Eight High Court Chief Justices Appointed in India in September 2026
Why in News?
The Central Government notified the appointment of eight Chief Justices to different High Courts on 5 September 2026. The appointments were made by President Droupadi Murmu in exercise of constitutional powers and after consultation with the Chief Justice of India. The recommendations had been made by the Supreme Court Collegium in August 2026. The appointments bring new leadership to the Patna, Calcutta, Rajasthan, Bombay, Punjab and Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Courts.
Newly Appointed High Court Chief Justices
| No. | Appointee | Earlier Position | New High Court |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Justice Valluri Kameswar Rao | Delhi High Court | Patna High Court |
| 2 | Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge | Bombay High Court | Calcutta High Court |
| 3 | Justice Sanjay Kumar Agrawal | Chhattisgarh High Court | Rajasthan High Court |
| 4 | Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi | Allahabad High Court | Bombay High Court |
| 5 | Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra | Punjab & Haryana High Court | Punjab & Haryana High Court |
| 6 | Justice Krushna Ram Mohapatra | Orissa High Court | Chhattisgarh High Court |
| 7 | Justice Alpesh Yeshwant Kogje | Gujarat High Court | Madhya Pradesh High Court |
| 8 | Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati | Rajasthan High Court | Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court |
The appointments were announced by Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal.
Constitutional Basis of High Court Appointments
Article 217 of the Constitution of India deals with the appointment and conditions of service of High Court judges. The President of India appoints High Court judges after the constitutionally prescribed consultations. The higher judicial appointments process also involves recommendations of the Supreme Court Collegium.
The Collegium system is the mechanism through which senior judges recommend appointments and transfers in India’s higher judiciary.
Role of a High Court Chief Justice
The Chief Justice heads the administrative and judicial functioning of a High Court. Major responsibilities include:
- Allocating cases and constituting benches.
- Preparing the judicial roster.
- Supervising administrative functioning.
- Coordinating the work of judges and court administration.
- Representing the High Court in institutional matters.
Significance of the Appointments
The appointments fill or regularise leadership positions across several important High Courts.
They also demonstrate the working relationship between the Supreme Court Collegium, Union Government and President in appointments to India’s higher judiciary.
High Court Chief Justice Appointments 2026: Important Facts for Exams
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Chief Justices appointed | 8 |
| Date of notification | 5 September 2026 |
| Constitutional provision | Article 217 |
| Appointing authority | President of India |
| Recommendation mechanism | Supreme Court Collegium |
| Announced by | Arjun Ram Meghwal |
| Courts receiving new CJs | 8 High Courts |
| J&K and Ladakh | One common High Court |
