Chief Justice of India Surya Kant will administer the oath of office to five newly appointed Supreme Court judges on Tuesday, June 2, 2024 [1].
The appointments aim to address judicial vacancies and increase the capacity of the nation's highest court to handle its caseload. Expanding the bench is a critical step in reducing the backlog of pending litigation within the Indian legal system.
The ceremony will take place at the Supreme Court building in New Delhi [2]. These elevations follow the formal approval and notification of the appointments by the Union government [3].
There are varying reports regarding the final sanctioned strength of the court following these appointments. One source said the court's strength is expanding to 36 judges [3], while another reported a move to increase the sanctioned strength from 33 to 38 judges [4].
The addition of five judges [1] is intended to bolster the court's ability to deliver timely justice. The Union government's decision to notify these appointments ensures that the judiciary can operate closer to its full capacity, a necessary requirement for maintaining the rule of law in India.
Chief Justice Surya Kant said he welcomed the government's move to raise the court's strength [4]. The process of appointing judges to the Supreme Court involves a coordination between the executive branch and the collegium system to ensure judicial independence and competence.
“Chief Justice of India Surya Kant will administer the oath of office to five newly appointed Supreme Court judges.”
The appointment of these five judges reflects an ongoing effort to mitigate the chronic issue of judicial vacancies in India. By increasing the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court—whether to 36 or 38 judges—the government and the judiciary are attempting to accelerate the pace of case disposals and reduce the systemic delays that often hinder access to justice for millions of citizens.
