Judiciary – Supreme Court Gets Five New Judges, Nearing Full Strength

Judiciary –  The Supreme Court of India moved closer to reaching its full sanctioned strength on Monday after the Union government approved the appointment of five new judges to the country’s highest judicial institution. With these additions, the court’s working strength has risen to 37 judges, leaving only one position vacant under the recently expanded structure.

New Appointments Cleared by the Government

The appointments were announced through separate notifications issued by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice. Those elevated to the Supreme Court include senior advocate Venkita Subramani Mohana, Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, who currently serves as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, and Justice Arun Palli, Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court.

These appointments mark a significant addition to the apex court’s bench and are expected to strengthen its judicial capacity.

Appointments to Take Effect After Oath

Although the appointments have been officially notified, the judges will formally begin their tenure only after taking the oath of office and assuming their responsibilities on the Supreme Court bench. The swearing-in process is expected to be completed shortly.

Once they join, the court will function with 37 judges, bringing it close to its maximum approved strength.

Increase in Supreme Court Capacity

The latest appointments come shortly after the Centre increased the sanctioned number of Supreme Court judges. Last month, the government issued an ordinance amending the relevant law to raise the court’s approved strength from 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.

The expansion was aimed at improving the court’s ability to handle a growing number of cases and reduce pressure on the judicial system. Following the increase in sanctioned positions, six vacancies existed in the Supreme Court, including two posts that had remained unfilled earlier.

Only One Vacancy Remains

With the induction of five judges, the number of vacant positions in the Supreme Court has now been reduced to one. The development is being viewed as an important step toward ensuring smoother judicial functioning and strengthening the court’s capacity to address pending matters more efficiently.

The appointments also reflect a relatively swift process between recommendation and approval, helping fill key positions within the country’s highest court.

Collegium Recommendations Approved Quickly

The five names were recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium on May 27. The Union government completed the approval process within four days, leading to the issuance of appointment notifications on Monday.

The quick clearance has drawn attention as judicial appointments often involve extended consultation and review processes. With the latest appointments, the Supreme Court is set to operate with nearly its full complement of judges, supporting its role in handling constitutional, civil, and criminal matters of national importance.,