Day 11
JudiciaryImportant2024-11-11
Justice Sanjiv Khanna Sworn In as 51st Chief Justice
In News
What Happened
Justice Sanjiv Khanna was sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India on November 11, 2024. The oath of office was administered by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He succeeds Justice DY Chandrachud and will have a tenure of about six months, retiring in May 2025.
Why It Matters
As the head of the Indian judiciary, the CJI acts as the 'Master of the Roster', allocating cases to different benches. The CJI also heads the Supreme Court Collegium, making this office crucial for the appointment of constitutional court judges and safeguarding judicial independence.
Background
History & Context
The appointment of the CJI is governed by Article 124 of the Constitution and the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP). Following the supersession controversies of the 1970s, a strict convention was established where the outgoing CJI recommends the senior-most judge as their successor. The broader Collegium system, which the CJI leads, evolved through the Second (1993) and Third (1998) Judges Cases.
What Changed
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BEFORE: Justice DY Chandrachud served as the 50th Chief Justice of India. NOW: Justice Sanjiv Khanna holds the office as the 51st CJI.
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BEFORE: The Supreme Court Collegium was headed by Justice Chandrachud. NOW: Justice Khanna leads the Collegium, altering the composition of the body responsible for judicial appointments.
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BEFORE: The administrative authority to allocate cases to different benches rested with the previous CJI. NOW: Justice Khanna assumes the 'Master of the Roster' responsibilities.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
This event directly applies to Class 11 Political Science Chapter 6 - Judiciary. It illustrates the practical application of judicial independence, the appointment process of judges, and the role of the executive and judiciary as outlined in the Constitution.
Practice Questions
Q1
Correct Statement(s)Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Indian judiciary? 1. The Chief Justice of India is appointed by the President of India. 2. The Constitution of India explicitly outlines the Collegium system for judicial appointments.