SC Collegium Recommends 26 Judges for Allahabad HC

The Supreme Court Collegium has made a major recommendation for filling judicial vacancies in the Allahabad High Court, the largest High Court in India. This proposal includes a mix of judicial officers and advocates, including senior women lawyers, and marks one of the biggest batches of recommendations in recent times. The move aims to strengthen the judicial system, which has been struggling with a large number of vacancies and a rising backlog of cases.

Background: Allahabad High Court and Vacancies

The Allahabad High Court has the highest number of vacancies among all High Courts in the country.

• Sanctioned strength: 160 judges.
• Working strength (as of September 1, 2025): 84 judges.
• Vacancies: 76, which is nearly half of its sanctioned capacity.

Such a high vacancy rate affects case disposal and delays justice delivery, making fresh appointments crucial.

Collegium’s Recommendation

The Supreme Court Collegium, in its meeting on September 1, proposed,

• 14 judicial officers
• 12 advocates, including two senior women lawyers – Garima Parshad and Swarupama Chaturvedi from the Supreme Court Bar.
• Together, these 26 names form one of the largest single recommendations for a High Court in recent months.

Importance of the Move

Strengthening the Judiciary

• Appointing new judges will reduce the pendency of cases in the Allahabad HC.
• It will also help in maintaining the rule of law and ensuring timely justice.

Women’s Representation

• The inclusion of senior women lawyers is a step towards gender diversity in the higher judiciary.
• This can inspire more women to enter and thrive in the legal profession.

Comparison with Other High Courts

• Apart from Allahabad, Bombay, Calcutta, and Punjab & Haryana High Courts also face considerable vacancies.
• Addressing these vacancies is essential to improve the overall efficiency of India’s judicial system.

Important Takeaways for Exam

Appointment of High Court Judges

• Constitutional Provision
• Article: 217 of the Constitution of India
• Authority: President of India

In Consultation With,

• Chief Justice of India (CJI)
• Governor of the State
• Chief Justice of the High Court (if the appointment is not for the Chief Justice of the HC)