JudiciaryImportant2026-02-26

SC Collegium Recommends HC Chief Justices

In News

What Happened

On February 26, 2026, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari as the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court and Justice Lisa Gill as the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. The Collegium explicitly emphasized a policy of transferring proposed Chief Justices well in advance of impending vacancies. This proactive approach was taken to ensure smooth administrative transitions within the state judiciaries.

Why It Matters

High Court Chief Justices handle critical administrative and judicial duties for their respective states. Appointing them in advance prevents periods of uncertainty or reliance on acting Chief Justices, thereby improving the overall efficiency and stability of the judicial system.

Background

History & Context

The appointment and transfer of High Court judges are governed by the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) and Article 222 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court Collegium makes these recommendations after internal consultations. Historically, delays in appointments have led to prolonged vacancies and the frequent use of Acting Chief Justices. The recent push focuses on proactive recommendations to avoid administrative vacuums when a sitting Chief Justice retires or is elevated to the Supreme Court.

What Changed

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BEFORE: High Courts frequently faced administrative uncertainty due to delayed appointments and heavy reliance on Acting Chief Justices. NOW: Advance recommendations ensure a designated Chief Justice is ready to take over immediately upon a vacancy.
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BEFORE: The Memorandum of Procedure timelines were often stretched, leading to last-minute transitions that disrupted court administration. NOW: The Collegium is strictly applying a policy of early transfers to facilitate a smooth handover of duties.
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BEFORE: Judges were sometimes transferred as Chief Justices with very little time to acclimatize to their new respective High Courts. NOW: Early recommendations provide ample time for the incoming Chief Justices to prepare for their new leadership roles.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This event directly connects to Class 11 Political Science Chapter 6 - 'Judiciary'. It illustrates the practical functioning of the collegium system and Article 222, demonstrating how judicial independence is maintained while managing administrative efficiency in the appointment of High Court Chief Justices.

Practice Questions

Q1

Correct Statement(s)

Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The transfer of a judge from one High Court to another is governed by Article 222 of the Constitution of India. 2. The Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) is a statutory law passed by the Parliament to strictly regulate the appointment of judges.

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