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Centre Notifies Chief Justice Appointments for Kerala, Patna and Meghalaya High Courts
The Union government notifies appointments and a transfer of Chief Justices for the Kerala, Patna and Meghalaya High Courts based on Supreme Court Collegium recommendations. The notifications follow the Collegium meeting held on December 18, 2025, and relate to provisions under Articles 217 and 222 of the Constitution.
Chief Justice Appointments/Transfers: Kerala, Patna and Meghalaya High Courts
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Current trigger | Union government notifies appointment and transfer of Chief Justices for Kerala, Patna and Meghalaya High Courts based on Supreme Court Collegium recommendations. |
| Constitutional basis | Appointments and transfers are governed by Article 217 and Article 222 of the Constitution of India. |
| Article 222 provision | Article 222 authorises the President to transfer High Court judges after consultation with the Chief Justice of India. |
| Article 217 provision | Article 217 provides for appointment of High Court judges, including Chief Justices. |
| Article 217 consultation requirements | High Court judge is appointed by the President in consultation with the Chief Justice of India and the Governor of the State; for appointment of a Judge other than the Chief Justice, the Chief Justice of the High Court is consulted. |
| Supreme Court Collegium | Recommendations are made by a Collegium comprising the Chief Justice of India and two senior most judges. |
| Collegium meeting details | Recommendations are made by the Supreme Court Collegium headed by Surya Kant during its meeting on December 18, 2025. |
| Initiation of proposal | Proposal is initiated by the Chief Justice of the High Court concerned in consultation with two senior most colleagues. |
| Recommendation channel | Recommendation is sent to the Chief Minister, who advises the Governor to send the proposal to the Union Law Minister. |
| Policy for appointing High Court Chief Justices | Chief Justice of the High Court is appointed as per the policy of having Chief Justices from outside the respective States. |
| Kerala High Court: Chief Justice | Justice Soumen Sen (currently Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court) is transferred and appointed as Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court. |
| Kerala High Court: assumption of charge | Justice Soumen Sen assumes charge after the retirement of incumbent Chief Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar on January 9, 2026. |
| Patna High Court: Chief Justice | Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo (sitting judge of the Orissa High Court) is appointed as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. |
| Patna High Court: effective date | Appointment takes effect from the date Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo assumes charge. |
| Meghalaya High Court: Chief Justice | Justice Revati Prashant Mohite Dere (judge of the Bombay High Court) is appointed as Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court following the transfer of Justice Soumen Sen. |