Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Five New Judges
Source:Indian Express ↗
Why It Matters
Highlights the ongoing process of judicial appointments via the Collegium system, directly addresses the persistent issue of female underrepresentation in the higher judiciary, and illustrates the parliamentary mechanism (Article 124) for increasing the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court to manage caseloads.
Summary
The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the elevation of five individuals to the Supreme Court, including four High Court Chief Justices and Senior Advocate V. Mohana. Her appointment would increase the number of women on the apex court to two and make her the second woman ever to be elevated directly from the Bar. The recommendations come shortly after Parliament passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, which increased the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 34 to 38 judges. Currently, the court operates with a working strength of 32 judges.
Key Points
- The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by CJI Surya Kant, recommended five names for elevation as Supreme Court judges, including four High Court Chief Justices and one Senior Advocate.
- If the recommendations are accepted, the Supreme Court will have two women judges, as Senior Advocate V. Mohana joins Justice B V Nagarathna. V. Mohana will be only the second woman directly elevated from the Bar.
- The current sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court is 38, recently increased from 34 following the passage of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026.
- The current working strength of the Supreme Court stands at 32, with four judges scheduled to retire this year.
Important Terms
Supreme Court Collegium
A judicial body comprising the Chief Justice of India and the four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court that recommends judge appointments and transfers, ensuring judicial primacy.
UPSC context
GS Paper II: Structure, organization, and functioning of the Judiciary; essential for understanding the 'Three Judges Cases' and judicial independence.
Article 124 of the Constitution
A constitutional provision establishing the Supreme Court of India and outlining the procedures for judge appointments, qualifications, tenure, and removal by the President.
UPSC context
GS Paper II: Indian Constitution—significant provisions; forms the legal basis for all Supreme Court judicial appointments and removals.
Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026
The 2026 legislation that increased the maximum number of judges in the Supreme Court from 34 to 38, including the Chief Justice, to address judicial pendency.
UPSC context
GS Paper II: Statutory bodies and judicial reforms; highlights Parliament's role in regulating judicial capacity to handle rising case backlogs.
Sanctioned Strength
The total number of judge positions officially authorized by Parliament for a court, as distinguished from the 'working strength' or actual number of judges currently serving.
UPSC context
GS Paper II: Judiciary; critical for discussing judicial vacancies, the backlog of cases, and reforms aimed at ensuring speedy justice.
Direct Elevation from the Bar
The rare appointment of a distinguished senior advocate directly to the Supreme Court bench, bypassing high court judgeship, as permitted under Article 124(3)(b).
UPSC context
GS Paper II: Judicial appointments; tests knowledge of varied entry paths to the apex court and representation of diverse legal expertise.
Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956
The parent legislation through which Parliament regulates the size of the Supreme Court, as empowered by the 'until Parliament by law prescribes' clause of Article 124(1).
UPSC context
GS Paper II: Parliament's power to amend judicial structure; fundamental to the historical growth of the Indian judiciary's capacity.
Prelims Trap
The sanctioned strength of both the Supreme Court and High Courts is increased by the Parliament.
Parliament increases the number of SC judges via ordinary law (Art 124(1)). For High Courts, the President determines the strength based on workload (Art 216), not Parliament.
Static Concepts Connected
What are the constitutional qualifications to become a Supreme Court Judge under Article 124(3)?
- Citizenship: Must be a citizen of India.
- Judicial Experience: Must have been a judge of a High Court (or Courts in succession) for at least 5 years.
- Bar Experience: Must have been an advocate of a High Court (or Courts in succession) for at least 10 years (basis for direct elevation).
- Eminent Jurist: Can be appointed if they are, in the opinion of the President, an eminent jurist.
How is the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court versus High Courts determined?
- Supreme Court: Determined by Parliament through ordinary legislation (e.g., Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill). The Constitution does not require an amendment for this.
- High Courts: Determined by the President of India. The Constitution does not fix a maximum strength for High Courts; it varies based on workload.
Cross-Topic Patterns
Women in higher judiciary + Judicial diversity
The persistent low representation of women (only 2 out of 38 judges) links directly to GS1 structural patriarchy and GS2 debates on reforming the Collegium for better diversity.
Judicial pendency + Institutional reforms
Increasing the sanctioned strength is frequently evaluated alongside structural reforms like establishing a National Court of Appeal or implementing AI-driven case management to tackle pendency.
Expect a 2026 Prelims statement contrasting Parliament's power to increase SC judges with the President's power to determine HC strength.
Linked PYQs · 4
Linked PYQs · 4
- 2025MainsGS2
Discuss the evolution of collegium system in India. Critically examine the advantages and disadvantages of the system of appointment of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India and that of the USA.
- 2021MainsGS2
Discuss the desirability of greater representation to women in the higher judiciary to ensure diversity, equity and inclusiveness.
- 2017MainsGS2
Critically examine the Supreme Court's judgement on 'National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014' with reference to appointment of judges of higher judiciary in India.
- 2014PrelimsGS1
The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in
