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Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Three High Court Chief Justices for Elevation
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Supreme Court Collegium’s September 28, 2026 Recommendation
On September 28, 2026 the Supreme Court Collegium, chaired by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, submitted to the Union government the names of three sitting chief justices for elevation: Sunita Agarwal (Gujarat), Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya (Delhi) and Aparesh Kumar Singh (Telangana). The collegium included Justices Vikram Nath, B. V. Nagarathna, M. M. Sundresh and P. S. Narasimha.
Background and Context
The recommendation follows the 2026 elevation of senior advocate V. Mohana, which expanded the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court to 38 judges. The apex court currently has four vacancies. The last year multiple women were appointed was 2021, when Justices Hima Kohli, B. V. Nagarathna and Bela M. Trivedi joined together.
Key Figures
- Sunita Agarwal – Chief Justice, Gujarat High Court; former judge of the Allahabad High Court.
- Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya – Chief Justice, Delhi High Court; former Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.
- Aparesh Kumar Singh – Chief Justice, Telangana High Court; previously acting Chief Justice of Jharkhand and Chief Justice of Tripura.
Timeline
- May 11, 1991 – Upadhyaya enrolls as an advocate.
- July 29, 2023 – Upadhyaya becomes Chief Justice of Bombay.
- January 21, 2025 – Upadhyaya takes oath as Chief Justice of Delhi.
- July 2023 – Agarwal appointed Chief Justice of Gujarat.
- April 2023 – Singh appointed Chief Justice of Tripura; assumes Telangana charge in July 2025.
- September 28, 2026 – Collegium recommends the three for elevation.
Data and Statistics
- Sanctioned strength: 38 judges.
- Current vacancies (Sept 2026): four.
- Projected strength if approved: 37 judges, three vacancies.
- Women judges (if approved): increase from one to two, making Sunita Agarwal the third woman ever on the bench.
- Seniority ranking: Upadhyaya (4th), Agarwal (5th), Singh (6th) among high-court judges.
- Potential first woman CJI: Justice B. V. Nagarathna, a collegium member, is next in line for seniority in 2027.
Why It Matters
If accepted, the recommendation would improve gender balance and fill three of the four vacancies, enhancing the court’s capacity. The elevation of Sunita Agarwal would add a second woman to the Supreme Court, continuing the modest increase seen since 2021.
Official Statements & Responses
The recommendation was presented in accordance with the established procedure. No public dissent or alternative recommendation has been reported. The collegium’s composition, featuring Justice B. V. Nagarathna, reflects continuity in the seniority-based selection process that previously elevated judges such as V. Mohana.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the impact on women judges: one account says the appointment would raise the count to two, another describes Sunita Agarwal as the third woman ever on the Supreme Court. The discrepancy remains unresolved.