SC Collegium Recommends 33 Judges for Six High Courts in Major Push
In a significant move aimed at strengthening the judiciary, the Supreme Court collegium has recommended the appointment of 33 judges to six High Courts across the country. This latest round of proposals is part of an ongoing effort to fill judicial vacancies and address long-standing concerns about bench strength and pendency of cases.
Addressing Judicial Vacancies
High Courts across India have been grappling with a high number of vacancies, with over 32% of sanctioned posts remaining unfilled as of June 2025. The recommendation of these 33 judges represents a proactive attempt to mitigate this issue. Over the past two and a half years, the collegium has recommended a total of 221 judges for various High Courts, making this one of the most active periods in terms of judicial appointments.
Focus on Representation and Integrity
The collegium’s approach emphasizes not just merit and seniority, but also regional and social representation. While the specific names and High Courts involved in the current round have not been officially disclosed, the selection criteria are said to include gender diversity, caste inclusion, and equitable regional distribution. Past appointments have demonstrated efforts to bring in more women judges and nominees from underrepresented communities, and the current list is expected to follow the same trend.
Coordination Between Judiciary and Executive
Out of the 57 names recently sent to the government for approval, 45 have already been cleared and appointed, indicating a high level of acceptance and coordination between the judiciary and the executive branch. This 79% clearance rate suggests a relatively smooth functioning of the collegium system, which has often faced delays and friction in the past.
Impact on Judicial Efficiency
The new appointments are expected to significantly improve the functioning of overburdened High Courts, many of which face severe backlogs. Courts like the Allahabad High Court, which has the highest sanctioned strength of 160 judges but historically suffers from a high vacancy rate, will benefit from the additions. The boost in manpower is likely to speed up case resolution, reduce pendency, and improve overall public access to justice.
