CJI Surya Kant’s tenure marks a pivotal phase for the Supreme Court Collegium, with structural shifts and key retirements set to influence top judicial appointments. The next 14 months will shape the composition of India’s highest courts.
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NEW DELHI: India’s judicial appointments process witnessed today Justice Surya Kant being sworn in as the Chief Justice of India (CJI). His elevation brings a change to the Supreme Court Collegium, the body responsible for appointing judges to the Supreme Court and deciding transfers of High Court judges.
Current Composition of the Supreme Court Collegium
The Collegium consists of the five senior-most judges of the Supreme Court. Following Justice Kant’s swearing-in, the revised Collegium now includes:
- Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
- Justice Vikram Nath
- Justice BV Nagarathna
- Justice JK Maheshwari
- Justice MM Sundresh
This five-member panel handles all decisions on Supreme Court appointments and oversees the transfer process of High Court judges. The three senior-most judges additionally hold the responsibility for appointments to the country’s High Courts.
Collegium Changes During CJI Surya Kant’s Tenure
Although Justice Kant will serve a tenure of 14 months as CJI, the structure of the Collegium is set to change only once during this period.
June 28, 2026: Justice JK Maheshwari retires, creating the first vacancy in the Collegium. After his retirement, Justice PS Narasimha will enter the Collegium.
This will remain the composition until the end of CJI Kant’s term.
Future Change After CJI Kant’s Retirement
When CJI Surya Kant retires, the seniority-based rotation triggers another alteration. Justice JB Pardiwala will join the Collegium upon CJI Kant’s exit. This transition will align with the constitutional principle of seniority that governs the membership of the Collegium.
Justice Vikram Nath
Justice Vikram Nath, a law graduate from the University of Lucknow, practised for 17 years before becoming a judge of the Allahabad High Court in 2004 and a permanent judge in 2006. He served as Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court from 2019 and was elevated to the Supreme Court in August 2021. He will become the Chief Justice of India on February 9, 2027.
Justice B.V. Nagarathna
Justice B.V. Nagarathna, born on 30 October 1962 in Bengaluru, is the daughter of former CJI E.S. Venkataramaiah. She studied at Delhi University, completing her B.A. in 1984 and LL.B. in 1987, and practised law extensively in Bengaluru before joining the bench. She was appointed Additional Judge of the Karnataka High Court in 2008, became Permanent Judge in 2010, and was elevated to the Supreme Court on 31 August 2021. If seniority is followed, she will become India’s first woman Chief Justice of India on 25 September 2027.
Justice J.K. Maheshwari
Justice Jitendra Kumar Maheshwari was born on 29 June 1961 in Jaura, Madhya Pradesh. He completed his B.A. (1982), LL.B. (1985) and LL.M. (1991) from Jiwaji University, Gwalior, and practised mainly at the Gwalior Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court before becoming an Additional Judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in 2005 and a Permanent Judge in 2008. He later served as the first Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court (2019–2021) and Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court (2021) and was elevated to the Supreme Court on 31 August 2021.
Justice M.M. Sundresh
Justice M.M. Sundresh was born on 21 July 1962 in Erode, Tamil Nadu, and is the son of senior Madras High Court advocate V.K. Muthusamy. After schooling in Erode, he studied at Loyola College and earned his law degree from Madras Law College. He enrolled as an advocate in 1985, worked both as a government counsel (1991–1996) and in the chambers of senior practitioners, including his father.
He was appointed Additional Judge of the Madras High Court in 2009 and became a Permanent Judge in 2011. On 31 August 2021, after 12 years on the High Court bench and disposal of over one lakh cases, he was elevated to the Supreme Court of India. He is expected to serve a six-year tenure, and has so far authored numerous judgments.
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