The Supreme Court Collegium, in its meeting held on September 23, 2026, cleared proposals to elevate 12 additional judges to permanent status. The recommendations span the High Courts of Uttarakhand, Gauhati, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh, reinforcing judicial strength to manage pending dockets effectively.
What Led to These Recommendations?
The process of transitioning an additional judge to a permanent judge is a structured constitutional procedure governed by Articles 217 and 224 of the Indian Constitution. Before making recommendations, the Collegium evaluates comprehensive performance metrics furnished by respective High Court Chief Justices. These performance statistics include monthly case disposal rates, the total number of judgments delivered, and legal reporting citations to ensure absolute merit and efficiency.
Who Are the Judges Appointed Across the Four High Courts?
The apex body, headed by the Chief Justice of India, reviewed performance data and finalized names for four distinct regional benches:
Uttarakhand High Court: Justice Subhash Upadhyay has been officially recommended for elevation as a permanent judge following his tenure as an additional judge since May 2025.
Gauhati High Court: Justice Kaushik Goswami secured the Collegium's approval for permanent appointment.
Kerala High Court: Five additional judges—Justice P. Krishna Kumar, Justice K.V. Jayakumar, Justice Muralee Krishna S., Justice Jobin Sebastian, and Justice P.V. Balakrishnan—were cleared for permanent roles.
Andhra Pradesh High Court: Five additional judges—Justice Maheswara Rao Kuncheam @ Kuncham, Justice Thoota Chandra Dhana Sekar @ T.C.D. Sekhar, Justice Challa Gunaranjan, Justice Avadhanam Hari Haranadha Sarma, and Dr. Justice Yadavalli Lakshmana Rao—received confirmation.
Why Is Strengthening the Judiciary Critical Now?
The systematic elevation of additional judges to permanent capacity directly addresses the heavy backlog of cases plaguing Indian courts. By securing long-term tenure stability for competent jurists, the judicial system ensures continuity, minimizes administrative friction, and enhances public trust in the speedy delivery of justice. These approved names will now move forward for formal clearance and final notification by the executive branch.