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371 High Court Judge Vacancies: 178 Appointments Under Review, Govt Informs Rajya Sabha

Vivek G.

371 High Court Judge Vacancies: 178 Appointments Under Review, Govt Informs Rajya Sabha

The Union Government recently confirmed that as of July 18, 2025, a total of 371 posts for High Court judges remain vacant. Among these, 178 proposals for appointments are under different stages of processing between the Government and the Supreme Court Collegium. This update came in response to an unstarred question raised by Rajya Sabha Member Vivek T. Tankha.

हिंदी में पढ़ें

"As on 18.07.2025, against the sanctioned strength of 1122 Judges, 751 Judges are working and 371 posts of Judges are vacant in various High Courts,"– Union Minister of Law & Justice

The Union Law Minister made this disclosure in the Rajya Sabha on July 24, 2025, while responding to a multi-part query concerning the appointment process and related delays.

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Out of the 371 vacant positions, 178 proposals are currently at various stages of review. However, for the remaining 193 vacancies, recommendations are yet to be received from the respective High Court Collegiums.

The Minister explained that the appointment of judges is conducted according to Articles 217 and 224 of the Constitution, and follows the "Memorandum of Procedure (MoP)"—a framework developed post the Second Judges Case (1993) and the Third Judges Case (1998).

"Appointment of Judges in the higher judiciary is a continuous, integrated and collaborative process between the executive and the judiciary,"– Union Law Minister

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According to the MoP:

  • For Supreme Court, the CJI initiates the appointment.
  • For High Courts, the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court, in consultation with two senior-most puisne judges, begins the process.

The Minister also emphasized that High Courts are expected to send recommendations at least six months before a vacancy occurs, but this timeline is rarely followed.

Additionally, the State Government's opinion is considered during the evaluation. The final decision involves inputs from:

  • High Court Collegium
  • State Government
  • Union Government
  • And finally, the Supreme Court Collegium (SCC)

“The views of the concerned State Government are obtained in accordance with the MoP, and these views are considered along with other inputs before forwarding names to the SCC,”
– Law Ministry Response

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Judicial Appointments from 2020 to 2025

Between January 1, 2020, and July 18, 2025, the Government reported:

  • 35 appointments to the Supreme Court
  • 554 appointments to High Courts
  • 349 names were remitted (returned) to High Courts for reconsideration