The Chief Justice of India (CJI), NV Ramana, will administer oath of office to Nine new judges, including three women on August 31, 2021.

• Three out of these nine new judges namely, Justice Vikram Nath, Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice PS Narasimha, are in line to become the CJI.
• With the addition of 9 judges, total strength of the Supreme Court would increase to 33 out of the sanctioned strength of 34, including the CJI.
• This will happen for the first time in the history of Supreme Court when nine judges will take oath of office in one go.
• Swearing-in ceremony would be held in auditorium of the Supreme Court’s additional building complex as opposed to oath in CJI’s courtroom.

A collegium of Supreme Court recommended the names of these nine judges on August 17, 2021 for appointment as judges of the Apex court. President Ram Nath Kovind then signed the warrants of their appointment.

The apex court has appointed very few women judges since its inception. In over 71 years, only eight women judges have been appointed till date. First women judge was M Fathima Beevi, appointed in 1989. Justice Indira Banerjee is the lone serving woman judge in the supreme court after her elevation on August 7, 2018.

The President of India appoints the Judges of the Supreme Court. The CJI is appointed by the President following a consultation with judges of the Supreme Court as well as high courts (HCs). Other judges of the SC are appointed by the President following a consultation with the CJI and such other judges of the SC and the HCs. The consultation with CJI is obligatory for appointment of judges other than Chief justice.

By: Brijesh Kumar