In a significant step aimed at addressing vacancies on the apex court bench, the Supreme Court collegium has recommended the elevation of Chief Justices from three different state High Courts to serve as judges of the top court. The decision was formalized during a high-level collegium meeting convened on Monday, September 28, 2026. The three judicial officers cleared for elevation are Gujarat High Court Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal, Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, and Telangana High Court Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh.
Collegium Deliberations and Sanctioned Judicial Strength
The Supreme Court functions with a sanctioned strength of 38 judges, and this round of nominations directly targets vacancies that have remained open. The collegium panel, headed by the Chief Justice of India, comprised Justice Vikram Nath, Justice B.V. Nagarathna, Justice M.M. Sundresh, and Justice P.S. Narasimha. Following extensive deliberations on September 28, 2026, the panel arrived at a consensus on all three candidates. These official recommendations now move to the central government for administrative vetting and the subsequent issuance of a formal notification.
Profile and Career of Justice Sunita Agarwal
Justice Sunita Agarwal initially enrolled as an advocate in 1990. Following years of legal practice, she assumed judicial office as an additional judge of the Allahabad High Court in November 2011. She subsequently took charge as the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court in July 2023. Notably, she will have a relatively long tenure at the apex court, with roughly five years remaining before she reaches the mandatory Supreme Court retirement age of 65.
Judicial Track Record of Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya
Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya has been serving as the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court since January 2025. He entered the legal profession as an advocate in 1991 and previously represented the state administration as the Chief Standing Counsel of Uttar Pradesh. In November 2011, he was elevated to the bench of the Allahabad High Court. Before taking charge in the national capital, Justice Upadhyaya served as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court starting in July 2023.
Professional Background of Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh
Currently serving as the Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court, Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh was initially sworn in as a judge of the Jharkhand High Court in 2012. Prior to his posting in Telangana, he also held office as the Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court. Before joining the higher judiciary, Justice Singh built an extensive legal practice arguing cases across both the Patna High Court and the Jharkhand High Court.
Next Steps in the Appointment Process
With the collegium having finalized these three names, the procedural next step rests with the central government. Once the executive gives its clearance and the President signs the warrants of appointment, the three judges will formally take the oath of office at the Supreme Court. The induction of these senior jurists is expected to reinforce the bench and expedite the disposal of pending litigation across the country.
