The President of India has appointed three Chief Justices of High Courts to serve as judges of the Supreme Court of India, the Ministry of Law and Justice announced on 5 October 2026. The three appointments are made under powers granted by the Constitution of India.
Key facts
- Justice Sunita Agarwal, Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court, appointed to Supreme Court (with Allahabad as her previous High Court)
- Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, appointed to Supreme Court (with Allahabad as his previous High Court)
- Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh, Chief Justice of Telangana High Court, appointed to Supreme Court (with Jharkhand as his previous High Court)
- Announcement date: 5 October 2026
- Authority: President of India, exercising Constitutional powers
About Supreme Court appointments
The Supreme Court of India is the highest court in the country’s judicial system. Judges are appointed by the President on the advice of the Collegium, which comprises the Chief Justice of India and senior judges of the Supreme Court. High Court Chief Justices are typically considered for elevation to the Supreme Court based on their experience, seniority and judicial record.
Who are the appointees
Justice Sunita Agarwal served as Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court before her appointment. Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya was Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, which handles cases in the national capital. Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh was Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court.
What this means for the judiciary
These appointments strengthen the Supreme Court bench and bring experience from different High Courts across the country to the apex court. Chief Justices of High Courts carry extensive judicial experience and exposure to diverse legal matters from their respective jurisdictions. Their elevation reflects the constitutional process of identifying experienced judges for higher judicial office.
For citizens, these appointments may influence how cases are heard and decided at the Supreme Court level, depending on the benches to which these judges are assigned. The Supreme Court hears cases involving constitutional matters, disputes between states, civil rights and other issues of national importance.
The appointment process
Judicial appointments in India follow a constitutional framework. Article 124 of the Constitution specifies that judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President. In practice, the Chief Justice of India and senior judges form the Collegium system, which recommends candidates for appointment. The Government of India, through the Ministry of Law and Justice, processes these recommendations and issues formal notification once the President approves the appointment.