirants, particularly for GS Paper 2, which covers the Indian Judiciary. Last Updated: 14-05-2026

Key Facts About the Appointment of High Court Judges

• A High Court judge is appointed by the President under Article 217 of the Constitution.
• The Chief Justice of a High Court is appointed by the President after consulting the Chief Justice of India and the Governor of the state concerned.
• For the appointment of other judges, the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court is also consulted.
• In the case of a common High Court for two or more states, the governors of all the states concerned are consulted by the President.
• The process differs from the appointment of Supreme Court judges, which is governed by Article 124(2) of the Constitution.
• The President appoints the Chief Justice of India after consulting necessary Supreme Court and High Court judges.

India's Judicial Appointment Process

The appointment of judges is a critical component of India's judicial system, impacting the efficiency and independence of the judiciary. It aligns with India's strategic goal of maintaining a robust legal framework that supports democratic governance and economic stability. Comparatively, India's judicial appointment process is unique due to its consultative nature involving multiple stakeholders.

UPSC Relevance

• GS Paper 2: Polity and Governance - Structure, organization, and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary.
• Prelims Angle: Questions could focus on the constitutional articles related to the appointment of judges, such as Article 217 and Article 124.
• Mains Angle: Analytical themes could include the independence of the judiciary, the role of the collegium system, and reforms in judicial appointments.
• Essay Paper: Topics on the judiciary's role in democracy and governance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Who is involved in the consultation process for the appointment of a High Court judge?
  Under Article 217, the President appoints a High Court judge after consulting the Chief Justice of India (CJI), the Governor of the state, and—in the case of a judge other than the Chief Justice—the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court.
• How is an Acting Chief Justice of a High Court appointed?
  According to Article 223, when the office of the Chief Justice is vacant or the incumbent is unable to perform their duties, the President appoints another judge of that High Court to fulfill the role.
• What are "Additional Judges" in the context of the High Court?
  Under Article 224(1), the President can appoint qualified persons as Additional Judges for a maximum period of two years to handle a temporary increase in judicial business or to clear case arrears.