Supreme Court to attain full strength of 34 judges with elevation of Justices N Kotiswar Singh and R Mahadevan

New Delhi, July 16

The Supreme Court is all set to attain its full strength with the elevation of Justices N Kotiswar Singh and R Mahadevan.

The apex court has a sanctioned strength of 34 judges, including the chief justice, and was functioning with 32 judges.

CJI DY Chandrachud is likely to administer the oath of office to the two judges on Thursday.

The Supreme Court will function with 34 judges until Justice Hima Kohli retires on September 1, 2024, followed by CJI Chandrachud, who superannuates on November 10 this year.

On July 11, the five-member collegium presided over by the CJI had recommended to the Centre the names of Singh and Mahadevan for elevation to the apex court.

Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Justice N Kotiswar Singh, has become the first judge from Manipur to have been appointed to the top court.

“His appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court will provide representation to the North-East, and in particular he will be the first judge from the state of Manipur to be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court,” the SC Collegium had said on July 11 while recommending his name along with that of Justice Mahadevan.

Justice Singh was appointed as a judge of the Gauhati High Court in October 2011. Following the formation of the Manipur High Court, he was transferred there.

In February 2023, he was appointed as chief justice of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court and will demit office in February 2028 on attaining the age of 65 years.

Justice Mahadevan is at present the acting chief justice of the Madras High Court.