SC Collegium Recommends 3 High Court Chief Justices for Supreme Court
The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended three High Court Chief Justices for elevation to the Supreme Court to fill existing vacancies.
In a significant move to bolster the strength of India's apex court, the Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the elevation of three High Court Chief Justices to become judges of the Supreme Court. This decision, taken during a meeting on September 28, 2026, aims to fill critical vacancies in the top court.
Filling Vacancies in the Top Court
The Supreme Court has a sanctioned strength of 38 judges, but currently operates with only 34. The recommendations by the Collegium are expected to help bridge this gap. The three prominent legal luminaries recommended for elevation are:
- Justice Sunita Agarwal: Currently the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court.
- Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya: Currently the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.
- Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh: Currently the Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court.
Profiles of the Recommended Judges
The Collegium's decision brings forward seasoned judicial officers with extensive experience across various High Courts.
Justice Sunita Agarwal
Justice Agarwal has been serving as the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court since July 2023. Her judicial journey began when she was elevated to the Allahabad High Court in November 2011, following her enrollment as an advocate in 1990. If her elevation to the Supreme Court is finalized, she will serve for nearly five years before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65.
Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya
Justice Upadhyaya has been at the helm of the Delhi High Court since January 2025. Prior to this, he served as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court starting from July 2023. An advocate since 1991, he was elevated to the Allahabad High Court in November 2011 and previously served as Uttar Pradesh's Chief Standing Counsel.
Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh
Justice Singh currently leads the Telangana High Court, having taken charge in July 2025. His career includes serving as the Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court and a tenure as a judge of the Jharkhand High Court since 2012. Before his judicial career, he practiced extensively before the Patna and Jharkhand High Courts.
Next Steps in the Appointment Process
While the Collegium has officially released the statement regarding these recommendations, the final appointment is subject to administrative procedures. The recommendations will now be forwarded to the Union government for processing. Once the government clears the names, the appointments will be formally notified.