Justice Joymalya Bagchi Appointed to Supreme Court; Set to Become Chief Justice of India in 2031
Justice Joymalya Bagchi of the Calcutta High Court has been appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of India, following the Union government’s approval on March 10, 2025. This elevation positions Justice Bagchi to assume the role of Chief Justice of India (CJI) in May 2031, succeeding Justice K.V. Viswanathan, with a tenure lasting until his retirement on October 2, 2031.
Born on October 3, 1966, Justice Bagchi completed his law degree from Calcutta University in 1991. He began his legal career practicing at the Calcutta High Court, gaining recognition for his expertise in civil, criminal, and constitutional law. Notably, he successfully argued against the West Bengal government’s ban on ‘Dwikhondito,’ a book by Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen.
Appointed as a judge of the Calcutta High Court on June 27, 2011, Justice Bagchi was transferred to the Andhra Pradesh High Court on January 4, 2021. He returned to the Calcutta High Court on November 8, 2021, and has since served with distinction. His extensive judicial experience spans over 13 years, during which he has handled a diverse array of cases, contributing significantly to the Indian judiciary.
The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, recommended Justice Bagchi’s elevation, considering his merit, integrity, and judicial competence. The Collegium also noted that since the retirement of Justice Altamas Kabir as CJI in 2013, no judge from the Calcutta High Court has held the position of Chief Justice of India. Justice Bagchi’s appointment addresses this gap, bringing representation from the Calcutta High Court to the apex court.
Currently, the Supreme Court bench includes only one judge from the Calcutta High Court, Justice Dipankar Datta. Justice Bagchi’s elevation not only fills one of the two vacancies in the Supreme Court, which has a sanctioned strength of 34 judges, but also enriches the bench with his vast experience and regional representation.
Justice Bagchi’s anticipated tenure as Chief Justice of India, though brief, is expected to uphold the judiciary’s commitment to justice and integrity. His appointment reflects the ongoing efforts to ensure diverse representation and expertise within India’s highest judicial institution.
