Stories
250 words
10
Entries

Stories

Supreme Court Collegium transparency and appointment process

Still running. 10 entries so far, over 71 days from 29 June 2026.

01
29 June

Supreme Court Collegium changes

  • Justice P.S. Narasimha has been appointed to the Supreme Court Collegium following the retirement of Justice J.K. Maheshwari.
  • The Collegium is composed of the five senior-most judges of the Supreme Court.
02
2 August

Judicial appointments and Collegium transparency

  • Justice Ujjal Bhuyan highlighted concerns regarding the lack of transparency in the Supreme Court Collegium's judicial appointment process.
  • The absence of recorded reasons for recommendations is cited as a potential loophole that may allow candidates with problematic records to enter the judiciary.
03
3 August

Judicial appointments and Collegium transparency

  • Justice Ujjal Bhuyan highlighted concerns regarding the lack of transparency in the Supreme Court Collegium's judicial appointment process.
  • The absence of recorded reasons for recommendations is cited as a risk, potentially allowing individuals with problematic judicial conduct to be elevated.
04
9 August

High Court Judge Appointments

  • The Law Ministry announced the appointment of 30 new judges across four High Courts.
  • The appointments include 20 advocates and 10 judicial officers from lower courts.
05
10 August

Supreme Court Collegium recommendations

  • The Supreme Court Collegium, led by the Chief Justice of India, is responsible for recommending appointments to the judiciary.
  • On August 6, the Collegium recommended new Chief Justices for four High Courts: Patna, Calcutta, Bombay, and Punjab and Haryana.
06
10 August

Madras High Court new judges

  • Madras High Court administered oaths to 15 new judges by Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari.
  • Current working strength of the Madras High Court is 66 judges.
07
26 August

Judicial appointments transparency debate

  • The collegium system for judicial appointments is a judicial creation, not explicitly provided for in the Constitution.
  • Evolution of the collegium: First Judges Case (1981) established executive primacy; Second Judges Case (1993) shifted primacy to the CJI and senior judges; Third Judges Case (1998) established the current five-member collegium.
08
30 August

Justice S. Muralidhar on Gen Z and democracy

  • Justice S. Muralidhar identifies the lack of deference among Gen Z as a positive indicator of democratic progress.
  • The judiciary is encouraged to act with greater urgency regarding complaints of state excesses.
09
1 September

SC Collegium recommends new Chief Justice for Rajasthan High Court

  • The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by the Chief Justice of India, is the constitutional body responsible for the appointment and transfer of High Court judges and Chief Justices.
  • Recent recommendations include Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal (Chhattisgarh HC) as Chief Justice of Rajasthan HC, Justice Alpesh Yeshvant Kogje (Gujarat HC) as Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh HC, and Dr. Pushpinder Singh Bhati (Rajasthan HC) as Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh HC.
10
7 September

Allegations against Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice

  • Allegations against the Acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court include victimisation of judges, maladministration, nepotism in Permanent Lok Adalat appointments, and misuse of power as 'master of the roster'.
  • Legal framework for judicial accountability: Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968; Articles 124(4) and 217(1)(b) of the Constitution regarding impeachment.

Questions from this story

Newest first. A story that ran for 71 days is exactly the kind the mains paper asks about as one question.

  1. Discuss the institutional challenges in ensuring judicial accountability in India. Evaluate the effectiveness of the existing legislative and in-house mechanisms in addressing allegations of misconduct against members of the higher judiciary. 150 words · 7 September
  2. The Collegium system for judicial appointments has often been criticised for its lack of transparency and potential for arbitrariness. In light of this, examine the need for structural reforms in the selection process to ensure the appointment of meritorious candidates and maintain public trust in the judiciary. 250 words · 7 September
  3. Discuss the constitutional role and significance of the Supreme Court Collegium in maintaining the independence and integrity of the judiciary in India. 150 words · 1 September
  4. The appointment and transfer of judges in the higher judiciary are critical to the administration of justice. Examine the institutional mechanisms available to the judiciary to address internal grievances and ensure accountability while upholding the principle of judicial independence. 250 words · 1 September
  5. Critically examine the challenges associated with the Collegium system of judicial appointments and suggest measures to enhance transparency and efficiency in the process. 150 words · 30 August
  6. The role of the youth in upholding constitutional values is vital for the health of a democracy. Discuss how the protection of dissent and freedom of expression contributes to the long-term stability and progress of Indian democracy. 250 words · 30 August
  7. The collegium system for judicial appointments has been described as a judicial innovation rather than a constitutional mandate. Discuss the evolution of this system through landmark Supreme Court judgments and the ongoing debate regarding its transparency and accountability. 150 words · 26 August
  8. Analyze the tension between judicial independence and the constitutional requirement for transparency in public appointments. In light of the principles laid down in cases like 'Secretary, State of Karnataka vs Umadevi' and 'CPIO vs Subhash Chandra Agarwal', evaluate whether the current collegium process aligns with the constitutional values of equality and equal opportunity. 250 words · 26 August
  9. Discuss the constitutional provisions regarding the appointment of judges to the High Courts in India. How does the persistent issue of judicial vacancies impact the efficiency and pendency of cases in the judiciary? 150 words · 10 August
  10. Discuss the role and significance of the Supreme Court Collegium in maintaining the independence of the judiciary in India, particularly regarding the appointment of High Court Chief Justices. 150 words · 10 August
  11. Discuss the constitutional mechanism for the appointment of judges to the High Courts in India and the significance of elevating judicial officers alongside advocates to the bench. 150 words · 9 August
  12. Examine the relationship between judicial transparency and judicial independence in the context of the Indian constitutional framework. How does the principle of open court proceedings contribute to public trust in the judiciary? 150 words · 3 August
  13. Discuss the evolution of transparency in the judicial appointment process in India. Critically analyze the challenges associated with balancing the confidentiality of the Collegium system with the need for institutional accountability and public scrutiny. 250 words · 3 August
  14. Discuss the significance of judicial transparency in maintaining public trust in the judiciary, with reference to the role of the Collegium system. 150 words · 2 August
  15. The integration of technology in court proceedings, such as livestreaming, is essential for accountability. Critically examine the balance between ensuring transparency and preventing the distortion of judicial processes. 250 words · 2 August
  16. Explain the evolution and functioning of the Collegium system in the Indian judiciary. How does this mechanism ensure the independence of the judiciary in the appointment and transfer of judges? 150 words · 29 June