Allahabad High Court new judge and Kerala High Court permanent judges appointed by the President of India under Article 217. Know details of judicial appointments in India 2025 for UPSC, PSC, judiciary, and government exam preparation.
President Appoints Permanent Judges in Kerala & Allahabad High Courts
Appointment of Judges in Allahabad High Court
On September 1, 2025, the Office of the President of India, acting in accordance with Article 217 of the Constitution and in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, appointed Advocate Arun Kumar as a Judge of the Allahabad High Court. The official notification by the Ministry of Law and Justice marked a significant step in filling the judicial vacancies at one of the oldest high courts in the country
Permanent Elevation in Kerala High Court
Simultaneously, the same Presidential order elevated three Additional Judges—Justices Johnson John, G.U. Girish, and C.N. Pratheep Kumar—to permanent judgeships in the Kerala High Court. These judges had been serving as Additional Judges and were granted permanency following recommendations from the Supreme Court Collegium and completion of due procedural formalities
Procedural Context & Significance
Such appointments are governed by the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), whereby recommendations originate from the Chief Justice of the respective High Courts, are processed through the Department of Justice, and reviewed by the Supreme Court Collegium. Following consensus, the President gives final approval The appointment of Arun Kumar reinforces the judicial strength of the Allahabad High Court, while the Kerala High Court gains additional stability and continuity through the elevation of experienced Additional Judges.
Implications for the Judiciary
This development reflects the judiciary’s ongoing efforts to maintain optimal staffing levels. The upgrades to permanency signal confidence in these judges’ capabilities, while the appointment of a new judge to Allahabad HC helps address long-standing vacancies in one of the country’s largest high courts
B) Why This News Is Important
Strategic Strengthening of High Courts
The appointment of Arun Kumar and elevation of Additional Judges to permanent positions are crucial for bolstering the manpower and functionality of the High Courts in Allahabad and Kerala. This helps manage caseloads more effectively and ensures the delivery of timely justice.
Signal of Administrative Efficiency
These judicial appointments indicate the smooth functioning of the appointment mechanism—showing coordinated action between the judiciary (Collegium) and the executive (President and Law Ministry). For aspirants preparing for judiciary-oriented government exams, this highlights the importance of understanding judicial appointment procedures.
Relevance for Exam Preparation
For UPSC, PSC, judicial services, and other government examinations, questions on judicial appointments, the role of the Supreme Court Collegium, and the constitutional framework under Article 217 often appear in both civil services and legal-paper segments. Understanding this development offers practical and current insight into India’s legal-administrative functioning.
Broader Governance Perspective
This move reflects judiciary’s institutional balance and its implications for governance. It’s a reminder of how judicial productivity and vacancies can impact the backlog of cases, legal certainty, and the broader rule of law.
C) Historical Context
Evolution of Judicial Appointments in India
- The Constitution of India (Article 217) grants the President authority to appoint High Court judges, with mandatory consultation of the Chief Justice of India and state governor.
- Since the Delhi High Court case (1998) and the Second Judges Case (1993), the Supreme Court Collegium system has been the prevalent mechanism for judicial appointments, refining and asserting judicial primacy in selecting judges.
Appointment Process: Then and Now
- Initially, executive-led appointments came under criticism for potential politicization. A push for judicial independence led to the formalization of the Collegium system.
- Though the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) was proposed in 2014 and briefly legislated, the Supreme Court ultimately struck it down in 2015, re-asserting the Collegium model
Kerala & Allahabad High Courts in Context
- Allahabad High Court, established in 1866, holds the highest sanctioned strength of judges (160) among Indian High Courts. However, chronic understaffing remains a challenge, with current judges far below sanctioned capacity
- The Kerala High Court, with a sanctioned strength of around 35 permanent judges, plays a crucial role in southern India’s judicial landscape
Thus, these appointments both fit into and reflect ongoing institutional efforts to ensure judicial efficacy and independence in India’s High Courts.
D) Key Takeaways from “President Appoints High Court Judges”
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Advocate Arun Kumar was appointed as a Judge of the Allahabad High Court on September 1, 2025. |
| 2 | Justices Johnson John, G.U. Girish, and C.N. Pratheep Kumar, Additional Judges, were elevated to Permanent Judges of the Kerala High Court. |
| 3 | These appointments were made by the President of India, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, as per Article 217 of the Constitution. |
| 4 | The Supreme Court Collegium plays a key role in recommending judges, with procedural safeguards ensuring judicial independence. |
| 5 | The appointments strengthen judicial capacity and are a key development for governance and judiciary-related exam preparation. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who appointed the judges in Kerala and Allahabad High Courts in September 2025?
The President of India appointed them, following the recommendations of the Supreme Court Collegium and in consultation with the Chief Justice of India.
Q2. Which advocate was appointed as a Judge of the Allahabad High Court in September 2025?
Advocate Arun Kumar was appointed as a Judge of the Allahabad High Court.
Q3. Which Additional Judges of Kerala High Court were elevated to Permanent Judges?
Justices Johnson John, G.U. Girish, and C.N. Pratheep Kumar were elevated from Additional Judges to Permanent Judges in the Kerala High Court.
Q4. Under which Article of the Indian Constitution are High Court Judges appointed?
High Court Judges are appointed under Article 217 of the Constitution of India.
Q5. What is the role of the Supreme Court Collegium in judicial appointments?
The Collegium recommends names for appointments or elevations of judges, and its approval is essential before the President formalizes the appointment.
Q6. What is the sanctioned strength of judges in Allahabad High Court?
The Allahabad High Court has a sanctioned strength of 160 judges, the highest among all Indian High Courts.
Q7. Why is the Kerala High Court significant?
The Kerala High Court serves the entire state of Kerala and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, playing a vital role in southern India’s judicial framework.
Q8. What is the difference between Additional Judges and Permanent Judges in High Courts?
Additional Judges are appointed temporarily for a period not exceeding two years to handle rising caseloads, while Permanent Judges have a full tenure until retirement age.
Q9. Which constitutional case reinforced the Collegium system of appointments?
The Second Judges Case (1993) established judicial primacy in appointments, strengthening the Collegium system.
Q10. How does this news matter for government exam aspirants?
This news is relevant as it touches upon judiciary structure, Article 217, Collegium system, and constitutional provisions—frequently asked in UPSC, PSCs, judiciary exams, and law-related sections of other government exams.
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