Three High Court Chief Justices Appointed to Supreme Court
The Centre has notified the appointment of three High Court Chief Justices, including Justice Sunita Agarwal, as judges of the Supreme Court of India.
In a significant move to bolster the highest judicial body in the country, the Central government on Monday officially notified the appointment of three High Court Chief Justices as judges of the Supreme Court of India. This elevation follows a recommendation made by the Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, during its meeting on September 28.
The new appointments include Justice Sunita Agarwal, currently the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court; Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court; and Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh, the Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court. These elevations will help bring the apex court closer to its sanctioned strength of 38 judges.
A Milestone for Gender Representation
The appointment of Justice Sunita Agarwal marks a notable moment for the judiciary. Upon joining the apex court, she will become only the third woman judge currently serving on the Supreme Court bench. Her judicial journey began in 1990 when she enrolled as an advocate, practicing primarily on the civil side. She was elevated to the Allahabad High Court in 2011, became a permanent judge in 2013, and most recently took charge as the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court in July 2023.
Experienced Jurists Join the Apex Bench
The Supreme Court is also gaining the expertise of two seasoned legal minds with extensive experience across various state high courts:
- Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya: Having led the Delhi High Court since January 2025, Justice Upadhyaya brings a wealth of experience to the top court. Prior to his current role, he served as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court starting in July 2023. His career includes a tenure at the Allahabad High Court, where he was elevated in 2011 and became a permanent judge in 2013. Notably, he also served as the Chief Standing Counsel for the State of Uttar Pradesh.
- Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh: Justice Singh joins the Supreme Court with a diverse judicial background spanning Jharkhand, Tripura, and Telangana. After being elevated to the Jharkhand High Court in 2012 and becoming a permanent judge in 2014, he served as its Acting Chief Justice. He later moved to become the Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court in April 2023, before being transferred to lead the Telangana High Court in July 2025.
The induction of these three Chief Justices is expected to strengthen the judicial capacity of the Supreme Court, ensuring smoother adjudication of matters at the highest level of the Indian legal system.