The Supreme Court of India has officially welcomed five new judges, increasing its total strength to 37. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant administered the oath of office to the new appointees on June 2. Among those sworn in were notable figures, including Justice Sheel Nagu, the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, and Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court.

Additionally, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court, and Justice Arun Palli, Chief Justice of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, also took their oaths. The fifth judge is senior advocate V Mohana, whose elevation is particularly significant for enhancing women’s representation within the Supreme Court.

Women representation has become a focal point, particularly since Justice BV Nagarathna is currently the only female judge on the bench. It has been noted that no woman has been appointed to the Supreme Court since August 2021, emphasising the importance of this new appointment.

Collegium Recommendations and Government Approval

The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended the five names to the Central government on May 27, 2023, following meetings held on May 22 and 27. This process is integral to judicial appointments in India, ensuring a collaborative decision-making framework between the judiciary and executive branches.

On June 1, 2023, the Centre approved the appointments, confirming the Collegium’s recommendations. Minister of State for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, took to the social media platform X to announce that the President had sanctioned the appointments under Article 124(2) of the Indian Constitution, reflecting the procedural requirements of judicial appointments.

The recent appointments have expanded the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court by four, raising the total number of judges, including the Chief Justice, to 38. However, currently, the Supreme Court operates with 32 judges. This situation will change soon, as two additional vacancies are expected to arise in June with the impending retirements of Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice Pankaj Mithal.

Current Status of the Supreme Court

As it stands, the Supreme Court of India continues to function with a reduced cadre of judges, highlighting the essential need for timely appointments to maintain judicial efficiency. With the new additions, the court aims to better manage its caseload and uphold its responsibility in the legal system.

The composition of the Supreme Court is critically important for ensuring balanced representation and effective administration of justice. The elevation of V Mohana, particularly, is seen as a step towards addressing the gender imbalance within the apex court.

As the Supreme Court prepares to fill these vacancies, the focus remains on the efficient functioning and integrity of the judicial system, particularly as it grapples with an increasing volume of cases. These developments underline the ongoing necessity for judicial reforms and the importance of maintaining a fully staffed bench to meet the demands of justice in India.

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