The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, has recommended ten new appointments across the Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh High Courts. Following a meeting on June 2, 2026, the collegium approved six advocates for Karnataka, one for Madhya Pradesh, and three judicial officers for Himachal Pradesh. These crucial appointments aim to address judicial vacancies and expedite the delivery of justice in these key state high courts.
The recommendations signify a major push to fill vacancies within the higher judiciary. The Supreme Court Collegium finalized these names after evaluating proposals initiated by the respective High Court Chief Justices. Once processed by the Central government and formally approved by the President of India, these appointments will take effect, significantly fortifying the judicial strength in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh.
The Collegium cleared a significant batch of advocates for the Karnataka High Court. The approved names include Raghavendra Seetharam Srivatsa, Hema Kulkarni, Subramanya Rangarao, Thadagavadi Prakash Vivekananda, Bakkeswara Pramod, and Hombe Gowda Shanthi Bhushan.
For the Madhya Pradesh High Court, the panel specifically approved advocate Amit Lahoti. An official statement uploaded to the apex court's website noted, “The Supreme Court Collegium in its meeting held on 2nd June, 2026 has approved the proposal for appointment of Shri Amit Lahoti, Advocate as a Judge of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh.”
Meanwhile, the Himachal Pradesh High Court is set to receive three judicial officers. A separate official statement confirmed, “The Supreme Court Collegium in its meeting held on 2nd June, 2026 has approved the proposal for appointment of the following Judicial Officers as Judges of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh: (i) Shri Chirag Bhanu Singh, (ii) Shri Bhupesh Sharma, and (iii) Shri Yogesh Jaswal.”
Background
The appointment of High Court judges in India follows a rigorous Memorandum of Procedure (MoP). The process begins with the Chief Justice of the respective High Court, in consultation with their two senior-most judges. This proposal travels through the state’s Chief Minister and Governor before reaching the Union Minister of Law and Justice. Finally, the Chief Justice of India and the Supreme Court Collegium review the inputs to make their conclusive recommendations to the Centre.
What It Means
These recommendations reflect the Collegium's ongoing commitment to streamlining the judicial appointment process. By clearing these names, the apex court ensures that regional courts have the necessary judicial bandwidth to handle pending litigation. The ball is now in the Central government's court to notify these appointments, ultimately leading to the issuance of warrants by the President of India and publication in the Gazette of India.
Our Final Thoughts
The latest recommendations by the Supreme Court Collegium under CJI Surya Kant highlight a proactive approach to maintaining judicial efficacy across the country. Filling ten vacancies across three major High Courts is a vital step toward reducing the mounting backlog of cases that often plague the Indian legal system. While the Collegium has swiftly done its part by vetting and approving a mix of experienced advocates and seasoned judicial officers, the spotlight now shifts to the executive branch for prompt clearance and official notification. Ensuring a frictionless transition from recommendation to appointment will be essential for the Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh High Courts to function at their optimal capacity. Ultimately, a fully staffed judiciary is the cornerstone of a robust democracy, ensuring that citizens receive timely and fair access to justice.