Supreme Court to Swear In Five New Judges, Strengthening Expanded Bench Capacity

New Delhi, June 2026 : The Supreme Court of India is set to welcome five new judges on Tuesday, marking a significant expansion of the apex court’s strength following the Centre’s approval of their appointments. Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant will administer the oath of office to four Chief Justices of High Courts and one distinguished senior advocate in a formal ceremony at the Supreme Court premises.

According to an official circular issued by the Supreme Court Registry, the swearing-in ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. in the Auditorium located on the third floor of the Administrative Buildings Complex (ABC). The five appointees are Justice Sheel Nagu, Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Justice Arun Palli, and senior advocate V. Mohana.

Extensive arrangements have been made by the Registry for the event, with coordination involving Supreme Court Security, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), and other administrative agencies. As part of the security and logistical measures, parking within the Administrative Buildings Complex will be restricted on the day of the ceremony, with access limited to vehicles of Registrars.

The appointments were cleared by the Centre following recommendations made by the Supreme Court Collegium. Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal announced on Monday that the President of India, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, had formally appointed the five individuals as judges of the Supreme Court.

The Collegium, headed by the CJI and comprising the four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court, had recommended their elevation during meetings held on May 22 and May 27. The recommendations included the elevation of four serving Chief Justices of High Courts and one eminent member of the Bar.

Justice Sheel Nagu currently serves as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He began his judicial career in the Madhya Pradesh High Court, where he was appointed a judge in May 2011. He assumed charge as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in July 2024.

Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, presently Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, was elevated as a judge of the Jharkhand High Court in January 2013. He took over as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court in January 2025 and has earned recognition for his contributions to judicial administration and constitutional adjudication.

Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva currently heads the Madhya Pradesh High Court as Chief Justice. He was first appointed as an Additional Judge of the Delhi High Court in April 2013 and became a permanent judge in March 2015. He assumed office as Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in July 2025.

Justice Arun Palli, Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, began his tenure as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in December 2013. He was elevated as Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court in April 2025.

The fifth appointee, senior advocate V. Mohana, brings extensive experience from the legal profession. A respected practitioner before the Supreme Court, he has appeared in numerous constitutional, civil, and service law matters and is widely regarded for his expertise across diverse areas of jurisprudence.

The appointments come at an important time for the judiciary. The recently promulgated Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026 increased the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 33 to 37 judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India. The move was aimed at addressing the growing caseload and reducing the pendency of cases before the country’s highest court.

With the induction of these five judges, the Supreme Court is expected to enhance its capacity to hear and dispose of cases more efficiently. The expanded bench strength is also likely to facilitate the constitution of more Constitution Benches and specialised judicial panels to deal with complex legal and constitutional matters.

The swearing-in ceremony marks another significant step in strengthening India’s judicial system and ensuring that the apex court remains equipped to meet the increasing demands of justice delivery in the world’s largest democracy.