In a landmark development for India’s judiciary, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Tuesday administered the oath of office to five new judges of the Supreme Court, taking the court’s working strength to 37 the highest ever in its history and just one short of the newly increased sanctioned strength of 38.
The newly sworn-in judges are Justices Sheel Nagu, Shree Chandrashekhar, Sanjeev Sachdeva, Arun Palli, and senior advocate V. Mohana. The appointments were approved by the Union Government on June 1 following recommendations from the Supreme Court Collegium headed by CJI Surya Kant.
The expansion comes weeks after the Centre promulgated an ordinance increasing the apex court’s sanctioned strength from 34 to 38 judges to address rising case pendency and growing judicial workloads.
Legal experts have welcomed the move as a significant step towards strengthening judicial capacity, though many have cautioned that increasing the number of judges alone may not fully resolve systemic challenges facing India’s justice delivery system.
Expanding The Apex Court
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Supreme Court premises in New Delhi, marks one of the most significant expansions of the country’s highest constitutional court in recent years. The five appointees bring diverse judicial and legal experience from across India.
Justice Sheel Nagu previously served as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Shree Chandrashekhar led the Bombay High Court, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva headed the Madhya Pradesh High Court, and Justice Arun Palli served as Chief Justice of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court.
V. Mohana’s appointment stands out as she joins the Supreme Court directly from the Bar, a relatively rare occurrence reserved for distinguished legal practitioners. Her elevation has also drawn attention for contributing to greater gender representation within the apex court.
According to official notifications issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice, the appointments were made under Article 124(2) of the Constitution after receiving presidential approval.
While no detailed public statement was issued during the oath ceremony, the appointments reflect the Collegium’s effort to ensure regional diversity, judicial experience, and professional expertise within the Supreme Court.
Members of the legal fraternity have broadly welcomed the appointments, describing them as a timely move to strengthen the court’s ability to hear and dispose of cases more efficiently.
Addressing Growing Judicial Demands
The appointments come at a crucial time for India’s judicial system. Over the past several years, concerns have grown regarding mounting case backlogs across courts, particularly at the Supreme Court and High Court levels.
Recognising these pressures, the Union Government last month promulgated the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, increasing the sanctioned strength of the apex court from 34 to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India.
The latest appointments bring the court close to its full capacity, leaving only one vacancy unfilled. Legal observers have noted that the expansion could facilitate the constitution of more benches, expedite hearings in long-pending matters, and improve overall case management.
The development is also significant because it represents the first major round of Supreme Court appointments under CJI Surya Kant, who assumed office as the 53rd Chief Justice of India in late 2025.
The swift approval process from Collegium recommendation to government clearance and swearing-in has attracted attention within legal circles, with many viewing it as evidence of smoother institutional coordination between the judiciary and the executive.
However, experts have also stressed that broader reforms, including timely appointments in High Courts, improved judicial infrastructure, digitisation, and procedural efficiency, remain essential to ensuring meaningful access to justice for citizens.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
A strong and accessible justice system forms the foundation of any healthy democracy. The appointment of five new Supreme Court judges and the expansion of the court’s strength represent an important investment in India’s constitutional institutions at a time when citizens increasingly rely on the judiciary to protect rights, resolve disputes, and uphold the rule of law.
While increasing judicial capacity alone cannot eliminate delays or pendency, it signals recognition of the need for a more responsive and effective justice delivery system. The inclusion of judges from different regions and the elevation of a distinguished woman lawyer directly from the Bar also reflect the importance of diversity and representation within institutions that shape the nation’s legal future.
