The Central Government of India notified the appointment of eight Chief Justices to different High Courts on 5 September 2026. President Droupadi Murmu approved the appointments under the Constitution of India after consultation with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and the Supreme Court Collegium.
Constitutional Basis of High Court Appointments
Article 217 of the Constitution of India deals with the appointment of High Court judges and Chief Justices. The President appoints High Court judges after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, the Governor of the State, and, in the case of a judge other than the Chief Justice, the Chief Justice of the High Court concerned.
Newly Appointed Chief Justices
| S.No. | Appointee | Earlier Position | New High Court |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Justice Valluri Kameswar Rao | Judge, Delhi High Court | Chief Justice, Patna High Court |
| 2 | Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge | Judge, Bombay High Court | Chief Justice, Calcutta High Court |
| 3 | Justice Sanjay Kumar Agrawal | Judge, Chhattisgarh High Court | Chief Justice, Rajasthan High Court |
| 4 | Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi | Judge, Allahabad High Court | Chief Justice, Bombay High Court |
| 5 | Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra | Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court | Chief Justice, Punjab and Haryana High Court |
| 6 | Justice Krushna Ram Mohapatra | Judge, Orissa High Court | Chief Justice, Chhattisgarh High Court |
| 7 | Justice Alpesh Yeshwant Kogje | Judge, Gujarat High Court | Chief Justice, Madhya Pradesh High Court |
| 8 | Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati | Judge, Rajasthan High Court | Chief Justice, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court |
High Courts and Chief Justice Role
Each High Court in India functions as the highest judicial authority at the State or Union Territory level. The Chief Justice allocates cases, supervises administrative work, and heads the roster of judges in the High Court.
Important Facts for Exams
- High Courts in India were first established under the Indian High Courts Act, 1861.
- The Supreme Court Collegium system is used for recommending appointments and transfers of judges in higher judiciary.
- Article 217 of the Constitution governs the appointment, tenure, and conditions of office of High Court judges.
- The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh serves both the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Administrative Changes in the Judiciary
Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra was elevated as the full-time Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court after earlier administrative delays. Justice Sanjay Kumar Agrawal, Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge, and Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi were among the judges transferred and appointed as Chief Justices in different High Courts.
Judicial Appointments Process
The appointment of Chief Justices in India follows a constitutional process involving the Supreme Court Collegium and presidential approval. The Union Ministry of Law and Justice issues the formal notification after the President approves the recommendation.
