Collegium System and Judicial Appointments
Increasing sanctioned strength is only one part of the equation; appointments must follow through the Collegium system. The Supreme Court Collegium — comprising the CJI and the four most senior puisne judges — recommends names for appointment; the Union Government notifies the appointments. Delays between recommendation and appointment have historically meant that the actual working strength falls short of the sanctioned strength.
- Article 124(2): Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President after consultation with such judges as the President deems necessary
- The Collegium system was established through the Second Judges Case (Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association v. Union of India, 1993) and the Third Judges Case (1998 Presidential Reference)
- The NJAC (99th Constitutional Amendment) was struck down in 2015, restoring Collegium primacy
- Vacancies in the Supreme Court have often meant fewer working judges than sanctioned
● Tracked since May 05, 2026 · last seen May 28, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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