NINE NEW SUPREME COURT JUDGES LIKELY TO TAKE OATH ON AUGUST 31

The President approved all nine names, including three women, recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium and accepted by the government for appointment as judges of the top court. The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) N.V. Ramana, comprising of Justices U U Lalit, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud, and L Nageswara Rao had recommended the names on August 19, 2021 for elevation to the Apex Court.

The names of the 9 Judges in the order as recommended by the Supreme Court collegium are as follows -

1. Mr. Justice A.S. Oka, Chief Justice, Karnataka High Court

2. Mr. Justice Vikram Nath, Chief Justice, Gujarat High Court

3. Mr. Justice J.K. Maheshwari, Chief Justice, Sikkim High Court

4. Ms. Justice Hima Kohli, Chief Justice, Telangana High Court

5. Mrs. Justice B.V. Nagarathna, Judge, Karnataka High Court

6. Mr. Justice C.T. Ravikumar, Judge, Kerala High Court

7. Mr. Justice M.M. Sundresh, Judge, Madras High Court

8. Ms. Justice Bela M. Trivedi, Judge, Gujarat High Court,

9. Mr. P.S. Narasimha, Senior Advocate.

The new judge's list includes Justice B.V. Nagarathna, who will be in line to be the first woman Chief Justice of India (CJI) in September 2027 - a milestone in the nation's history. The other women judges who have been elevated to the top court are Justices Bela M Trivedi and Hema Kohli.

With the new appointments, the working strength of the Supreme Court goes up to 33 against the sanctioned strength of 34. It currently functions with only 24 judges including the CJI.

The Supreme Court, which has 25 judges against a sanctioned strength of 34, will be left with only one vacancy after the new judges are sworn in. The new judges are to be sworn in on Aug 31.