The President of India has appointed two judicial officers as Additional Judges of the Madras High Court, the Ministry of Law and Justice announced on 13 October 2026. The appointments were made in exercise of powers granted by the Constitution of India, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India.
Key facts
- Two judicial officers appointed as Additional Judges of Madras High Court
- Appointees: Shri Dharmalingam Lingeswaran and Shri Balathandayutham Karthikeyan
- Announcement date: 13 October 2026
- Ministry: Ministry of Law and Justice
- Appointment made in consultation with Chief Justice of India
What are Additional Judges?
Additional Judges are judicial officers appointed temporarily to a High Court to handle the increased workload of cases. These appointments are made when a High Court requires additional strength beyond its sanctioned complement of permanent judges. Additional Judges serve on a fixed term, typically two years, and their tenure can be extended if needed.
The appointment process
Judicial appointments at the High Court level follow a constitutional procedure. The President, as head of state, makes the formal appointment after seeking the recommendation and consent of the Chief Justice of India, who heads the Supreme Court and oversees the Indian judiciary. This ensures that judicial appointments maintain high standards of independence and integrity.
Madras High Court
The Madras High Court is one of India’s oldest High Courts, serving the states of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. It handles civil, criminal and constitutional matters arising in its jurisdiction. The court’s capacity to hear cases depends on the number of judges available, making appointments of Additional Judges important for ensuring timely disposal of pending cases.
What this means for you
For citizens and litigants in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the appointment of two additional judges should help reduce case backlogs and potentially speed up case hearings in the Madras High Court. Lawyers practising in the court will have more judicial capacity available for their cases. The appointment reflects the judiciary’s effort to improve access to justice by strengthening institutional capacity.