SC Collegium Recommends Three High Court CJs as Supreme Court Judges – 29 September 2026

What happened

The Supreme Court Collegium on 28 September 2026 recommended that the Union Government appoint three High Court Chief Justices as Judges of the Supreme Court: Justice Sunita Agarwal (CJ, Gujarat HC), Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay (CJ, Delhi HC) and Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh (CJ, Telangana HC).

On acceptance and issue of warrants, the Court’s working strength would rise to 37 against a sanctioned strength of 38. Justice Agarwal’s elevation would take the number of women Judges in the Supreme Court to two.

Background

The Collegium that decided comprised CJI Surya Kant and Justices Vikram Nath, B.V. Nagarathna, M.M. Sundresh and P.S. Narasimha. Justices Agarwal and Upadhyay began their judicial careers at Allahabad HC (appointed November 2011); Justice Singh was appointed to Jharkhand HC in January 2012.

Why it matters for exams

• Collegium system, Article 124 and judicial appointments are core polity
• Sanctioned vs working strength of the Supreme Court is frequently asked
• Representation of women Judges and parent High Courts are useful static points

Key facts for exams

• Recommended: CJs of Gujarat, Delhi and Telangana HCs
• Strength after appointment: 37 / 38 sanctioned
• CJI (as reported): Justice Surya Kant

Practice MCQs

1. The September 2026 Collegium recommendation would take Supreme Court working strength to:

   (A) 34
   (B) 37
   (C) 38 already filled
   (D) 31

   Answer: (B) – 37 against sanctioned 38.

2. Which of the following was among the Chief Justices recommended for elevation?

   (A) Chief Justice of Bombay HC only
   (B) Chief Justice of Gujarat HC (Justice Sunita Agarwal)
   (C) Chief Justice of Madras HC only
   (D) Chief Justice of Kerala HC only

   Answer: (B) – Justice Sunita Agarwal, CJ Gujarat HC.

3. Appointments of Supreme Court Judges are made by the President after the:

   (A) Collegium recommendation process under the prevailing system
   (B) Election by Rajya Sabha alone
   (C) Direct election by citizens
   (D) Nomination by NITI Aayog

   Answer: (A) – Collegium-based recommendation to the Union Government.

Source: Times of India, 29 September 2026.