Three High Court Chief Justices appointed as Supreme Court judges

Supreme Court appointments: what happened?

Supreme Court judges are formally appointed by the President, after the collegium recommends names. Many come from among High Court Chief Justices.

• The President appointed three High Court Chief Justices as Supreme Court judges: Justice Sunita Agarwal (CJ, Gujarat HC), Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya (CJ, Delhi HC) and Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh (CJ, Telangana HC) [PIB].

How are Supreme Court judges appointed?

• Article 124(2): every SC judge is appointed by the President by warrant under hand and seal and holds office until 65.
• Names reach the President through the collegium of the Chief Justice and senior-most judges; the Supreme Court struck down the NJAC in 2015, so the collegium system continues.
• Qualifications (Art. 124(3)): citizen, and five years as HC judge, or ten years as HC advocate, or a distinguished jurist.
• High Court judges retire at 62 (Article 217).

Why does Supreme Court appointments matter?

• Polity: Standard Article 124 and collegium question.
• UP: Two of three have the Allahabad High Court as parent court.

What can Prelims ask on Supreme Court appointments?

• Article 124(2) appointment; Article 124(3) qualifications.
• SC judges retire at 65; HC judges at 62.
• PHC = parent High Court.